Page 6 of Terror

“A dealer is a nobody, and the ones we’ve shaken before didn’t know anything.”

“Anything is better than nothing,” Sotay says. “Currently, we are at nothing.”

Nobody is more aware of the dangers of having the Alpha Collector service an Omega than I am, especially at a time when the people in the city are recovering from a three-month-long hunger siege. After the prince left, I extended the Silence well past California’s borders and kept it in effect for three months. Recently, I’ve allowed the use of tech during four of the twenty-four hours so people can launder their clothes and waste time watching TV.

The fate of all the Omegas rests on my shoulders. Also, I must make time for the Horde that stayed behind, for Sotay and his Guardians, for Dreikx and his Telean crew, for the Betaren project, for the people of this city and country, but more importantly, I have to make sane decisions.

Omegas are distractions. I can’t afford one at this time, or even for the duration of my service. It was not a coincidence the former Regha king allowed only retired service members to have Omegas, not those still capable of carrying out duties. While my uncle, the current king, allows mating for anyone at any time, he trained me differently. He trained me as his successor, so that upon his retirement, I may serve my people the way he served them as an Alpha Collector. He told me he wouldn’t have become the king if my aunt hadn’t stepped onto the battlefield. She forced his hand. The power she holds is much more than anyone gives her credit for.

The best thing to do is never touch an Omega.

My Collectors await orders. “Dismissed.”

Chapter 3

Tabby

“You shouldn’t have gone there in the first place,” Travis, my lawyer, says. After my parents’ deaths, the guardianship got passed on to my distant relatives in Korea, who hired local people, meaning legally appointed handlers of me and my trust fund. At nineteen, I’ll have full access to the money my parents left me.

“I needed to confirm the venue. But it seems like the aliens have moved in.” Shoulder to ear, I hold the phone as I hang the dress to dry.

“Moved in? What do you mean moved in?”

“Well, the house was vacant for months, and now they’re looking like they’re at home. Got those hellhounds everywhere. It’s a damn Regha male palace.” A cramp hits my belly, and I bend over, cursing. “I need the pills, Travis.”

“You should have enough.”

“I don’t. Lost some of them in the pool. Fell in and dissolved.”

“Very careless of you, Tabitha.”

I flip him off, but he can’t see. “Pills.”

“I’ll try to get someone as soon as possible.”

“I can’t wait. I need them now.” I dump the laundry into the washer and close the top. There’s no power yet, so I lean on the machine.

“Why?”

“Because the Hordesman sent me into heat.”

“Did you say the Hordesman?”

“Mm-hm, Terror. Why?”

“Terror!”

“That’s what I said.”

“Are you aware he’s the Alpha Collector?”

“I am.”

“He’s hunting us. There’s no way I can send you Betaren if you’ve caught his eye. It’s too risky.”

“I didn’t catch his eye.” I’m the least of his concerns. After my parents slid off the road and into the Pacific, there have been times I’ve eaten eggs for days because that was the only thing I knew how to make without burning the house down. More than once over the past five years, my entire housekeeping staff left in the middle of the night. Years ago, I learned people don’t give a shit.

“I’m sorry, Tabby, but it’s too risky.”

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