Beastworld Bride: My Seven SSS-Rank Alpha Mates

Elara’s POV

"See clearly now, right? Three..."

Thorne’s voice cracked through the speaker: "Elara, you crazy bitch! Do you even know what you’re doing?"

"Two..." I said, my voice steady as stone.

His curses bounced off me like rain off glass. I felt nothing but cold satisfaction.

"One!"

"I’ll pay!!!"

Two desperate voices overlapped. I could practically hear Thorne’s teeth grinding through the comm. Poor baby. Probably wondering how someone supposedly cut off from her family managed to capture Vance and Jasper.

Maybe he was starting to realize I wasn’t quite the helpless little princess he’d pegged me for.

The payment notification flashed on my smart wallet, and laughter bubbled up from my chest.

Thorne’s voice turned venomous: "Now send them back immediately, or I swear I’ll kill you."

"Oops..." I let my voice drip with fake innocence. "Why are you screaming? You startled me so badly I had a muscle spasm and accidentally sold them to some roaming traders. Anyway, gotta run. Company’s coming!"

"Elara, you son of a—"

I cut the connection before he could finish. Somewhere on the other end, I imagined him hurling his device against the wall.

"Ms. Sterling, I took the liberty of sending those two to Waste-mire World."

I blinked at 007. "Waste-mire World?"

"The planet hosts numerous creatures whose waste contains trace energy suitable for refining into starship fuel. It’s messy work few volunteers for. Usually contracted to roaming traders, who use purchased beast slaves for the refining process..."

That brilliant, scheming Alistair. Of all the worlds in the galaxy, he’d chosen the one where those two would spend their days knee-deep in alien excrement.

Perfect. Garbage belongs with garbage.

"See, this is why you’re my favorite, 007. You really understand me." I gave his shoulder an approving pat.

Time for a shower. I needed to wash the satisfaction off my skin before it became permanent.

——

Alistair filled the others in on the confrontation while Elara was gone.

"One kick really took him down?" Dorian’s incredulous voice carried through the facility.

He’d always figured Alistair exaggerated these stories. How could someone as delicate-looking as Elara actually demolish another person?

"One kick. Took me forever to pry them out of the floor crater."

Alistair barely contained his amusement.

"She actually sold them?" Julian asked, disbelief coloring his tone.

"Sold them both."

A collective shiver ran through the group.

Dislike someone? Just... sell them?

The revelation sent Julian spiraling underwater, but then—

"Chamber Two, Julian: Spirit collapse level decreased by three points. Current spirit collapse level: 70."

Everyone’s heads snapped up. He’d only gotten that bracelet recently.

Before anyone could process it fully, Julian surfaced. Streams of bubbles rose from the clear water as his form shifted, and then—an impossibly gorgeous tail, scales catching light in every conceivable color, broke through.

The gill slits along his neck faded into smooth skin. The monstrous fanged maw retracted. The face that had resembled pure nightmare melted into something so exquisite it seemed hand-carved by divine artists.

Even the gods would weep with envy.

A sea deity had emerged. Aquamarine eyes that could steal souls with a single glance. Blue-purple waves cascading over powerful shoulders. Precious stones traced the contours of his sculpted torso.

He was devastating. Otherworldly and sinfully beautiful—like stepping into a fever dream.

——

Elara’s POV

I walked straight into that vision.

Dining cart in hand, I froze in the doorway, brain short-circuiting as I stared at my sea monster husband who’d somehow transformed into a romance novel cover model.

Setting down the aromatic mashed potatoes, tomato pasta, and fresh fruit, I spun around quickly. My heart hammered against my ribs like it wanted to escape.

Too much. Way too much. My husband was absolutely lethal.

Even seeing him normal now, did some part of me still resist?

I glanced back and accidentally caught Julian’s gaze. Heat flooded my cheeks as I practically dove toward Kaelen’s feeding station.

Kaelen’s jaw dropped, looking as if he wondered whether I found the once-dead fish appealing now that he was normal, clearly indignant because I was his destined mate, not that overgrown guppy.

Before he could voice a single protest, I’d already swept into the next room like a tornado, leaving chaos behind.

I turned slightly, stealing another look at Julian delicately eating from his bowl. My eyes drifted lower despite myself. Holy hell. That was one incredibly toned stomach.

I was internally combusting. Damn it. You should have started with this look.

Dorian bounced excitedly by his door, his tail wagging, though he looked confused as to why I seemed so strange today and didn’t even glance his way.

How could I focus on Dorian right now? My mind was elsewhere entirely. Collarbone jewelry. Translucent fabrics. Could mermen sing? Could they... move in interesting ways?