Page 20 of Sidone

Pain slices across my shoulder. Taking cover behind a knocked-over desk, I discard the rifle and get my pistol out. The front door clicks, and I aim toward the hallway, transferring the gun into my right hand. My left shoulder bleeds, and I’m feeling the pain now. Three men rush inside. I shoot one, then the other, and a third one before I realize the third one is an alien male. He doesn’t fall, but instead makes it to the table despite multiple gunshot wounds. He lifts the table, and I stand and pull the trigger. It clicks.

I’m gonna die. No man has ever beaten an alien in one-on-one combat. They’re stronger, with bodies made for battle. He lifts his hand, claws poised to strike, but I don’t cower. Sidone’s face flashes before my eyes.

And the male’s head slides off his shoulders. His body sways and hits the floor, revealing Sidone behind him. She’s covered in blood, and red armor shields her trunk and neck. Heaving breaths, she drops her axes and steps over the male. I extend my arms to hug her, comfort her, but she grabs my left hand and leads me out to the balcony, where a sea of Regha males stand on the shore. As we emerge, silence descends, the only sound that of their breathing.

To my utter shock, Sidone drops to one knee before me. Oh boy, what do I do? I glance at the crowd just as the king steps forward, eyes narrowed. I run a hand through my hair, thinking about going back into the living room and grabbing one of those axes, then knighting her with it. Having her on her knees makes me uncomfortable and humbled at the same time, so I fold my knees too. I lift her chin, cradling her bloody face. “I love you, my warrior princess.”

Chapter 9

Sidone

Days later

Kade and I extended our stay at the hotel. Outside on the patio, my nephews and brothers join us for breakfast. The sun, like Sycol on Regha, warms my face and reminds me of freedom. There was no sun inside the frozen capsule or the underground facilities Mr. VP hid me in so he could continue his research. I don’t even think he was interested in alien species research. I think he was obsessed with me. Something my Omega cured him of when he killed him.

Kade walks out of the restaurant, carrying a plate. His green eyes shine, and he’s wearing a white cotton tank that shows off his fitness. He puts a plate before me.

I stare at all the fried things, then at what everyone else is eating. Loven is stuffing his mouth and moaning. I catch Tayseer's gaze.

“Fried eggs,” he says. “Jewel makes them often.”

Next to him, Raven stands and leaves for the buffet.

“Scrambled eggs,” Kade says and points at the yellow mountain on my plate. “With fresh tomatoes, a hint of thyme, and buttermilk. Fried bacon. Sausages. Hash browns.” He points to each item.

“I know what those things are,” I tell him.Gross.

“One might find experiencing new things to be quite thrilling,” says a voice behind Kade. Dreikx comes around and takes a seat next to me, then sets down his plate. It looks exactly like mine.

Kade squeezes my shoulder. “Just try it. Once. For me.” He leaves to get his own serving. I watch his jeans-clad behind. “Spectacular ass,” I purr.

Chewing stops. All eyes watch me.

“Well, isn’t it fucking spectacular?”

“Indeed,” Tayseer says. “I haven’t heard you purr since Arkin’s birth.”

“Because she only loves me,” Arkin says, “and everyone else, besides Kade, isn’t worthy of hearing it.”

“Shut up,” Seer, his twin, says.

I laugh.

More staring.

I roll my eyes. “So I’ve bonded an Omega. Sometimes I purr and laugh and think about his ass. Big deal. Carry on, boys. In the absence of your Omegas, I take it this is a meeting. Let’s get on with it.”

“Nah. I came to eat,” Loven says.

“Only you,” Dreikx mumbles between bites. He continues, “I’m happy for you, Sidone.”

Nodding, I say, “I owe you.”For keeping me sane during captivity.I don't have to say why I owe him. He knows.

“Negative,” Tayseer barks with more force than necessary. “None of us owes Dreikx a single thing. All debts are paid in full and then some. Isn’t that right, Telean?”

“Correct.”

Dreikx was a thief, hiding inside a swamp region of Regha with no hope of ever returning to his homeland, Telea. My brother Kinre recruited him to help the Horde rebellion against the then Regha king, and Dreikx has stayed as a part of our most inner circle ever since. He’s helped Alphas for decades with nothing in return. We all wonder about his endgame. And Tayseer just told us he knows. Likely, he’ll keep it all to himself.

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