“Why would I want to attempt to get between already established pairs?”
“Because it’s within your rights as the clan’s omega.”
Elara stepped away from me with a determined look in her eyes. I knew I shouldn’t interfere with what was about to happen unless it was needed. However, it was vital for her to voice her own opinion, for she was about to become the omega of this clan once I marked her.
She leaned forward and placed her hands onto the table, eying the four betas as they stared at her in silence. Her whole demeanor demanded their undivided attention.
Unfortunately, that was something that didn’t often happen, especially when the whole clan was gathered.
“Listen to the words I am about to say,” Elara announced. Her voice was calm and controlled. “I see you. I may not have your alpha’s mark on my skin yet, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the hesitation and worry in your eyes.
“I may be your new omega, but that doesn’t mean I am going to go around and claim every person within this vessel just because they smell good.” She reached for each of the crew member’s hands and pulled them to her nose. One by one, she took a deep whiff of their wrists before moving to the next one. She stood with a satisfied look on her face. “Now I know why this vessel is called Paradise. Combined, the whole crew smells like a tropical vacation, waiting for someone to enjoy it all. Fortunately, the four of you, even though you have pleasing aromas, I didn’t find them irresistible. Your scents are still unique, but I could pick up a hint of your partners. I am not looking to break anyone up and take them for my pack, so the four of you can relax and drop your worries.”
“How can you say such a thing so easily?” Maia asked, tilting her head as she flicked her gaze toward Stella. “You are an omega. You can claim the whole ship if you want, and we would be at your mercy.”
“Just because she can, doesn’t mean she would,” I interjected, crossing my arms and staring at my crew with a slight annoyance from their questioning. “I could’ve demanded to have each one of you in my bed all the time to ease my needs, and there wouldn’t be anything you could do about it.”
“If you were like that, we wouldn’t have sworn our loyalty to you.”
I drew circles in the air toward Elara, gesturing that the same applied to her.
“She just made the same declaration. So, therefore, my omega will only show interest in those who aren’t already tied with someone. This means that everyone at this table is safe.”
‘“Is what he is saying true?” Stella stood and placed her dagger and sharpener on the table. “You aren’t interested in our mates?”
“Why would I be interested in them? Your aromas are all over each other. I am not going to get in between that. Whoever I take will have pure scents, untainted by another.” She scrunched her nose in disgust. “No offense, but joining an already established clan is already going to be hard enough as it is. I need members of my pack to be loyal to me—their omega—and not go astray, even if it’s within the clan.”
“But where are the others?” Tobias asked as he moved in his seat, trying to get a good look behind me. “I don’t see my brother or anyone else with you.”
“They have been sent to gather Elara’s belongings while I give her a tour of the vessel and introduce her to the four of you.”
“You mean she’s already moving in?” Sylas asked, his mouth opened in shock. “What happened to the courting stage?”
“There is no courting stage,” I replied. “Elara only wanted me—”
“Your alpha is the only one worthy enough to mark me,” Elara interjected. “I would rather skip the formalities and stop delaying the inevitable. He came. I picked him, and soon, he will be marking me, forever tying me to both him and this clan.”
“Have you shown her the nest room?” Maia asked as her cheeks darkened. “I made sure to freshen it for you in preparation if you came home with an omega.”
“Thank you.” Elara nodded to the female engineer. “It’s so thoughtful that you did such a thing.”
I hadn’t missed how she squeezed her legs together as if she were trying to hide her arousal from everyone. Taking in a deep breath, I could taste her need in the air and how thick it had become.
A purr rolled through me as it was my instinct to comfort her screaming from within. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pulled her close and placed her head on my chest as I nodded to my crew.
“Now, if you would excuse us, I believe we have things to attend to.” I turned her toward the hallway that led to both my private cabin and her nest room. Now that she had been introduced to all of the clan members, it was time for me to take my omega away and claim her. “Stella, you are in charge. When the others arrive, have them place her things in my quarters for now.”
“Why Stella?” Tobias demanded.
“Because she isn’t afraid to stab someone if they try to interrupt us.” Elara flinched in my arms. Then, leading her away, I leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Don’t worry. No one would be stupid enough to attempt it.”
“You heard the boss. I’m in charge.”
We walked in silence down the hallway as I watched Elara take in the decorations on the wall.
“Do you have any questions?”
“What are those?”
