Chapter Fifty-Five
Greylan
T he splashing and moaning tapered off as my concoction steamed in the camp mugs, and the chirping of insects and night animals took precedence. I filled the kettle with fresh water and added more star flower buds. The longer the steep, the more potent, but time was a significant factor. I had to get this to them as soon as possible. It may take some time to work. If we needed more, the second batch would be ready by then.
My cock was thick and uncomfortable in my pants, having felt Saphyra’s pleasure pulsing through our connection. The proximity to my mate did nothing to dampen the emotions and desperate hunger still simmering in the bond. Quite the opposite. She was warm and sated for the moment, but another wave of heat lingered close to the surface. Much too close. She needed the tonic now.
This plan had better work or our situation was going to become much more complicated. And soon. An omega’s estrus could last for days, even if their every need was met promptly. We didn’t have the luxury of days. At best, we had hours.
The thought of trying to move an omega in heat on horseback was a nightmare I was not willing to contemplate. Not until all other avenues had been exhausted.
Saphyra was pushed into this naturally, if slightly ahead of schedule. Under normal circumstances, it would’ve been an easy scenario to manage. But in the woods, with no suppressant, being hunted by an advanced military search team, it was concerning.
I stood and arranged myself in my trousers before lifting the mugs. I prayed to the Stars that my pharmaceuticals class wouldn’t let me down. There was no time like the present to test my theory.
Axion and Valyx were lounging in the pool, watching Saphyra squirm on Lex’s lap, but when I approached, all eyes turned toward me. If I wasn’t mistaken, their pointed stares were quite hostile until they were able to make out my face in the gloomy shadows of night. As they should be. They were protecting their mate at her most vulnerable time.
This just emphasized my feelings about the relationship I’d stumbled into. It was so unlike anything I’d ever imagined for myself, but I was grateful for Saphyra every day. I shivered to think about the alphas, though. Acceptance into our primal arrangement was thrilling, but terrifying at times.
Saphyra’s pouty lips popped open and a trickle of longing reached me through the bond. My pulse stepped up in reply. Her beauty was ethereal, almost to the point of blinding in the sparkling spring, but I steeled myself and concentrated on the task at hand.
I handed a mug to Valyx and Axion first before approaching Lex and Saphyra. He’d been the most protective in the past, and my experience with alphas told me not to present any threat to an alpha with his omega. Especially not when she was in heat and at her most vulnerable.
“I made a tonic to help ease Saphyra’s condition. It should soothe any inclination toward rut as well.” I held out the last two mugs.
Lex passed one to Saphyra and took the other for himself with a grin, as if he noticed my caution. We’d been through this once before on the Imperatrix’s shuttle. I wasn’t interested in dealing with the guarding behavior he’d exhibited during Saphyra’s last estrus. Although he seemed calm and agreeable now, much to my surprise.
The situation on the ship had been different. They were starved for connection, running on instinct alone, having been denied their biological imperative for far too long. We’d had weeks to work through our issues then. I hoped those inclinations were resolved, as they seemed to be. The alphas had settled so much since that trip across the system, but I was very aware of what they were capable of.
Saphyra took a sip from her cup and wrinkled her nose.
“It may be bitter, but you must drink it all. All of you.” I battled the urge to put my hands on my hips. Bratty omegas could be taxing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The alphas downed their drinks in one go and the clicks of their mugs being set aside accompanied the burbling of flowing water. Saphyra, on the other hand, was taking her time with reluctant sips. Her big golden eyes, wide and innocent, watching me. As if she thought I might relent.
She’d tried this trick on me before, many times. It hadn’t worked then either.
“You’re only making it harder on yourself. Drink it and be done, little one,” I said, and approached the edge of the stone basin.
On her next tiny sip, Valyx leaned forward and placed a finger against the bottom of her cup, holding it against her lips.
Her honey brows furrowed with indignation, but she took a gulping swallow, sputtered, then gulped again until she’d finished the entire mug.
Lex nipped at her neck, and I retrieved the empty vessel from her hand while she was distracted.
“Good. That should keep the effects of your estrus to a manageable level. I have more brewing on the fire in case you need more.” I breathed out a harried sigh as my bratty omega scrunched her nose in displeasure. “Only if you need more.”
I wasn’t done, though. I needed to tell them what I’d witnessed while I was in the meadow. “We should move as soon as Saphyra is feeling well enough. I saw ships in the valley searching through the fog. The weather bought us time, but when they don’t find anything in the ruins, I’m sure they’ll turn their attention to the surrounding mountains. As we all know, we aren’t safe here.”
The alphas’ glazed looks seemed to be clearing, but the warmth through the bond was clawing its way toward me again. The star flower tea was going to take some time to work for my little mate.
Saphyra reached for me. Who was I to deny her what she needed? I kicked off my boots, dropped my clothes on the stone shelf surrounding the pool, and waded into the steaming water to join them.