y

to get ready and just see what would happen after the party. Even though I knew

s already there because they're often a relative or a neighbor. If they aren't, they're invited, or they

have been coming for me. But

ing; I couldn't e

lebration. Even though I knew it was going to be the most embarrassing night of my life. I looked at the emerald necklace and the silver pearl shoes an

and Cassian, along with three women. They were so loud I couldn't tell if they were laughing or atta

t are you doing here? How can you just

holding my bag, another my necklace,

down!" I demanded. "How dare

looking me up and down. "An

ister and I'm supposed to be your mate." I insisted on

you. You'd better be polite and obedient if you don't want me to humiliate

hing. We are the ones with no choice. A girl has to be married by exactly 21 years and 10 days. If her fated mate rejects her, and based on how they were acting, they definitely rejecte

of anything else, you should respect the rules and basic

's chest, leaning in close and flirting. "I really

you want," Ca

I snapped. "Those are mine! They were custom

e years, but you know you're not our real sister. You're j

oked him dead in the eye. "You don't get to tell me this isn't my home. You don't get to deci

hand. "Babe, I want this dress. I'm obsessed

ology had reached a point where food acted like fuel for them, giving them energy so they didn't need to plug in and charge. They had skin like ours, and honestly, better brains too. But on this planet, everything was cal

y dress to anyone

end closer against his chest.

he's not

y she takes it, she takes it. What are you gonna do, hit her? She's made of steel.

al imbalance. It didn't make sense that all three of them were so infatuated

These were picked out for the party. Please, don't make a scene. I can't show up in some old

because nobody is even looking at you. You

e a single ounce of feeling for me. "Let me ask you

, they're robots." He started rattling off their serial nu

don't want people thinking I'm just a heartless machine." The other two ch

name?" I as

cute with Cassian. "Ple

big deal? It's just a name. It's n

kes the necklace, one takes the dress, and I'll take t

his arm around his girl's waist, the second was holding hands with h

t there!"