Aurora 

The moment I led them into the forest, I knew I was making a risky decision. The presence of sirens meant humans were coming to investigate the crash, and the last thing I needed was for them to find these blue-skinned aliens. My instincts screamed at me to be careful, but something about the tall one—Roa'nen, if I caught his name right—made it impossible for me to leave them behind.

We moved quickly through the trees, my wolf senses guiding me through the darkness. The other three aliens moved with surprising agility, their bodies adjusting to the terrain, but Roa'nen was struggling. He winced every time he took a step, his hand pressed against his ribs. Even in the dim light, I could see the dark stain spreading across his side.

I cursed under my breath. "You're injured," I stated, reaching out to help him. He flinched away at first, but when his knees nearly buckled, he reluctantly leaned against me.

He muttered something in his language—low and frustrated. His pride was obviously taking a hit, but that wasn't my problem. I had a wounded alien prince to hide, and time was running out.

Ryan was already ahead, clearing a path through the thick underbrush. "We need to get them somewhere safe, fast," he said over his shoulder. "Your place?"

I shook my head. "Too risky. The hunters might come looking for the mountain lion and notice something's off. We'll take them to the old ranger's cabin. No one's used it in years."

Roa'nen grunted in response, clearly too focused on staying upright to argue. His team, silent but observant, followed closely behind. Their glowing white tattoos pulsed faintly in the darkness, casting eerie patterns on the trees as we walked.

By the time we reached the cabin, Roa'nen was barely standing. I helped him inside, guiding him toward the old couch. He collapsed onto it with a sharp exhale, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment. His team hovered nearby, their gazes darting between me and their injured leader.

"Stay with him," I told them, then turned to Ryan. "I need to get supplies from my house. I'll be back soon."

"Be careful, Ro," Ryan warned, his voice laced with concern.

I nodded and sprinted back into the night, my heart pounding. The scent of pine and damp earth filled my senses, my wolf on high alert. I kept my strides long and steady, hyperaware of the sounds around me. The night was alive with the rustling of leaves and distant animal calls, but I knew better than to let my guard down. Something felt off.

As I neared my home, I slowed down, sniffing the air. My instincts screamed at me. Someone had been here recently.

I crept toward my door, senses heightened. With slow, careful movements, I stepped inside, scanning my surroundings. Nothing seemed out of place at first glance, but the scent lingered—foreign, metallic. My stomach tightened. Someone had been inside. I grabbed the medical kit and quickly locked up, my mind racing with possibilities as I sprinted back toward the cabin.

When I returned, I took a deep breath, glancing at Roa'nen. He was awake now, watching me with those intense violet eyes. His presence was commanding even in his weakened state. I stepped closer and held up the supplies. "Let's fix you up."

Roa'nen

Pain flared through my body, but I forced myself to focus. The woman—Aurora—had taken charge, leading us to safety without hesitation. Her strength was unexpected, her presence commanding. Even without understanding her words fully, I could see the determination in her silver eyes.

Valkir knelt beside me, inspecting the wound. "The blade didn't go too deep, but you lost a lot of blood. We need our medical kit."

"We don't have it," Korath muttered. "It was destroyed in the crash."

I clenched my teeth. This was not how I had planned my arrival on this planet. Fleeing my home world was supposed to be strategic, not desperate. But now, here we were—wounded, stranded, and at the mercy of a woman who had already proven she could take me down with a single, well-placed kick.

The memory made my jaw tighten.

The door creaked open, and Aurora returned, arms full of supplies. She dropped them onto the wooden table and immediately got to work.

"This is going to hurt," she warned.

I understood enough to brace myself.

She pressed a cloth soaked in something that burned worse than the wound itself against my side. I hissed, my body jerking instinctively.

"Hold still," she snapped.

My team tensed, watching the exchange closely, but I lifted a hand, signaling them to stand down. This woman was not my enemy. If anything, she had just saved our lives.

She worked quickly, her touch surprisingly gentle despite her earlier ferocity. As she wrapped the bandages around my torso, our eyes met. For a brief moment, something passed between us—something unspoken, but undeniable.

Then she pulled away, her expression guarded. "Get some rest," she said, stepping back. "We'll figure out the rest in the morning."

I watched her for a moment longer before closing my eyes. Whatever came next, I knew one thing for certain: my fate was now intertwined with hers.

But sleep didn't come easily. My mind reeled from everything that had happened. The betrayal on my home world, the escape, the crash—now this strange, fierce woman who had stepped in and taken control. The way she moved, the fire in her silver eyes, it all stirred something in me.

I shifted, feeling the sharp pull of the bandages. My men were silent, but I could sense their unease. We were warriors, trained for survival, but here, we were at a disadvantage.

I heard movement near the cabin entrance and turned my head. Aurora was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "Get some sleep," she repeated, softer this time.

I exhaled slowly, nodding. Perhaps, for now, I could trust her.

As the night deepened, I let my mind wander to thoughts of home. The weight of everything I had lost pressed down on me. I could still hear the battle cries, see the faces of those I had left behind. But now, there was no turning back.

I had no choice but to move forward. And somehow, I knew Aurora would be a part of that journey.