Chapter Eleven #2
Every omega nested. The instinct was universal.
It was a need that had to be fulfilled, or the omega risked mental distress.
She would come out and get her things, and arrange them in whatever way soothed her.
She would add blankets to the bed. More pillows.
Some omegas even added clothing, especially any that carried their alpha’s scent.
Grinning to myself, I let my korrvek dangle from my fingers. I’d put my pants back on when she’d seemed scandalized by the thought of me walking through Korvashan in nothing, but I hadn’t wanted the additional layer that still smelled of the ship and the hot winds of the surface.
My grin slipped as I waited, the door remaining shut. I couldn’t hear anything from the other side, and my tail lashed, escaping my control.
I was moving across the room before I could stop myself, palming the door open. The silent whoosh revealed my bed exactly the way I’d left it, except for a lump on the far side.
She hadn’t added anything to it.
She hadn’t made it hers.
She had simply gone to sleep.
The disappointment that bit into me was unexpected and sharp. I retreated to the main room before I could examine why, shutting the door once more.
I spent an unknown amount of time trying to ignore the fact that she had disregarded the need to nest. She’d defied my culture’s expectations and then defied her biological needs.
The behavior needed correcting.
Decision made, I stalked toward the sleeping chamber. I was prepared to explain exactly why her actions were unacceptable and that she needed to correct them.
The door opened and I crossed the space, planning to wake her, but the words died as I gazed down at her sleeping face. She was curled beneath the blankets, face relaxed, making her look young and sweet.
Like the omega I’d thought I had chosen.
Her exhaustion remained obvious, even in her sleep. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and there was a flush to her tanned skin that made me think she might be fevered again. One hand trapped beneath her cheek, loose curls spilled across the pillow as she breathed deep.
For several moments I simply stood there, watching her. The irritation drained away, even though I found it annoying that I couldn’t go through with waking her.
But she had crossed the galaxy, survived a serum that changed her DNA, endured days of fever and pain, and then climbed the main levels of Korvashan.
Perhaps demanding obedience could wait until she awoke.
I removed my pants and climbed into bed beside her. For a moment I had hoped for more from our first night in my home, but I could be patient.
That thought lasted approximately three heartbeats before instinct took over and I rolled towards her. Before I made the conscious decision, my arm wrapped around her waist, my tail curling around her thigh.
She might have said she wasn’t mine yet, but her body knew better. Even in sleep, she leaned into me, muscles relaxing against my bulk, a soft purr leaving her on each exhale.
My lips curled as I tucked my nose into her hair and let sleep take me.
The next thing I knew, I was being jabbed in the ribs by something hard and pointy, as if a child were trying to attack me with their tail.
I opened one eye to see that the room was brighter even though I wasn’t sure I felt as if I’d slept.
Still, I’d survived weeks of minimal sleep on missions, and I was able to ascertain what the problem was.
Elaina was trapped beneath me, and by the glare leveled at my face, she wasn’t enjoying it.
My arm pinned her back to my chest, my hand cupping the soft mound of her breast. My tail had twined around her thigh and lifted it, the tip pressed to her core, only the thin fabric of her clothing keeping it from penetrating her.
We were both rolled forward, half my weight resting across her back, pressing her into the bedding.
I watched for several moments as her struggle grew increasingly frustrated. Finally, she huffed, the sound almost making me laugh at the degree of irritation it held.
“Vorrak drazh.”
The green in her eyes was clearer with them so close to mine, and so was the growl that vibrated from her.
“You're crushing me.”
I tipped my head, studying the color of her face and the flutter of her pulse in her neck.
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are. Get off me.”
I didn’t like her giving commands, but eventually, I released her. She immediately rolled away, the warmth of her fading from the sheets even though her scent remained. The loss was strangely upsetting, and I disliked that realization.
Which was precisely why I reminded myself of the plan.
Find the rebels.
Draw them to me.
It was the purpose behind all of this, even if Elaina was the reward.
Still, to be my lure, Elaina needed to be seen. It was inevitable that word would spread of another Human omega in Korvashan, but when you wanted things to be shared was when they usually weren’t. Or not fast enough.
The rebels needed to see Elaina and think she would be another easy target to draw them out. The logic remained sound, even if every muscle within me tightened at the thought.
I ignored the instincts tugging at me, just as I ignored the uncomfortable feeling that followed my decision about how to spend the day.
“Get dressed.”
Elana had stopped at the door, and suspicion lurked on her face when she looked back at me.
“Oh, now I can dress?”
Her sass helped me push aside the other feelings, and I grinned as I stood, watching her eyes go wide at my lack of clothing.
“Of course. Korvashan awaits.”
Her expression brightened, curiosity replacing irritation. It was good to see that she was interested in that, even if she seemed to be doing her best to avoid me.
I had a feeling taking her to the archives would be a mistake. She would disappear inside and never emerge, which meant I needed to show her the city first. She could see the preparations for Khavren, the Markets, and the Fungus Gardens. All that life in Korvashan offered.
And during that time, she would be seen. People would talk. And the rebels would begin to plan.
Only then would I take her to the archives.
The quiet, lonesome archives, where people could sneak in and out without being caught.
Where they’d think she was vulnerable if something called me away.
Where I planned to catch them when they tried to attack.