Chapter 6
Zayd
“Layla’s test results are in. She is a high category two,” Razyr reports as I join him, Kydax, and Strykr in the med comb.
“Safe and more than a suitable match for you, Zayd,” Strykr says more cheerfully than I would like to hear, considering the circumstances.
“I do not understand why this is a discussion. I will not be taking Layla as a mate,” I argue, as I turn my eyes to Sutton, my heart wrenching at his ragged appearance.
He has been cleaned, but he is still very pale from the blood loss, and his limbs lie heavily on the bed, giving him the appearance of being dead.
“You could if Sutton does not recover,” Strykr says.
“I would not wish that fate on Sutton and certainly not on Layla. I would rather see Layla walk out of here by his side than see her suffer the loss of her husband a second time.”
“Very well,” Strykr says dismissively. “While we are on the subject, how is Sutton’s recovery going?” Strykr asks Razyr.
“Slowly. And, so far, the blood tests I have done are not revealing anything about his designation.”
“We know nothing about how he survived an alpha’s venom? How Layla’s heat came on and stopped so suddenly?” Strykr sounds concerned in a way I have never heard.
And I understand why. What if he can suppress all omegas’ heats?
It would put Strykr in an awkward position when it comes to enforcing the Accord.
Our primary directive is protecting omegas, which directly relates to the preservation of our species.
If his existence prevents our omegas from going into heat and being able to breed, what is he supposed to do about that? What will he do with Sutton?
“I can make some educated guesses, but I have no scientific evidence yet to back it up or disprove it,” Razyr says, visibly frustrated.
“At this point, I am willing to entertain any ideas you have. We need to start somewhere,” Strykr says.
“We know that whatever designation Sutton is, he can suppress Layla’s heat.
That suggests there is some kind of bond between them.
Following that theory, and that we all believed Sutton to be dead, the bond must have believed him to be dead, allowing Layla to go into heat.
But that does not make sense when you consider that the alpha venom heals him. It just does not add up.”
“Do you expect him to make a full recovery?” I ask.
“I cannot be sure. He lost a lot of blood, and I do not know the extent of the effect our venom is having on him. But I am hopeful and will continue to run tests to determine what Sutton is and if there is a better course of action regarding his care.”
“And what of the alpha they defeated? Is he one of them?” I ask.
“The comm he had on him was encrypted,” Kydax explains. “However, Cydra recognized him as one of the alphas from the missing ship. Cydra said their encryption has changed since he last dealt with them, but he believes he will be able to decipher it.”
“It is tragic what Sutton and Layla have been through,” Strykr says. “But their suffering will not have been in vain if it means finding that ship and the omegas these alphas stole from their mates.”
Kydax places a hand on my shoulder, “Lieutenant, considering the responsibility you have to Layla and that there is no clear timeline for its end, you are relieved from duty to see to your omega.”
“I appreciate it, Chief.” I should correct Kydax, calling Layla my omega.
But it is clear to me, with the tone he and Strykr have taken toward Sutton, that they do not wish for him to recover.
I would venture to guess that they fear his recovery.
Afraid of what it might mean for our survival for someone like him to exist.
“Thank you for your care, Razyr. I will assure Layla that her husband is in good hands.” With a bow, I take my leave of the med comb to return to Layla.
While I do not blame Strykr and Kydax for their concern, I worry about what they will do when he does recover. Will they let him and Layla go home? That would mean putting Layla, an omega, in danger of being attacked again.
But they cannot separate them. The Accord clearly states that an alpha cannot claim an omega who is married to a human.
Cydra was incarcerated for killing his omega’s husband.
Granted, her husband was an abusive asshole, and Cydra’s defense won Strykr over, once he convinced Strykr that the prerogative to protect an omega at any cost superseded any agreement we made with the humans and that it was a failing on our part not to include that as an addendum in the Accord.
There is no evidence that Sutton has mistreated Layla.
No evidence, yet, that Sutton can block any omega’s heat except Layla’s.
Plenty of omegas have gone into heat, but we also do not know when or why Sutton’s designation presented.
Nothing is certain, so there is no reason to argue or defend a position until we have more information.
The door to my room slides open to reveal a sleeping Layla, curled into a ball, on her side, under the covers in my bed. Locks of her hair lay draped over her neck and across the pillow like yellow snakes. I resist the urge to lie down next to her and pet them.
Instead, I retire to the sofa and watch the gentle rise and fall of her body beneath the blankets. Until I cannot keep my eyes open any longer and fall asleep, hoping to join her in my dreams.