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Tears of relief and residual panic glistened in my eyes. “It’s okay,” I whispered hoarsely, still catching my breath. “Just… let’s not do that again.”
Talan nodded, his hand coming up to tenderly brush a stray hair behind my ear. “I apologize,” he murmured, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that threatened to steal my breath away all over again.
* * *
The more we moved through the dense alien forest, the more I began to see it not as a series of potential hiding places, but as a tangled mess of potential threats.
My senses had been on edge ever since that near-suffocation episode, and now, every rustle in the underbrush or snap of a twig had me jumpy.
Beside me, Talan’s presence was both a comfort and a constant reminder of our bizarre situation.
“You see, Riley,” Talan began, weaving through a patch of luminous blue ferns, “this world isn’t like any other. It’s a fake world created by the Malquarans. A twisted game for their own amusement. And we, unfortunately, are the unwilling stars.”
I frowned, trying to keep up with his long strides. “Reality show? Like, with cameras and stuff? Why would anyone want to watch us get chased by monsters?”
He smirked, golden eyes flickering with amusement. “Alien tastes in entertainment can be… unconventional. These Malquarans? They thrive on drama, suspense, and yes, a bit of romance.”
I snorted. “Romance? Here? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Talan grinned, showing a hint of sharp teeth. “You’d be surprised what extreme situations can lead to.”
Verysurprised.
“So, what’s the deal with these other alien males?” I said. “Before, you mentioned they want toClaimsomeone?”
He sighed, his playful demeanor fading. “You are the star prize in this twisted game. The alien males wish to Claim you. And once they do so three times, they are declared the winner and you belong to them.”
I felt a chill run down my spine. “I’m a…prize?”
“Yes.” His determination was evident, but it did little to assuage my rising panic.
Every step, every glance exchanged, every hushed conversation became a potential risk.
I was a walking target, and Talan was my only line of defense.
As we walked, I took the opportunity to study him.
Talan, for all his alien features, had an undeniable allure.
His strength was evident, not just in his muscular frame but in the way he moved, with purpose and agility.
But beneath that, I sensed a vulnerability, a shared understanding of our desperate situation.
A sudden rustle to our right made Talan halt in his tracks, pulling me behind a thick tree trunk.
My heart raced as I tried to peer around, but his large hand on my shoulder kept me in place.
We waited in silence, the only sound being our ragged breaths.
After what felt like hours, Talan finally relaxed his grip. “It’s gone. We should keep moving.”
His words brought little comfort, but I nodded, following him closely. “Talan, how do we get out of this mess? Is there a way off this planet?”
“The only way off is for an alien male to Claim you three times. And—”
Once again, he was interrupted.
He halted again, his entire demeanor changing.
