Page 28 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

She gasped in awe as the metamaterial began to take shape. The gown boasted a sleek silhouette that gracefully hugged her curves, accentuating her figure with sophisticated allure. The alien material possessed remarkable properties, allowing it to shift and undulate like mist, creating an ethereal aura around her, delicately shrouding her form, veiling and unveiling glimpses of her skin in a tantalizing display in shades of deep azure, shimmering aquamarine, and iridescent silver intertwined within the swirling mist, evoking the tranquility of ocean depths and the enchantment of starlit nights.

The design was clearly inspired from the natural beauty of Earth, featuring intricate embroidery and embellishmentson the sweetheart neckline and hemline of the dress, patterns reminiscent of swirling ocean waves interspersed with celestial phenomena depicting celestial constellations, galaxies, and nebulae, intricately woven with luminescent thread and shimmering crystals that caught the light as she twirled, casting a soft, celestial glow that accentuates her radiance, seamlessly blending elements of the terrestrial and the cosmic.

The back had a daringly low, yet tasteful, design that added a hint of sensuality, before flowing into a graceful train trailing behind her like a comet's tail, giving her movements a graceful sway.

Her heart pounded. She’d never looked or felt more beautiful, not even when she danced. “Hold.”

CHAPTER TEN

Zade

The air buzzedwith hushed conversations; political maneuverings hidden beneath polite smiles.

“Our sensors indicate your mate is not by your side, Commander,” Bren remarked dryly. “You should have come down together. You know how it will be perceived.”

Zade didn't bother with a response. Had Bren been standing next to him, rather than safely aboard The Reaper and out of the Council’s reach, he might have given the Lumerian a hard slug. Or two. Fighting had always been a great stress reliever for Zade, and Bren was always game, landing just as many hits as Zade did. Thanks to Zade’s Saltrec heritage, they were equally matched.

What Bren said was true. He hadn't waited for Ashlyn. His own impatience and anger over their argument earlier had driven him to the ballroom without her, a grievous error that now put their entire plan in jeopardy. A surge of possessiveness warred with his innate desire to protect his mate.

Caldorian warriors rarely left their women during the traditional six week claiming period, and certainly not during the first few days together. Separating early would be akin to an announcement of failure. He would need to do damage control. Or maybe she wanted to run.Well, that's too bad, little human, because you may not think my claim is real, but I'll do whatever it takes to convince you.

An unnatural quiet settled over the room, drawing Zade’s attention. He knew without looking that Ashlyn had arrived. Zade tilted his head, his gaze immediately settling on her at the top of the staircase. Every male eye in the room seemed to follow her, and it drove his primitive desire to dominate into overdrive.

Zade set his yavo juice down, a Caldorian beverage much like Earth’s stoutest beer, and pushed his way through the crowd to get to her. He moved through the crowd with predatory grace, his tall, muscular frame cutting an imposing figure.

Bren was right, he and Ashlyn should have come down together. “Fulack.” His curse was half whisper, half sigh. Every unmated male in the room was shifting positions, eager to be the first to greet her at the bottom of the stairs.

He couldn’t breathe. She was exquisite. A knee, a shoulder, sparkling silver heels. She was completely covered, and yet somehow it was the most provocative clothing he’d ever seen. Seen yet not seen, the mere possibility of catching a glimpse of the forbidden kept his eyes glued to her. He broke out in a sweat as blood rushed to his cock. He was so hard he ached, and the night had just begun.

She looked like a queen.

A vision of fiery beauty, his senses were immediately captivated by her presence. His gaze was drawn irresistibly to her small yet curvy body, adorned in the swirling mist that seemed to caress every curve. The mist danced around her, teasingly revealing glimpses of the radiant skin under the gown.Never anything too provocative, however, he nearly choked at a quick glimpse of the skin justbelowher breast. The curve of her hip. There, then gone. Teasing him. Leaving him breathless with desire. Her eyes sparkled like distant stars, reflecting the shimmering hues of the gown, drawing him into their depths with an irresistible pull.

Various Council members watched, including Councilor Boleen, the four-armed female who had caught them together. She kept two eyes on Ashlyn while a third, round purple eye searched the room and landed on him.

She was watching him. He’d been right. They knew everything about him. No Saltrec warrior would allow any male close to his mate. Especially not when she was as breathtakingly beautiful, and powerful, as Ashlyn would be when she ruled from her Council seat.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Commander. They are circling her like vultures. If they believe there is a hint of weakness, they will try to kill you and take her for themselves,” Bren remarked dryly.

“Let them try.” Zade wasn’t worried about death. Assassins had come for him before. Let them come. He’d eliminate them as he had all the others.

No. What worried him was the Saltrec blood pulsing through his veins like fire, demanding he kill anyone who dared touch her, dared take her hand.

“Don’t kill anyone.” Bren’s voice rang with warning.

Antonelius stepped forward and ascended the steps toward Ashlyn. Zade picked up his pace, had to physically lift two guests out of his way. The male Caldorian guard pivoted, offended, took one look at Zade’s face, and backed up.

Smart.

Ashlyn smiled at Antonelius. Zade’s mating instincts overruled his mind, turned his thoughts dark, consumed with battle. Blood. Death.

Fulack. Don’t touch her. Do. Not.

Antonelius stopped just out of arm’s reach, said something to Ashlyn that Zade couldn’t hear, and rotated his torso unerringly to find Zade in the crowd. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing.

Not killing that Caldorian was going to be harder than he thought.

Ashlyn tooka deep breath as Zade appeared out of nowhere and placed his body directly between herself and Antonelius. Her smile faltered at the look in his eyes. She saw everything there her sister had warned her about and more: obsession, possession, dominance, desire.

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