Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“AGAIN!”
My bellow rolls over the cadets assembled for their midday drills. A few groans rise from the clusters of warriors, but they each drop into position, lying on their sides, using one arm to push themselves up. Holding for ten seconds as they either flap their wings or do tail-lifts.
It’s a sadistic exercise, really.
Perfect for my mood.
“OTHER SIDE.”
I’m being an ass. Using my ruff when I don’t need to. Putting my youngest soldiers through all seven hells—for no reason other than I’d like some company while I burn.
My hoxud slants a knowing look up to my face. I narrow my eyes at him, barking out, “THIRTY MORE APIECE.”
This time, there are a few sobs. I don’t care, though. I can’t care about anything, aside from the madness boiling my blood.
A western wind sweeps over our camp, bringing the briny scent of the sea and a coolness I ought to find refreshing. Instead, my scales contract, wings rustling as the last threads of Sofi’s scent swirl into the breeze.
My cocks throb, tenting the front of my training breeches. I’ve always hated the damn pants Zolkan makes us all wear when we go through our exercises, but today is a special kind of torture. Between my never-ending erections and the ache on my left hip, I’m ready to strip naked right here.
The new brand embedded in my scaled side hasn’t even scabbed over yet—and I don’t exactly have the option of seeing our healer, like I normally would for a new mark in such a high-friction spot.
No. Cylus may be an insufferably cold bastard, but he’s also smart. If he saw the latest addition to my collection of scars, he would know my shame as keenly as I do.
The beast at my side knows, too. He noses at the place just beneath the singed scales, whining.
Sofi, wide-eyed, with her blunt teeth blanching her soft lip. Whining for me.
“Shut up,” I tell my mutt, pouting.
It isn’t his fault, though. I know that. There’s only one bastard responsible for the guilt slowly corroding my stomachs; and I’ve already told myself to go to Morfu more times than I can count.
I’m not sure what’s worse—how I nearly lost control last night while I was supposed to be tending the omega, or the fact that I’ve nearly gone back to her chamber every single hour since.
Eventually, the only way to keep myself from bursting out of my skin was to add a new brand to it. A reminder of my oath to our goddess—and the honor I almost forfeited when the omega’s body cradled mine.
I can’t believe how close I came to rutting her senseless. Stuffing her belly with seed. Knotting it all inside, despite the hundreds of times I’ve sworn to myself—and Stelaris—that I would never knot anyone who wasn’t my mate.
For decades, I’ve vowed to save certain parts of myself for the other half I’ve always yearned for. I had never truly been tempted to break any of those promises… until I had Sofi under me.
It was a close fucking call. Too close.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who knows how far I’ve fallen. My hound bares his sharp maw, returning my mood with a snarl of his own. Clever beast. I pat his head, sighing in defeat.
“Alright, enough!”
Moans of relief rise from the crowd of cadets. Several dozen muted thuds fill the practice field as they collapse into the pearly sand.
“They will need to walk, eventually.”
My sister’s droll voice might as well be claws on an ice-cave wall. My wings jerk upright, flinching.
I don’t turn around. “What do you want?”
Her smirk is audible. “Only to deliver your newest protégé.”
It hits me, then. The smell of her. Undeniably sweet. And darkened by fear.
Sofi.
The omega is here.
And, suddenly, hundreds of exhausted cadets are on their feet.
It’s unsettling—and humbling—to know I would gladly slaughter an entire field of my own men to protect this one human.
But as the eyes of two hundred Roktusian alphas land on our planet’s sole omega… I know I would do just about anything to keep her safe from the feral hunger painting their faces.
Instinct has me stepping directly in front of Sofi. Bracing for impact. Preparing my strategy.
Who’s going to rush us first? Cadet Maruuk is a hot-horned fool. But Ronkz has the most dominance of the group—
No one moves. The alphas stand still, slack-jawed, watching Sofi’s every quiver.
No one lunges. It hardly matters, though. Because the omega reeks of dread, and her voice trembles as she whispers, “R-Rask?”
Luminous blue eyes hit mine. And I’m winded. Literally fighting for breath.
Seven FUCKING hells.
Pain lashes my middle, slithering roots into my gut. Weaving and squeezing. Tugging the deepest part of me toward her.
I barely manage not to reach out and touch her. Instead, I absorb her quivers. Loathing myself and Zolkan and every god on every planet from here to hers.
How dare they do this to her?
Norabi appears at my side, sighing in exasperation. “Peace, little brother,” she murmurs, pitching her voice low. “You see? The others are not as affected as you and the Zortaire. I have been around the omega most of the morning with nary an issue.”
How did I miss that? Of course, if every alpha were destined to react to Sofi the way I do, that would include my sister. If I weren’t so gods-damned distracted by this omega’s very existence, I might have realized sooner.
Another breeze blows through the field, bringing her sweetness closer to the cadets. A handful of them shift. There are choked gasps and some low growls. Even more purrs.
Sudden, violent possession rips into me. Along with the insane thought that no one should ever purr for this creature but me.
Norabi has a different take. She waves a blasé hand at the soldiers mooning over Sofi and speaks to the human. “See? They are smitten with you already. I’m sure finding a few cadets to help you learn self-defense will be ea—”
It’s my turn to snarl, now. The sound scrapes up my throat without permission—a rare show of the true depths of my power. Strong enough to cut Norabi off, which is no small feat.
“Her?” I bite out. “You want our omega to learn to defend herself in battle?”
Has she lost her fucking mind??
I will defend our omega in battle.
Obviously.
Norabi glowers. “No, you sap-skull. Not battle. But she must have some basic skills, surely, if she’s ever to have a modicum of freedom. I’m sure she doesn’t want your smelly ass following her all over the damn mountain.”
Morfu’s pricks. She’s right.
I do smell.
I’m not the only alpha in the field producing musk, but mine is undoubtedly the most overpowering. And the darkest.
As it surges higher, Sofi sways, blinking. Pumping out her own perfect perfume.
Driving me to the edge of insanity.
My lungs burn, all four lobes stammering without refilling. The wrenching pulse at the base of my cocks makes my knots ache, along with my gritted teeth. Need beats in my veins and cramps my stomachs.
I suddenly know, with undeniable certainty—if I don’t get the omega away from these other alphas… I will mount her right here. Zolkan and the entire planet be damned.
“Fine,” I grind out. Chancing a single glance into Sofi’s goddess-blessed gaze. Hating myself. “Come with me.”