Her body softens against me, the tension bleeding out as I keep her caged in my arms.
I arch a brow at the Prime Alpha.
See? She has what she needs, and you're not it, motherfucker.
It's a strange thing, to have such a small, precious thing trust me so implicitly. I've threatened her, hurt her, cut her with my blade, and yet she still seeks comfort in my arms.
That’s not just strange.
That’s downright deranged.
Maybe she’s as messed up in the head as I am.
And yet, I still can't return her trust. Not completely. The voice still whispers.
If Zero finds my sudden appearance alarming, he doesn’t show it. He carries on talking with Halley, unfazed by my obvious possessiveness.
"Omega Specialist Sparks, your presence here has made a difference to the incoming Fathim citizens. We've alreadydoubled the amount we processed yesterday. The Beta population is soothed by an Omega during times of trouble."
Yeah, no shit. Our Omega can talk an Alpha out of Blood Lust. This is small fry.
She raises her head, wet lashes fluttering as she focuses on Zero, listening to him speak.
I zone out and wipe the tears from her cheeks and lick them from my fingers. They taste so salty and delicious, so I press a wet kiss to her cheek, lapping up more. Everything about her is perfection. She smells, tastes, feels, sounds, and looks good enough to eat. I want my kiss to embed in her skin and stay there forever, an outline of my lips right where everyone can see it, and when she looks in the mirror, she canneverforget me. If the others wouldn’t lose their minds over it, I’d carve my name into her skin. Letter by letter, the same way I’ve carved hers into mine.
I’m dragged out of my thoughts, catching the last part of Zero’s conversation.
"… some survivors are hesitant to approach the processing camp, but lingering too long will only lead to their death." Zero explains stoically, but there is the smallest tick at his eyebrow.
Hmm. What isn't he saying? Is he asking Halley to go out into the wilderness to convince them to come here?
Absolutely the fuck not.
"Back off, Prime. We aren't putting our Omega in danger."
I'd do anything to protect her.Anything.
Prime Alpha Zero gives me a long, even look. “I’m talking to Omega Specialist Sparks right now, Sergeant.”
I spit at his boots.
He ignores me, eyes tracking back to Halley, and resumes speaking.
"These people have been through unimaginable suffering. Their family members are dead, their homes burned down,and they've been running from the enemy for weeks. They are traumatized and afraid, and they won't believe a word an Alpha, or any soldier, says."
Halley is nodding along, her brows pulled into a deep furrow of concern.
Shit. She’s actually listening to him. Does she really not see it?
He hands her the one thing she’s been desperate for, word about her lost friend, and now he is circling in to cash in on her gratitude. She thinks she owes him. She doesn’t. Not a damn thing.
"They think they're safe but the enemy is closing in and they have to be convinced to resettle in Blackreach. Someone needs to make them listen to the truth. There is no time for rapport building, it must be someone who they are biologically inclined to believe immediately."
I shrug. "If they don't have the good sense to save their own necks, let em rot."
"Blaze!" Halley spins and smacks me on the shoulder, indignation shifting her lavender scent to one of crackling ozone.
I bite the inside of my cheek until it bleeds.
