Page 57 of Her Alien Owner

"But it means a lot," I insist, squeezing his hand. "You've done more for me than anyone else ever has."

He looks at me for a moment, as if trying to read the thoughts behind my words. "Ariana," he says softly, "I want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."

I nod, feeling a deep sense of contentment wash over me. It's strange how quickly my life has changed since meeting him—how someone who was once a stranger can now feel like an integral part of my world.

I catch his eye and grin. "So, what's next on our agenda?"

"Well," he says thoughtfully, wiping his hands on a towel, "I was thinking we could take a walk through the gardens. The night is clear, and I hear there's going to be a meteor shower."

"That sounds perfect," I reply, my heart swelling with anticipation.

We step out into the cool night air, the garden bathed in moonlight. Valen's presence beside me feels reassuring and solid—a constant in an ever-changing world.

We walk in comfortable silence for a while before I speak up. "You know," I say softly, "when I first came here, I never imagined this is where we'd end up."

He chuckles softly. "Neither did I. But I'm glad we did."

I glance at him sideways, noticing how the moonlight accentuates the sharp angles of his face and the mysterious glint in his eyes. Despite all the challenges and uncertainties we've faced, there's an undeniable sense of rightness about being here with him.

"I feel like there's a glorious future ahead for us," I admit quietly.

He stops walking and turns to face me fully. "There is," he says firmly, lifting my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. "We'll build it together."

The sincerity in his words wraps around my heart like a warm embrace. As we continue our walk under the starry sky, Ican't help but feel hopeful and excited for whatever lies ahead—knowing that we'll face it together.

And for now, that's more than enough.

CHAPTER 24

ARIANA

"Pass me that trowel," Ariana says, sweat glistening on her forehead. Her smile, however, never falters.

I hand it over and watch as she expertly digs into the soil, planting a vibrant array of flowers. The sight is a stark contrast to the gray ruins that surround us. "You know," I say, leaning on the shovel, "you're pretty good at this. Ever thought about a career in landscaping?"

She laughs, a sound that feels like sunshine breaking through clouds. "Hardly. But I used to help my mother in our garden. Guess it stuck."

I nod, taking in her determination and the ease with which she moves. "Well, you're making this park look better than it ever has."

Her eyes meet mine briefly before she returns to her work. "Thanks. It means a lot to me, doing something good for the community."

"That’s why we’re here," I reply, though my thoughts linger on how much she's done for me personally.

For the next few hours, we work side by side with a group of my employees, clearing debris and setting up new playground equipment. The sun climbs higher, casting long shadows aschildren begin to gather at the park’s edge, watching us with wide eyes and eager anticipation.

“Do you think they’ll like it?” Ariana asks softly.

I glance at the kids, then back at her. “They’ll love it.”

As if on cue, a reporter approaches us, camera crew in tow. “Mr. Valen,” she calls out, “can we get a statement about the park restoration?”

Ariana steps back slightly, giving me space. I pull her back beside me. “We did this together,” I say firmly.

The reporter smiles and nods, directing her questions to both of us. “How do you feel about giving back to the community in such a tangible way?”

Ariana speaks first. “It’s... it’s wonderful to see something positive come from our efforts.” Her voice wavers slightly but gains strength as she continues. “Especially knowing how much this park means to the local kids.”

I add my own thoughts. “Armstrong has seen better days, but projects like this remind us that rebuilding isn’t just about structures—it’s about people.”