Page 53 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

With maddening slowness, the viderbeast fell onto its side. The creature drew a few labored breaths, its chest heaving and shuddering. A guttural death rattle escaped its gaping jaws, a tell-tale sign the gruesome creature was in its last throes.

Cursing, Zade crawled out from beneath the beast and watched, in horror, as the yearling reached the edge of the cage and began to climb toward Ashlyn.

“Ashlyn!”

Ashlyn sighed with relief when Zade emerged from under the mother. She didn’t have time to celebrate because the baby found her and climbed on top of the cage faster than she would have thought possible.

From a distance, the baby had seemed so much less threatening than its mother. Face to face with a monster nearly twice her size, she didn’t have time to think.

The young viderbeast launched an attack. Half its spindly legs plunged through the cage to dangle in midair as it lost its grip on the thin metal bars, its body clumsily starting and stopping as it fought for purchase. Slipped. Lost its balance. Found its footing. Lunged again.

Ashlyn balanced with ease, leaping from bar to bar. She’d never been more grateful for her years of dance as she balanced on top of the cage, staying just out of the viderbeast’s reach.

Zade shouted her name, but she didn’t dare take her eyes off the threat in front of her to see if he was okay. She’d watched him slice open the belly of the giant viderbeast and crawl from beneath it covered in green gore. She had to trust him to finish his fight. She had her own monster to deal with.

Crossbow pointed at the baby’s head, Ashlyn’s finger held steady on the trigger as she watched the poor thing focus on its dying mother. The cry that erupted from its throat brought tears to her eyes. These creatures were intelligent, the young creature’s distress obvious.

Maybe it was a scary, hideous monster, but it hadn’t asked to be here. Hadn’t started the fight. It was just a baby losing its mother.

Damn it. It’s just a baby. I don’t want to kill it.

She would never forgive C’Nar Ubrion for this, not if she lived a million years.

Resigned to killing the young viderbeast, a coldness settled into her limbs, calmed her mind and steadied her hand. She had to time her jump perfectly, aim for the throat or what looked like a soft spot at the base of its neck.

Dancing across the top of the cage like a professional tightrope performer, she lured the small creature into position.

The viderbeast darted forward.

Ashlyn leaped into the air, right over the creature’s head, and shot her crossbow in midair.

As she landed, the bolt lodged into the monster’s neck and exploded, rocking the cage. Forced to her knees by the blast, Ashlyn used her free hand to regain her balance and lifted the crossbow to fire again.

“Ashlyn!” Zade shouted at her from the base of the cage. She glanced down to find him staring up at her with a look she’d not seen before… pride? Maybe a little surprised?

No one could be more surprised than she was.

The severely wounded baby made a sound that could only be described as a whimper as it dragged itself toward the edge, toward its mother.

Tears gathered in Ashlyn's eyes at the obvious suffering, her heart twisting. How many shots did she have left? She couldn’t let the poor thing suffer.

Feet light as air, she jumped into position in front of the viderbeast and fired a bolt directly into its open mouth.

The small viderbeast slipped over the edge and fell to the ground in a limp heap. Dead. Just like its mother.

“I’m so sorry,” Ashlyn whispered to the dead creature, tears springing to her eyes.C'Nar is responsible for this. I promise, he's going to pay for this, pay for every life he's taken, every person he's hurt, every creature he's destroyed.Damn that slimeball. Damn him.

“Ashlyn.” Zade stood staring up at her, his expression unreadable.

She was too tired to smile or argue about anything that had just happened. Was he going to yell at her for not following orders? For putting herself in danger?

“You saved my life.”

Their gazes locked in silent communication. Ashlyn smiled as she realized it was over. Test complete. They’d won.

Joy died on her lips when she glanced up to discover Councilor Dur’vok and C’Nar Ubrion walking toward them, C’Nar looking far too pleased with himself.

She climbed down to stand next to Zade as the two aliens approached.

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