“Because you weremadefor me.”
Eleven
Renee
At last thesuns are setting and I’m about to meet Emma. I can’t remember the last time a day dragged the way this one did.
Krav is on edge. God knows why. What does he think they’re gonna do, whisk me away through the orb? Then again, I guess thisisUlfaria. Anything is possible.
He clipped the leash to my collar before we sat down and now he’s gripping the other end in a tight fist. I’ve heard of possessive guys but this is a whole new level.
Still, I can’t deny that I find all this ownership stuff a bit thrilling. Throughout our marriage, but especially towards the end, Phillip didn’t care at all where I was or what I was doing. What is it they say? The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference.
The orb is floating in front of us, and it’s much smaller than I imagined. I hope I can see Emma clearly. Despite what Krav might think, I’m not real fussed about Khan. Sure, it’ll be interesting to observe another Alpha king, but I’m not nearly as curious about him as I am about the other human who’s also been through this whole crazy experience.
There’s a flicker on the smooth surface, and slowly two bodies come into focus. One is huge, hulking, lilac-skinned, with long hair and a beard. He looks like a freaking pirate. The other is much smaller—and human—with blonde hair, and skin almost as pale as mine. “Emma!” I squeal. “So nice to meet you!”
“Hi!” she says, “Great to see you too!” Her accent sounds faintly British.
It’s so good to hear someone speak my own language, to see someone who looks familiar even though we’ve never met before. I bite my lip, overcome with emotion.
“Thank you for granting us this audience,” Khan says rather formally. I suddenly wish the guys weren’t here and I could talk to Emma alone. Next time, maybe. Once Krav sees there’s no harm in it.
“Renee was keen to speak to your Omega,” Krav says, laying a possessive hand on my thigh. He’s still clutching my leash with the other. “And I cannot deny my pet anything.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
“But I must ask that you Hoo-mans speak our language,” Khan says. “Please.”
“Of course. Sorry,” I say, feeling sheepish. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Don’t worry,” Emma says, “We’ll just have to chat again another time… alone.” She shoots a pointed look at the hulking demon beside me. “The other girls and I try to get together when we can—it’s a great way to let off steam and compare notes. You could join us.”
“I’d love that!” I mean it. A woman cannot live on sex alone. She also needs gal pals.
Emma’s eyes widen as she clocks the collar around my neck, and the leash leading to Krav’s taloned fist. She glances up at her Alpha with a knowing smile before addressing me. “Nice collar. You into BDSM?”
“I always suspected I might be,” I confess, “but it wasn’t until I got here that… well… let’s just say a whole new side of me has been unleashed. No pun intended.”
Emma giggles. “It’s wild, isn’t it? This Omega thing? The way you crave everything they do to you?”
“It is.” My cheeks are warm. Damn Krav for claiming me like a pet, and damn my pussy for thinking it’s hot. I clear my throat. “How many other queens—human women—are there?”
“With you, there’s five of us, now,” Emma says, and warmth spears my chest at the inclusion. “That we know of. So far. People are still looking in case more were brought over but,” she shrugs, “Ulfaria is a big place. Nine known kingdoms, not including a great chunk where no one ever ventures. The Wastelands. God only knows what goes on over there.”
“How long have you been here? How did you get here? How are you surviving without chocolate?” Excitement makes me babble.
“I’ve been here a while,” Emma says. “Long enough to start a family.”
“Holy shit!”
She laughs. “Yeah. Emilia, and now Kharon. Our little angels. They’re just… the best. It’s weird, I never wanted kids, but now I can’t imagine my life without them.”
There’s a pang in my chest. “I did want them, but it just never seemed to be the right time while I was married. Then I got divorced, and though I’ve dated since then, there wasn’t anybody serious. Now I’m forty-one, so I kinda made peace with the idea that it just won’t happen for me.” Krav shifts beside me and I risk a glance at him. But if hearing about my ex-husband bothers him, he’s not outwardly showing it.
“That’s not too old!” Emma says. “Plenty of women have kids in their forties.”
“Yeah… I mean, the playground’s still open, so to speak, but with every year, fertility decreases and risks increase. Not to mention the time it would still take to find someone suitable, and willing, andcommitted…”
