Page 26 of Saved By My Alien Husband

25

DELPHINE

M y grip on Haven’s hand tightened and took a step forward. Haven's anger was radiating off of him and I knew that being even a smidge ahead of him, facing Halston, would make Haven hesitate from acting. Halston had gone too far with that comment, but it wasn't a killing offence, yet.

My stomach churned, but I kept my head high, meeting Halston’s piercing gaze with as much resolve as I could muster. I stood up to Michael plenty of times and Halston, despite his arrogance, was no more powerful than he was. If I could hold my ground against him, I could do it here too. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

Leader Halston's eyes flicked to our entwined hands, his lips curving into a thin smile devoid of warmth. His smile felt like a challenge. I knew without a doubt Michael was right about him. Halston was dangerous, baiting an alien prince on purpose. But why?

“How we look has nothing to do with whether or not we can save you,” King Candor said, cutting through the tension. His voice was calm but carried an edge of warning that even I could feel. “Shall we move inside and discuss the logistics of evacuating everyone?”

Leader Halston chuckled, the sound grating against my nerves, and gestured for us to follow. His entourage moved in perfect sync, their expressions so blank they could have been statues. Their silence felt heavy, almost unnatural. The woman that was separated now walked directly behind him.

Michael’s protectors, despite their strict training, still had life in them—subtle quirks, stray glances, the occasional muttered word. But these people...they seemed like shadows, mere decorations in Halston’s show of power.

As we entered the dome, an eerie silence swallowed us whole. The faint hum of machinery and the sharp clack of our boots became the only sounds, magnified in the oppressive stillness. Nothing felt warm about this dome. How was it the same design as my former home?

The air felt wrong, heavy. Rows of people lined the walkways, all clad in muted grays and browns that blended into the cold, industrial surroundings. Their faces were blank, their eyes distant. Not a single child stood among them. My chest tightened at the sight.

When we came into view, the citizens moved in unison, bowing low to the ground. The motion was so rehearsed, it sent a shiver down my spine. Three seconds later, they rose with straight backs, their faces as expressionless as before.

My parents moved closer to me. When I glanced at them in my periphery, they seemed to talk to each other with their eyes. They looked at the stoic people, then each other, and I saw my mother's face tighten. At least, we seemed to agree that this was not how things should be. What did it seem like when they called the scientists? I wondered, was this level of control not apparent to them before?

I clenched Haven’s hand tighter, my unease growing with every step. He must have noticed, because he glanced back, catching Daryl’s eye. Without a word, Daryl moved closer to me, his presence a steadying force.

Halston glanced over his shoulder, clearly enjoying the display. His smirk deepened when he saw our reactions. “Impressive, isn’t it?”

King Candor didn’t let the comment pass. “They seem well rehearsed, Leader Halston,” he said, his tone clipped.

Halston nodded, either oblivious to—or unconcerned by—the underlying criticism. “Discipline is the backbone of our survival,” he replied with a sly smile.

“It also suffocates creativity,” June said, crossing her arms.

Halston raised a brow at my mother. “And what does the science team need with creativity?”

“Nature is spontaneous at times. You need creativity to be limber in your scientific study,” my father explained.

Halston clucked his tongue. “Did your creativity save your dome, or your daughter's pussy?”

The words hung in the air for a cold moment before all hell broke loose.

King Candor was suddenly in front of us, arms back as if to brace us, knowing his son better than anyone.

Haven growled, a threatening rumble low in his throat. He leaned down, as if to pounce, his tail up in the air. He was a predator, more cat-like than I'd ever seen him. At his baser instincts, he had one thing in mind...

My honor.

“Stop, Haven,” King Candor commanded, not looking back.

This was not going to end well.

The stoic crowd was rapt, watching us without a muscle out of place, eyes darting across us. The group that had been with Leader Halston surrounded him as if in protection, the tall woman in front like King Candor was. However, when my eyes swept over her, she was antsy. Her legs weren’t braced, if anything, they were loose, as if she would jump out of the way to lead Haven through.

My eyes looked up to meet hers and I knew she would. She wanted Haven to get him.

Unfortunately, being an asshole was not a capital offence.

I put my hand on Haven's shoulder and he looked up at me through his rage. I shook my head no and his breath deepened. For a moment, I thought he would fight him anyway, just breeze past me and his father to strike, but after a moment swimming in my eyes, his tension lessened. When he stood to his usual height, I wrapped my arms around his middle. He nuzzled my neck, breathing me in.

“Are you calm now?” Kind Candor asked, still in front of us like a shield, not to protect us, but everyone else.

“Yes.” Haven mumbled against me.

“Then let's get this over with.”