His words repeat in my head, and my anger and all-out hatred seem to fizzle into a small lump that’s lodged itself in the back of my throat. Before I realize what’s happening, tears are streaming down my cheeks. His words stung me.
I glance quickly toward Jex, expecting him to laugh at my emotional state, but he doesn’t. He just offers me a seat on the floor next to him and sighs when I ignore the gesture. “General Rune did not just come for female eggs. He came hoping to find a mate.”
Again I feel the walls of the small enclosure press in around me. My body wants to pace, but there’s not enough room. I end up turning back and forth driving myself mad. “A mate? He wanted a girlfriend? A wife? What?”
“A female to run the ship alongside him. One who would bear his children.”
“Well, that has nothing to do with me,” I snap. Heat flashes across my chest. “My sister was taken and his…” I wave my hands wildly in Rune’s directions. “His actions ruined my world.”
Rune’s eyes are closed and his chest slowly moves up and down. He looks like he’s sleeping peacefully. I wonder if he’s dreaming. The metal soles of my shoes pulsate and hum, I wonder if this alien waste receptacle is moving again.
I wonder if I could get away with kicking him.He needs a mate?
I can’t stay on this mobile space home any longer.
I sure as hell can’t mate with anyone.
I don’t want to have a child right now.
I don’t even know where Claire is or if she’s okay or scared.
Who’s going to take care of her?
I look back at Jex. “I don’t know where my sister or my father are. And it’s not a big deal to you, but I’m up on aspaceship.” I cross my arms over the metal plates covering my torso. “That’s terrifying. And it’s all because of this idiot. He should have just downloaded AlienTinder.”
“The General wanted—”
“Tough,” I snap again. My anger is unraveling faster and faster. “You don’t just get things because youwantthem.” I rub my hands over my face and break down for the first time. Because that’s when it hits me—it really hits me—there’s no going back. This is what the world is now, and I’m trapped in it. “Does he have any clue what he’s done? Even if this end of the world crap was going to happen in my future. In what? What did you say, the year 2056?” I sniffle and choke out a gasp. “Him coming here made it happen sooner.”
Rune is out of the uploading dock instantly, breathing heavily in front of me. “I never meant for anything bad to happen. What do you want me to do? What do you want!?”
“I want my life back.”
His hands reach me quickly, cupping the back of my neck. Each thumb softly grazing both sides of my cheeks. I want to scream, kick out, and fall to my knees, but he holds me steady and presses his forehead against mine. “I wish I could,” he whispers. “But I can’t. I need you too much.”
“I can’t help you. I can’t.” Tears fill my eyes. “I’m sorry, I just want to go home, Rune.”
