"What's your name?" I asked as I hoisted my flipper beneath the seal to help keep him afloat.
"Malke."
"Nice to meet you, but I'm sorry about the circumstances," I said ruefully. "Just so you know, you don't need to tell me anything you don't want to. Your story is your own."
Malke just nodded, as if he was too choked up to speak.
It was a short swim back to the cove where the haven resided, but due to the dreary weather and waters that were cold even for me, it seemed to take ages. Neither Malke or I spoke. He was exhausted and I was worrying about--well, everything.
When there was sand beneath us, I shifted to human form and carefully supported Malke, who did the same. I tried not to stare at the obvious wound in his side, shining bright red against his pale skin. There would be time to discuss that later, but only if he wanted to.
Since I was too stubborn to call for help, I carried Malke all the way into the mouth of the cavern with one arm while holding the full basket of food in the other. Even with my height and innate strength, it was difficult.
"Hey, Kamari--holy hell, another one?"
I was secretly relieved when my friend Galileo came running up to us, but I was careful not to show it on my face. I had to be strong for all the omegas in the haven at all times.
Galileo quickly took the basket and set it aside before asking, "Is it all right if I touch you?"
"Yes," Malke said.
Galileo was slim and lithe, owing to his otter shifter heritage, but he was no pushover. He carefully eased Malke from me and set him down on a blanket nearby. I immediately forgot the ache in my arms when I saw Malke's fatigued expression. His needs were more important than mine right now.
"Where'd you find him?" Galileo asked.
"Just outside on the coast."
Galileo turned to Malke. "Have you been swimming long? Geez, that wound looks bad..."
"Enough questions, Galileo," I said, not unkindly but firm. The last thing new omegas needed was to be badgered by well-meaning but overbearing otters.
"Right, sorry," Galileo said, ducking his head. "Let me go grab the first-aid kit."
When I was alone with Malke, I kneeled to make myself less intimidating. It was the least I could do, since I couldn't change my imposing appearance. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me. Don't mind Galileo. He's annoying but harmless."
Malke smiled slightly, which made me feel better. "Thanks. I just need to rest. It has been a long swim."
He paused like he wanted to say more so I kept silent and waited.
"I came from up north. I've been swimming for days."
I ran through the geography in my head. "You're from the opposite coast?"
"Yes."
There was no need to ask why he'd come. He was a tired and bleeding omega. Only one thing could've happened to him. A bad run-in with an alpha.
Any run-in with alphas are bad, I thought bitterly.
Malke put his hand over his mouth as he coughed. "Sorry. The water..."
I grimaced. "I know. You don't have to apologize."
As if alphas alone weren't bad enough, we had a much bigger problem. The nature spirit who used to guard our waters suddenly vanished a few weeks ago, throwing the entire ecosystem into flux. The water oscillated between saltwater and freshwater, making both mute animals and shifters sick if we spent too much time in it. I sympathized with creatures bound to the water, like fish, who couldn't escape it.
As much as I respected him, it was difficult not to be a little pissed off with the spirit. Gods and spirits could be moody, sure, but what had any of us done to deserve this? We were just trying to live in peace.
When all of this began, Galileo once suggested moving the haven somewhere else. But that was impossible. How the hell could I pick up a dozen vulnerable omegas--whose numbers were growing by the day--and just move them like cargo? Besides, if Malke was any indication, the location of my haven was already known. If I disappeared like the water spirit did, what would happen to any omegas in need who showed up expecting it to be here?
