Page 28 of Alien Wants A Wife

“A quick farewell,” Mr. Smith announces, motioning for Chloe to step closer. She positions herself directly in front of a camera, holding a microphone to her mouth. “And action!”

Briar hurries over to Lydia and me, pulling us into a hug. She isn’t acting, even though we’re surrounded by cameras. She’s shaking, and I bow my head, burying my face in the crook of her neck. She squeezes tightly, the best type of hug, and I squeeze her back, wishing I could tie the three of us together, making it impossible for Mr. Smith to separate us.

“The first of our contestants have coupled up,” Chloe says in her most professional commentator’s voice, speaking into her microphone.

“Keep safe,” Lydia whispers, glaring at Briar as if she thinks being tough will ensure Briar does as she’s told.

It feels like there’s every possibility we won’t see Briar again. Like she’s saying goodbye for good. But surely that’s just me being melodramatic. I’m feeling particularly vulnerable, and so every small thing that happens hurts a hundred times more than normal.

“You, too,” Briar responds, and I can tell she’s forcing herself to smile because she looks like me when I first started practicing my fake smiles in front of the mirror. There isn’t happiness behind that smile, and the corners of her eyes don’t wrinkle.

It makes me want to hold her even tighter, to protect her from everything that’s happening. There’s something so innocent about that smile—that she hasn’t had to practice it. That she hasn’t perfected it into something so accurate that it becomes indistinguishable from the real thing.

“We’ll keep trying,” I find myself promising her and Lydia both, my voice so quiet I can barely hear it myself. “We’ll keep searching for the cockpit. Or maybe there’s something else aboard the ship that we can use to get home.”

“I don’t trust Mr. Smith,” Briar whispers. “We need a back-up plan, one that doesn’t rely on his cooperation.”

“Just don’t piss him off,” Lydia begs, face pinched. “Don’t ruin this for us.”

Chapter Eleven

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

What do you think of your brother staking his claim on Briar so early in the season?

FARMER ROAN:

My brothers have spent their lives in service to our farm. They deserve happiness. They deserve families of their own and Mates to care for.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

You aren’t annoyed that Sorin claiming Briar means there’s one less Female for you to get to know? Maybe Briar could have been the one for you.

FARMER ROAN:

She is not.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

You sound sure about that. But how could you know? You only just met the Females.

Farmer Roan shrugs.

FARMER ROAN:

I know Briar is not for me because I know who is.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

Already? After one meeting?

FARMER ROAN:

Yes.

COMMENTATOR CHLOE:

So are you going to tell us who—Lydia or Harlee? Or are you going to make us guess?