Elara
Leaning back in Luca’s arms, I watched the station quickly become smaller and smaller within the window. His thick tropical aroma wrapped around me like a soothing blanket as his low purr felt comforting against my skin.
It was gut-wrenching not to be able to say goodbye officially and thank Quinn for her services. She would forever remain a best friend of mine.
The healing mark on the juncture of my neck was a clear sign that another chapter in my life had ended, and I would no longer be living on Syzygy Station. And from what Luca said, it seemed like I was right--there were secrets that us omegas were blind to even though they were right in front of our noses.
Why was there such a significant discrepancy between the available omegas compared to the number of unmated alphas? Omegas needed a mark to leave the station, and alphas needed an omega to keep themselves from becoming insane. So there shouldn’t be a reason why the ratio was so different. On average, the same amount of alphas and omegas are born each year, with the number of deltas equalling about the same of the two role-genders combined.
Something was happening to all of the omegas--but what?
There shouldn't be such a high discrepancy in the ratios, and if alphas were angry enough to make complaints and hold a grudge about me choosing Luca over them, then there had to be something wrong. But, of course, I wasn’t famous or was from a wealthy family line. Other omegas appeared as gorgeous as me, but that wouldn’t matter if alpha were desperate enough because marking an omega meant their lives were saved.
And Luca had noticed it too.
“I can sense what you are thinking,” my alpha whispered, combing the stray strands of hair away from my healing neck. “Let the deltas deal with their problem and focus on preparing yourself for your heat.”
“Jaxom and Seth already helped me with my nest.”
“I heard.” He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my mark.
I gasped and squeezed my legs together as a zap of energy coursed through my veins.
He pulled his lips away. “Did it hurt?”
“No,” I breathed, shaking my head. “I just wasn’t expecting that.”
“Good,” he chuckled, squeezing my waist tighter as he licked my mark. Each drag felt like a healing balm, soothing away the bite’s angry heat. “Let me know if it becomes too much.”
“Are you going to continue to bathe her like a mother cat does their kitten?” Tobias asked, glancing over at us from the mess hall’s table. “Because it's distracting."
"It's only distracting because you are losing," Stella teased, gesturing to her collection of game pieces on the table in front of her as she winked at me. "Let our omega enjoy herself while her alpha is tending to her."
"It's only natural for an alpha to lick their mark," Seth added from the kitchen nook. He had skipped the clan’s table game and decided to make lunch by scratch to celebrate my maiden voyage from the station. “If he doesn’t, he would risk his bite getting infected and not healing effectively.”
“No one asked you,” Tobias muttered. “Mind your own business.”
Seth swiftly turned around and pointed a spoon at Tobias. “The omega’s health is my business.”
“Crew,” Luca said, with a clear warning in his voice. “Let’s not ruin Elara’s moment. I know we’ve been within these walls for a long time, but we will be arriving at our new vacation home within two days. So you can look forward to cool breezes and sunny days next to the poolside.”
“I can’t wait to go swimming,” Stella said with her voice full of longing. “And be able to work on my tan.”
“You don’t need a tan,” Sylas soothed as he palmed her cheek. “I would love you all the same.”
“I love you, but my pasty white ass would beg to differ,” Stella countered, rolling her eyes as she grabbed his hand from her cheek and shoved it away. “Don’t try using your sweet words to distract me from you trying to take my lead.”
“I would never.” He grinned, placing his rejected hand on his chest. “What type of man do you think I am?”
“The kind that would cheat his way to victory if he had the chance,” Maia said, moving a piece on the table. “And I win.”
“How?” Tobias shouted and scrambled to his feet. Then, shaking his head in dismay, he leaned on the table as he scanned the board on the vidscreen. “I never understand how you always win.”
“It might have to do with the fact she always had her head in the books instead of partying,” Seth teased as he stirred something in a pot on the stove. “You know, like me, and unlike you.”
“I don’t need advice from you!” Tobias threw a black figure toward Seth, who caught it midair.
“No, but maybe you should ask your partner for some tips.”
