A tingle runs down my spine. I recall that rich, enticing scent. An Alpha’s scent. I was scenting the king. An Alpha. And he smelled so good.
But there’s no way I can possibly be an Omega, so…
The wind stirs my braids and I snap to attention. Ma is claiming that I’m somehow an Omega, reacting to a biological urge, but I refuse to believe it. I haven’t been with a guy in ages. Maybe I’m just thirsty as fuck, and that’s why the king smelled so good.
She leans in, gripping my hand. “You must trust me in this, Rose,” she says. “If an Alpha claims you, you will never be able to leave. He will keep you forever, or die in the attempt. Do you understand?”
My mind is reeling. This is so much new information to take in. “Of course,” I manage.
“That medicine I give you is an estrus blocker. You must take it without fail, every single day. It prevents you from going into estrus, and disguises your scent.”
“Leelah says the ingredients are illegal.”
Her eyes narrow. “They are, my dear, but most have forgotten. You shouldn’t have mentioned it to her. Luckily, I believe she can be trusted. But don’t speak of it to anyone else. Ever. We must be so careful. There are too few Omegas left.”
“Except you. That’s why you knew about the potion.”
She smiles sadly. “As an Omega who never wanted to be mated to anyone, I took it every day for all my fertile years. It works, but only if you never skip a dose.”
A prickle of panic tingles down my spine. I’ve skipped two doses now. “What happens if you do… skip a dose?”
“You go into heat. Alphas will be able to smell it on you, and that can send them into rut.”
My skin turns clammy and I shiver. “I have no more ingredients to make the potion,” I admit. “And I’ve been called to the village square tonight. One of the soldiers said they would come to collect me just before dusk.” I glance at the window. I have a few hours before that happens.
“You must run. Go to the river and hide. They must not find you. Pack some things, and leave now.”
“But—”
“I‘ll be fine.” She cups my face. “I will find theboolaandkeebato make the medicine, and come find you. Go to the river where the water can help cover your scent.”
Heart pounding, I hurry upstairs. Rogue rushes ahead of me, blasting down the hall and opening my bedroom door with a bang. I follow—and find myself standing in the middle of a mini whirlwind.
“What do I pack? Extra clothes?”
Rogue tugs down three dresses and rolls them into a ball. The quilt soars off the bed and wraps around the makeshift pack.
“Good enough,” I mutter.
I stop at my washing bowl to splash some water on my face. I’m so hot. Is it the fever? Did I catch the illness, or am I going into estrus already?
I pull my collar away from my neck, releasing a burst of floral scent like a thousand moonflowers blooming between my breasts. This must be the Omega perfume.
“Get me a moonflower,” I say to Rogue, and it races to the window to let in a vine. I pluck a bloom and tuck it behind my ear. Maybe I can fool people into thinking my scent is from rolling in a patch of moonflowers.
Ma meets me at the door with a pack of food and a waterskin. “Go.”
I kiss her mauve cheek. “I’ll be back. This will all pass, and things will get back to normal.”
“Ulf make it so,” she intones a prayer. Her eyes are worried.
I make good time, reaching the river with no problems. “Almost home free,” I whisper to Rogue. Famous last words.
A sound stops me in my tracks. Some young Ulfarri females are coming up from the river, singing, with bunches of moonflowers in their hair and arms.
It’s a lovely sight—except for the patrol of Alphas bringing up the rear.
I stand aside to let them pass, but a hard-eyed soldier motions for me to join the group. Head bowed, I obey, falling in with the ladies. The wind blows a few moonflowers in my direction and I snatch them to my chest, fixing a dopey smile to my face so I look as excited as the others. They’re all Betas.
