Page 46 of Her Alien Owner
Valen. His name alone sends a shiver down my spine. I can't ignore everything he's done for me—for my family. The job offer was just the beginning. The opportunity he handed my father... It was life-changing. Yet, it feels like a gilded cage. I owe him so much, but what does he want in return?
I pull the covers over me, hoping the warmth will chase away the cold doubt gnawing at my insides. Valen’s past as a war profiteer isn't something I can just brush off. But then, there's his dedication to restoring Armstrong. He's used his power and resources to breathe life back into this broken planet.
My eyes trace the cracks in the ceiling, each line a reflection of my conflicted heart. I toss and turn, unable to find a comfortable position. Sleep eludes me, slipping through my grasp like sand.
Why do I keep replaying our moments together? His touch—gentle yet commanding—lingers on my skin. The way his eyessoften when he looks at me, as if I'm more than just another pawn in his grand scheme.
Everyone and everything plays a part in his business plans. And now that includes my own father. So where do I stand? What part do I play in his growing wealth? It has to be something.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to push away the doubts and fears. But they only come back stronger. What if I'm just fooling myself? What if he’s manipulating me with his charm and generosity?
No. He’s shown genuine care, hasn't he? Like when he tended to my wound with such tenderness or how he confronts anyone who dares threaten me.
With a frustrated sigh, I sit up again. The room feels too small, too confining for the storm raging inside me.
“Enough,” I whisper to myself, the word cutting through the silence like a blade.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. My feelings for Valen are real; they outweigh the fear that’s been holding me back. He’s enigmatic and dangerous, but there’s more to him than that brooding exterior.
Tomorrow, I'll tell him how I feel. I'll demand answers—clear answers—and face whatever comes next with an open heart.
As this resolution settles over me like a comforting blanket, I finally lay back down and close my eyes. The turmoil inside quiets to a dull hum as sleep begins to claim me.
For now, that’s enough.
Tomorrow will bring clarity—one way or another.
The next day, I stand outside Valen’s study, my heart pounding in my chest. The ornate door feels like a barrier to everything I need to say. I push it open and step inside.
Valen is at his desk, papers scattered around him, but he looks up the moment I enter. His green eyes lock onto mine, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.
“Ariana,” he says, his voice steady and calm. “Is everything alright?”
I nod, but my hands are trembling. “I need to talk to you,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He gestures to the chair across from him. “Please, sit.”
I shake my head. Standing feels more appropriate for this conversation. “No, I’d rather stand.”
He leans back in his chair, watching me with that intense gaze of his. “Alright then.”
I take a deep breath and begin. “Valen, I don’t know where to start. This—everything between us—it’s confusing and overwhelming.” My hands clench at my sides as I try to steady myself.
“Take your time,” he says quietly.
“I love you,” I blurt out, the words escaping before I can stop them. “But I’m scared. Terrified, actually.”
His expression doesn’t change, but he leans forward slightly, as if urging me to continue.
“I can’t keep living like this,” I say, my voice trembling. “In constant fear of what you mean to me or what I mean to you. Every gesture, every word—it all feels like it has a hidden meaning or motive.”
He remains silent, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I know you’ve done so much for me and my family,” I continue, the words tumbling out now that the dam has broken. “But sometimes it feels like... like you’re controlling my life. Like every good thing comes with strings attached.”
Valen’s jaw tightens slightly, but he still doesn’t interrupt.
“I don’t want to feel grateful and trapped at the same time,” I say, my voice breaking on the last word. “I need to know what your intentions are—why you’re doing all of this.”