Page 95 of Rebel Fates

I lean down to allow my pheromones to drift toward Gemma.

In only a few moments, her color returns and her eyes pop open. Alarm sets in. She shifts backward on the bed and studies me. “Who are you?”

“It’s me… Crax,” my voice almost breaks with a strange happiness. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s because she looks interested in what she sees now that my hood is finally removed.

Gemma glances at her sides and sees the males knocked out. “What did you do to them?” she demands. She must believe they are dead or wounded.

“They are only knocked out, so I can attend to you.” I want to touch her. The call of her scent is overwhelming without my breathing filtration system. Even so, the scent has been something I’ve been struggling with since I met her. The suit only blocks so much.

“You’re part human?” she asks.

“I’m in my change brought on because of you.”

“You’re a Hathoran?”

“A branch of them, Sekmets.”

She nods. “The other Egyptian goddess.”

I’m impressed she knows her world’s history. Not all the humans I’ve encountered know much about anything. But I suppose the few I’ve met were bred in space or disenfranchised on Earth.

Her eyes study me and then she sniffs deeply. “Are you here to claim me? Take me from them?”

“No. I had no intention of mating you during this heat. Or at least, that’s what I keep trying to convince myself. But now, I need to claim you too.”

“But… what will that do to my claim on them?”

“Nothing. It will only add to it. And if you want me, then I will do my best to live amongst you.”

“Shouldn’t we find out from them?” She frowns. “They didn’t think you were part of the deal.”

I worry and ask, “Doyounot want me?”

“I don’t know. I was attracted to you at the auction, and since then too, but I don’t know how or why. Then you pushed me to be with them.”

“You might have scented me this whole time.” I cast my gaze down. “Should I leave?”

“Why did you come in here?” she asks.

“Something went wrong, and I guessed you might have imprinted on me.” I frown, worried that I might not survive her rejection. “Your body, your change, was failing. I thought maybe because you… or your body, at least, wanted me. When I allowed you to smell my pheromones, you roused. But I’ll leave now and revive the others if you wish for me to go.”

“I didn’t say no.” She studies my face. “You are sure they’re okay?” When I nod, she asks, “And you aren’t planning to take me from them?”

“No. You are already bonded to the two of them. To steal you away now would be a death sentence for you.”

“I feel a pull to be with you,” she confesses, looking surprised by her own words.

“Please. I need to be yours,” I say as I quickly remove my gloves and reach out to touch her.

She flinches. “Should you touch me? Won’t that force me to choose you?”

I pull my hand back, realizing she is right. I need her to needme. “You might be right. However, unfortunately, I believe you picked up some of my genetic code just from being aboard my ship.”

“So I’m linked to you anyway? Is that why I feel… weird?”

“I was worried that your body didn’t like that I wasn’t here for your mating heat. And when my scent awakened you, it only confirms my suspicions that—”

“I need you…” She moans and my heart flips.

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