Page 102 of Rebel Fates

“Oh, good.”

Rok positions me on the table, sensually touching me. I giggle with each unnecessary adjustment. Before Crax can get irritated by our antics, Rok presses the scanner button.

Crax makes some humming sounds, which draws Rok over to investigate.

When they whisper, I glance over and ask, “What? Is something wrong?”

Crax hears the alarm in my voice, and hurriedly answers, “No. But now I think it might be possible to replicate what happened with you under the right conditions.”

“Gemma!” Rok says in awe. “You’re shifting!”

As soon as he calls my name, I bolt upright. I can feel the change happening.

Crax glances down at his computer, but I’m relieved when he comes to comfort me instead of being a scientist at this moment. However, he grabs his tablet as he hurries over.

From my other side, Rok calls over the comms, “Serrat! Zeek! Get to the med bay. Gemma’s shifting!”

Within seconds, Serrat and Zeek burst into the room, eyes wide and panicked.

Tentatively, I reach for my face. And there is fur covering my cheeks and my snout is more pronounced. I’m fully changed now… into a Hathoran omega.

“You’re beautiful,” Zeek says with awe.

They are all staring.

I feel frantic since I’m the only one who doesn’t know what I look like. Then I’m feeling a bit put out. “Can I have a mirror?” I demand.

Shaken from his trance, Serrat finds a shiny metal pan that will work and holds it up to me.

I don’t have words for seeing someone else looking back at my reflection. It seems wildlyappropriateand also absurd at the same time. My ‘fur’ is dark blonde and very much like Serrat’s lion-like appearance, but with horns like a bull.

“You look just like Hathor… the Goddess Queen. The mother of all.” Serrat smiles. Through our bond, I feel that he’s proud I look likeHer—like him. He leans forward and nuzzles me.

When he pulls away, they all take turns acquainting themselves with my new form with nuzzling cuddles.

“I know you’re itching to check your computer read-outs,” I tease Crax.

He grimaces with the truth of it, but asks, “Yes, but first, are you alright? This has to be overwhelming.”

I nod and glance down at my hands… no,paws. “You said I might change completely.”

Rok cuts in, “But it’s one thing to know something intellectually and then another when it happens to you.”

I’m an unusual mixture of a horned cat and human. Although, I don’t hate the look.

“I’m the horny, crazy cat lady now!” I say.

The guys don’t appreciate the joke and give me questioning looks.

Well, Zeek thinks it’s hilarious, even though he doesn’t fully understand the reference.

“At least I look more like you now. I won’t be such a target like when I was human.”

“Your omega status will bring its own challenges, but yes, you will have rights in the Consortium.”

With the fearful thought of being hunted for being an omega, I feel a strange sensation wash over my body. A wave of fever, much like my shift or a lesser version of my mating heat.

“Gemma?” Crax glances down at his computer tablet.

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