Orri (Intergalactic Surrogacy Agency #3)

1. Rescue

RESCUE

ORRI

I ’ve been a warrior all my life. I’ve seen things no man — or alien — should have to see. And after so many years of battle, I thought I’d seen it all.

Turns out life still has a way of surprising you.

It was supposed to be a fairly straightforward mission. Rescue the kidnapped humans from the compound and take down their leader, Kovarx. All was going according to plan. Until I saw her.

Curled up in a grimy cell, clothes tattered and hair matted with sweat and blood, I saw her. There were others there, and a child, too, but the moment I saw the woman curled up on herself in the corner, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

I knew that smell. Every alpha did. But here? Now?

She was human. She was omega. And she was going into heat.

Talk about poor timing.

* * *

“Get the others,” I grunt to my comrade. “I’ll take the injured one.”

“Understood.” No complaints here. Good, because if any of them tried to take her, I don’t know what I’d do. I tell myself I just want to make sure she’s okay, but it’s more than that.

It’s the primal call of an alpha to an omega. I know the others must be feeling it too, but maybe it’s less strong since Soren and Rathgar already have heart-mates. That leaves Ivar and me, and if Ivar tries to lay a finger on her, even our friendship won’t save him.

She shivers and wails as I gather her into my arms. Poor thing — she can’t even walk. Her leg is swollen and bruised around the knee. A break, most likely. I grimace. We’ve got to get her back to the med pods at the surrogacy center, and fast. Our field medics can only do so much, and I don’t want anyone else touching her until I know she’s all right.

Females are already incredibly precious and sought after on our world, but add to that the fact that she’s human, and she’s omega? The heat makes her incredibly vulnerable. And her scent will drive any alpha in a mile’s radius mad with lust if I don’t protect her.

Yeah. Protect. That’s it.

She quiets down as I hold her steady in my arms, walking as fast as I can back toward my mount. My cock throbs in my trousers; my mind races with muddled desire, but I have to focus on the mission.

All of this is nothing but a normal biological response. I already had my chance at love…and lost it. Harsh memories flash back into my mind, unbidden. I won’t let what happened to Zannah happen to anyone else, least of all this precious, delicate creature from Earth.

She’s so soft, so light in my arms as I hoist her onto the back of my aki. She sways, still not totally conscious, and I swing up beside her to hold her steady. Grabbing the reins, I kick Alyx into gear, heading back toward the transport at full speed.

The soft leaves brush against our faces as we tear down the path. Alyx’s hooves patter on the hard-packed dirt of the road as she bounds forward. Leaves and a few stray pebbles shoot into the air behind us, and all the while my hair blows wildly about my face, sticking to my sweaty skin after a moment before I brush it away. To say nothing of my passenger…

This woman isn’t used to riding our animals, I can tell that much. Maybe it’s because she’s injured, maybe it’s because she’s in heat, or maybe it’s just because she’s a human and unused to our world, but her body bounces and wobbles on Alyx’s back with the grace of a rag doll. I have to hold her even closer to keep her from falling off, and that pours even more of her delectable scent into my face, threatening to short circuit my senses and ruin everything we’ve worked so hard for.

Back to the center, I repeat to myself. Deep breaths in through my nose. Out through my mouth. Back to the center. Back to the center.

Pay no mind to the blushing beauty pressed up against your body, her curves and soft figure practically made to fit against your own. Or the fact that I’m hard as a rock, throbbing with need to conquer and claim her as my own. To fill her with my seed and see her large with my child.

I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. Focus. Focus. Gotta focus. What kind of alpha would I be if I abandoned an unarmed and vulnerable omega, especially one in heat? She needs medical attention.

Not…whatever my hormones wanted to give her.

That part of my life is over, I think with a frown. I had a mate once, long ago. She was it for me, and no one — not even this omega — can replace her in my heart.

I’ll take her to the surrogate center, make sure she’s patched up, and that will be that. End of story.

…If only life were so simple.

* * *

“Are you all right? Anything hurt? Besides your ankle, that is.” I’m trying to check her for injuries as we ride, but her heat and scent makes it hard to stay focused on the task at hand.

She lets out a sound that is somewhere between a grunt and a whine. I’m already cursing myself for how it makes my cock ache. How it makes me wonder what she would sound like in bed, with me looming over her as she’s about to take my cock…

“Just…my leg,” she grunts at last. Her breaths come fast and heavy, catching each time Alyx lurches under us. I wish there was a smoother way, but she’s got to get to the transport first. They can take her to the center from there.

They. My mind flares with unexplainable ire at the thought. I should be the one taking care of her.

My nostrils flare. My hands clench on the reins and I look straight ahead, focusing on our destination and letting it fill my mind. Anything but…that. Anything but her.

I try to keep her busy with small talk on the ride back, but to be honest it is for my benefit just as much as it is for hers. She’s exhausted, in shock, and in pain, so she doesn’t say much. I don’t blame her. I can’t imagine what she’s gone through, and to be going into heat on top of that?

It’s no wonder she’s a wreck.

I do learn one thing, however — her name. Isabella.

Even the word rolls off my tongue like the sweetest honey, making rational thought difficult. I’ve heard Soren and Rathgar talk about what it’s like to mate with an omega in heat, but to be honest I thought they were exaggerating. I had no idea it would be this…consuming. But there’s another problem with this whole situation. Even if I wanted to claim her, I’m sure she’s already spoken for. She has to be.

Where is her alpha? Surely she has one. The Intergalactic Surrogacy Agency doesn’t let just anyone hitch a ride to Aesirheim. They have to be matched to a compatible alpha who has already paid. So what had happened?

“There you are!” Orvox rushes out of the center and meets us on the walkway. Her hair flies out behind her in nervous waves. I’ve never seen her look so serious. “Thank you for bringing her back, Orri. Help me get her settled and we’ll take it from here.”

A flash of possessiveness roars up in my chest. The primal, alpha part of me wants to tell her to get lost, that she has everything she needs right here. But I know that’s not true, and I know from the swelling of her leg that she needs more medical attention than I can provide.

“I’m gonna help you down,” I say to the exhausted beauty atop my ride. “Give me your hand.”

Her eyes droop, and her ankle is already an ugly shade of purple. However, she’s just aware enough to hear my words. As she leans forward, I catch a glimpse of her ample cleavage. Even though I’m holding my breath, her aroma surrounds me; it’s even stronger when her hand lands in mine. Good thing Orvox is about to take her off of my hands, because I feel my control wearing thin after the ride here.

I know she needs help. I know she’s hurt. But some darker part of me doesn’t care, and that instinct scares me. So with all the mental strength I can muster, I pull her closer and hope for the best.

Carefully, Orvox and I get Isabella down from my mount and onto the stretcher. No sooner is she laid down than Orvox is already connecting wires, running tests, and checking vitals. I couldn’t leave her in better hands, no matter what my hormones are saying about claiming her and filling her with my offspring.

“Thank you again!” She calls over her shoulder as she pushes Isabella inside. I turn to leave, but at the last second Isabella lifts her head and I swear, she looked right at me.

That isn’t the same terrified, glassy stare she fixed me with the entire way back. There’s a fire there. A passion. She mouths the words before the doors swish shut and she’s out of sight:

“Thank you.”

* * *

Aesirheim, normally so vibrant with life and activity, goes silent. I stare at the doors for a long moment. My thoughts are still with the small, precious human inside. Alyx nudges me with her snout, but I give her an absent-minded pet and think no more of it.

I can still feel Isabella’s heart beating against my chest. Her soft breath on my neck. I remember her warmth, so different to many of our females who run cold. When I think back to the condition I found her in, I’m amazed she managed to survive at all.

I don’t know what she did to get under my skin like this. I’ve seen so much battle and hurt and pain, nothing fazes me. Usually. But whether it was her soft features, her shocked expression, or the supple warmth of her curves against my body, I can’t bring myself to turn away. I have to know more about her.

Isabella.

The name rings in my head and rolls off my tongue.

Isabella.

My cock still aches at the thought of her scent. I shouldn’t be as worried as I am. This facility is the safest place for her, especially during her heat. If she doesn’t have an alpha, then…

I shake my head. Going down that path will only bring heartbreak.

I’m worried about her. That’s it.

And not because the terrified helplessness on her face reminded me of Zannah in her last moments, when I realized I couldn’t save her…

When I realized the one promise I swore not to break went up in flames.

I make up my mind and lead Alyx to the stables. I’ll stay nearby for now. Just to give Soren a progress report. He’ll want to know. It’s the professional thing to do.

And maybe by then, I can put this foolish notion out of my head.