Page 66 of Her Alien Owner
CHAPTER 27
ARIANA
The night sky is a canopy of stars as Valen leads me to a secluded spot away from the estate. The air is cool, carrying the scent of earth and distant blooms. It’s peaceful here, far from the chaos and uncertainty that often surrounds us.
He stops by a small clearing, where the grass is soft underfoot. “I wanted us to have some time away,” he says, his voice softer than usual. “Just you and me.”
I nod, feeling a strange mixture of anticipation and calm. “It’s beautiful here,” I say, looking up at the stars twinkling above us.
Valen takes my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. “There’s something I need to tell you, Ariana,” he begins, his green eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart race. “Something I’ve been holding back.”
I swallow hard, sensing the gravity in his tone. “What is it?”
He takes a deep breath. “You and I... we’re fated mates.”
“Fated mates?” The term feels foreign on my tongue.
“For kilgari, it means we’re destined to be together,” he explains, his gaze unwavering. “It’s written in the stars. Not everyone finds their mate, but when we do... it’s undeniable.”
I process his words slowly. “You’ve known this since...?”
“Since that first touch at the party,” he admits. “I felt it immediately. It's like a full body shock I'd never felt before. I knew immediately.”
“But why didn’t you tell me before?” My voice wavers between curiosity and something akin to hurt.
“I was afraid you’d think I was manipulating you,” he says quietly, his thumb brushing against my knuckles in a soothing motion.
I look into his eyes and see sincerity there. Not the calculating gaze of someone trying to control me but a genuine concern for my feelings. “Valen...” My voice softens. “You really respect me that much?”
He nods. “More than you know. I wanted you to see me for who I am, not just what fate says we should be.”
The realization hits me with surprising clarity. Unlike Kevin, who used every means to control and dominate me, Valen has shown respect and understanding from the beginning. This revelation isn’t about control; it’s about connection.
“Valen,” I whisper, stepping closer to him. “Whether fate or otherwise... I know we’re meant to be.”
His arms wrap around me gently but firmly, pulling me into a tender embrace under the stars. There’s no need for more words; the unspoken bond between us says everything.
We stand there for what feels like eternity, wrapped in each other’s presence and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Finally, Valen pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes again. "Thank you for trusting me," he says softly.
"Thank you for being worth trusting," I reply with a small smile.
And as we stand there under the vast expanse of stars, I know that whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them together—fated mates or not.
Valen’s eyes lock onto mine, a blend of intensity and vulnerability that sends shivers down my spine. “Ariana,” he begins, his voice firm but tender, “I want you by my side forever. Will you be my mate?”
My heart skips a beat. His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. This is it—the moment I’ve been dreaming of since our first dinner together. I feel elated, my chest swelling with a joy I can barely contain. “Yes, Valen,” I reply, my voice trembling with emotion. “I’d be honored to be your mate.”
A rare smile breaks across his usually stoic face, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. “You’ve made me the happiest kilgari alive,” he murmurs into my hair.
As we pull apart, he takes both my hands in his.
“I want to make our union public,” he says. “We should have a mating ceremony.”
I tilt my head, curiosity piqued. “Is that like a human wedding?”
“Sort of,” he replies, his lips quirking into a half-smile. “It’s steeped in old religious customs, but these days couples usually make it their own.”