Page 11 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

Despite her words, Mila knew when to pick her battles. She watched as Roq drew a sleek, high-tech weapon from his belt, using it to fend off the creature’s advances. The predator snarled, its glowing eyes never leaving them as it searched for an opening.

Mila’s mind raced, trying to recall anything from her briefings about Tharvisian wildlife that might help. But she came up blank. This was Roq’s territory, not hers.

“Any bright ideas, Roq?” she called out, her eyes darting around for anything they could use.

Roq’s eyes scanned their surroundings, landing on a cluster of bioluminescent vines nearby. “There,” he said, his voicetense. “Those vines. They release a paralytic compound when disturbed. If we can lure the creature into them...”

Mila’s eyes widened. “Got it. I’ll play bait, you do the disturbing.”

Before Roq could protest, Mila darted away, around to the backside of the vines. “Hey, ugly!” she shouted at the predator. “Over here! Bet I taste better than his royal blandness!”

The creature’s head snapped toward her, its muscles bunching as it prepared to pounce. Mila’s heart thundered in her chest, but she held her ground, trusting Roq to act.

She didn’t have to wait long. Just as the predator launched itself at her, a sharp crack rang out. Roq had fired at the vines, rupturing them and releasing a cloud of glowing spores that enveloped the leaping creature.

The predator’s roar of triumph turned into a pitiful whine as it crashed to the ground, its muscles seizing as the paralytic took effect. With a final, baleful glare at Mila and Roq, it dragged itself back into the shadows, its labored breathing fading into the distance.

As the immediate danger passed, Mila found herself face to face with Roq, both of them breathing heavily. “Not bad for a prince,” she remarked, aiming for casual but hearing the slight tremor in her voice. “Will it be okay?”

“It’ll be a bit before the toxin leaves its system. But it’ll be fine.” Roq’s lips quirked into a half-smile that made her stomach do a strange flip. “You’re not so bad yourself. For a scientist.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Though your self-preservation instincts could use some work.”

Mila shrugged, trying to ignore the way her skin tingled where Roq’s hand rested on her arm. “Hey, it worked, didn’t it? Besides, I knew you had my back.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them, and Mila felt a flush creep up her neck. Since when did she trust anyone to have her back, let alone this alien prince she barely knew?

Roq’s expression softened, and he reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The gentle touch sent shivers down Mila’s spine. “Perhaps,” he said softly, “we’re more compatible than we initially thought.”

The tension between them was palpable, charged with something Mila wasn’t ready to name. She’d always prided herself on her independence and not needing anyone. But the way Roq had protected her, the efficiency with which he’d handled the situation... it stirred something in her that she couldn’t ignore.

“We... uh, we make a pretty good team,” Mila said, trying to lighten the mood. “You know, when you’re not too busy being all princely and stuff.”

Mila’s breath caught in her throat. She wanted to make a sarcastic comment, to deflect with humor as she always did. But something in Roq’s gaze held her captive. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to close the distance between them, to...

She shook her head, stepping back. “We should keep moving,” she said, her voice slightly husky. “Who knows what other charming creatures are waiting to eat us out here.”

As they continued deeper into the wild lands, Mila found herself mindful of Roq’s presence. She tried to focus on her research, on the fascinating alien ecosystem around them. But her thoughts kept drifting back to the way Roq had looked at her, the lingering touch of his hand on her waist.

It was unnerving, this growing connection between them. Mila had come to Tharvis prepared to endure a political marriage and maintain her independence at all costs. She hadn’t been prepared for... this. Whatever this was.

She snuck another glance at Roq, admiring the way the bioluminescent light played across his features. He was undeniably attractive, but it was more than that. His quick wit, intelligence, and the way he respected her abilities while still wanting to protect her all combined into something that made Mila’s emotions a confusing mess.

“You’re staring,” Roq said, his voice tinged with amusement.

Mila felt her cheeks flush. “I was not,” she protested. “I was... observing. For science.”

Roq chuckled, the sound sending warmth through her chest. “And what does your scientific observation tell you?”

“That alien princes are far more trouble than they’re worth,” Mila quipped, but there was no bite to her words.

The wilderness seemed to close in around them as they pressed on, the atmosphere growing heavier, more oppressive. Mila’s instincts, honed by years of fieldwork in challenging environments, were on high alert. She couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched.

“Roq,” she said softly, her eyes scanning the shadows. “I think we’re being followed.”

Roq nodded, his posture tense. “I’ve had the same feeling. We’re not alone out here.”

As if in response to their words, a twig snapped in the darkness behind them. Mila whirled around, her heart pounding. But there was nothing there—just shadows and the eerie glow of alien plants.

“We should keep moving,” Roq said, his voice low. “There’s a cave system nearby where I’ve planned shelter for the night.”

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