Page 24 of The Alien's Unwilling Bride

As they rounded a corner, a faint glow appeared in the distance. Roq held up a hand, signaling Mila to stop. They had reached the exit—but to where?

Roq reached out, cupping Mila’s face in his hands. For a moment, the world around them faded away, and Mila saw in his eyes everything she felt reflected at her – fear, hope, determination, and something deeper, something that made her heart race.

“Whatever happens,” Roq said, his voice low and intense, “know that meeting you, working with you, falling for you... it’s been the greatest adventure of my life.”

Before Mila could respond, Roq leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. It was a kiss that spoke of promises and a future they both wanted to fight for. When they finally parted, Mila felt breathless and more alive than she ever had before.

“Ready to save a planet, Dr. Arison?” Roq asked, a hint of his princely authority creeping back into his voice.

Mila grinned, her earlier fears giving way to a surge of confidence and determination. “Lead the way, Your Highness.”

SEVENTEEN

More of the jagged peaks of Tharvis’s mountain range loomed before Roq, their imposing silhouettes a stark contrast to the lush, wooded lands he and Mila had left behind. A cool breeze whipped through his hair, carrying with it the acrid scent of industrial chemicals and scorched earth. Each step along the treacherous path was calculated and precise, his body tense with anticipation.

The distant rumble of heavy machinery echoed through the rocks, growing louder with every passing moment. Roq’s enhanced hearing picked up the grinding of gears, the hiss of hydraulics, and beneath it all, the ominous groan of the planet itself—wounded and crying out for help.

His mind raced, thoughts a tumultuous mix of determination and dread. The confrontation was inevitable now. Years of ideological differences and political maneuvering had led to this moment, and the fate of Tharvis hung in the balance.

Roq glanced back at Mila, her face set in concentration as she navigated the rocky terrain. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face. Despite the gravity of their situation, Roq couldn’t help but marvel at her grace and determination.

A surge of protectiveness washed over him, followed quickly by a twinge of guilt. She hadn’t asked for any of this—the political intrigue, the danger, the weight of an entire planet’s future. Yet here she was, by his side, her brilliance and determination a constant source of strength.

“We’re getting close,” Roq murmured, his voice barely audible above the wind. “The mining operation is probably just beyond that ridge.”

Mila nodded, her blue eyes scanning the horizon. “I can already see signs of environmental damage,” she replied, her tone tinged with anger. “The vegetation here is stunted, probably from mineral depletion in the soil. And look at those rock formations—they’re showing signs of accelerated erosion.”

Roq’s jaw clenched, the muscle twitching beneath his skin. The sight of his beloved planet scarred by greed filled him with a mix of rage and sorrow. “We’ll put a stop to this,” he promised as much to himself as to Mila. “Whatever it takes.”

They crested the ridge, and the full extent of the operation came into view. A sprawling complex of high-tech machinery stretched across the once-pristine landscape, drills and excavators tearing into the mountains with ruthless efficiency. The air was thick with dust and smog, obscuring the twin suns of Tharvis and casting an eerie, reddish glow over everything.

“By the stars,” Mila breathed, her eyes wide with horror. “The damage is even worse than we thought. Those extraction towers—they’re not just mining surface minerals. I bet they’re tapping directly into the planet’s core!”

Roq’s hands curled into fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. “This ends today,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. He turned to Mila, his expression softening slightly. “We should wait for backup. This operation is far more extensive than we anticipated.”

Suddenly a loud crack echoed through the air, followed by a tremor that shook the ground beneath their feet. Mila gasped, stumbling slightly.

Roq steadied her with a hand on her arm, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the complex below. A familiar face emerged from a metal shack. “Wrezen,” he growled.

“Who’s that?”

“A cousin who was banished from the city for his greed and immoral acts after his bid for the throne failed.”

“His mining has destabilized the tectonic plates,” Mila said. “Does he not care about what he’s doing to his own home?—”

Another quake, much stronger, knocked them off their feet.

Roq cursed under his breath. “If we don’t shut this down, the entire region could collapse within hours.”

Mila’s expression hardened with resolve. “Then we go in now. Together.”

Roq felt a swell of admiration for her courage, mixed with a deep-seated fear for her safety. “Mila, it’s too dangerous. I can’t ask you to?—“

“You’re not asking,” she interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. “I’m going. This is my fight too. Tharvis is now my planet also.”

For a moment, Roq was speechless. Then, slowly, he nodded. “All right. But promise me you’ll be careful. If anything happened to you, I—“ He broke off, unable to finish the thought.

Mila’s expression softened. She reached out, squeezing his hand briefly. “I promise. Now, let’s save a planet.”

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