Page 6 of The Alien's Captive Bride

Azlun ran a hand through his hair, a rare display of frustration breaking through his composed exterior. “Exactly. Eerion was all brute force and open rebellion. Oran... he’s a strategist. He’ll be playing a longer game.”

“What are you thinking, brother?” Dravek asked, his massive frame tensed as if preparing for immediate action.

Azlun’s gaze drifted across the room to where Vexor and Raelee were greeting guests, their newly forged bond a symbol of the alliance between Tharvis and Earth. “Dravek, I need you to keep tabs on the sect. Use whatever resources you need, but be discreet. We can’t afford to show our hand too early.”

Dravek nodded solemnly, but Garek held up a hand, his brow furrowed in thought. “Wait a moment. The deal is set now, isn’t it? With Vexor and Raelee married, the alliance is secured. Surely even Oran wouldn’t be foolish enough to jeopardize that?”

Azlun shook his head, a frown darkening his face. “You’re thinking like a diplomat, Garek. Oran doesn’t care about alliances or political stability. He wants Tharvis to return to its warrior roots, to conquer rather than cooperate.”

“But how?” Dravek mused, his voice a low rumble. “The royal wedding was meant to solidify our ties with Earth. What move could Oran possibly make now?”

Azlun’s eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. “There are always ways to sow discord, even in times of celebration. They could target the Earth delegates, try to provoke an incident that would strain our newfound alliance.”

“Or worse,” Garek added, his expression grim, “they could go after the brides themselves. Raelee or...”

“Venus,” Azlun finished, a chill running down his spine at the thought. He instinctively sought her out in the crowd, relief washing over him when he spotted her still chatting animatedly with a group of Earth officials.

Dravek noticed his brother’s reaction and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We won’t let it come to that, Azlun. I’ll double the security detail for both Raelee and Venus, just to be safe.”

Azlun nodded gratefully, but his mind was already racing ahead, strategizing. “We need to think beyond physical threats.Oran’s clever. He might try to manipulate public opinion, spread rumors to undermine trust between our peoples.”

“What about economic sabotage?” Garek suggested. “If they could disrupt the resource trades we’ve been negotiating with Earth, it could cause significant tension.”

“Good thinking,” Azlun agreed. “Dravek, when you’re investigating, pay special attention to any unusual activity in our trading ports or resource processing facilities.”

As the three of them continued to discuss potential threats and countermeasures, the weight of their responsibilities settled heavily upon them. The joyous occasion of the wedding now seemed like a distant memory overshadowed by the looming specter of the Drakanor Sect’s machinations.

THREE

Venus stood on the stone steps of the Tharvian royal palace, watching her sister Raelee board a sleek, alien transport ship. The vessel glowed faintly under the light of Tharvis’s twin moons, its smooth surface reflecting the ethereal light of the surrounding gardens.

Raelee waved, her face radiant with happiness. Venus returned the gesture, a mix of joy for her sister and unease about her own future swirling in her chest. As the ship’s engines hummed to life, lifting Raelee and Vexor into the star-studded sky, Venus couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“Safe travels,” she murmured, her words lost in the whir of the departing ship.

With Raelee gone, the weight of Venus’s own impending marriage to Prince Azlun settled heavily on her mind. Their intense chemistry, the constant pressure of political expectations, and lingering warmth of their shared kiss all jumbled together, a complex tangle of emotions she couldn’t quite unravel.

Venus shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She needed some air, some space to think. The lush gardensbeckoned, promising solitude and a chance to sort through the chaos in her head.

As she descended the steps, her heels clicking softly against the stone, Venus couldn’t shake the prickling sensation at the back of her neck. Something felt wrong. She glanced around, her bright blue eyes scanning the shadows, but nothing seemed out of place.

“Come on, Venus,” she muttered to herself. “You’re jumping at shadows now?”

The garden path wound through towering alien plants, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The air was thick with the scent of alien blossoms – sweet and strange, reminiscent of Earth yet undeniably foreign. Under different circumstances, Venus might have found it beautiful. Tonight, it only added to her sense of displacement.

A rustling sound behind her made Venus tense. She whirled around, her heart racing, but saw only the gently swaying fronds of a nearby plant. The shadows seemed to deepen, closing in around her. Venus quickened her pace, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious.

She didn’t see the attack coming.

One moment, she was walking under the glowing canopy of alien flora. The next, a sharp, stinging sensation bloomed in her neck. Venus’s hand flew to the spot, her fingers brushing against something small and metallic – a dart.

“No,” she gasped, her vision already beginning to blur. Darkness crept in at the edges, the garden tilting and swaying around her. Venus stumbled, fighting to stay upright as her limbs grew heavy.

Strong hands grabbed her from behind, muffling any chance of a cry for help. Panic flared, hot and bright, but Venus fought it. Even as consciousness slipped away, she swore she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

The world faded to black.

The acrid stenchof rust and stale sweat assaulted Venus’s senses as consciousness slowly returned. Her head throbbed, each pulse sending a wave of nausea through her body. She kept her eyes closed, feigning continued unconsciousness as she took stock of her situation.

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