Page 12 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

Mila nodded, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. But as they made their way through the increasingly treacherous terrain, she couldn’t shake the feeling they were walking into something far more dangerous than alien predators or harsh environments.

Someone was hunting them. And Mila had a sinking feeling their troubles were only just beginning.

As they pushed on, Mila found herself walking closer to Roq, their hands occasionally brushing. Each accidental touch sent a jolt through her, a mix of comfort and excitement.

“You know,” she said, keeping her voice light despite the tension in the air, “when I agreed to this whole arranged marriage thing, I didn’t expect it to involve quite so much mortal peril.”

Roq’s lips twitched in a small smile. “Disappointed?”

Mila looked at him, really looked at him, and felt something shift inside her. “Surprisingly... no,” she admitted softly.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the dangers around them faded away. Mila felt herself drawn to Roq, not just physically, but emotionally. It was terrifying and exhilarating.

But before either of them could say anything more, a rustling in the undergrowth snapped them back to reality. They pressed on, alert and wary, but Mila couldn’t shake the feeling that something had fundamentally changed between them.

As they ventured deeper into the wild lands, Mila realized that it wasn’t just Tharvis she was exploring—she was discovering new, uncharted territories within herself. And somehow, impossibly, Roq was becoming her compass in this strange new world.

NINE

The twin suns of Tharvis dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of deep purple and crimson. Roq surveyed the clearing below the caves he and Mila had chosen for their campsite, his keen eyes assessing the terrain for any potential threats.

“This should suffice for the night,” he announced, setting down his pack. “We’ll set up camp here.”

Mila nodded, already rummaging through her own gear. “Great. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get off my feet. Who knew saving a planet would involve so much walking?”

Roq couldn’t help but smile. Her ability to find humor in any situation continued to surprise and, if he was honest with himself, delight him.

“Allow me,” he said, reaching for a small, metallic cube in his pack. With a press of a button, the cube expanded, unfolding into a sleek, dome-shaped structure. The material was a transparent, shimmering fabric that seemed to blend with the surrounding environment.

Mila whistled, impressed. “Now that’s what I call camping in style. Let me guess, it comes with a built-in spa and room service too?”

Roq chuckled, shaking his head. “Not quite, but it does have atmospheric controls, a force field for basic protection, and...” he paused, realizing the next feature might be a bit awkward, “...a single, large sleeping area.”

He watched Mila’s reaction carefully, noticing the slight widening of her eyes and the faint blush that colored her cheeks. “Well,” she said, recovering quickly, “I guess we’re taking this arranged marriage thing seriously, huh?”

His own face grew warm. “I assure you, it’s merely for practical purposes. Body heat conservation and all that.”

“Of course,” Mila nodded, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Very scientific. I approve.”

As they finished setting up camp, Roq stole glances at Mila. The way she moved with such confidence, even in this alien environment, was captivating. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He was a prince, for stars’ sake. He shouldn’t be so affected by her presence.

“I’ll go hunt for our dinner,” he announced suddenly, needing a moment to collect himself.

Mila looked up, surprised. “Hunt? Can’t we just use those fancy ration packs you brought?”

Roq shook his head. “Those are for emergencies. Besides,” he added, a hint of pride in his voice, “I’m quite skilled at hunting. It’s part of our royal training.”

“All right, Your Highness,” Mila said, settling down by the newly formed camp. “Impress me with your mighty hunting skills. Just try not to get eaten by anything, okay? I’d hate to have to explain that to the council.”

Roq rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress his smile. “I’ll do my best to avoid becoming prey. Your concern is touching, Dr. Arison.”

As he ventured into the surrounding forest, Roq thought about his interactions with Mila. Why did he feel this need toprovide for her and impress her? It was more than just duty or political alliance. There was something about her that drew him in, made him want to be more than just the crown prince of Tharvis.

Using his advanced tracking skills and some Tharvisian hunting technology, Roq managed to catch a couple of small, rabbit-like creatures. As he made his way back to camp, he felt a strange sense of anticipation. He was eager to see Mila’s reaction and share this meal with her.

When he returned, he found Mila had set up a fire pit and was examining some of the local flora. She looked up as he approached, her eyes widening at his catch.

“Wow, you really did it,” she said, sounding genuinely impressed. “I half expected you to come back empty-handed and demand we order pizza.”

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