Page 30 of The Alien's Runaway Bride

The mental image of Maya in a spacesuit, careening through the cosmos in a stolen ship was so absurd that Raelee burst into laughter again.

“Thanks, May,” she said when she’d caught her breath. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Probably cause an intergalactic incident,” Maya replied cheekily. “Now come on, let’s order some real food. You’re going to need your strength for all this space traveling and royal schmoozing.”

As Maya reached for her phone to order, Raelee felt a mix of determination and apprehension wash over her. She didn’t have all the answers yet, but she had a plan. A terrifying, potentially life-altering plan, but a plan, nonetheless.

She was Raelee Arison, after all. And Arison women didn’t back down from a challenge, even if that challenge involved crossing the galaxy to meet her potential alien fiancé.

As the smell of delivery pizza began to fill the apartment, Raelee allowed herself a small smile. Tomorrow, she’d face her parents, her future, and whatever the universe had in store for her. But tonight? Tonight was for bad movies, good food, and the kind of laughter that makes you forget your troubles, if only for a little while.

As she settled in for a night of much-needed normalcy with her best friend, Raelee couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, everything would work out in the end.

After all, stranger things had happened. She was about to travel to an alien planet, wasn’t she?

But even as she tried to focus on the future, a part of her mind kept drifting back to Vex. Where was he now? Why had he left so suddenly? And why couldn’t she shake the feeling she was missing something important?

Raelee pushed the thoughts aside. One interplanetary crisis at a time. For now, she had a best friend, a pizza, and a whole night to pretend that her life wasn’t about to change forever.

ELEVEN

The early morning fog rolled in, thick as Tharvisian cloud soup, shrouding the secluded location where Vexor stood. His mind raced faster than an Earth sports car, replaying the events of the past few days—Raelee’s infectious laughter, the spark of connection between them, the undeniable gravitational pull he felt to her. The weight of his decision to leave without revealing his true identity pressed on him, a constant ache in his chest that felt heavier than his ceremonial armor.

A sleek, unmarked vehicle materialized through the mist, its nearly silent engine purring like a contented Tharvisian sand cat. As it pulled to a stop, the door swung open with a soft hiss, revealing Garek’s familiar face, a mischievous grin playing at his lips.

“Well, well, look what the Terran cat dragged in,” Garek quipped, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Hop in, lover boy. You look like you could use a drink... or ten.”

Vexor rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smirk as he slid into the passenger seat. “Good to see you too, you old space barnacle.”

As the car pulled away, Garek glanced at his friend, noting the uncharacteristic slump of his shoulders. “So, are we talking about it, or are we pretending you didn’t just spend days mooning over an Earth girl?”

Vexor groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. “Can we at least wait until I’ve had some caff? My head feels like it’s been trampled by a herd of Tharvisian thunder beasts.”

Garek chuckled, reaching into the console and pulling out a thermos. “Way ahead of you, Your Royal Pain-in-the-Ass. Here, I brought your favorite.”

Vexor accepted the thermos gratefully, taking a long swig of the steaming Tharvisian caff. As the familiar bittersweet taste hit his tongue, he felt some of the tension leave his body. “You’re a lifesaver, Garek. Remind me to give you a raise.”

“Oh please, we both know I’m irreplaceable,” Garek grinned. “Now, do tell. What happened with Raelee? And don’t spare the juicy details.”

Vexor sighed, staring out at the passing landscape. “She’s... incredible, Garek. Smart, fierce, funny. She challenges me in ways I never expected. And I... I didn’t tell her who I really am.”

Garek’s eyebrows shot up so high they threatened to leave his face entirely. “You really kept this undercover thing going to the very end. Do you really think that was the best thing to do?”

“That’s just it,” Vexor admitted, his voice low. “I wasn’t thinking. For once in my life, I was just... feeling.”

Garek’s expression softened. “Oh, my friend. You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”

Vexor’s silence was answer enough.

“So, what now?” Garek asked, his tone gentler. “Think she’ll show up for the big day?”

Vexor’s gaze drifted to the window, watching as the first rays of sunlight began to pierce through the fog. “I don’t know,” he admitted, the uncertainty in his voice a far cry from his usualconfidence. “She’s not exactly the type to just follow along with someone else’s plans. She ran away just to not have to leave for Tharvis. But from what I got to know of her, she’s never skirted her duties.”

Garek reached over, giving Vexor’s shoulder a squeeze. “If she’s half as amazing as you say, she’ll at least hear you out. And if not... well, I’ve got a bottle of Tharvisian fire-whiskey with your name on it.”

Despite himself, Vexor chuckled. “Always looking out for me, aren’t you?”

“Someone’s got to,” Garek shrugged. “Can’t have the future king of Tharvis moping around like a lovesick bazrog, can we?”

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