Page 77 of Rebel Fates

“Mad?” Crax sighs. “No. But I don’t know what is best for your well-being. If I track the Hathorans down… I don’t want something to happen to…”

He doesn’t finish his thought, and it makes me nervous. “You think they would hurt me?”

“I don’t know them. However, one positive thing in your favor is that Hathorans are typically considerate toward females—and especially to their mates.”

“Then what are you worried about?”

“You are in a fragile state of transformation. This change is all unknown territory.” Crax pauses, “I’ve lost someone. She was a transforming omega, like you.” His voice cuts out with emotion. “It was the most…” He can’t finish his sentence, but he doesn’t have to. I sense he cared for this someone.

I pat his chest. “I understand. No need to explain.”

We both allow silence to settle between us.

Then Crax runs his finger along my jaw and angles my head to look up at him, but he is the only one getting a view since I cannot see through his mask. He doesn’t speak for a while, and then whispers, “I’m trying to do everything right this time, so you will survive the change. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. ”

“I appreciate the sentiment.” I frown. “But it’s too late to stop bad things from happening.”

He caresses my cheek with his thumb. “You’re right—any morebad things.”

I wonder what he looks like underneath his disguise. “Will I ever be able to see your face?”

“After you make it through your heat.”

“Is it because you don’t trust me? Or you think I will be scared of your appearance?” I peer into the opaque mask, trying to see in. “You know, I’ve already seen a lot of different aliens. Oddly, I haven’t been that overwhelmed by any of them.”

He draws me closer, and for a brief moment, I think he might show me his face. “You have been very brave, considering all that has happened to you. But it isn’t about my confidence in you or your fortitude. I’m trying to prevent you from unintentionally bonding to me. Please, trust me that I only have your well-being in mind, even if you have no real reason to.”

“Well, so far, you have been nothing but kind. You could have used me or hurt me, since youownme. Instead, you are making sure I’m okay.” I think about my past boyfriends who couldn’t even stop actively hurting me. “Unless this is all a trick, and you plan on lulling me into a false sense of safety, then take advantage of me, trying to break my spirit.”

“Frex,” Crax hisses out. “Is that what you have dealt with before?”

Shrugging, I can’t answer with more than a quick nod.

He cradles my head against his chest, and I melt into him.

Why does it feel like with Crax and even with Rok, Serrat, and Zeek, that I’ve known them forever? Yet, they are truly alien to me. I feel more connected to them than anyone I had in my life. It makes no sense.

I catch another sweet scent in the air.

My feverish skin begins to burn again. My groin throbs and feels hollow at the same time. I’ve never been this desperate for something to fill me. I tilt my hips to get closer to Crax.

Slinging my arms over his shoulders, I crawl up, wrapping my legs around his waist. I grind onto his groin before he has a chance to push me away by lifting me up by my waist.

“Slow down,” he says as he tries to pry me off him. And I must be stronger than I used to be because it takes no effort to prevent him from stopping me. But maybe he isn’t truly resisting.

I growl and grab at his hood to rip it off.I need to smell him.

Smellhim?

I mean,seehim, and it’s driving me insane.

With a powerful tug, he loosens my hold and tosses me back into the pile of pillows and blankets, all destroyed by my previous fit of rage.

My legs fall open, and I hope he will take the invitation.

He stands above me, unmoving.

My hands begin exploring my body to satisfy a craving I know I cannot handle on my own. Writhing on the blankets, I moan and pant, my need growing.

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