If Ashley didn’t want anything to do with him by the end of the journey to the secret base, he’d join his last clutchmate and travel with Rylyx. He refused to keep her by his side because he would have become the very thing he had just escaped.
But deep down in his hearts, as he stared at hisenax, he felt as if he were the answers to her dreams as she was for him.
Fifteen
Ashley
Ashley opened her eyes slowly, taking in her surroundings. She was wrapped up in a soft blanket, cocooned in warmth and comfort. She felt strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close to a solid and powerful body. And then it all came flooding back to her: the alien, the abduction, and the sex that led to their unconventional alien marriage.
Ashley turned to face Xizi, who was sleeping peacefully beside her. She examined his face, noting every detail: his scaled skin, sharp features, and his long black tail wrapped around them both, pulsing a red glow. She couldn’t believe this was her new life, that she was married to an alien, and that she was so far removed from everything she had ever known.
“Good morning, my enax,” Xizi murmured, his voice still husky with sleep. “How did you sssleep?”
Ashley smiled at him, a wave of happiness washing over her from being so warmly welcomed. No one other than Dia had cared about her in a long time. “I slept well, Xizi,” she said quietly, her cheeks burning. “And what about you?”
“I ssslept well too,” he said, his expression softening. “I can’t believe that you’re really here in my armsss, and that we’re really bonded now, Ashley. Yesterday wasn’t a dream for either of us, after all.”
Ashley nodded. “I know, Xizi,” she muttered, her voice filled with understanding. “But we’ll make it work, won’t we? We’ll figure this out together.”
Xizi smiled at her, his mouth pulled back into a wide grin, that somehow fit him. “Yes, Ashley,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “We’ll figure this out together. And I promise you, I’ll never leave you.”
Ashley’s heart raced as she thought about the reality of her situation. She was married to an alien and flying through space with him to some unknown destination. It was all happening so fast, and she didn’t know what to expect next.
“Xizi, I... I appreciate your love and commitment to me, but I need to be honest with you,” Ashley said, her voice shaky with emotion. “I’m scared. I’m scared of the unknown, and I’m scared of what’s going to happen to us.”
Xizi took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. “I understand, Ashley,” he said, his voice soothing. “But you don’t have to be ssscared. I’ll protect you, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. We’ll figure out our new life together, and we’ll make the best of it.”
Ashley looked into his eyes, feeling a sense of comfort and security wash over her. Somehow, she knew that he was sincere in his words, and that he would do anything to keep her safe.
Was it their shared bond, with her being his fated mate, hisenax? Or was it because they sealed their fate last night with their mind-blowing sex, binding him to her? She couldn’t believe his alien species’ bodies aligned with those they mated.
Something about that information prompted her to wonder about the reason why…
“Okay, Xizi, you were awake before I was and know more about what’s out there, in space,” she said, her voice still uncertain. “But can you at least tell me where we’re going? And why are there so many other humans here with us?”
Xizi nodded, his hand gently rubbing her back. “Yes, I believe the sssanctuary is a place where all of us will be sssafe and protected. It’s a place where we can start over, where we can create a new home and a new life. I know it’s a lot to take in, but I promise you, I will be with you every step of the way.”
Ashley looked up at him, her eyes shining with uncertainty. “But what if we don’t fit in there? What if we don’t belong?”
Xizi smiled softly at her, his eyes filled with love and reassurance. “We will find our place, Ashley. We will make a new family, and we will make it work. Trust me.”
Ashley nodded, still feeling uneasy about the situation. “What about our families and friends back on Earth? What will happen to them?”
Xizi’s expression turned serious, and he leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I don’t know, Ashley. But I do know that we can’t go back. It’s not sssafe for us there.”
Ashley sighed, feeling a knot form in her stomach. She knew he was right, but it didn’t make the situation any easier. “I just wish we had more answers. I don’t even know what’s going to happen to us now.”
Xizi pulled her closer, holding her tightly. “We’ll figure it out together, Ashley. I promise.”
She leaned into his embrace, feeling a sense of comfort from his words.
Ashley shifted in the blanket cocoon, her gaze meeting Xizi’s as he spoke. “There should be many other aliens in the same situation as us at the sanctuary, as well as humans who were rescued, accidentally taken, or perhaps willingly went with us,” he explained.
Ashley’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean by willingly went with you?”
“I thought you were a huge paranormal fan with the large collection you had?” Xizi chuckled deeply, shaking both of them. “There are humans who have long been aware of our existence and wish to join our community. The commanders mentioned already having humans at their base, both those who were rescued and others, like your favorite ssstreamer, Eva, willingly wanting to leave Earth behind for good.”
Ashley shook her head, trying to process all of this information. “So, you’re telling me that there are humans out there who wanted to leave Earth and were able to join your alien community?”
