My little lysia flower.
I must protect her—and the Arborii people—from harm. From that miserable creature, the Stone King.
Why would he be sending so few Slythin to skulk about the forest? It seems more like a scouting excursion than an attack. What are they looking for?
My instinct has never let me down before, and even as it tells me the answer, a sickening quiver twists in my belly.
They’re looking for the Hoo-man.
My mate.
Suppressing a roar, I spin on my heel. Right then, the person I was going to find comes ambling down the passageway, reeking of the refreshment hall and Beta pussy.
“There you are!” Brokk says, taking a deep slug of sour-smelling wine from a curved horn. “We thought you’d been lost in the forest forever.”
I hold up a hand to silence him.
Brokk blinks. His expression immediately changes from one of joviality to one of earnest intent. He drains the horn and tucks it into his belt. “Where do you go when you vanish for days at a time? Did you find a hot little Beta female to hunt down after all?”
“No,” I tell him. I hold a finger to my lips and point to the closed door. Brokk starts as he hears voices.
“Who’s in there?”
I shake my head and set off for the expansive gardens, assuming he will follow me. He does.
When I first met Brokk, he stuck to me like a burr sticks to my breeches. He dogged my steps, but it took several hunts for him to prove himself to me. Now he is my second-in-command. But can I trust him?
“Slythin?” I ask as soon as we’re far enough away from everyone so as not to be overheard.
Brokk sighs. “Yes.”
I wait for him to explain. I lean against a tree, folding my arms. A vine curls close to me.
“Half a dozen within the last few sun-cycles,” he says. “Give or take. I’ve been waiting for you to return from the forest so I could tell you about it. The people are getting worried.”
I reach out to brush the soft petals of a stunning kiya blossom.
“Who is in your quarters?” he tries again.
“Queen.”
Brokk’s head jerks back. “What?”
I grit my teeth but can’t stop my grin. “Omega.”
“Omega.” Brokk breathes the word like I’ve imparted a rare and precious secret. Which I have. If words came easily, I’d share with him the story of how I came across this mythical creature during the Hunt of the Moons, and claimed her. But I only grunt. “Mate. Mine.”
Brokk’s mouth flaps open. He shuts it, then it hangs open again. The eloquent Alpha, so smooth at speaking to any lady, is speechless. He tugs on his turquoise beard, which he always wears in a single long braid, adorned with little silver beads. “I can’t believe this.”
I shrug.
“Am I to believe you found an Omega on the Hunt? And claimed her?”
I nod, pleased. Brokk could always read me better than anyone.
“That’s wonderful news!” he chokes out. “You have a mate. An Omega, no less.” He claps his hands together, looking more like a Beta courtier than a burly Alpha warrior. “We must plan the celebration. We must formally introduce her to the people as soon as possible.”
I growl before I can stop myself. I don’t want anyone to look upon my Omega but me.
