It could not be that easy.
Those were her thoughts, her expression utterly unguarded. Innocent. Every last thought of skepticism, of hope, the complete tangle of navigating unmedicated emotion drawing her closer to where he needed her to go.
She looked so perfect,feltso perfect, as she said, “If I stay inside the Dome?”
“Forever,” Jules answered with a nod, excitement, actualfeelingfluttering where their bond was seated in his chest. “You remain inside the Dome and survive. You take care of yourself. You do not take unnecessary risks. Youtry.”
“Try what…?”
There it was. She’d found his bait, her voice full of hope and fear… but mostly suspicion.
That was the question, his mate beautifully trotting down the path he’d laid for her. To soften the blow. To cement what was necessary. Another smile, a purposeful blink to humanize himself. “Being ruled by your slave, hmm? You are an Omega, waking up to your nature. Still ignorant of what that fully means. But I am not. Your needs, your anatomy, I understand them.”
More than understood them. “Iwas the surgeon who led the team that rebuilt your vaginal canal. An expert back inThólos. Celebrated. I’ve written medical textbooks on the topic, performed thousands of operations. Of course, that was before… my specialty was redirected. My skillset repurposed and… expanded.”
There was no hesitation in his mate to believe him. Nor was she particularly impressed. That’s not the way jobs worked in Beta Sector. Every job mattered, none was above the other.
But she was analyzing what this meant.
After all, he’d shown her with a few sexual acts just howprecisehis understanding of Omega anatomy was. And he had not even given her a taste ofadvancedpleasures yet.
She even seemed to soften into his tale, her breath slowing, as she admitted, “I like the idea of you as a healer.”
Not that he’d pursued a surgical career for altruistic reasons.
He’d wanted Rebecca.
Needed power, money, and access to keep her. To give her the life she deserved. Attained advanced knowledge to entice her. Had chosen his path, dedicated his life to learning everything there was to possibly know about Omegas. Studied, perfected,enhanced. Outshined his classmates. His peers. Set himself apart from Alphas… who needed him to repair their own mates.
Grew rich, well connected.
All because he’d set eyes on a dark-eyed, dark-haired girl when they were both just children—certain the petite female would grow up Omega. Had to have her. Understood that in society she would be taken away were he not prepared to outshine all other potential romantic partners should his designation not be Alpha at the onset of puberty.
Pragmatic Jules had not been willing to gamble that one day he’d be able to knot. He’d never gambled a day in his life.
And he’d presented Beta.
But he’d been prepared. And Rebecca had known no other male than he. He’d assured that too. So when he proposed, they were married that afternoon.
His childhood best friend becoming his wife.
“Then let me heal you, Brenya. And I can if you tell me I don’t need to worry.” She was so perfect, the way her eyes grew big at his artistic pleading. How easily compassionate andgoodshe was. So sweet and loving and gentle and kind. His brilliant, good girl. “Please.”
And though naïve through and through, his mate was not stupid. She knew there was a hook in his bait, but could not and would not pin it.
No, it would always be he who pinned her.
Like he pinned her now into their nest, cuddling her, arranging her with subtle shifts of his body, knowing it was safest this way, considering the fire that burned within her. A fire she had yet to realize.
Her gaze slipped to the side, her sweet mind picking apart his words and finding nothing to reproach. She even meant every word. “I don’t want to leave the Dome.”
“Good.” He cocked an eyebrow, giving her that look. The one that said she owed him a vow. “So swear it.”
Her hesitation showed how smart she really was, the Omega softly asking, “And you promise to protect my people… from what?”
Rich purr in each word, Jules explained as if she’d asked therightquestion, “Jacques. Central. The virus.You must be safe. And, before you verbalize that sparkle in your eyes, know that regardless of how you answer, you never need to worry that I will punish your people because we argued. And we will. It is natural.”
He had her, was soooo close. “I am aware it will be impossible for you to accept your love for me with that axealways hanging over your head. You can be yourself when we’re together. Therealyou. The you who’s waking up. Yell at me, fight with me, disagree. Tell me all your feelings and fears. I want to hear them. And understand,I am not going anywhere. I’m yours. And I ask for a simple promise that you, who I stole—who never agreed to be my mate nor wife of her own free will—thatyouwill give me just this one thing despite how we got here. And in return, I will give you the Dome.”
