Page 76 of Tricked By the Alien Prince

“We should probably stop them,” Maya says, though she makes no move to do so. “We do have a colony to save, after all.”

“In a moment,” I tell her, drinking in the scene before us. The pristine snow, the laughter of friends, the way the light catches in Maya’s dark curls. “Let them have this moment. They deserve it. We all do.”

She nods, understanding as always. Then a wicked grin crosses her face. “Or we could join in.”

Before I can respond, she’s scooping up snow and lobbing it at me with surprising accuracy. The cold impact against my chest startles a laugh from me.

“You dare challenge your king?” I demand in my most regal voice. It would probably have more impact if I could repress the smirk covering my face.

Maya’s only response is another snowball to my face, her laughter echoing in the air.

“Oh, I’m going to get you,” I declare, chasing after her. I’m a king, and I always get what I want in the end. Maya might not admit it aloud, but she’s already mine.

Chapter36

Epilogue

MAYA

Light snow drifts around us as we emerge from the forest’s edge. Eve’s Rest lies ahead, its wooden walls rising against the white landscape like some fairy tale village. Only there’s nothing magical about the armed guards that patrol the wooden walls, their weapons glinting in the weak sunlight.

“Something’s wrong,” I say, studying the colony that was once my home. Smoke rises from countless chimneys despite it being midday – everyone’s inside when they should be going about their daily business. The usual sounds of the marketplace are absent; no children laughing, no vendors calling their wares. Even the machinery that usually hums beyond the walls is silent.

“Rather different from the last time we were here,” Zoran remarks, scratching his chin. “When we stormed through the gates...”

Melvall elbows him sharply. “Which you’re sorry about, right?”

“Oh yes, terribly sorry,” Zoran grins, not looking sorry at all. “Though the fight was quite invigorating.”

“I’m not sorry,” Volan says quietly beside me. “It’s how I met Maya.”

Volan’s luminae pulse softly in the growing darkness, casting shifting patterns across the snow. At any other time, I’d stop and stare at the beautiful sight. It’s hard to take my eyes off my mate, if I’m honest—especially when he says sappy things like that, making my heart race.

I try to hide my smile as I study the walls again, noting the increased guard presence. “They must be worried about another attack. The council has never ordered a full lockdown before. They’re expecting trouble.”

“Tanis is already scouting the perimeter,” Volan says. His most trusted guard had gone ahead of us, as silent and lethal as a shadow. It was rather shocking to see such a large male just disappear into the surroundings, only his footprints left to indicate his passing. He’s deadly.

“He’ll signal if he spots any patrol changes,” Volan informs us.

“You know, if we have to get inside, I could throw Melvall over the wall,” Zoran suggests helpfully. “He’s quite aerodynamic with all those fins.”

“I will end you,” Melvall replies calmly, not even bothering to look at his friend.

A smile tugs at my lips despite the tension. These males – my friends – make even the most serious situations bearable. My gaze drifts to the communications tower standing alone beyond the walls, its antenna rising high above everything else.

“We don’t need to get inside the colony,” I tell them, pointing to our target. “The tower’s outside the walls. Though I still can’t believe they built such vital infrastructure out here without proper defenses. At least their stupidity works in our favor now.”

I pause, glancing at my companions. Once, I would have hesitated to give orders to these powerful warriors. Now I know better. They’re waiting for my lead, trusting my knowledge of this territory.

“Follow me,” I say, “and stay low. We’re about to show everyone exactly what’s been happening on this planet.”

I lead our small group through the snow-covered landscape, keeping low where we can use the terrain for cover. The path to the communications tower feels different now. Last time I ran this way in blind panic, heart thundering in my chest as I fled from the guards. Now each step is measured, purposeful.

A light snow continues to fall around us, helping to mask our approach. My boots crunch softly in the fresh powder, but I no longer fear the sound will give us away. Let them hear us coming. Let them know that everything is about to change.

“You’re smiling,” Volan comments softly from beside me. His luminae flicker with curiosity.

“I am?” I touch my lips, surprised to find them curved upward. “I guess I am. It’s just... last time I was terrified. I could barely think straight. Now...” I pause, trying to put the feeling into words. “Now I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

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