Page 27 of Solar Bound
"All but dissolved. Dani hid the remnants in her home."
Dani’s voice interrupted their conversation. "Good news and bad news. I reached Poppy, and Lunar is with her. That's the good news."
"And the bad?" Rowan asked.
"They spotted men in black SUVs near her place this morning. Professional types with equipment. They're hiding out in some cave system Poppy knows."
Solar and Eclipse exchanged glances, the tactical implications immediately clear to both.
"Milano has begun active pursuit," Solar stated.
"Poppy says she can bring Lunar here tonight after dark," Dani continued. "But they're staying put until then. Something about him being more mobile at night?"
"His shadow-walking abilities are enhanced in darkness," Eclipse explained. "A wise precaution."
"So what do we do until then?" Dani asked, the practical question cutting through the tension.
Solar considered their options. "We prepare defenses, gather intelligence on Milano's activities, and develop contingency plans for multiple scenarios."
"I can help with the intelligence part," Rowan offered. "I still have contacts who might know what Milano is up to locally."
Solar nodded. These Earth females were proving to be valuable allies, adapting quickly to the situation despite its unprecedented nature.
"We should also prepare for the possibility that Galaxy Brides' extraction may be compromised," he added. "If Milano has tracking capability for alien technology, they may detect any attempt to remove us from Earth."
"So we're talking about a potential showdown," Dani summarized. "Aliens versus shadowy government contractors."
"A scenario I had hoped to avoid," Eclipse admitted. "Our mission was supposed to be peaceful cultural exchange."
"Sometimes peace isn't an option," Solar replied, the warrior in him recognizing the approaching conflict. "Sometimes you must fight to protect what matters."
His gaze met Dani's, and in that moment, Solar knew his decision was already made, regardless of tactical assessments or mission parameters. He had found something on Earth worth protecting, worth fighting for. If Milano or Galaxy Brides threatened that connection, they would discover firsthand why the warriors of the Solarus Elite Guard were feared across multiple star systems.
The sun continued its arc across the Earth sky, its light strengthening Solar's resolve along with his energy reserves. Whatever came next, he would face it with the full radiance of his true nature, no longer constrained by diplomatic caution or concealing membranes.
Let them come. Solar was ready.
Chapter
Eight
Dani had survived plenty of bad situations in her life—foster homes with locks on the refrigerators, sleeping in bus terminals when she ran out of money, and that one boyfriend who thought "fire dancer" meant "girl who likes getting burned." But being hunted by a shady corporation with alien-tracking technology? This was a new one.
"Act normal," Rowan murmured as they stepped out of the Desert Suite into the blinding Arizona sun.
Dani forced a laugh like Rowan had said something hilarious, nodding at a group of tourists snapping photos by the meditation garden. "What exactly is normal when you're hiding glowing alien boyfriends from men in black?"
"Just look like you belong," Rowan replied through her perfect customer service smile. Her eyes suddenly fixed on something across the courtyard. "Don't look now, but security guy at two o'clock. Earpiece, tactical stance, trying too hard to blend in."
Rowan was beginning to sound like the aliens. This wasn't some military role-playing game. It was real life, and she was terrified. Dani resisted the urge to spin around. Instead, she pretended to be fascinated by a nearby cactus while stealing a glance in her peripheral vision. The man stood, his gaze moving methodically over the grounds. “Got it.”
Her pulse quickened. This wasn't some rent-a-cop resort security. This was professional.
"So what's our actual plan here?" Dani asked, keeping her voice light. "Just stroll around and hope they don't grab us?"
"Basically," Rowan admitted. "But we need to?—"
A high-pitched electronic whine cut through the air. Dani looked up instinctively, and her stomach dropped. A sleek black drone hovered overhead, its camera lens adjusting as it focused directly on them.
