Page 70 of Awakened

He hesitates, then with obvious reluctance, meets my eyes. “I’m going to level with you. I’ve been a warrior for longer than most Bastards have been alive, and I’ve never seen an Omega—” He frowns, shaking his head before correcting himself. “I’ve never seen anyone in that kind of pain. If I had any idea an Omega could ever respond to Command like that, I never would have approved this. I’ve seen Omegas Commanded hundreds of times. Never—Never—” He scrubs a hand over his face, squeezing his eyes closed tight.

The world is covered in a haze of red. Black spots dance through my vision.

And he just keeps talking.

“She was screaming and screaming and… Fates, those screams… like she was being torn apart, ripped open from the inside. From her soul.”

His lips thin, expression turning wary.

I wait for him to finish. I can’t open my mouth to speak. If I do, I’m afraid I’ll rip out his throat.

“She seized.”

Rage.

Hot, fiery, burning rage like I’ve never known pours through me. My canines elongate, sharpening to needle-fine points along with my vision as my Beast shoves forward with furious intent.

The vampire takes a step back like he can feel the danger pulsing through the air. “Branwen rolled her onto her side while I called for Calder—one of our Doctors. And then, the Earthquake happened. Which I have to assume was connected.”

“Explain,” I demand, pulling my Omega closer.

Fuck. I should have been there. I should have fought until they let me come with her.

“It’s happened twice before, we think. When she experiences intense trauma…” he trails off, gesturing at the very obvious aftermath. “This happens. A magical manifestation of her emotional state. It’s just a theory, but…” He shrugs. “Theories are all we have right now.”

Maybe I should respond to that, but I can’t get the image of my Mate lying in a heap on the floor, screaming in pain, and fucking seizing.

“Where’s the pup?”

Gavran frowns. “Pup?”

“He means Silas,” Vae answers, speaking up for the first time.

“Silas has been detained until his Pack returns. He will be held accountable.”

“Not good enough,” I snap. “He nearly killed my Omega. If you don’t make him pay for what he’s done to her, I will.”

“Silas is under my Command,” he replies, tone turning dangerous. “He is mine to punish. Don't mistake my regret for more than it is. If you think to dispense your own justice, I'll have to take that as a declaration of conflict and respond accordingly. Do not add a war to this already overflowing pile of shit we’ve found ourselves in.”

My fingers flex instinctively around my Mate, and I have to force my muscles to relax. I hold the male’s stare, searching his gaze.

Then, for just a few breaths, his mask drops completely, granting me a view of the male beneath.

A male who’s struggling and hiding it from everyone. Who, for the first time, finds himself questioning his men and their decisions. Questioning who they are, and who he is, for having let so many things go wrong lately—a male who—against all odds—might respond better to an ally than an enemy.

Then the mask is back, and I’m facing The Last Shield once again. Hard. Unwavering. Fiercely protective.

I make a strategic decision and offer him the same courtesy—Alpha to Alpha. Male to Male. I let my own mask fall, allowing him a glimpse of who I truly am as well—an olive branch. One I hope—in the long run—will lead to security and peace for my Pack.

And more importantly, for my Mate.

Because the hard truth is, we have much larger enemies than each other. And we both are going to need every ally we can get.

“My respect for you does not yet extend to your Commanders,” I clarify, and Gavran’s lips twitch.

“Understood.”

Idril stirs in my arms. I pull her closer, like I can shield her from this place. From these males who have already inflicted so much damage.