Page 25 of Alien Prince

I nod, swallowing hard. “I'm sorry,” I murmur, my hand dropping to my side. “I didn't mean to scare you.”

Gemma's gaze softens, and she shifts to sit back on her heels, still catching her breath. “It's okay,” she says, her tone gentler. “Just... be careful.”

I lower myself to the ground, sitting across from her, our faces inches apart. “I never imagined this,” I admit, my voice hushed. “Being able to touch you... It’s surreal.”

She gives a small, tired smile. “Surreal for you? Imagine how it feels for me,” she quips, a hint of humor in her weary voice.

I chuckle softly, the sound surprising even me. “Fair point,” I concede. “But... I'm glad it's you.”

Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the world outside our little bubble fades away. There's a vulnerability in her gaze that mirrors my own, a silent understanding passing between us.

“Me too,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

Without thinking, I reach out and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She doesn't pull away this time, her eyes fluttering closed at the gentle touch. The connection I felt in that brief moment lingers, an electric charge in the air between us.

But now isn't the time for such thoughts. I have a duty to uphold, even as my mind races with the newfound possibilities this strange connection has opened up.

As I lift her into my arms, I'm fighting the urge to react and just stand there in shock, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. It's an incredible feeling, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like to experience this kind of physical touch with someone who wasn't just a vessel for me to possess.

Once I lay her down and tuck her in, I can't tear my gaze away from her hand, her tiny fingers wrapped around mine. The electric thrill of her skin against my own is almost too much to bear, and I find myself squeezing her hand gently, savoring the sensation a little longer.

“I need to go,” I say, my voice trembling..

She nods, her eyes filled with unspoken yearning. “I know.”

I hesitate, the urge to say more battling with my fear of crossing a line. My heart pounds in my chest as I lean closer, our breaths mingling.

“Get some rest,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Gemma's eyes flutter shut, her lips parting as she murmurs, “I will.”

The tension between us is palpable, each second stretching into eternity as I fight the overwhelming desire to kiss her.

I start to pull away, but her grip tightens around my fingers.

“Don't go,” she whispers, her voice laced with vulnerability.

My heart aches at her plea. I lean down, my lips brushing against her scarred knuckles in a tender kiss.

“I have to,” I murmur, my voice thick with emotion.

She reluctantly loosens her hold, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I stand up, feeling the weight of my emotions pressing down on me. She lies back, her eyelids growing heavy as exhaustion takes over. With one last lingering look, I watch her drift into sleep before I glide out of the closet, leaving my heart behind in a tangled mess of emotions.

As I slip out of the room, I almost crash into Boomer, who's blocking the doorway. His six arms are busy—one hand holds a wrench, another a tiny screwdriver before returning them to his utility belt, while a third lights a cigar. Our eyes meet, not in surprise, but with a profound understanding that cuts through me. It dawns on me—Boomer can see me. For the second time, someone other than a celestial can see me outside of a skin.

Oh shit.

Boomer nods, a silent admission that he witnessed everything. The weight of the situation crashes over me, making it hard to breathe. My form is growing more corporeal, more tangible, because I've found my mate. It hits me like a tidal wave—she truly is mine.

“How much did you see?” I ask him, my voice trembling as he closes the giant doors behind me. His hands don’t stop fidgeting—one twirls a key, another adjusts his belt, and yet another scratches at his chin before removing the cigar from his lips.

“Enough to say you’re in deep shit, Kyron. Wait until your mother learns you’ve got yer’self a mate.”

Chapter Eleven

Gemma

The closet is eerily silent as I make my way through the aisles towards my cot.

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