Xias shrugged. “It’s the truth. He wants to keep my son and kill the girls because they hold no value for him. In Osamu’s clan, only males inherit, which is why he wants Bai. Other than that, only females who can provide cubs for him have value.”
Zian’s dark eyebrows rose. “I assume, since you said your cubs, that you’re an omega?”
“Tao didn’t tell you?”
“He talked to Shiro, not me.”
“Oh, then yeah, I’m an omega.”
Zian whistled. “Zhuang must be going out of his mind with you.”
Xias glared at the man. What in the hell was that supposed to mean?
“Hey!” Osamu snapped.
Xias rolled his eyes as he turned to look at his former alpha. “What?”
“I’m talking here.”
Xias raised his eyebrow, something Osamu had hit him for more than once. The man hated it when he did that. “Narcissistic much?”
Osamu frowned. “Narca—what?”
“Narcissistic,” Zian said. “You know, exaggerated feelings of self-importance, arrogant behavior, a sense of entitlement, and an overwhelming need for admiration. Oh, and usually a complete lack of empathy toward others.”
Xias grinned at Zian because he got it.
Osamu’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”
“Oh.” Zian’s grin was wicked. “I’m a place holder.”
Huh?
“You’re a place holder?” Osamu asked.
Zian nodded.
“What in the hell is a place holder?”
Xias was kind of curious about that himself.
“I’m holding his place.” Zian pointed just beyond Osamu’s shoulder.
Xias grinned as his heart thudded a little faster. “Zhuang.”
“Xias,” Zhuang said, walking right past Osamu as if the man weren’t even standing there. Xias jumped into his arms when he held them out. “I’m sorry I’m late, mate. I got held up back at council headquarters.”
“Well, you’re here now.”
Zhuang pressed a kiss to Xias’s lips before raising his head to look at his friend. “It’s good to see you, Zian.”
“I like your mate, dude. He’s got some mighty big balls.”
Zhuang chuckled as he wiggled his eyebrows. “I know.”
The loud retort of a gunshot echoed through the trees. Xias turned to see Osamu standing there with a gun in his hand.
“I’m talking here!”
