Page 83 of Rebel Fates

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REUNION

GEMMA

Ismell their intoxicating masculine scents—sweetgrass, cloves, cinnamon. This is weird because Icansmell them.

Are they really here? Or have I gone mad?

Still in his masking cloak, Crax leads the three Hathorans through the bedroom door.

My body’s reaction is overpowering.

I hurry toward them, but stop when something feels off.

Instead of coming closer, they stand just inside the doorway, arms behind their backs. They don’t say a word, but stare at me. I can’t tell what they are feeling. Their faces are devoid of emotion.

His voice sounding reserved, Zeek asks, “Are you alright? Has Crax harmed you?”

I blink at that. “Uh. Crax has been kind. But what about you? I was so worried the Tirbs were going to hurt you.”

“They kept their word and released us,” Rok grunts out. “You shouldn’t have left us like that.”

“I thought it was the only way to save you. And you didn’t ask for all the problems I brought on you. I felt horrible you went through all that because of me.”

They stare at me, not accepting my apology. I wonder why they are here.

Their odd behavior has me pulling my blanket that I’m using as a robe tighter. I glance at all three of them, then at Crax.

“Have you hurt them?” I demand of Crax.

“He hasn’t. Only secured our hands behind us,” Serrat finally says.

I take a step back and study them for answers. Are they angry that I left with the Tirbs?

“We don’t know what to say,” Serrat confesses, but doesn’t expand his answer to include if they are upset with me.

I glance at Crax, confused by what’s happening. But he doesn’t offer any explanation about what is going on either.

I ask, “Why are you here? How?”

“We’ve been hunting for you since the Tirbs took you,” Rok answers.

“Why?” Yet, I don’t expect to get the answer I want—that they want me. That they desire me.

Oh shit, I want them.

“We were worried to death about you,” Zeek says, his golden eyes glinting.

“You were?” I crinkle my forehead in contemplation. “Please don’t mistake me, I appreciate the concern. But I was a stowaway. You didn’t even want me around. I was a total pain. Almost dying every couple of hours.”

“True. Mostly. But we want you,” Serrat says with a growl in his voice.

My eyes drop to the strain in their pants’ fabric.

I fear they only want to fuck me and then leave me when this supposed heat is over. “Why?”

Serrat glares at Crax as if waiting for him to leave. When Crax doesn’t move, Serrat finally answers, “To mate.”

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