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“Yes, you moron,” Bartlek said. “We didn’t come here to pay you a friendly visit. We’ve brought your mate with us.”

Faron’s heart thundered in his chest. “The female is here?”

“Sit down, both of you.” Their mother stood glaring until they obeyed and returned to the floor. “Now, Faron, we decided you were too indecisive when it came to selecting a future mate.”

“I am not indecisive. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to secure a Tolong mate. You cannot blame me for looking elsewhere.”

“We can if your choice is a feeble human,” Bartlek muttered.

Siblis nodded. “That is true, but we believe this female will be suitable. She is fertile and sturdy.”

“I’ve sent her a message to join us,” Bartlek said. “She will be here in a few moments.”

Faron shook his head. He wasn’t ready. He was still plagued by thoughts of Kendra and the new male she dated. He couldn’t meet his Tolong mate. He didn’t want to be distracted when he met her, yet all he could think about was Kendra.

“You might like to show gratitude,” Rhodan said. “Finding this mate has not been cheap or easy. She’s still not certain she wishes to partner with you. Donik insisted on meeting face-to-face to see if she can live with your incompleteness.”

Faron wanted to rip off his cybernetic arm and smash it on his father’s head. Since coming to Prodigy, no one had commented on his arm. Cybernetics were normal to most aliens. It was Tolongs who had an issue. They were so hung up on physical perfection. During his time away from other Tolongs, he’d come to realize there was another way to see physical differences, and that it wasn’t so wrong. It shouldn’t be sneered at and ridiculed.

The weight of his father’s stare had Faron dropping his gaze. “I appreciate your efforts, Father. I would never have found a Tolong female if it hadn’t been for your intervention.”

Rhodan grunted. “Good. I’m glad you’re finally talking sense. You will accept her, re-join the family, and move on from this embarrassing episode.”

Faron nodded, but his heart felt numb. He didn’t speak and shoved food into his mouth as he tried to block the conflicting thoughts in his head.

The door signaled someone was outside.

Bartlek jumped up and rubbed his hands together. “Donik is here.”

“Stand up,” Siblis said as she hustled Faron off the floor. “Make sure you look presentable. Donik will want to know all about you. Be open and honest in your answers.”

“Of course, Mother.” Faron faced the door, clasping his hands behind his back and forcing his face into a neutral expression in the hope it would mask the turmoil inside him.

Bartlek opened the door. Standing outside was a short, squat chestnut-brown Tolong. It looked as if her nose had been broken several times and was both squashed and crooked.

Her lips pressed together, and her dark eyes narrowed as her gaze ran over Faron.

“Come in, Donik,” Bartlek said. “Meet your future mate.”

Donik limped as she walked. Faron studied her gait and realized one leg was longer than the other. It seemed they were both less than perfect. At least, they had that in common.

“This is Faron?” Donik stopped in front of him, a look of disdain on her face.

“This is my son,” Siblis said.

“He is not as big as I’d like.” Donik prodded his bicep.

“He has grown weak during his time on the space station,” Siblis said. “That will change when we return home.”

Donik grunted. “Show me your artificial limb.”

Faron kept his gaze on the wall as he extended his arm to her.

She snorted as she stared at it. “It is the whole arm?”

“It is,” Faron said.

“It is displeasing.” Her voice was rough and gravelly.