Chapter Thirty-Six #2
“I return to Earth tomorrow with the Dravkai’kiren and the unbonded Human omega.”
His gaze flicked toward me, softening for only a heartbeat as he squeezed my thigh.
“Rhydek and Malrik will accompany me.”
I glanced at Rhydek reflexively, the massive Morraki still intimidating. He didn’t seem surprised by the command, only resigned.
Kael didn’t pause long enough for anyone to ask questions.
“Zeydvenai Jorath will remain here to begin penance for his Veyr’vokkar failure. I will promote the next Zeydvenai to his place on the Zeydrassk.”
The one Kael had called Veyrad leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the table.
“And when do you return, Torvakai?”
“When we have new omegas to bring back. The next gala must move forward to secure more ties after two failures. Earth will not deny me. Not after recent… incidents.”
That sentence hung in the air, the other acknowledging the seriousness of the issue. The alliance was at risk with me being the only Human tying Earth to Morrakan, but I couldn’t bite back my concern.
“Torvakai.”
It was the first time I’d called him anything other than his name, and the first time I’d spoken in the council. I wasn’t sure I was allowed to, but Kael’s eyes turned toward me, silver irises steady, granting me his attention as if I had the right.
I swallowed before forcing myself to voice what I was thinking.
“If there is going to be another gala and more Humans chosen as Morraki mates, the women need more information than I was given prior to any selection process. They should be aware of the differences in our cultures.”
I paused, licking my lips before continuing.
“They need to understand what becoming an omega means, and what is expected of them here on Morrakan. What going into heat involves, and what the bond is, as well as details about the ceremony.”
I sucked in a deep breath. Kael still watched me, our link calm and steady. He knew my father had manipulated things so I was chosen without being aware of what was going on, but I didn’t think he knew the extent of it.
“And the summons to the gala… You have to make sure they get the right to refuse. Without consequences. This isn’t just doing the right thing, it prevents harm too.”
I felt the stir of anger within him, but his expression didn’t change. He wasn’t angry at me.
When I glanced around, several of the council members were stiff, severe expressions on their face, but I pushed on before I lost my chance.
“I understand you need more bonded Humans to assure the alliance. I know you need more omegas for the future of the Morrak. But it shouldn’t be forced on someone who doesn’t want it.
It will only lead to more failures. And even if they do choose to attend the gala, they should still have the right to refuse an alpha who isn’t a good fit for them. ”
The council members shot each other glances, but silence filled the chamber, heavy and tense. My shoulders curled in and my heart fluttered until Kael stroked my back, his lips lifting in a tiny smile.
“In this, my korravai is correct.”
I could almost feel the shock that rolled through the room, my own surprising lighting my kethra.
“Humans are not livestock. Some are future veyrari. They must be capable of accepting that role and facing it with strength, or they will break. And if they break under our care, we will be blamed, and the alliance may break with them.”
I was surprised when no one argued. There were a few lowered brows, but most seemed to brush off the issue as if it didn’t matter one way or the other.
I’d take disinterest over argument. If they didn’t care, they wouldn’t get in the way of change.
Kael leaned back in his seat, crusted blood cracking on his chest. His cock was stiff beneath me, his tail creeping up the inside of my leg even though he looked at the other members of his council and ignored the way I tensed.
“I will negotiate with the UEC to work out a new process that assures the women who become omegas will be willing to stay, no matter what they face. The lottery for the gala among their relations needs to have a clause allowing the female to opt out of attending. Once there are a few more ties between the councils, it can be opened to volunteers. They must receive detailed information in person prior to attending the gala, and give consent prior to receiving the serum. Selections will be honored, but not forced.”
Rhydek exhaled.
“That will make it harder.”
Kael’s smile was thin.
“We are Morraki. We will prevail. We cannot win our war for survival if we lose our bridge due to coercion and deceit.”
The members’ nods, even if some were slow and reluctant, were the closest thing to victory I could have hoped for, and my heart rose. Even though things had turned out well for me, I didn’t want anyone else going through what my father had put me through.
I let out a squeak when Kael scooped me up and stood, not bothering to put me down as he strode for the door.
“The Zeydrassk departs at dawn,” he called before we passed through the archway into the tunnel beyond.
Leaning down, he put his lips close to my ear, his voice a murmur.
“Your request was right. The women should know what to expect and get to say no.”
I pulled back so I could meet his eyes as I curled my arm around his neck and ran a finger along the edge of one ridge. He shuddered, his kethra flaring, and his eyes took on the intensity that made my thighs clench.
“So… I can say no?”
His growl echoed around us as he lifted one side of his lips to expose his teeth.
“No. You are mine.”
Laughing, I shook my head as I moved my fingers to his hair. There had been enough exhibitionism for me for one day, and I knew if I pushed him too far he had no problem taking me right where we were, no matter who might pass.
“Typical alpha male.”
He huffed then leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my lips.
“Precious omega.”
I hummed, but as we stopped outside the door of our home, I stiffened in his arms, making him freeze as his brows lowered.
“What’s wrong?”
His concern thrummed behind my breastbone as I met his eyes with a frown.
“If you think you’re crawling in bed with me without washing, the answer really is no.”
With a sigh of suffering anyone could tell was fake, Kael turned and headed for the stairs for another trip to the River Caverns.