Page 169 of Fated Mates of Breeder Prison

“They are? Why would they do that?”

“Because it takes an empire to raise a child, and there aren’t any in this part of the galaxy.”

“Village.”

“What?”

“It takes a village to raise a child. Not an empire.”

Lily’s eyes narrowed. Her irritation lasted only a fraction of a second and was gone.

“So, you see,” she said, “there’s really nothing you need to worry about. For you or your kid. The baby is your ticket out of here. You just need to make sure it’s strong and healthy.”

I rested my chin on my hands.

“I’m not even sure I can have kids,” I said.

“Not have kids? Why not?”

It was a dark part of my past that I never wanted to think about, never mind share with another human being. But then, I never expected I would be in this situation either.

“I… had a child… a long time ago,” I said. “I was very young. It was an accident. It never should have happened. And when the adoption people came around, they asked if I wanted to let him go to a loving family, and I agreed. It was the biggest mistake of my life. I always wondered where he is, what he’s doing. As I got abducted, I guess it’s probably a good thing I didn’t have to raise him. But I always think about him.”

“Oh, Harper,” Lily said, reaching out and taking my hand. “I’m sorry. But how does that affect how you’re able to have kids?”

“There were… complications. The doctors said I might be able to have them… or I might not. I always thought it best to play it safe and ensure I never had them. Not until I was ready, anyway. But now… Isn’t there anything you can do? Some way you can help me?”

“I can speak with the supervisor but I’m not sure he’ll agree to anything I suggest,” Lily said. “Are there any other health concerns I should inform the supervisor about?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

“Okay,” Lily said, dusting off her hands and getting to her feet. “I think I’m done here.”

It was the way she said it more than the words she used that caught my attention.

“I hate wearing the identity of lower lifeforms,” Lily said.

“What?”

Lily pressed her back to the invisible wall.

“Lower lifeforms?” I said. “What does that mean?”

Then she smiled. It curled only one corner of her mouth and twisted upward. Now, Lily might be capable of such a smile but I couldn’t bring myself to believe she could muster the same amount of sinisterness the way she did right now.

A shiver shook my body and brought me out in hives.

“You’re not Lily?” I said.

“Of course not.”

“If you’re not Lily, then who are you?”

“Lily” stepped back and turned her head toward the front wall but kept her eyes firmly on me.

“Let me out.”

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