Page 69 of Her Alien Owner

“I know,” I say softly, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “Thank you for keeping it perfect.”

“You make it look even better,” she replies, brushing a tear from her cheek.

Kaitlyn claps her hands together, breaking the emotional moment with her usual exuberance. “Alright, enough of this mushy stuff! We’ve got a wedding to get to!”

I laugh, feeling lighter already. “You’re right. Let’s get going.”

As we head towards the door, Mom pauses and turns to me one last time. “Ariana,” she says quietly, “are you sure about this? Valen... he’s not like us. He's done a lot for your father…for our family, but…”

“I know,” I reply honestly. “But I love him.” The words come out easier than I expected.

She searches my eyes for a moment before nodding slowly. “Then that’s all that matters.”

With that final bit of reassurance, we make our way out of the room and towards the future that awaits.

My father’s grip on my arm is steady as we walk towards Valen, his steps deliberate and reassuring. The stars above us twinkle like a celestial audience, bearing witness to this moment. Valen stands tall, his green eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart race.

“You look beautiful,” he murmurs as we reach him.

“Thank you,” I whisper back, feeling the warmth in his gaze.

The kilgari priestess steps forward, her golden skin glowing softly in the starlight. Her horns are adorned with delicate chains that glint as she moves. She raises her hands in a gesture of welcome. “We gather here under the cosmos tonight to celebrate the union of two souls, bound by fate and strengthened by love.”

I feel a flutter of nerves but also an overwhelming sense of rightness. Valen’s hand finds mine, and his touch is a grounding force.

“The commitment you make tonight is one of unity and mutual respect,” the priestess continues. “It is a promise to support each other through all challenges and to cherish each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities.”

She gestures for us to exchange our tokens. Valen steps closer, holding out a single rose from his garden. The petals are a deep crimson, almost black in the dim light, and the fragrance is heady and sweet.

“I cultivated this myself,” he says quietly, pressing it into my hand. “It represents growth and care.”

I add the rose to my bouquet, feeling the symbolism deeply. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the pocket watch that belonged to my grandfather. I hand it to Valen with trembling fingers.

“This was my grandfather’s,” I explain. “It’s been passed down through generations. It’s a reminder of time and legacy.”

Valen looks visibly moved as he takes the watch, his eyes softening with emotion. He nods once, acknowledging the meaning of the gesture.

The priestess smiles gently at our exchange. “Love is both timeless and ever-growing. These tokens symbolize your shared journey and commitment.”

She turns to us fully now. “Do you, Valen, take Ariana as your mate?”

Valen’s voice is steady and sure. “I do.”

“And do you, Ariana, take Valen as your mate?”

“I do,” I say, my voice clear despite the lump in my throat.

“Then by the stars above and the ground below, I pronounce you bound by love,” she declares.

Valen leans in slowly, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that feels both tender and possessive. The world fades away until there’s only us—two souls entwined under the vast expanse of night sky.

When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests against mine briefly before he whispers, “Forever.”

“Forever,” I echo back, knowing deep down that this moment is just the beginning of our shared journey.

The reception is in full swing, but it's nothing like Valen's usual extravagant affairs. The atmosphere is warm, almost cozy, with staff mingling freely among the guests. Laughter and music fill the air, creating a sense of community I haven’t felt in a long time.

I spot Valen across the room, chatting animatedly with my father. They’re deep in conversation about some kilgari agricultural techniques that might help our struggling farms. The sight warms my heart—Valen, usually so guarded, now open and engaged.

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