Control

Lena

Not long after returning to my quarters, I was summoned. After the recent conflict with Thorne, the air felt heavier, almost suffocating. I didn’t know exactly why I was being called, but something told me that after the dinner, things might change.

The door opened, and Thorne entered. His posture was rigid, and the expression on his face revealed the gravity of the situation. He wasn’t one to hide his emotions, but what I saw in his eyes sent a chill down my spine. He was planning something, something I couldn’t predict.

“Kael is on his way,” he said, his voice colder than usual. “But there’s something we need to discuss first.”

I looked at him, trying to understand what was going on. “And what’s so important that you need to tell me before Kael arrives?”

Thorne stared at me, his green eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that seemed to pierce my soul. “Lena, since you arrived here, things have changed. We can’t ignore the fact that you’ve become a central figure in everything we’re doing. But there’s a problem.”

I frowned, feeling the tension in his words. “Problem? What kind of problem?”

He stepped forward, getting close enough that I could feel his presence like a shadow approaching. “You. Your influence over Kael, over everything that’s happening. You’re a variable I can’t control, and that concerns me.”

Anger started to boil inside me, but I kept calm. “So why not just eliminate me? It seems like that would solve all your problems, Commander.”

He didn’t laugh, didn’t smile. His face remained a mask of seriousness. “If I could, I would have done it already. But you’re vital to this mission, and Kael… Kael believes in you in a way that could compromise our objectives. And I can’t let that happen.”

“So, what’s your solution, Thorne?” I asked, crossing my arms, waiting for the next blow.

He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words. Then, finally, he dropped the bombshell. “You need to get married.”

I was stunned for a moment, trying to process what he had just said. “Married? What are you…?” The words failed to come out, disbelief taking hold of me.

“Yes, married,” he repeated, his voice relentless. “It’s the only way to ensure you stay under control. If you marry one of the alien leaders, or even me, your loyalty will be sealed, and I’ll be sure you won’t betray us.”

My anger exploded, and before I could stop myself, I stepped forward, looking directly into his eyes. “You really think I would agree to something like that? That I would just submit to being your prisoner, your possession, in an even more cruel way than now?”

Thorne didn’t back down; his voice was a cold blade. “You don’t understand, Lena. This isn’t about submission. It’s about survival. I don’t trust you, and this is the only way to ensure you don’t turn against us.”

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, anger and despair mixing into a dangerous concoction. “You’re doing this because you’re jealous, Thorne? Because you can’t stand the idea that Kael trusts me more than you?”

He finally showed a flicker of emotion, but it was something dark. “I don’t trust anyone completely, Lena. But yes, Kael trusts you too much. And that worries me. I won’t risk the safety of our people because of a variable I can’t control.”

“What do you really want, Thorne?” I demanded, my voice trembling with rage. “Is it control? Using me as a pawn in your game? Or is there something more?”

He stared at me for a long moment, and for an instant, I thought he might back down, that he would admit some kind of weakness. But instead, he stepped even closer until his presence became oppressive.

“I want to ensure this mission is successful,” he said, his voice low but filled with determination. “And if that means you need to be my wife to guarantee it, then that’s what will happen.”

The door suddenly opened, interrupting the tense moment between us. Kael entered the room, his eyes shifting from me to Thorne, clearly sensing the tension in the air.

“What’s going on here?” Kael asked, concern evident in his voice.

I turned to him, trying to control the anger still burning inside me. “Thorne thinks the solution to all his problems is to force me to marry, Kael. He thinks that’s the best way to keep me under control.”

Kael looked at Thorne, and something passed between them—a mutual understanding, perhaps, or an old rivalry reignited. He then turned to me, his expression softening a bit.

“I didn’t know Thorne was considering this,” Kael said calmly, though there was an underlying hardness in his words. “But I can understand why he would think so. The situation is delicate, Lena, and we need stability.”

“Stability?” I echoed, incredulous. “You want to use me as a tool for your own ends. I’m not a pawn in your game.”

“You’re not a pawn,” Kael replied gently. “But you also need to understand that there’s much more at stake here than just our feelings. If this is something that can prevent further conflict, then perhaps it’s something to consider.”

I looked at both of them, feeling the weight of betrayal. “You really think this will work? That I’ll just accept this?”

Thorne stepped forward again, his voice cold and unyielding. “You don’t have many options, Lena. Either you cooperate, or things could become much more difficult for you.”

I was about to explode again when an idea occurred to me. Perhaps, instead of fighting this, I could use the situation to my advantage. If Thorne and Kael were so desperate to secure my cooperation, then maybe I had more power than they realized.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “If I agree to this, then there will be terms. I want guarantees. I want more access to information, and I want you to listen to what I have to say about Earth. Nothing will be done without my approval.”

Kael exchanged a glance with Thorne, who seemed to be weighing my words. Finally, Kael nodded. “That can be discussed.”

Thorne seemed less convinced, but he knew he couldn’t refuse outright. “We’ll see how things unfold,” he said, his voice still laden with distrust.

I watched them for a moment, knowing that no matter how much they tried to control me, there was still a chance to turn the tables. I might be in a difficult position, but I still had cards to play.

And as they walked away, discussing the next steps, I made a silent promise to myself. No matter what happened, I would find a way to get out of this situation with my freedom intact. And if that meant playing their game for a while, then so be it.

But I would not be subdued. I would not be controlled.