Page 88 of Rebel Fates

Ignoring his reprimand, Zeek asks, “Wait a moment… How did you know that an emerging omega would be at the auction?”

I am suddenly very keen to hear his answer.

Crax leans against the wall as if he is weary. “The slavers often put out a transmission to alert those who have bought slaves in the past. I have searched for an omega in Gemma’s condition for quite a while. I heard the Tirbilians had a human omega. So, I rushed to acquire her.”

“Have you bought a lot of omegas?” I ask. “What happened to them?”

His energy seems to draw in. “Only one. The awakening omega I mentioned before. She never made it as far as you have.”

I hear what isn’t spoken. “Did your mating bite…?”

“Yes.” His voice is rough and hollow. “She wasn’t strong enough to survive my bite.”

I step farther away from all the males. Bumping into the wall, I realize how exposed and vulnerable I am. I cover my breasts, folding my arms over my chest.

“You are much stronger than she was. Much healthier. Your genetics are more favorable to the change.” Crax slowly approaches me, arms extended, as if he wants to hold me.

The other males growl.

Crax stops and says to them, “If I meant to harm any of you, I would have by now. If I intended to claim her, I didn’t need to invite you to see her.” He gently pulls me up to stand straight. “I want to solve my people’s lack of omega females.”

“Exactly who are your people?” Serrat asks.

“Irrelevant,” Crax snips. “Your race will benefit too.”

Serrat grumbles at the dismissal.

“Are omegas really that different from other females?” I ask.

“Only omegas can link us in a pack bond,” Rok explains. “They can procreate and can help Beta females procreate, triggering them with their pheromones.”

“So… you want me as abreeder?” My nose wrinkles in irritation and disappointment.

“No! It’s not like that!” Zeek cries out. “Even if you never gave us a cub, we would cherishyou!”

“Is that how the rest of you feel? Because I don’t know if I want children.” I narrow my eyes at them.

Serrat and Rok nod their heads.

“We want nothing more than the chance to love you,” Serrat assures me.

Crax adds, “They cherish omegas among his kind. Although personally, I wish an omega could bear offspring, I wouldn’t turn her away for not being able to do so.”

“Or wanting to?” I raise an eyebrow.

I see his shoulders tense. “Yes, even then. But I wish for cubs one day.”

A moan from one of the other males brings my attention back to them. Thinking they have some commentary on my desire to have children, I’m ready to argue. However, I see strain fill Zeek’s face. His body is taunt with pain as he grimaces.

“What’s wrong?” I step closer, but I’m afraid of how my body will react if I get too close. I’m already far too damp between my thighs.

“He’s shifting into his animal for the heat,” Serrat says.

Both Serrat and Rok begin to grunt and writhe too.

“Animals?” I look at their already animal-like faces and wonder if I am supposed to have sex with an actual animal.

Oh, crap! Will I become an alien when I complete my change?