Chapter 11
Zayd
Iam impressed with Sutton’s abilities. He fights hard and efficiently. Even though he is not as big as us, his methods allow him to beat us more times than any of us likes to admit.
As I watch him, I realize he does appear bulkier than when I found him and Layla. His muscles are certainly more defined. He does not look at all like a man who was on his deathbed only a few days ago.
Sutton spins, using Kydax’s arm like the limb of a tree, lifting his own body through the air to wrap his legs around Kydax’s shoulders and pull him to the ground. The air they move surrounds me, and on it is a heady mix of his scent with Layla’s.
Something stirs in my belly. Something hot.
My fists become tight balls at my sides. My claws dig into my palms, threatening to create an open wound.
I cannot kill Sutton.
Layla is a claimed omega.
The mate of a claimed omega should not stir this kind of emotion in me.
But what is this emotion?
Is it rage? Or is it something else?
I am hot as I would be with the need to fight, but my loins also stir with a different kind of heat.
Normally, I would wear my erection proudly. A sign that the bond between my omega and me is strong and healthy.
But I do not have an omega.
Why does my body betray me?
“It’s about using your opponent’s weight against them. Leverage your weight against theirs to get them to the ground and let gravity and the earth do the work.”
“Impressive,” Kydax says with a smile as he slaps Sutton on the back.
Pride surges through me, making my chest expand. It catches me off guard.
“How can you resist the urge to kill him?” Another alpha asks, mistaking my pride for posturing, I am sure, while the rest of the officers watch Sutton demonstrate another move with Kydax. “If I had to smell my omega on another male, I would want to rip his head off.”
“Layla is not my omega,” I say, as much for my own benefit as his.
“Sutton is not an alpha.”
“Is he not? He bested you. No beta could do that.”
He grumbles and marches off to spar with one of the other officers.
As good as it felt to make him eat his own words, I cannot deny the truth of his observation.
It is not normal for two males to carry the scent of one omega. It would be different if their bond were as strong as when an alpha claims an omega, but it is not. We all still sense that Layla is unclaimed. And as long as I carry her scent, they will not understand why I let Sutton live.
But how can I expect anyone else to understand my feelings and actions when I do not fully understand them myself?
I do not understand why I feel the urge to fight him, but I can easily resist it.
I do not understand why Layla’s scent on Sutton arouses me.
I can only guess it is because I miss her and I am happy to take any breath of her I can get, no matter the source.
Wanting to get a deeper hit of her, because the light whiffs I have gotten from this distance do not satisfy my need, I move closer to the sparring ring.
Only a few feet from Sutton now, he turns and glares at me. His own nostrils flaring.
“I gotta go,” Sutton blurts and storms off.
“Sutton.” Kydax turns to follow him.
I grip Kydax’s shoulder and tell him, “Let him go. I will keep my distance until Layla’s scent wears off of me.”
“He is human. He cannot…” Kydax begins to argue.
“He can.”
Kydax does not seem convinced, but lets Sutton go and finishes the training session, practicing the moves Sutton demonstrated so far.
When training ends, I wonder if I should talk to Sutton.
Assure him I will not intrude on his and Layla’s relationship.
I should have kept my distance. I know he sees me as a threat, and I should have known he would see my advance as a challenge.
How can I prove to him that I am not? That I am and always will be true to my word.
Exiting the training comb, I instinctively make a left turn toward my room.
The best way to prove to Sutton that I am not a threat is to keep my distance.
Showing up at their door, no matter what my intentions are, would only serve to threaten him further.
Razyr has yet to put a name on Sutton’s designation, so until then, I will treat Sutton and Layla as I would any other mated pair and give them the space they deserve.