Page 20 of The Blind Hordesman

Helen leaves first. Janice stands there, an evil look in her eye. I glare back, daring her. I want to rip her hair out!

Noslov moves toward her, then escorts her outside, where, through the window, I see they’re having words. She’s all smiles and downcast eyes with him. I can see she likes him. “Fucking hypocrite,” I mumble.

The Alphas still stand in a perfect lineup, ready for orders. From my pocket, I get a scrunchy and tie up my hair in a messy bun, slip on my apron, and wash my hands. “Okay,” I say, taking the words from their mighty Alpha. “Here’s what we’re doing.”

They smile.

Serpent, they’re hot. My body positively buzzes with their energy, and as we sort into groups and start our bake fest, I realize these males aren’t what I thought they’d be. Sure they’re hardened, scarred, massive, and scary, but they’re also hardworking and constantly make fun of themselves. I laugh for the better part of the day. Working in the kitchen has never been more fun.

Betaren cookies, like any flat cookie, bake at a fast rate. Alphas learn at a fast rate; some even seem to enjoy it. By nightfall, a baking leader has emerged, a young male named Otekin, a second-born to his big brother, who is a Collector. Otekin is twenty years old and joined the Warlords after the invasion. He likes farming and hopes to return to the Sewa region on Regha and farm for the rest of his life.

His friend, Kinoh, also a second-born Alpha, tells me about his sister, at which point the Alphas burst into inappropriate teasing, and a short-lived fight breaks out as Kinoh defends his sister’s honor.

Another group of Alphas comes in. “We’re second shift,” one of the males announces. He’s wearing a loincloth, and as my gaze roams over all the muscle on his body, a knock comes from the window. Because I’m so virgin-Omega brain and presented with more pheromones than I can inhale in a lifetime, I startle at the banging and nearly drop the tray.

At the window, their Alpha points at his eyes. “I’m watching you, Omega.”

They burst out in laughter.

I stick my tongue out at him, and the Alphas laugh harder.

The Hordesman rounds the house, and they part as he walks into the kitchen. “What did she do?” he asks in Rahkan. I’m pretty sure I understood that. It’s a simple question, and he pronounces it slowly so I can put the words together.

“She stuck her tongue out at you, Alpha,” Otekin answers.

The Hordesman grunts, and I’m left wondering why he asked. He saw me do it. I did it because he watched me, not behind his back. Weird.

The Hordesman approaches the table, swipes a hand over the bags, and touches each one. “You’ve made great progress.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” they answer in unison.

“Dismissed,” he says, and the males groan.

He snaps his gaze up. “What was that?”

Otekin steps forward. “We would work a double shift.”

The Hordesman walks around the table and stands next to me. He puts one hand over the back of my neck. The gesture is clear to all watching. Heat crawls up my cheeks.

“Otekin is a natural,” I say. “He likes ranch life.”

There’s this pleading look on Otekin’s face, and I snap my mouth shut.

The Hordesman strokes my skin. I wet my panties. While the other males make me hot, this one arouses me. Their nostrils flare, some Warlords even start purring, then abruptly, they cease making any noises and practically run out of the kitchen.

Otekin stays. “You always said you’ll never take one,” he says. “And she has told me she likes packs.”

Oh shit. “Did not. That’s not what I said. I simply—”

“Quiet, Omega,” the Hordesman says calmly, which is a hundred times worse than his anger. This is one of those deadly orders.

I step away from him and pick up the tray, trying to pretend as if nothing is happening. “Second shift, if you wouldn’t mind. The ovens are hot and empty.”

The Hordesman leans against the counter. “Who else wants to bake something in this oven?”

Fairly certain he’s talking about my womb, I say, “I’m not up for the taking or for baking. Otekin and I just conversed.”

“He wasn’t here to converse.”

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