Page 8 of Her Alien Owner
CHAPTER 4
VALEN
Istudy my hand, fingers splayed, remembering the moment I grabbed her arm. Ariana. Soft skin beneath my rough grip, her startled eyes locking with mine. Her warmth lingers on my fingertips, a reminder of what I can't quite grasp. Fate has a twisted sense of humor, binding me to a human maid.
She didn't know it, but in that fleeting touch, I realized she was my fated mate. A connection deeper than any I've known, and yet she's so... ordinary. Human. Lower class. Hardly the partner I'd envisioned. If I ever envisioned having one at all.
"Sir?" My aide's voice breaks through my thoughts.
I glance up. "Yes?"
"You wanted information on the girl?"
"Yes. What did you find out?"
He hesitates before speaking. "Her name is Ariana Hayes. Lives in the old district, barely making ends meet."
I nod slowly, processing this information. "I want to make her a permanent part of my staff. Draft the proper paperwork, I'll go to her this afternoon."
The aide looks surprised but quickly masks it. "Of course, sir."
My mind races with possibilities. Keeping her close could be strategic. Easier to protect her, understand her... even if I'm not ready to tell her she's my mate.
"Is there something special about her?" he asks cautiously.
"More than you know," I reply, eyes narrowing.
He nods and leaves the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. My gaze drifts back to my hand, now a symbol of this unexpected bond.
Ariana is an enigma—so different from the women in my world of opulence and power. Her resilience and genuine nature intrigue me. The contrast between us couldn't be starker: she's warm where I'm cold; she's open where I'm closed off.
I remember the way she looked at me after our brief exchange—curious but cautious. It's a look I've seen countless times but never from someone like her.
The idea of bringing her into my mansion feels both right and absurd. How will she react? Will she understand why I'm doing this? Probably not.
But I have to keep her close. For both our sakes.
As I watch the city lights flicker off in the distance, useless as the morning sun rises, I can't shake the feeling that this decision will change everything. For better or worse remains to be seen.
I clench my fist, feeling the ghost of her touch once more. Fate has dealt its hand, and now it's up to me to play it right.
And so, Ariana Hayes will enter my world—a world she can't possibly comprehend yet but will soon become intimately familiar with. Whether she likes it or not is another matter entirely.
I stridethrough the decaying remnants of Armstrong's old district, the place reeking of despair and forgotten dreams. Every step kicks up dust, settling into the creases of my polished boots. My eyes scan the environment—crumbling facades, shattered windows, the occasional ragged child darting into an alley. It's exactly what I expected but knowing Ariana —my fated mate— lives here, it fuels a silent rage within me.
Finally, I reach her door. A battered piece of wood that’s seen better days, just like everything else around here. I knock firmly.
After a moment, it opens to reveal Ariana. Her wide-set eyes blink in surprise, and for a split second, I catch the embarrassment in them. "Mr. Valen?"
"May I come in?" I keep my voice steady, professional.
She hesitates but steps aside to let me enter. The apartment is as sad as the rest of the district—barely furnished, cluttered with bills and empty shelves. She wrings her hands nervously.
"I'm sorry," she says, her voice small. "I don't have anything to offer you."
"That's not why I'm here," I assure her, scanning the room once more before meeting her gaze.
She looks relieved but still on edge. "Then why...?"