Page 87 of 20% Stud 80% Muffin
Bonic burst through the door with the grand omega at his side.
My heart fluttered even as my hands kneaded my thighs. Bonic and the grand omega took in the scene: me naked in a pathetic nest, whimpering with need, Reinik pinned against the wall by Geo, and my parents—avid spectators—protected by their guard.
“Father, how could you let that”—Bonic balled his fist into his palm and squeezed—“creature near your son after what he did?”
My mother straightened the large amulet hanging from her neck. “How nice of you to join us, Bonic.” She smiled politely. “I have no idea of what you speak. We only have one son in this room.”
My father shuffled his feet, and his lips turned down as he dropped my mother’s arm.
My newly fortified heart shielded me from my mother’s harsh words, and my father’s reaction buoyed me. Her crowning achievement had been birthing the high commander of the elite protectors. Her entire identity was wrapped up in my brother. She’d never gotten over the fact that she had also birthed an omega, the pinnacle of weakness, even though she was one herself. Over the years, her poison had infected my father, her omega sway only used to manipulate.
Bonic’s stance grew rigid, regaining the staid composure rarely broken since he had taken on his role as High Protector. “Place Reinik in custody.” Two elite protectors advanced at Bonic’s command.
I fisted my sweaty hands around the nest’s fabric. Would justice be served at last?
Geo growled, near animal, as the elite protectors attempted to pry Reinik from his death grip. He smashed an elbow into Janny’s eye and swung his heaving bodyaround before he slammed his heel into Wen’s knee as they cornered him and endeavored to free my worst mistake.
“Geo, I will not allow him to go free. He’ll be in my custody. Release him.” Bonic’s command went unheard, and he motioned for two more of his men. “Don’t injure my brother’s mate.”
My mother hissed at my brother calling Geo my mate.
Mind muddled, stomach roiling in pain, waxy slick oozing down my leg, I could do nothing but burn up until Geo filled my needs. Wait…there was one thing. My gentle purr filled the room. Geo’s ravenous gaze locked on me. The raging alpha settled, and Janny coaxed him to release his prey from his stranglehold.
Clutching his neck and choking, they marched Reinik toward the exit.
My mate bolted toward me.
The whole room shuffled or averted their gazes when the grand omega spoke.
“Evlyn…” Her disappointment, although directed at my mother, radiated through the room.
The grand omega rarely intervened, allowing my parents to rule Lorne on all matters outside of security, but that didn’t change the fact that she had the final word.
“Makir is of your womb and is an omega in need.” She ran knobby knuckles through a long purple mane threaded with silver that skimmed the floor as she walked toward me. “When it comes to your designation, you’ve turned your head and closed your eyes for long enough. Without omegas, there’s no future in Lorne. I had high hopes your reign would be a strong voice advocating for omega rights, but the truth is I’ve gone far too long without righting your shortcomings.”
Chagrined, my mother dipped her head, joining my father’s already bowed one. The way his fist tapped the bulbous jeweled top of his staff clearly indicated his discomfort. My mother was the better actress though, her acquiescence likely temporary.
The grand omega lifted a graceful chin toward Bonic, but her words were for my parents. Combined, they were the true rulers of Lorne. “This will be rectified when I meet with your advisers new week.” Although an omega, her omnipotent presence filled the room.
A wide grin spread across my brother’s face. “Protector Sim, please escort Reinik to Station Eight. I understand they require people of his skill set to guard the imprisoned Snaks held there.”
I gasped and whispered to Geo, who nuzzled at a spot under my ear. “Station Eight is one of the most feared penal colonies in the galaxy.”
Geo wrapped his warm hand around the base of my tail and squeezed. “Too little too late if you ask me.”
“My Regents,” Reinik begged. “I’ve only taken what you freely gave.” He pleaded as he was dragged away, heels scuffing across the floor where he flailed.
My body shuddered in protest. I had to say something, but it went against every omega instinct. “It wasn’t theirs to give!” I lurched to my feet, shouting. Geo threw his jacket over my shoulders and stood behind me, his strong hands on my waist a grounding force. Buoyed by his strength, I looked directly into Reinik’s twitching eyes. “To survive Station Eight, you’ll have to show true courage.”
“Then he’ll be dead on landing,” Geo growled, pulling me back into our nest.
My father’s knuckles turned white where they gripped his staff. Had the grand omega’s presence finally convinced him of the atrocity of his friend’s crime?
Bonic’s men led Reinik from the room. Courage was not a character trait I would have ascribed to the bastard who had left me barren, and I wouldn’t shed a tear if he fell prey to a Snak within the week.
“Come, my dear.” The grand omega lowered herself to my side with regal grace. While I lay swaddled in discarded fabrics, she ran her hand over my sweaty curls,sending cooling peace over me and my cramping womb.
“Out, now!” Geo growled, nearly animal, as his need grew to match mine. He gathered me in his lap, running his palms over my arms, down my tail, and up my torso. Claiming me. I sighed.
