2. Zayden
Chapter two
Zayden
C old water splashes my face as I try to rid the puffiness from my eyes.
I didn’t sleep one iota last night.
But that’s because there are two big changes going on in my life right now.
The first: I have officially become a soldier.
Oliver Hart handpicked me himself after a grueling six months of nonstop training, and by some miracle, I made the cut.
Although it’s not like there was much competition to begin with.
Only fifty Omegas volunteered for his program, and only a dozen passed his rigorous training.
Training that was overseen by his mate and second-in-command, Mila.
I was taught how to shoot a gun and how to fight with my fists.
And I’m fucking way in over my head.
But I got this.
I’m an Omega and a soldier. Two words that I never believed could be strung together in one sentence. But times are changing.
Though gradually, of course.
Real change takes time.
Now, for the second major change in my life…
Today, I am getting an Omega.
That’s right.
Omegas can have Omegas now. Oliver found himself Mila, and my squadmates, Brody and Ella, found each other.
I trained with Brody and Ella from the very beginning, and we've all become inseparable ever since.
And today is the day we become soldiers.
Not only am I a soldier, but now I can protect my new Omega, right along with Levi, Reed, and Magnus.
If my years at the Academy taught me anything, then that is all any bright-eyed Omega wants.
A mate to protect them.
Well, I am prepared to lay down my life to protect Opal.
Just as Levi, Reed, and Magnus vowed the day I matched with them, too.
The Academy feels like a million years ago now, though it has only been four years since I graduated.
Opal is twenty-two like I was.
So, it seems we will have quite a bit in common.
As we should. Those algorithms aren’t a laughing matter.
Sure, they often get it wrong, but when they do get it right…
Fireworks.
I have the stains in my nest to prove it.
Hopefully, it’s fireworks with Opal, too.
She will have her own nest. Magnus oversaw its development, and it’s even bigger than mine.
My idea, of course. As a goodwill gesture.
Also, female Omegas work a little differently. They like a lot of pretty things, so we should accommodate them.
Once I finish splashing my face, I meet my hazelnut brown eyes in the mirror.
Rivulets drip down my tanned skin, and as I run my fingers through my sable hair to expose the shaved part beneath, I spy the tattoo.
A tattoo of a golden skull.
Our pack’s insignia.
I’m as far removed from the doe-eyed, soft-skinned Omega I was four years ago as I could be, the one with the long boyband hair, or whatever they call it.
Those days are gone now.
I’m not a delicate, breakable thing anymore.
Now, I’m a force to be reckoned with.
A soldier.
The warden won’t know what hit him.
Finally, I exit the bathroom, bumping into my Alpha and pack lead outside in the hall on my way out.
A cloud of his peppermint smell surrounds me, and I back up to meet his deep blue eyes.
Eyes that almost appear violet at times.
Especially when he is mad or aroused.
Levi grins, folding his arms over his solid chest as he eyes me up and down in my uniform. Dimples form on his cheeks.
“Well, aren’t we every bit the soldier?”
I hike up a brow. “What? Don’t tell me you want to rip these clothes off and take me to the nest now. I have to go."
Levi chuckles, invading my space, and his peppermint scent surrounds me. “I'm sure Oliver won't mind...”
His bass voice skitters right down my spine, filling that empty spot inside me that always craves his knot, and no matter how strong I've become, how trained in battle I may be, I will still always be his Omega.
A creature that melts at the sound of his Alpha’s purr.
Levi, like Magnus, is six foot four.
While I am merely five foot ten.
Reed, on the other hand, is approaching seven feet.
Most male Omegas rarely grow beyond five feet ten.
Unlike my Alphas, my shoulders aren’t quite so broad. Nor are my muscles quite as big, but I still have a six-pack.
Six months of training and four years before that in their gym.
Then four years at the Academy’s gym even before that.
All Omegas were required to have washboard abs upon graduation back then, though they're becoming more diverse lately.
A lot of Alphas like an Omega with curves and a butt. So, the Academy must keep up with demands, catering to every body type.
I believe Opal will fit the curvy description.
My personal request.
There’s just something about a round butt that brings out the male in me.
“Don’t let Magnus catch you if you want to be on time, Zayden,” Levi whispers.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, don’t want to have to explain to Oliver why I’m late.”
We both snort at that remark since my boss is his boss's Omega, so we know they're not strangers to pack politics either, but I still can't be late.
Levi gives me another once over, then steps back to give me back my space. “So, I guess from now on you’re not really my Omega anymore."
What is he talking about?
I will always be his Omega.
He shrugs, running his hand through his black hair. “I guess you won’t need me to protect you anymore. You can fight your own battles now.”
“Hey…”
I move into his space, gripping his square jaw. My thumb runs over the cleft of his chin, and Opal won’t be able to keep her hands to herself once she sets sights on him.
Levi is carved from the finest marble.
“Levi, I will always be your Omega. We will always have each other’s backs, even in battle.”
He reaches up, patting his hand over mine as it rests on his jaw. “I know. But it seems things really will be different from now on.”
“They will be, but at least you will have a new Omega now to dote on. A graduate, too.”
Levi grins tightly, and I know he isn’t so enthusiastic about the prospect of a new Omega.
Neither is Reed.
But Magnus was all for the idea from the moment I suggested we get a second Omega.
I knew with training coming up that the guys would be a little bereft without a sweet Omega in their lives to care for.
Hopefully, Opal will live up to our expectations.
Even her name makes me excited. It’s beautiful.
I bet she will be as precious as the stone.
“Now, come on," he says. "Your new captain is waiting for you. I’m driving you there, of course.”
Fuck. I have a captain.
And he's an Omega like me. Not Alpha, but Omega…
This just got real.
“You don’t have to,” I reply.
“No, I do. Magnus is busy getting things ready for the new Omega and Reed is… well, Reed.”
He doesn’t have to explain.
When I first met the Alpha, I didn’t think he even liked me at first since he’s always so grumpy and likes to keep to himself.
However, I soon learned that he was a big softie deep, deep down the moment he knotted me in my nest, and we've all lived happily ever after since.
When I arrive at the front door, I find Magnus and Reed waiting for me.
“Have fun at school. I made you lunch.”
Magnus hands me a paper bag, and I meet his light green eyes. He’s always been eager to please, and I smile.
He's going to love our new Omega.
“Thanks,” I say, meeting his freckled face.
Magnus has blond hair and a beard to match, and the most ridiculous high cheekbones I have ever seen.
He reminds me of a Viking God, and I have likened him to Thor many times.
Then there’s Reed. He may act hard, but he was the first to worry when I first announced I was joining Oliver’s new regime.
But in the end, he kept his mouth sealed, and now here we are.
“Don’t get killed,” he rasps, his tone too serious, and I meet his hazel eye. The other is white since he's partially blind.
Don’t forget the scar that cuts across his right eyebrow.
It's why he is so protective of me.
Reed was lucky to come out alive after that attack. He knows what war brings, and what it can do to a person.
Though he may have lost his sight in his right eye, at least he's still standing.
At least he is still with us.
I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
“I won’t. For fuck’s sake, Reed, I’m not heading into battle.”
Not today, that is.
Still, Reed crinkles his nose, and I can tell he's holding back. “I know. It’s just…”
I smile, reaching across to run my finger over his scar. “Nothing will happen to me.”
Well, not today.
But it could in the future.
Yet, I am through with being complacent. War is looming, and I'll be damned if I can’t protect myself or my new Omega.
Hell, I’ll be damned if I can’t even defend my Alphas.
We’ve all got each other’s backs.
Reed purrs, closing his eyes as he leans into my touch, and he’s my happy Alpha once again.
He’s tied his brown hair into a braid, and not many Alphas can pull off a braid.
“Zayden, time to go,” Levi calls from the door and shit.
Well. Here’s to the first day of the rest of my life.
Yeah, totally not pissing my pants.