Vael's POV
The door slid shut behind me with a soft hiss, and I stood in the corridor for a second, trying to pull myself together.
My uniform felt too tight. My body still carried Lirien's scent sweet, warm, and addictive. Every step away from my quarters felt wrong. I wanted to turn around, go back, and crawl into bed with him again. Hold him. Kiss him until neither of us could think.
But I couldn't.
I was the captain of the Stellar Dominion. People depended on me.
I walked toward the bridge with my hands clenched at my sides. My mind kept replaying last night. The way Lirien had looked up at me, scared but trusting. The way he moaned my name when I was deep inside him. The way he fell asleep in my arms afterward, breathing softly against my chest like he belonged there.
I had knotted him. Claimed him. And we had only known each other for a few hours.
What the hell was I doing?
By the time I reached the bridge, I had my captain's face back on calm, cold, in control. The crew greeted me with the usual "Good morning, Captain." I nodded and took my seat in the command chair.
The morning meeting started. Navigation reports, engine status, passenger complaints about the artificial gravity on Deck 5. I listened, gave orders, signed off on schedules. But my mind kept drifting back to my quarters.
Was Lirien okay? Was he sore? Scared? Did he regret what we did?
I kept seeing his flushed cheeks and those wide violet eyes. The way he had whispered "please" and "don't stop." My knot twitched at the memory, and I had to clench my jaw to stay focused.
"Captain?" My first officer, Lieutenant Mara, looked at me strangely. "You seem… distracted this morning. Is everything alright?"
"Fine," I said sharply. Too sharply. "Continue."
She raised an eyebrow but kept talking. I forced myself to pay attention, but inside I was restless. For the first time in years, being on the bridge felt like a cage. All I wanted was to be back in my room with that rebellious little Omega who had turned my world upside down in one night.
The meeting finally ended. I stood up quickly.
"I'll be in my quarters for the next hour," I told Mara. "Handle anything urgent unless it's critical."
She nodded, but I could see the curiosity in her eyes. I didn't care.
I walked back faster than I should have, my heart beating harder the closer I got to my door. When it finally opened and I stepped inside, the sight that greeted me made my chest tighten.
Lirien was curled up in my bed, still half-asleep, wearing one of my oversized black shirts. His messy silver-white hair spread across the pillow, and one bare leg stuck out from under the blanket. He looked small, vulnerable… and completely mine.
He stirred when he heard me. Those beautiful violet eyes opened and found mine. A shy, tired smile touched his lips.
"You came back," he said softly.
I closed the door and locked it. In three steps I was at the bed, sitting on the edge and pulling him into my arms without thinking. He came willingly, pressing his face into my neck and breathing me in.
"Of course I came back," I murmured, kissing the top of his head. "I couldn't stop thinking about you the entire meeting. Are you okay? Sore?"
"A little," he admitted, voice muffled against my skin. "But it's a good sore. Last night… it felt intense. But I don't regret it."
Those simple words hit me harder than they should have. I hugged him tighter, one hand gently stroking his back.
"I don't regret it either," I said quietly. "But this is dangerous, Lirien. If anyone finds out I'm hiding a stowaway Omega in my quarters… especially after what we did… I could lose my position. And you could be in serious trouble."
He pulled back just enough to look at me. His fingers traced my jaw like he was memorizing my face.
"I know," he whispered. "I'm scared too. But when I'm with you… I feel safe. Even though we just met. Isn't that crazy?"
I let out a low breath and rested my forehead against his.
"Yeah. It's crazy. But it's real." I kissed him slowly, tasting the sleep and warmth on his lips. "I have to go back to work soon. But I'll try to come back during lunch. Stay here, rest, eat something. Don't open the door for anyone."
Lirien nodded, then gave me a small, teasing smile that made my heart flip. "Yes, Captain."
I groaned and kissed him again, deeper this time, because I couldn't help it. The chemistry between us was still burning strong, even after last night.
When I finally forced myself to stand up and head for the door, I looked back at him one last time.
"Lirien?"
"Hmm?"
"This isn't just heat for me anymore," I said honestly. "I want more than one night. I want to figure this out… with you."
His cheeks turned pink, but his eyes shone with hope.
"I want that too," he whispered.
I smiled, then stepped out, already counting the minutes until I could return to him.
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Lirien's POV
I lay in Vael's bed for a long time after he left. The room felt too quiet. Too big.
My body was still sore in places that reminded me of everything we did last night. I touched my neck where he had kissed me and felt a strange warmth in my chest. It wasn't just the heat anymore. I actually liked him. That scared me more than hiding on this ship.
I couldn't just stay in bed all day. I got up slowly and looked around his quarters. The room was neat and organized, like a true captain's space. On the desk, I saw a small hologram frame. I touched it and a photo appeared Vael standing with an older woman, smiling. He looked younger and happier in the picture.
Was that his mother?
I felt bad for looking, but I was curious. Who was this man who had knotted me and then spoke so gently in the morning?
I opened a small drawer and found an old metal dog tag with his name on it. There were also a few medals for bravery. Vael was not just a strict captain. He had a real past.
Suddenly, the ship's alarm beeped twice. Not loud, but enough to make me jump. A calm voice came from the speakers:
"Routine security sweep on Deck 3. All crew remain at stations."
My heart started beating fast. Deck 3 was close to us. What if they checked the captain's quarters? I quickly fixed the bed and hid my torn clothes under the blanket. I was still wearing Vael's big black shirt. It reached my thighs and smelled like him.
I walked to the big window and looked out at the stars. The ship was moving so smoothly, but inside me everything felt messy. I had run away from a forced mating back home, only to end up knotted by a stranger the very next day. And the worst part? I wanted to see him again.
A soft knock came at the door.
I froze.
Three slow knocks.
My stomach dropped. Vael said no one could open the door, but what if it was important? What if someone knew I was here?
I stayed completely still and held my breath. After a few seconds, the person walked away. I let out a long sigh and sat on the floor with my back against the wall.
This was dangerous. If they caught me, Vael could lose everything. But when I thought about leaving, my heart hurt. Last night he made me feel wanted. Safe. Not like a problem to be sold off.
I got up and found some food packets in the small kitchen corner. I ate slowly while thinking. Maybe I could stay hidden for a few more days until the ship reached the next planet. Then I could disappear quietly.
But deep down, I already knew I didn't want to disappear.
The door suddenly opened. I jumped back in fear, but it was only Vael. He stepped inside quickly and locked the door behind him. His face looked tired but soft when he saw me.
"You're still here," he said, almost like he was relieved.
"I didn't know where else to go," I answered honestly.
He walked over and gently touched my cheek. "Good. I was worried the whole morning." He paused, then added, "There's a security sweep happening on the lower decks. Someone reported seeing an unknown person yesterday. We need to be more careful."
I nodded. My hands were shaking a little.
Vael noticed. He pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back slowly. "I won't let anything happen to you, Lirien. But we have to make a plan. You can't stay locked in this room forever."
I hugged him back tightly, breathing in his warm scent.
I didn't feel completely alone.
But I also knew our little safe world could break at any moment.