Page 68 of Rebel Fates

“Would it bother you if I was?” he asks as he finally glances away from his tablet.

“I have only recently been exposed to the universe and all its different life forms. I’m not as frightened as I expected to be.”

“I wear the mask to protect my identity,” he says with little thought, more consumed by my scan report.

“But why are you wearing it now?” I ask.

Instead of answering, he reaches out.

Flinching, I pull away from his touch.

“You’re worried about what I’m going to do with you?” he guesses.

“I… I don’t want to be hurt again.”

“Again?” Hood’s attention seems to pierce me. His anger is barely restrained as he asks, “Who hurt you? The Hathorans?”

“No. They actually saved me—a few times.”

“Did the Tirbs harm you?” he asks.

“They didn’t hurt me… much. Although they didn’t feed me properly.”

“Someone from your past,” he guesses. “Before your awakening.”

“My awakening?” I blink, confused by what’s going on.

“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you. And my appearance won’t concern you soon enough,” he says casually as he walks over to a computer across the room.

“Why won’t it matter?” I ask.

“Because you are about to lose your mind in another day or so.”

“Oh.” I don’t know what that means, but it doesn’t sound awesome for me. “Good to know.”

32

MISSED

SERRAT

We arrive at the Malan space station and don’t see any sign of the Tirbs’ ship.

I curse under my breath, because if I allow my irritation to have any more leeway, it might consume me.

Rok and Zeek follow me as we plow through the crowded market and head toward the auction house. If the Tirbs realized they had an omega, which they must have by now, then they would want to get the most money for her. The auction would be the most lucrative option. They would want to get rid of her fast, especially knowing we would want her back.

I stroll up to the auction sign-in. “Any omegas?” I casually ask the attendant.

He tuts as if he’s disappointed for us. “You missed a juicy one earlier.”

“Human?” I ask, trying to keep my temper even.

“Yeah. That delicious ass got snatched up for quite a sum.”

“Who bought her?” Rok asks, because he can sense I’m about to go ballistic.

The attendant gives us the eye to remind us he doesn’t have to answer questions.

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