Page 21 of Stolen By the Submarine

Male pheromones linger in the space, but only two beta females sit on the cushioned bench along the far wall. They stand to greet us, but wisely keep as much distance as the room allows.

I nod, settle in the swivel chair at the end of the table, and plant my feet to keep my chest pointed toward the two women. My omega trembles, but I shift her into a cradle hold and use a finger under her chin to guide her attention across the room.

“Coral, meet Thia and Sky, the only two females on my crew.”

She stiffens and swings her gaze up to mine for a quick perusal of my face before returning her attention to the women.

“Crew, as in they help run the ship?”

Thia steps forward and gives a slight bow as she speaks.

“I’m the navigation officer on Crew B, ma’am.”

“And I’m the medical officer for Crew B and every female onboard. The only omega I’ve ever treated is currently eight years old, but if you need anything, I’ll be happy to help,” Sky says.

Coral stares at them as though their words bounce off her skull, but neither female fidgets. Long, tense moments pass.

Worms crawl in my belly as my omega swings her eyes up to mine. Her shrunken pupils reveal irises so grey they appear clear.

“You mean they aren’t wet nurses?”

I don’t understand her question. Thia shifts and Sky rubs her nape.

“What are you asking?” I need clarification. A single tear trails down my mate’s face. My stomach drops through the floor. Coral pushes against my chest and stumbles to her feet, and all I can do is stare in confusion.

“I thought you were bringing me to meet the women who would raise my children!” She stomps her bare foot and clenches her fists at her sides before stepping back and wrapping her arms around her stomach. “You can’t take my younglings away. They’re mine! I want them with me all the time. If you—”

I surge to my feet and wrap my arms around her.

“Hush, little angel. No one will separate you from our offspring,” I growl into her hair.

She thumps her fists against my sides and shakes her head. I take a deep breath, needing to settle my racing heart, and exhale on a low, soothing rumble. As my female’s madness slowly abates, I smooth my hand over her hair and murmur encouraging words in her ear, needing her to see the truth in my heart.

With one final thump of her fist against my hip, she wraps her arms around my waist and hiccups into my chest. I drop my cheek to the top of her head and return her embrace.

“No one will take your younglings from you, Coral. You haven’t seen our entire den yet, have you?”

She shakes her head.

“We have a second, smaller washroom, a kitchen, a living room, a gym, and two nurseries. And we can always expand, too. The compartment next to—”

Dainty fingers settle over my lips. My omega offers me a peek into her turmoil before closing her eyes. An odd tugging inside my chest makes me realize she’s studying our bond.

She releases her breath and shakes her head. My lungs seize.

“I’m sorry, Port.”

“No,” I growl on instinct.

She huffs a half laugh before capturing my face between her hands. Emotions shine from her eyes as she traces the scar over my lips with her thumb.

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” she whispers.

“What?”

The terror gripping my heart steals my ability to think.

“I’m sorry I lumped you in with other alphas. I’m sorry I compared you to The Sisters. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you,” she says, her voice strengthening with every word.

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