He nods.
“I mean it.”
“I know you do. You’re a unicorn Regha male. Kind and thoughtful. You don’t let your temper or pride make decisions for you.”
“I want to get out there and meet him.” I want to tear Travis apart and feed the soft parts to Miyo. Chunk by chunk.
Dreikx grabs more jerky, rips a piece, chews. “You lined the streets with the Betaren people just like you promised you would. I’m closing in on the manufacturing site, a large pharmaceutical company. I’ll simply shut down the machines and wait for the Horde to raid. The Omegas are collected and safe. And yet here you are, moping about over one male. Forget him, Arkin. He is just one man, unworthy of your time. Your Omega is alive and will have full control of her finances. Once the funds are no longer available, Travis will resurface on his own.”
I groan and stand, ready to get back upstairs, but Dreikx extends a leg, nearly tripping me. I kick his boot.
“One more thing,” he says.
“Go on.”
“Are you expecting to go into transition?”
“No.”Yes.Admitting weakness is not in me. I’ll crawl into this room and ride it out alone and miserable. I don’t want my Omega to see me helpless.
Dreikx stands. “If he comes for her, who will stand in his way?”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not transitioning.”
“Yet.”
My transition should’ve hit already. I should be immobile as I shed green armor for red, the kind both my father and king wear. Instead, I’m not transitioning at all. In fact, I’m feeling as agile as ever, when my muscles should be locked in a spasm until my skin is done generating new armor.
“Congratulations, Arkin.” Dreikx slaps my back and points at the news station. “The Betaren project is all but crushed. Yesterday’s events got a name. The people are calling it Night of Terror and thinking you’ve ended Silence. Have you?”
“Raven will return in a few days. He can deal with the media and his Silence.”
“Or you could.”
“I will,” comes from the stairs, and my Omega walks in. “I will deal with the media.” She wears a suit, her hair pulled up in a tight bun, a black line of makeup over her pretty eyelids.
Chapter 17
Tabby
“Also, Kade called,” I say and climb the steps. “Said his car wouldn’t start, and he’ll arrive as soon as possible. I told him I’d send a car for him, then remembered nobody is flying today.” The city’s traffic jammed the streets and people surround the nearest poles, hoping the power for their district is coming with the Hordesmen and whomever they’d picked off my birthday list. “I’m gonna give a statement.”
“The hell you are.” Arkin zips by me and blocks my way. “Baby, you’ve not even come off the heat. I was on my way upstairs,” he purrs.
Sidone stands next to us, smiles, and extends her hand. “Sidone. Arkin’s aunt, and the Omega babysitter. That’s my official title.”
Arkin rolls his eyes. “Don’t start.”
“Seeing as I’ve also got a pussy,” she says, “all the boys are sheltering me. So what do you say you and I meet the press together?”
Awwww.“I think that’s a great idea.” I shake her hand.
Sidone opens the door. “Let’s go.” She’s already down the steps, and I feel like a little puppy who follows its owner. I round Arkin, but he pushes the door. It slams closed.
I grab the handle.
He leans against the wood.
I yank and yank, and he just stands there like a boulder. Unmovable.