I scoffed, my suspension of disbelief shattered. "Now I really know you're lying. A nature spirit would never consort with a human."
Zakariel's demeanour changed. He bristled and his eyes burned as they bore furiously into mine. "Don't say a fucking word about her unless it's something pleasant, Kamari."
Realizing I'd genuinely insulted him, I said, "I'm sorry."
I was no big fan of humans--and I still found it difficult to believe that Nautilus took one as a mate--but I wasn't about to insult a man's beloved grandmother, no matter how annoying he was.
But being under Zakariel's hot glare made my skin itch. My heart, which had only just returned to normal, resumed its rapid beating.
"It's fine," Zakariel said, finally tearing his eyes off me. "Anyway, that's the story. You can believe it or not. I'm only here to help my Granddad, not prove myself to a random omega."
"You know I'm an omega?"
That coy smirk of his returned. "Yeah. I smelled you as soon as we surfaced earlier. I would've known sooner but I can't smell properly underwater."
Right. Wolves and those hypersensitive noses of theirs. Well, it didn't matter. If Zakariel thought he could intimidate or overpower me just because I was an omega, he'd learn a very painful lesson.
Zakariel turned his head in the direction of the haven. "That cavern. It's full of omegas, isn't it?"
"What's your point?" I asked sharply.
He raised a brow. "I'm just wondering. I used to come visit Granddad here all the time and I never once noticed you all here before."
I bristled at the phraseyou all, like omegas were one singular entity. "I designed the haven that way on purpose. It's supposed to be a secret."
"You did?" Zakariel asked in surprise. "I'm impressed."
His praise would get him nowhere. "Don't go running your mouth about it to your alpha friends. I'm barely making an exception foryouto be here. I won't tolerate alphas ruining the peace."
Zakariel regarded me for a moment then nodded. "You got it, boss."
It was said facetiously, without a doubt, but I couldn't help the tiny spark that jolted down my spine.
Get it together, Kamari,I scolded myself.
I cleared my throat to assert my authority. "I have to talk to my omegas about this. You stay out here."
Zakariel raised a brow and lifted his head to the cloudy sky just as a drop of rain landed on his face. He wiped it off a second before the downpour began. I withheld a smirk as I ducked beneath the cover of the cavern. Zakariel was already soaking wet from being in the water but watching him get rained on was the highlight of my day so far.
"Man, don't tell me there's another one!" Galileo was saying as he approached. Sometimes he reminded me a little dog in the way he always ran up to greet me.
I thrust out my arm so Galileo couldn't go to Zakariel. "No," I said firmly. "He's not an omega. He's an alpha. Leave him."
Galileo leapt back, eyes wide with panic. "What? Why's there an alpha here?"
I gently squeezed Galileo's shoulder to reassure him. "Don't worry. He's not staying."
Galileo visibly relaxed. I felt bad for my friend. He was so upbeat and cheery most of the time that it was easy to forget his past.
"You know I won't let anything happen to you," I said quietly.
Galileo smiled. "I know. Thanks, Kamari."
"Try to keep Malke and the others calm," I said. "I'm going to talk to the alpha outside."
"Is something wrong?" Galileo asked. His eyes darted nervously to Zakariel behind me.
"No."Besides the missing water spirit and injured omegas washing up on my shores..."Nothing that has to do with the alpha."
