As far as everyone else is concerned, Kitty is merely helping me with a personal task, and that’s the reason she’s been pulled from her daily life. It’s easier to use her since he’s Skinner’s Iron Lady, which means it’s not abnormal to require the help of my closest members.
After nearly the twentieth time checking the screen, Diana is asleep.
On the floor, with no blanket.
I snort, but there’s no humor. She’s so offended by the nest I provided?
It’s pissing me off more than I want it to, and it’s then, at some point in the middle of the night, that I end my rounds and return to my room, irritated. My heart races faster than usual, unable to wind down. What if she continues to reject me? She claims she wants freedom, but that would risk her life. I doubtshe’d even believe me at this rate—a pang of disappointment hits me, as I realize I’m failing in this.
Why has it worked so well for others, but not her?
Then the comms make a sound, alerting to movement. I pull it out quickly. I see her stumble up the stairs to the nest and pass out, losing herself in the blankets.
A smile spreads on my face. I slept in those the past few days, smothering them in my scent. I keep looking back at Diana, who is so utterly passed out I can’t help but let my pride enjoy that my scent has this effect on her, even if she wants to deny it.
She really is mine…
I’ll bring her breakfast in the morning, after I get some sleep myself.
There’s a purpose to my method, and itwillwork. Poor thing is utterly worn down from the world and trustsnothing. It’s good she’s in the space above me, which will soon be filled with the smell of us fucking. Of my cum and her slick, and it will be purelyus. Her hot chocolate is already filled with a taste of that, but she won’t know for a while. An alpha’s cum to a scent-matched omega can make her seek me out more than she expects. Make herhappyto see me after an absence.
She will see me as a comfort one way or another.
Then, I will bite her. It will give her the protection among my own people that if something happens, they’ll at least know she’s mated. That an alpha will skin them alive if she’s touched.
It will just take time.
Until then, I’ll keep her in that space where she’s watched and guarded.
DIANA
“I thought we could share a meal,”Judge says, presenting breakfast on a table that he takes a seat at, the tray in the middle. He begins to set out the plates and what goes where. He’s wearing a plain black long-sleeve shirt, some pants, and no shoes or socks. His tattoos rise from his collar and over his exposed forearm.
He had clearly waited until I was awake when the door to this space opened. I head over, sitting on the cold wood of the chair as I stare at some eggs, bread, bacon, and bread pudding.
“How is Selene?” I ask, admittedly famished.
It’s also so odd to sit across from him, the morning sun settling gently over us, the fork in his hand almost comically small. “She’ll be let free shortly. We’re arranging transportation.”
“Can I see her at all?” I glance up at him as he watches me with an intense calculation.
“No,” he replies, drinking what looks like coffee. “She’s to know as little as possible, and seeing her is a security risk.”
I go to grab my mug, hesitating when I smell chocolate. “What doIhave?”
“Hot chocolate.”
My lips part because it kind of feels nice that he actually made sure I had some. Then again, that’s also an incredibly easy tactic to win me over. It’s something even I would do as a nurse to try and get some of the patients to talk so we knew more about who we were treating.
The part of me that’s kind almost thanks him, but I make sure to swallow those words like they’re suppressants. Instead, I just drink it. There’s a different flavor than I’m used to, and it’s almost better.
“Did you sleep well?” he asks.
My attention moves to the window, finding it impossible to find the right words. What do I say to that? Since when is Judge of Dominion asking if I slept well? “Well, it’s a lot easier without worrying if someone is trying to kill me, so in that, yes.”
He stops all movement, glaring at me in a way that makes my cheeks flush with heat, feeling the need to apologize just based on that look alone. “What do you mean?”
“Roxy acted like she wanted to kill me,” I reply, sipping on my hot chocolate.
