Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Here’s the thing.
I know Zolkan’s omega requires an alpha to take care of her, and I am one.
I know the sap-skulled Zortaire won’t tend to her himself because he’s obviously fucked in the horns.
I know she needs something.
But I have no idea what it is or how to provide it.
The unwelcome truth of that sinks deep. If she were mine, I would know how to help her. And, gods, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything as much as I wish this omega belonged to me.
It’s only taken a single day for me to accept that I desire her for myself, not Zolkan. And less than that to decide I’d take any opportunity to care for her.
Even this stolen moment.
Besides, is it really treason? He gave the Chief Healer permission to tend to her. Surely, his General isn’t any worse than that…
Now that I’m here, though, I find the insistent desperation bouncing between my hearts has less to do with me and everything to do with her.
Who cares what I do or don’t get in this life? What does she need?
The omega blinks at my question. “N-no,” she claims, her denial a dagger to my chest. “I-I’m just… sad.”
She spits the last word like it’s abhorrent to her. Or an embarrassment. As if I haven’t been breathing her sorrow for a full day. Agonizing over every damn inhale.
“Yes,” I murmur, daring to step closer. “You are sad. You need your alpha.”
But the cursed bastard won’t tend to her. So I will.
My skin tingles at the thought, scales tightening under my brands. The sensation reminds me of my goddess—my devotion to Stelaris.
I’ve made many bargains, begging for a mate. But I also swore to Her that I would not allow Zolkan to squander this gift. This omega. I will not forsake that promise by leaving the human to suffer alone.
Sofi.
Cylus told us her given name, but I’ve never said it out loud before. If the way she’s staring at me is any indication, I might never get the chance.
“I-I don’t need you,” she argues. “I don’t need anyone.”
That’s a lie. But why?
I get my answer when a distinct note of fear suffuses her tart sweetness. My wings instantly snap closed and I move away, instinctually making myself smaller. A stupid purr starts in my chest.
I’ve frightened her.
Again.
Gods, maybe Zolkan was never the problem. Maybe it really has been me all along. Taking her and terrifying her. Showing up here unannounced and uninvited.
From what little we know about omegas, they’re incredibly protective of their personal space and only let alphas in by request—but they usually don’t build proper nests until their true heat comes on. This is only a surge, Cylus said. Either way, I never wanted to intrude on her peace.
I hang my head, displaying my horns, showing her my shame. “I will leave at once. My apologies, little one.”
The slicing need around the edges of her scent sharpens. It cuts deeply, carving into the space between my two hearts, ripping the breath from my body.
Morfu’s rotting hells.
It physically hurts me to turn away, but I manage. Barely.
Each step to the windowsill is agony. Yet, there’s a piece of me that’s stronger than the pain. Something tethered to the deepest part of my soul, demanding I give Sofi whatever she needs.
My claws scrape the stone ledge. Her scent spikes higher. In the hallway, Zolkan growls, reacting to her shifting mood as my own body stiffens.
Cocks bobbing. Wings trembling. Fists squeezing so tightly, my nails nearly draw my own blood—
“Wait.”
The little omega’s command seems to stop the very orbit of Khanos itself. I sway slightly, catching myself before my imminent launch. Holding still to check whether I’m hearing things.
But I’m not.
“Wait,” she calls again. “Please, Rask.”
The sound of her small voice, saying my name, breaks me. My control dissolves. And the next thing I know, I’m holding the only omega on the planet. Carrying her to bed.