Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
The mateless Omega before him continued. “She thinks you bite her when she’s done something wrong.”
That could not stand. Voice unbearably sad, hardened by pent up rage, the Heidron snarled, “I mark her to reassure her that when estrous arrives I will forge the bond. It was done to make her feel safe in moments of her fear. It was done so she would know to trust me.”
Compassion glimmered in the upturned golden eyes of the woman across from him. “We know… but that does not change our verdict.”
Simin’s expression turned deadly. “She’s mine.”
“She does not recognize you.”
Rising to his feet, vibrating with the need to rend the Omega messenger limb from limb, Simin curled his lip. “I am Heidron of this fleet, your prince, and I will challenge the Omegas to have my kor’yr returned to me.”
Brave, unflinching like the best Omari woman, the Omega stood her ground. “A handful of days ago she was taken by force from her mother. This was after years of evading the Nierra who raided her village. She fought through the pain of pre-estrous out of hatred of Alphas and love for the woman who birthed her. She suspected they would one day take her, she didn’t know why, but she knew it was only a matter of time. In punishment for hiding her daughter, the mother’s face was disfigured with a brand and Morgaine was listed as feral.” Smoothing her robes then her hair, the Omega sat back, displaying so much sadness that even the enraged Alpha took notice. “Having spoken to her, it is an apt term. She is completely wild, totally ignorant, and indeed very scared.”
Grinding his teeth, already imagining how best to bleed this woman, Simin hissed, “Why do you think I brought her to you?”
“We will allow you to court her for one hour each day.”
“That is not even enough time to pleasure and knot her!”
Standing, meeting the eyes of her king’s fifth son, she said, “Sex will not be allowed unless Morgaine initiates it.”
They both knew that would never happen. Smoothing dark hair off his face, chest expanding in a full breath, Simin stared her down. “Until she learns our language, I have no way to communicate with her outside of physical acts. What am I supposed to do? Sit here and stare at her?”
“You claim she is your kor’yr.” The Omega translator had done her duty, and chose to stand, leaving the room in a soft swish of robes. “Prove it.”
Chapter 18
“This will be your cubicle.” The woman with hair shorn as short as the men wore theirs back in her settlement, Etaine, led her forward. Eyes shaded the verdant green of new grass were framed by an expression of shame, as if the woman thought the huge room disgraceful. “My apologies that it is not grander. Omegas who live within these halls choose an austere life.”
Twice as large as Morgaine’s cottage, this cubicle was full of many wondrous things. Walls that glowed just like the first ship she’d been forced to live in. But these walls were not reflective, only warm and slightly buzzing under her hand. And there was even a separate area for sanitary purposes similar in style to the one in the Alpha’s quarters, only smaller and much more comfortable.
Because it was private.
For sleeping, she was assigned a cot—narrow, covered in fabric—and not an open pit in the center of the room.
The Omegas offered all this after Morgaine had clawed many of them with her nails, kicked several when they’d held her down, and even bitten one until she’d broken skin.
It was too good to be true. Fiddling with her battle-tangled locks, Morgaine asked again, “And you’re going to let me stay? He can’t come in here?”
“You are welcome here.” Ever patient, Etaine answered the question for the tenth time. “And no, our Heidron cannot enter. No males are allowed to pass the Omegas’ sacred golden line.”
“It’s just a mark on the ground. What’s to stop them?”
Her guide didn’t blink. “Those who have dared, we’ve killed. It is against every law to intrude upon Omegas gathered in their consecrated space.”
A snort, half amused and half disbelieving, stuck in her nose. The women in this place were small like her. They were no match for an Alpha.
An elegant brow arched over what were probably the prettiest eyes Morgaine had even seen, Etaine challenging, “You don’t believe me?”
“I have seen Alphas do terrible things.” Cold despite the room’s gentle warmth, Morgaine shivered. “When I fought back, I lost. They made me do whatever they wanted.”
“Our Heidron? Did he force you?”
It was a serious question; one Morgaine was unsure how to answer. Now that it had been explained to her what Heidron stood for, desperate to remain with the Omegas and far away from their prince, she vacillated. “I don’t know.”