Page 10 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

“This isn’t how it was supposed to go,” I muttered, more to myself than to Tharon.

He paused in his preparations, turning to face me. “What exactly was your plan?”

I sagged against a rock. “I had it all worked out. Disable the security systems, slip out undetected. I never expected...” I gestured vaguely at him.

Tharon’s lips quirked in a wry smile. “Sorry to throw your plans to the wind.”

“It’s not just that,” I said, my voice rising in frustration. “I’m used to being connected to everything, controlling it all from the inside. And now I can’t do anything. I’m worse than useless out here.”

“You’re not useless,” Tharon said firmly. He crouched down in front of me, his intense gaze holding mine. “You have me. Use me.”

I blinked, taken aback by the offer. “What?”

“You used those human women to help you before, didn’t you? Sent them out to retrieve the pieces of this thing?” He pulled the completed device from a pouch, tossed it to me. “Think of me the same way. I’m a tool at your disposal.” His voice was matter-of-fact, but something flickered in his eyes that made my pulse quicken.

I swallowed hard, acutely aware of how close he was. “It’s not that simple. You’re not just some pawn to be moved around. And besides, I need you to understand what’s really going on here.”

Tharon nodded slowly. “Then tell me. All of it.”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Where to even begin?

THARON

Imoved through the cavern, gathering dry branches and kindling for a fire. Niam sat against the rocky wall, her frail form trembling slightly in the cool air. As I worked, she began to speak, her voice soft but steady.

“The Temple... it’s not what you think. It’s not just a building or a place of worship. It’s alive, in a way.”

I paused, raising an eyebrow at her words. “Alive? How so?”

Niam took a deep breath. “It’s a ship. A massive, ancient vessel that crashed here long ago. But it’s not just metal and circuits. It’s part organic, always growing and repairing itself.”

I arranged the kindling, my mind racing to comprehend her words. A living ship? It sounded like something out of the old legends.

“For most of my life, everything was hazy,” Niam continued. “Like I was sleepwalking. But recently, I’ve been waking up. That’s when I helped Lita escape. And I realized the Temple - the priests - they’ll never stop. They’ll keep taking and sacrificing...”

Her voice cracked, and I felt a surge of protective anger. I struck flint against steel, sparking the kindling to life. As the flames grew, I moved to sit beside her.

“Go on,” I urged gently.

Niam’s eyes reflected the firelight as she spoke of a coming festival, of more women to be sacrificed. Of the device she’d had to send the other women out to find, something that might stop it all.

Her words painted a picture of horrors beyond imagining, of technology far beyond anything the Shakai possessed.

When she finished, silence fell between us. I struggled to process everything she’d said. Part of me wanted to dismiss it as the ravings of a traumatized mind. But I’d seen enough of the Temple to know there was truth in her words.

And besides, there was only one thing that mattered to me…

“Do you understand?” Niam asked hesitantly. “I know it must sound insane...”

I reached out, my fingers gently tracing the back of her head where the metal plate had been, the area now covered with shiny new skin. Niam shuddered at my touch, her breath quickening.

“I only need to know one thing. Who hurt you?” I growled, barely containing the rage building inside me.

Niam’s eyes met mine, filled emptiness. “The priests,” she whispered. “The Temple itself. But I won’t let them hurt anyone else. Not if I can help it.”

I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her delicate frame. She stiffened for a moment before relaxing. Not much, just a bit. I breathed in her scent, feeling the beast within me stir with possessive desire.

How long had it been since she’d been able to lean on anyone, to trust them?

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