Page 32 of Secretly Married To My Monster Alien Boss
“Tomorrow,” Alissia said, voice calmer than the jittery beat of her heart vibrating through her body. They’d postponed the announcement as long as they could–they didn’t want to give their friendstoomuch time to think about how unusual their “relationship” was. “And we’re hoping you will all attend.”
More silence.
Rynar clenched his jaw. He knew this was a surprise, but nobody apart from Alissia knew this was a fake relationship. As far as his brothers knew, he was blissfully in love. No congratulations
Finally, Zaryn sighed and threw his head back. “Nines-damn it, you couldn’t wait one more month?”
“Ha, I told you!” Lily laughed in triumph, nerves forgotten as she turned toward her mate, right palm outstretched. “Pay up.”
“You owe me a week’s worth of coffee, Te’Oken,” Zaryn grumbled as he took out his Earthen card and gave it to Lily. “I knew I shouldn’t have indulged thisbe-ttingtradition.”
“It’s not a tradition, it’s female intuition.” Lily shimmied her shoulders. “I hadn’t expected a marriage, but I suspected something was going on the second I came to work for Te’O–Rynar.”
Alissia’s brows rose. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other,” Lily said, jumping off the couch and dragging Darcy along with her, untilthey both stood in front of Alissia. “I need to know everything. When did it start? Have you picked out your dress? Was your first date as romantic as mine and Zaryn’s?”
Alissia held her arms up. “I can show you the dress. I actually need some advice.”
Lily squealed in delight as the three of them vanished down the corridor. She turned around and smiled at Rynar before disappearing inside Alissia’s room. “Congratulations! You’re one lucky guy.”
“Thank you,” he said as the door slid shut. Then he turned back to his brothers. He hadn’t expected them to scream their congratulations like Lily, but their impassiveness was turning concerning.
Especially Deryg’s.
“Am I the only one who hasn’t found a human female?” he asked, sounding genuinely disgruntled.
Deryg had, in fact, but Rynar wasn’t about to point it out. Deryg had spent a lot of time lately talking about Kiara, another one of Alien Inc.’s employees.
“I inform you I am getting married and you’re concerned about your own mate?” Rynar asked.
“Yes,” Deryg said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Rynar was truly confused. “Why?”
“Because it’s…you,” Deryg said.
“And? I don’t understand how it’s so unbelievable to you that I have found a female willing to spend time with me.”
“I know there are plenty of those. I’m surprised thatyouhave found someone to dedicate your existence to. Willingly.”
Deryg, Zaryn, and Nazyn all remembered those long nights when Rynar had proclaimed that love was not for him. The chances of finding his fated mate were slim. And even if he did, that kind of love–true and pure, like his parents’–wasdangerous. His father had withered away after his mother had left this existence for the Nines’ comforting embrace.
Rynar’s mind had flashed back to Alissia’s lips. The way his veins had blazed after touching her. He couldn’t think about that too much or he’d lose all composure.
“Miraculously, I have,” Rynar said to his friends.
“I want to point out thatIwas so convinced he would announce something like this that I actually placed a wager,” Zaryn interjected. “And like Lily, I want to offer my congratulations, brother. May you be happier than you thought possible.”
Nazyn laughed. “You only knew because Lily told you.”
“And I calculated the probabilities of her female intuition being correct and Rynar and Alissia’s proximity. I was correct,” Zaryn said.
“Incorrigible.” Nazyn rose and came to stand in front of Rynar. He placed his palms on his shoulders. “Felicitations, my brother. May your hearts beat forever alongside her.”
“I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m glad I have.” Deryg inclined his head toward Rynar. “May you be blessed with nothing but happy memories together and may your dynasty bloom like the Te’Oken valley.”
Now this was the reaction he had been waiting for. Inside, Rynar exhaled in relief. None of his brothers seemed to suspect there was anything wrong with his match.
