"Those omegas," I said quietly, gazing off towards the distant coast. "Sometimes when they come to me, theydofeel helpless. They're broken down, weary. They're pushed past their limit. They've gone through things nobody should endure. That's why I have to protect them. Because nobody else did."
Zakariel's expression softened. I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't notice he'd gotten closer until he put his hand on my arm. To my surprise, I didn't flinch away.
I hadn't let an alpha touch me in years. Yet for some reason, I'd let Zakariel do it multiple times in the short span we'd known each other. And the strangest part was that I didn't mind it.
"Hey, I was serious about what I said. That you're doing something amazing by taking care of them." Zakariel smiled. "I've always been part of a big family, and we all support each other. When I think about omegas out there who don't have that support when they need it..." He shook his head. "It must feel awful."
He paused, his smile fading. His eyes turned hard as diamonds. "I have a cousin around my age whose an omega. Ashe. He has us, his family, and he always will. But what if his circumstances were different? He could've..."
Zakariel growled and trailed off. He clearly didn't want to finish his sentence. I didn't blame him. I knew what he was going to say anyway:He could've ended up in your haven, too.
Zakariel huffed and rubbed his arm like he was trying to scrub the icky feeling away. Maybe he was more sensitive than I gave him credit for.
"If I ever found out some asshole treated Ashe badly just because he's an omega, I'd kill them," Zakariel growled before meeting my gaze. "That's how you feel, too, isn't it? That's why you hate alphas?"
Something about Zakariel's vulnerability lowered my guard. I answered him honestly. "Partly. I have my own reasons. But the fact that I've seen so many omegas hurt by an alpha's hand is definitely a factor." I hesitated. "And by the way, I don't hate you."
"You don't?"
"I never said I did. Don't put words in my mouth."
Zakariel chuckled, his anger dissolving. "My bad. I just figured since you said you never wanted to see me again after this."
Those words tasted bitter on my tongue. I regretted saying them but I wasn't about to tell Zakariel that.
I cleared my throat. "Anyway. I appreciate you bringing up your concerns. I won't infantilize the omegas at the haven just because they need help. And I'll... try not to act like such a hero."
Zakariel grinned. "Okay, but maybe you can save that second part for later, since youdokinda have to act like one right now. Seeing as we're on a spirit-saving mission and all."
"Right."
Without the awkward silence hanging over our heads any longer, we delved deeper into the forest. It was tranquil and quiet with only the distant waves and small chattering creatures making noise.
"Do you see that up there?" Zakariel asked.
Beyond the thick foliage was a dark shape. I squinted. "What is that?"
"One way to find out."
It was well hidden among the leaves, but upon approaching it, we discovered a dark building. Black marble steps led inside.
"What is this place? It almost looks like a temple," Zakariel said.
"Maybe it is," I mused quietly. "Look."
I gestured to the dark stone slab above the entrance. Engraved into it was a stylized depiction of an Eastern-style dragon in a long, sinuous pose and whiskers that spanned the length of its body.
"Hey, that's my Granddad!" Zakariel grinned. "Well, he looks a little different in real life but the head and whiskers are the same."
The casual way he spoke about such a powerful being never ceased to amaze me. I stared at the engraving solemnly. I'd never seen a depiction of Nautilus before; everything I knew came from word of mouth or myth. I knew he could take many shapes and that they were all aquatic.
"Well, seeing as his face is literally on the building, this seems like as good a place as any to check out," Zakariel said with a dry grin. "Come on."
We entered the cold, damp temple. As we descended the first few uneven stone steps, the floor below seemed to shift until I realized it wasn't solid--it was water. It wasn't a problem for either of us, but it made my orca soul a bit nervous to be in the water inside of a dark, enclosed space when I was used to the sky above me.
Zakariel sniffed the air. "Smells dank in here. By that I meanactuallydank, not like--"
I rolled my eyes. "I know."
