Page 12 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

Zara barely leaves the forge anymore unless it’s to meet at the central fire for meals or come back to our tent to sleep. She’s been Benham’s apprentice for a while and ever since he showed her how to make arrowheads, she’s been obsessed, working all day until she gets them right. They’re getting better, but she still has a ways to go.

When Maeve isn’t with Alanda harvesting the last of the root vegetables, fruits, and herbs to store for the rest of the cold season, she’s at the forge as well. She loves watching Benham work, plus, she says it’s much warmer there.

I reach my tent and duck inside. The fire has burnt low and there’s a chill in the air. I grab a piece of wood from a small stack Zara and I keep stocked and add it to the pit. A few minutes later it catches and the flames grow higher. I stand close to it with my hands out in front of me to warm them up a bit. Once they’re toasty enough, I settle into my furs and bring out the stash of items I keep stored in a small chest.

It’s taken me almost a month, but I think I’ve finally figured out the last piece I need to add to my jar of lotion. My hands always used to chap and crack during the winters back on Earth, so I’ve been working on creating something to combat it, not just for me, but for all the humans. I’m almost done with the first batch for testing.

I learned a few things listening to the scientists back at Mannori Industries, so I’m trying to use the minimal knowledge I have. I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work and thought to be a scientist at one point, but my life didn’t turn out anywhere close to the way I’d planned or expected it to.

Except I can’t focus. Because all I can think and wonder about is why didn’t Jodah’s soul thingy turn on? Is it my fault? Is this just another form of punishment for the life I took? No matter what I try to do—no matter how many people I save—will it ever be enough to make up for my crime?

Someone slaps on the hide door flap, and I jump.

“Come in.”

A crack of sunlight appears and grows larger while a dark shadow fills the space until London steps into view. “Hey, stranger.”

“Hey.”

The flap closes behind her and she gestures toward the end of my pallet. “Do you mind if I sit?”

“Help yourself.” Not that it’s unusual for London to pop by, but her timing is a bit suspicious.

She settles herself on my furs and I set my clay jar in my lap while I wait for the reason for her visit. I don’t have to wait long.

“How are you feeling?”

I’m going to play dumb. “About what?”

London glares like she knows exactly what I’m doing. “You’re going to make me drag it out of you, aren’t you?”

“If I tell you I don’t want to talk about it, will you let it go?”

She studies me. “If that’s what you really, really want then, yes, I’ll let it go. Even if I could, I’m not going to force you to talk about something you’re that strongly against. But I hope you do.”

That’s one of the things I love about London and the rest of my friends. None of them push. Slowly over the last month, the other women have revealed things here and there about themselves. Like what their life was like back on Earth or why they came here. I almost find it funny that other than Eloise, we all escaped from something. With Remi, it was her parents and an arranged marriage. Maeve, an abusive ex-boyfriend. Then there’s London. None of us would have guessed she chose Tavikh over prison. And for such a small crime. Now, more than ever, I’m glad I didn’t call the authorities.

Either way, talking about our past has always been voluntary. Everyone has willingly chosen to tell their secrets. Except me.

“I’ve watched you, Remi, and Maeve all find your mates and fall in love. It wasn’t something I realized how much I wanted until I couldn’t have it.” I finally admit it.

London reaches for my hand. “Why can’t you have it?”

I stare at her a moment. “Haven’t you heard? Jodah doesn’t feel the bond despite his mating marks. Apparently Tavikhi have this soul light thing that turns on inside them when they meet their mate. Well, my mate has a defective one.”

“A soul light, yeah,” she confirms. “But none of us humans have one and we still managed to fall in love with our mates. And while divorce is a thing on Earth, humans can still fall in love with each other, call each other their soul mates, and stay together forever. Why can’t the Tavikhi do that as well?”

Is it because I want that fairytale? A man—male—who is instantly in love with me?

Although Jodah acted as if he didn’t have any interest in me if his soul light didn’t turn on. Like that would be the only reason he’d want me as his mate.

“Have you tried talking to him?” London asks.

“Not really.” I hate admitting it. “I sort of ran away.”

She squeezes my hand. “It doesn’t have to be right now, or even today, but maybe the two of you can talk about how to move forward. Maybe he still wants to get to know you. And maybe wants to see if you both can make something together. A bond can grow even without the soul light. At least I don’t see why it can’t if each of you nurture it.”

“You sound like Kyler.”

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