Page 4 of The Alien’s Mate

“The government doesn’t know this specimen exists,” said Mr. West. “They came to the site after we’d retrieved the creature. They secured the wreckage, claimed the technology, and made sure to sweep it all under the rug. It’s part of their Area 51 project.”

“We, on the other hand,” said Dr. Howland, “kept this specimen, and everything that was on it. We’ve tried to figure out its anatomy, and we believe this extraterrestrial race carries the potential for several cures. This is Project Titan, the very project you will be working on.”

Lila swallowed hard. “How do you know it doesn’t carry any diseases that are fatal to us humans?”

“We’ve kept him under strict surveillance for five years, Miss Vernon,” said Dr. Howland. “We’ve done every test we can, and so far, we’ve been completely safe. He’s healthy.”

“He’s more than that,” said Mr. West. “He self-heals, self-cures.” He stood from his chair and buttoned his jacket before reaching his hand out to her. “So, Lila Vernon, do you want to help us save the world or not?”

She gazed at the outstretched hand and then at the creature in the image. No, not the creature—the alien. Swallowing again, she stood and took Mr. West’s hand. “Yes, I do.”

“Good,” said Mr. West. “You’ll leave with the research team tomorrow morning.”

“Leave?” Lila gazed around at the other two in the room. She wasn ’ t going to work in the Howland & West Industries building, after all? “What do you mean?”

“The project is conducted in a research facility in northern Canada,” said Dr. Howland. “You are the last one on the team, and Project Titan is moving there permanently.”

Lila blinked. “P-permanently?”

Mr. West furrowed his brows. “Yes, you just read it in the contracts.”

“Oh,” she blurted out. “Yes, of course!” What else had she missed in those damned contracts? “But… but what about residency and—”

But Mr. West only raised his hand. “It’s all taken care of, don’t you worry. Be ready to travel tomorrow. Only bring essentials—Canada is a sophisticated country, you know. You can buy new stuff once you’re there.” Then he looked at her with a peculiar gaze. “I know you just read the contracts, Miss Vernon, and I will not insult your intelligence. Just know that it gets lonely in such an isolated place, and for a young woman like yourself, that could be difficult. But I must emphasize the rule of no sexual relations while you’re employed at Howland & West Industries. It’s a very strict policy, one we will not see between the fingers at.”

Lila felt her cheeks redden. “O-of course, Mr. West.”

Dr. Bryce and Dr. Howland both rose from their seats, and the room was lit up again. Lila felt like a fish out of water as she watched the people move about as though they hadn’t just seen pictures of a giant alien.

But Dr. Howland smiled and placed his hand on Lila’s shoulder as he passed her. “Welcome to the team, Miss Vernon. I’m sure you’ll make us proud.”

CHAPTER 3

THE ALIEN

~

Lila had never been to Canada. The brief stop in Vancouver before they stepped into a helicopter that would take them to the research facility was hardly the visit she had had in mind whenever she’d thought about going to Canada.

Her mom had been so confused when she called her the evening before, telling her that she was going away for work and didn’t know when she’d be back.

“What about your apartment?” her mother had asked her.

“I terminated the lease an hour ago.” Lila had said it with a heavy heart—she loved her studio apartment, even though it was small and a bit shabby.

“What about all your stuff?”

“The company will arrange storage.”

“But what do you mean you don’t know when you’ll be back? Where are you going?”

“I can’t tell you where, it’s classified. Mom, it’s for work, I’ve told you.”

“You’ll be home for Christmas, right?”

“Mom, I don’t know.”

She’d cried herself to sleep that night. The mere thought of leaving her parents behind like this was torturous, not to mention leaving all her friends behind. It got so bad, she’d regretted ever accepting the job. But then she’d thought about the image of the alien, and realized that this was a sacrifice she had to make.