Page 48 of Grumpy Alien Billionaire

“Yes, sir,” Krel says, still grinning. “But if you’re so worried, why’d you let her go in alone?”

I clench my fists, my claws digging deeper into the metal. “Because she’s capable,” I say through gritted teeth. “And because she insisted.”

“Sounds like she’s got you wrapped around her little finger,” Krel teases.

I spin around, grabbing him by the front of his armor and lifting him off his feet. “One more word, Krel, and I’ll throw you overboard.”

He raises his hands in mock surrender, still grinning. “Alright, alright. I’ll shut up.”

I drop him back onto the deck and turn back to the cannery, my heart pounding. The link between Tyler and me is faint, but it’s there. I can feel her nervousness, her determination. She’s scared, but she’s holding it together. That’s my girl.

“Any minute now,” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.

The warriors shift behind me, their weapons at the ready. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife. We’re all waiting, every muscle coiled like a spring.

“You think she’ll pull it off?” Krel asks, his voice quieter now.

“She’ll pull it off,” I say, my voice firm. “She has to.”

The words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken fear. I stare at the cannery, willing the signal to come. Every second feels likean eternity, but I’ll wait as long as it takes. Tyler’s in there, and I’m not leaving without her.

The cannery’s lights snap off like someone flipped a switch, plunging the entire structure into darkness. My heart skips a beat, then kicks into overdrive. "That's the signal," I growl. "All right, soldiers. We're outnumbered, and outgunned, but we never let that stop us before. We beat the Grolgath in the future. Now we're going to beat them in the past."

Krel cracks his neck, his grin sharp enough to cut glass. "I'm gonna hit those Grolgath so hard, their children will be hatched dizzy."

I pivot toward him, my golden eyes narrowing. "No cowboy bullshit, Krel. This isn’t Horus IV. This is surgical. Myjalshagaris in there."

The word hangs in the air like a thunderclap. Krel’s grin falters for a second, his eyes widening. He glances back at the other warriors, who exchange solemn nods. The mood shifts instantly—no more jokes, no more bravado. This just got personal for all of us.

Krel steps forward, his voice steady. "The Grolgath will not harm so much as a hair on her head. Not while we draw breath. She is the bravest of us all."

"Also the prettiest," I add with a smirk.

The amphibious craft skims across the black water, the roar of the engine drowned out by the pounding of my heart. I grip the edge, my claws leaving faint grooves in the metal. The cannery looms ahead, a hulking shadow against the night sky. We blast our way up through the floor, the sound of the explosion echoing through the empty space. The interior is dark, and seemingly deserted.

"Spread out, teams of two," I say softly. "Watch your six and don’t pull the trigger unless you’re sure."

Krel falls in beside me, his plasma rifle at the ready. "You think they’re hiding in the shadows, waiting to jump us?"

"Wouldn’t put it past them," I mutter, scanning the darkness. "Stay sharp."

We move through the cannery, our footsteps silent on the cold concrete. The air smells of salt and rust, and the faint hum of machinery echoes in the distance. My scales prickle with unease. Something’s not right.

"Lanz," Krel whispers, his voice tense. "You feel that?"

I nod, my grip tightening on my weapon. The air is thick with the scent of Grolgath, but there’s no sign of them. "They’re here. Somewhere."

We press on, the tension mounting with every step. The cannery is a maze of corridors and machinery, and every shadow could be hiding an enemy. The faint link to Tyler pulls me forward. She’s close. I can feel it.

"Stay with me," I mutter to Krel. "We’re not splitting up."

"Wouldn’t dream of it," he replies, his voice tight with tension.

We round a corner, and there, in the dim light, I see her. Tyler, crouched behind a stack of crates, her eyes wide with fear. Relief floods through me, but it’s short-lived. Behind her, the shadows shift, and a Grolgath steps into the light, its milky white eyes fixed on her.

"Tyler!" I shout, raising my weapon.

She turns, her eyes meeting mine for a split second before the Grolgath lunges.

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