Alpha Siege (Omega Mates #1) - Pearl Tate Page 0,45

able to figure out why we're here, right? And maybe even how to get back?

Although Kaneer seems pretty sure there’s a good chance I’m pregnant, I’m not sold on that line of thinking. Or at least I’ve convinced myself it’s not possible. I mean, we are two totally different species, right?

He can refuse to believe me all he wants, but I’m from Earth whether he likes it or not. I’m human. Considering we arrived on a spacecraft from high in the atmosphere, we were most likely brought here by another spacecraft. Sure, I’ve considered the idea that Earth is in a different dimension and this is just technically still on Earth, but then why did I come in a spacecraft?

And as much as I like the big lug, I’m not interested in staying here and living in a tent forever. Especially since he seems determined to sequester me away indefinitely. What’s up with that?

It’s too bad because there are some things that I wouldn’t mind investigating around here. In addition to the magnetic pull I feel to head in a specific direction, there’s also the tremor that signals them to pray. I don’t have a watch or anything, but I’m positive the timing varies every day. When I asked him about it, he seemed mystified. I’m sure I could build at least three seismographs and with a little travel and time…

I’m interrupted from my thoughts by the tent flap opening, making me think Kaneer forgot something. But it isn’t him back from his hunt or whatever. Instead, it’s Carnell, and she’s followed closely by two other tall women. I don’t recognize them, but that means nothing. Like the rest of his people, they easily have a foot and a half in height on me.

All of them have long dark hair and dark eyes, moving with sinuous stealth as they pad across the carpet laid on the floor toward our bed where I’m scrambling to cover myself up. One of them stops just inside the door. The largest woman, who has to be six foot six, maybe even closer to seven feet tall, looks really perturbed as she moves closer to me and licks her lips nervously.

Taking a deep breath, she announces, “I’m not happy with you being here. I know it’s not my choice to make, but it’s easy to see that you’re a low dweller, and you should go back there. Unfortunately, Kaneer has ordered us to accept you and treat you with complete respect as his chosen female.”

Her voice trembles, and I can tell she’s completely uncomfortable… or maybe pissed off? Hard to say, but this is new for me. Never before have I ever had anyone instantly dislike me like this. In an attempt to make them realize that I’m not any different from them, I decide to start over.

“I’m Sunny.” Wrapping one blanket around me, I sit up straighter, rolling onto my knees. “What are your names?”

Carnell steps forward from just behind her, answering for them. “I’m Carnell. You know me. But this is Truna and Felice.”

Carnell’s mouth is tense, her hands clenched at her sides. “I was the Alpha’s favored female until you arrived. But now, our Alpha has taken that title from me, claiming the position is now yours. He says you’re recovering from a heat.”

The woman who’s closer snarls slightly, her lips curling up from her teeth like a canine as she turns back to me. “This is unheard of. I am Truna, the favored Priestess, and it’s my duty to come to you and offer confidentiality if you share with me where you obtained these drugs.”

I blink slowly, wondering what I’m missing with the new direction of the conversation. “Look… I’m sorry, Carnell. I didn’t ask Kaneer to give me the favorite position… I just kind of fell into it. I honestly don’t have any long-term plans to stay here. You should keep that in mind.”

I wrap the sheet around me tighter as I crawl toward the edge of the bed. “I’m not ready to head out right this second, but maybe if you could… look away?” They’re looking at me strangely as I force myself to smile while I swing my legs over the edge. “Wouldn’t you like to see me gone? Then you’ll get your job back... eventually.”

I ignore the twisting in my gut at the idea of this woman’s job being to take my place in Kaneer’s bed. There’s disbelief written all over her face. Carnell looks really mad