Page 53 of Pledged to the Alien

Madison caught my eye from across the room, her gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

The tactile memory of her note in my hand felt like an anchor, a silent reassurance amidst the storm of lies.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn’t help but appreciate the irony of the situation.

Here we were, sitting down for a meal, surrounded by comfort while a mine full of deception loomed in the backdrop.

But the game had only just begun.

My resolve strengthened, and I made a silent vow.

I was not just going to uncover the truth but expose the lies.

Onshev and his accomplices had made their move, it was now my turn to play.

This was not just about a Anto’skar mine, it was about truth, justice and integrity.

And I was not going down without a fight.

As I reached out to accept the bowl of stew being passed around, I couldn’t help but think of the days to come.

The savory aroma of the food seemed to mingle with the taste of anticipation, creating a heady cocktail that signaled the start of a journey, a quest for the truth.

And I was more than ready for it.

After the meal,I could feel the tension hanging in the air as Onshev led us to a room where a table awaited, a beacon of anticipation.

On it sat the contract, a weighty tome that held within its pages the promises of riches and success.

The smell of the parchment was potent, filling the room with a musk that was a stark reminder of what was at stake.

“Please,” Onshev said, pushing the contract toward me with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “All you need to do is sign it.”

The price was ten million credits, a sum that would have been a steal for the mine.

If it was legitimate.

But I was certain now that Madison’s notes were correct.

My mind conjured up images of these creatures, their traits reflected in the men sitting before me.

Deceptive, cunning, brute force.

“I’m afraid I can’t sign this,” I replied, pushing the contract back towards him.

The coolness of the tabletop felt reassuring under my hands, grounding me in the tense situation.

Onshev’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing. “But why? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You won’t get another chance like this.”

His voice held a note of desperation that was more convincing than his words.

I could feel his eyes on me, his gaze boring into mine.

But I held my ground.

I wasn’t going to be bullied into signing anything I didn’t trust.

The savory aroma of the food had been replaced by a stark metallic tang, a testament to the underlying tension.

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