22.

Aeryn’s heart raced as she stood frozen in Alex’s strong grip. His words, “You are mine now,” echoed in her mind, sending shivers down her spine. Fear and uncertainty swirled in her stomach, tightening into a knot that made it hard to breathe. She had never felt so vulnerable, so utterly at the mercy of another person. The reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave, crashing over her and leaving her trembling.

Alex could feel her body shaking against his, and his heart twisted in response. He had expected some resistance, but not this level of fear. Her trembling made him realize just how fragile she was, how much she was struggling to comprehend everything that was happening. He held her closer, trying to steady her, his arms wrapped around her protectively. But he could tell that his closeness only made her more nervous, more afraid.

Their eyes met, and Aeryn’s fear was laid bare for him to see. Her wide, tear-filled eyes searched his face, desperate for some kind of reassurance, some sign that she wasn’t completely trapped. But all she saw was his determined expression, his jaw clenched as he looked down at her.

“Aeryn,” Alex said softly, his voice a mixture of firmness and gentleness, “no matter what, you are mine.”

Aeryn’s breath caught in her throat, and she felt a fresh wave of panic rise within her. The finality in his words left no room for argument, no space for her to negotiate her way out. She was trapped, and there was no escape. Her body shivered uncontrollably, and she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, blurring her vision.

“But… but… I am a human,” she cried, her voice breaking as she finally voiced the thought that had been eating away at her since she arrived on this strange planet. “I don’t belong here… I don’t belong to you.”

Alex’s jaw tightened at her words. He didn’t like hearing her say that, didn’t like the reminder that she was different, that she wasn’t one of his kind. But at the same time, her vulnerability tugged at something deep inside him, a protective instinct that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He didn’t want her to be afraid, didn’t want her to feel like she was all alone in this strange place.

Gently, he reached out and cupped her face, his thumb brushing away the tears that had begun to spill down her cheeks. “Aeryn,” he said softly, his voice a low, soothing rumble, “it doesn’t matter that you’re human. You are mine, and I will take care of you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

Aeryn sniffed, her tears flowing freely now as she looked up at him, searching for any hint of sincerity in his words. She wanted to believe him, wanted to find some comfort in his presence, but the fear was too overwhelming. She felt like she was drowning in it, unable to think clearly, unable to find a way out.

Seeing her struggle, Alex softened even more, his own heart aching at the sight of her distress. He hadn’t meant to scare her, hadn’t meant to make her feel so helpless. All he wanted was to keep her close, to protect her, to make sure she never left him. But he could see now that his intensity was too much for her, that she needed something different, something gentler.

Without another word, Alex leaned down and pressed a soft, tender kiss to her forehead. It was a gesture of comfort, a silent promise that he would never hurt her, never let anything happen to her. As his lips touched her skin, he began to softly murmur an ancient verse, one that had been passed down through his people for generations. The words were soothing, calming, meant to ease the mind and bring peace to the heart.

Aeryn’s eyes fluttered closed as she felt the warmth of his lips on her forehead, the sound of his voice washing over her like a gentle wave. The fear that had been gripping her began to loosen its hold, replaced by a strange sense of calm. The tension in her body slowly ebbed away, and she felt herself growing drowsy, her mind drifting off as the ancient words filled her ears.

Alex could feel the change in her, could see the way her body relaxed in his arms, her breathing slowing as she slipped into sleep. He continued to hold her close, his arms wrapped protectively around her as he murmured the last of the verses. When he was sure she was deeply asleep, he finally stopped, looking down at her peaceful face.

His heart swelled with a mixture of emotions as he gazed at her, the vulnerability and innocence in her expression tugging at something deep inside him. She looked so small, so delicate, nestled against his chest, her face still damp with the remnants of her tears. He hadn’t expected to feel this way, hadn’t expected her to have such a profound effect on him.

Carefully, so as not to wake her, Alex lifted her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest as he carried her over to the bed. He laid her down gently, pulling the covers up over her and tucking her in. For a moment, he just stood there, watching her sleep, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn’t quite articulate.

He had always been in control, always known exactly what he wanted and how to get it. But Aeryn was different. She had come into his life like a storm, turning everything upside down and making him question things he had never questioned before. She made him feel things he hadn’t felt in a long time, emotions that he wasn’t sure he was ready to confront.

As he watched her sleep, Alex felt his heart beat a little faster, a strange warmth spreading through his chest. He hadn’t meant to care for her, hadn’t meant to let her get under his skin. But somehow, she had, and now he was left grappling with feelings he didn’t know how to handle.

He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on her soft skin for just a moment. “Aeryn,” he whispered, his voice barely audible in the quiet room, “you may be human, but you’re mine now. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

With that, he straightened up and took a step back, forcing himself to leave her side. He needed to think, needed to figure out what to do next. But as he walked away, he couldn’t shake the image of her peaceful face, the way she had looked at him with such trust, even in her fear.

Alex knew that things were only going to get more complicated from here on out. But one thing was certain: he wasn’t going to let her go. Not now, not ever. She was his, and he would do whatever it took to protect her, to keep her by his side. Even if it meant facing the uncertainties that were beginning to stir within him.