Page 54 of Her Alien Owner
She gives me a small, encouraging smile and reaches out again, this time placing her hand gently on my arm. The warmth of her touch seeps through the fabric of my sleeve, grounding me in the present moment.
Together we stand there in silence for a while longer as the holo vid continues to play—a reminder of what was lost and what we still hope to rebuild.
And for the first time in years, amidst all my guilt and sorrow, there’s a glimmer of something else: hope.
The gala is in full swing, the chatter of guests filling the grand hall. My eyes scan the room, landing on Ariana. She’s working with the waitstaff, her presence a calming beacon amidst the extravagance. The holo projector stands ready, waiting for my signal.
I step onto the stage, and the room falls silent. “Ladies and gentlemen,” I begin, my voice steady and commanding. “Tonight, I want to show you something.”
With a nod to my aide, the holo projector springs to life. Images of Armstrong’s lush forests and thriving wildlife appear, bathing the room in a soft glow. Gasps ripple through the audience as they take in the scenes of natural beauty long lost to war.
A long extinct, four legged creature with enormous horns and long, shaggy fur walks along a now polluted creek. Birds fly inlarge packs across the sunset. Children play in a lush, green field without a care for shrapnel or unexploded artillery.
One woman in the audience dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief, visibly moved by the images. Even the waitstaff pause, their usual tasks forgotten as they take in what used to be their home. I let the silence linger for a moment before speaking again.
“This is Armstrong,” I say, my voice resonating through the hall. “Or rather, this was Armstrong before the war tore it apart.”
The images shift to scenes of devastation—crumbling buildings, scorched earth, and barren landscapes. The stark contrast elicits a collective shudder from the audience.
“We have a duty,” I continue, my tone firm and unwavering. “Not just to our shareholders but to everyone who shares this world with us.”
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd as I step forward, my gaze sweeping over them.
“That’s why I’m announcing a new initiative—our corporation will restore Armstrong’s environment and establish sustainable mining practices.”
The room erupts into applause, but my eyes are fixed on Ariana. She’s watching me with a mix of awe and something deeper—something that tugs at my heartstrings.
“We’ll invest in reforestation,” I add over the applause, “and develop technologies that minimize environmental impact.”
The applause grows louder, and I take a step back, letting them absorb my words. Ariana’s face lights up with hope and gratitude—a sight that fills me with renewed determination.
As I descend from the stage, Ariana approaches me cautiously. Her eyes are shimmering with unshed tears.
“Valen,” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.
I take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “Are you alright?”
She nods slowly. “Thank you,” she says softly. “For everything.”
I give her a small smile. “It’s only the beginning,” I promise.
She looks up at me with those wide brown eyes filled with trust and admiration—a look that makes me want to move mountains for her.
I lead Ariana through a maze of hallways until we reach a secluded balcony. She leans against the railing, looking out over the garden below. “It’s beautiful out here,” she says softly. Her eyes are still shining from earlier tears, making them sparkle against the starlight.
“Peaceful too,” I reply, stepping beside her. “A rare commodity these days.”
She turns to face me, her expression earnest. “You’ve done so much for me already, Valen. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“You don’t need to,” I reply, my voice firm. “Protecting you isn’t a debt; it’s something I want to do.”
Her lips part as if she’s about to say something, but then she hesitates..Instead, she reaches out and takes my hand in hers, squeezing it gently. The warmth of her touch sends a jolt through me—a reminder of what’s at stake.
“Even if it means facing your own demons?”
“Especially then,” I reply without hesitation.
Ariana smiles—a small, genuine smile that lights up her face. She leans into me, resting her head against my chest. The steady rhythm of her heartbeat against mine is both comforting and grounding.