Page 41 of Shadowlands Omega

I frown. “You believe it harder for a female in the Shadowlands than for a Beta?”

“It’s not a belief. It’s afact. Perhaps, if you left your castle and talked to people, you’d know that.”

I hiss, trying to batten my anger. That she suggests she knows my people better than I do…of course she does.“You’re tired,” I grit.

She tips her chin up, the haughty little wench. “Yes. But I’m not wrong.”

“I will investigate your theory,” I finally concede. “And I will ensure you receive fresh, clean produce and supplies in the kitchens from now on.”

“Thank you, Yaron,” she says, gaze still on me piercingly.

My cock doesn’t mind the intensity of her dark brown stare at all. I reach out and cup the back of her neck. I pull her forward and she stumbles into me so that she’s fully flush to my chest, my erection pressed between us. “I won’t be sleeping in the throne room any longer.”

Her brow furrows. “You’ve been sleeping in the throne room?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I told you, I was aiming to keep my distance.” I dip my head. She doesn’t cower or canter back.

“Yes, but…you could have just sent me to sleep with my family. It’s what I wanted, anyway.”

“Yes, I could have.” I inch a little closer. “But I think I knew then already what I know now with certainty. Staying away was a battle I was always going to lose. I wanted you here among my things. I wanted to be fully wrapped around you. I still do.”

Her pupils expand and lose focus. I smile very softly, my breath feathering her lips, her face. She smells like smoke and cinnamon and only a little like my soaps. I don’t understand such a chemistry.

Just as she sways towards me, eyelashes fluttering, her body giving in, I pull away and deny us both. The first stage of my plan involves torture, yes. It’s what I’m known for — all she knows me for, perhaps. I’ll prove to her I’m all of what she thinks of me and so much more. This is my unspoken vow to her as I sweep her feet up once more and carry her to the sleeping chamber, to my bed. I slide her beneath the covers, covers that smell like her, and take a seat on the edge of the mattress.

She blinks up at me, surprise on her face. Her gaze flashes once, twice, to my cock, which is very unhappy with the chill of the room and would very much like to warm back up in her heat. I fist my erection and completely ignore the small puff of air from her lips.

I want her to fuck me fucking desperately.

But I don’t want her to justwantto fuck me. I want her toneedme with a violence that will give me my ultimate desire — her bond, as mine. Her everything forever.

“Rest,” I tell her. “I’ll return shortly. In the meantime, I’ll send Okayo to stitch your brow.”

After donning a tunic, trousers and boots, but leaving behind my cloak and axe, I leave her. I manage not to look back by concentrating on my next task and walking with purpose. I shut the door with a bang.

It takes me little time to find Okayo. He’s not far, in the east wing corridor, pacing restlessly at the base of the stairs leading up to my private chambers. He comes to an abrupt stop when he sees me. “I heard the Omega was injured by a Rider outside of Orias.” He’s approaching me, but I advance on him and don’t stop.

He stumbles, eyes flashing with surprise, but only fleetingly. He’s not one to be surprised by me. Not often, anyways. “Did you attend to the Rider?” I say, backing him into the wall.

“Horace said his hands scented of the Omega. Even through all the blood. I took that as a bad sign and chose to leave him in the infirmary until I could confirm with you whether you wanted him relieved of his agony.” He waits, his eyes meeting mine unblinkingly. Then he huffs out of the corner of his mouth and adds, “Well, it’s not like there’s any saving him, not in the state you left him in, my Lord.”

“Good. How long will it take for him to die without assistance?”

Okayo shrugs. “Another hour? Maybe he’s dead already. I came here right away when I heard what happened. I’ve been waiting. What took you so long?” He blinks again, shakes his head quickly and tries to move past me. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.”

I block my hand against his shoulder, preventing him from moving forward, towards my chambers and my Omega within them. “She has bruises on her ribs and hips, torn knees and palms, the big toe of her right foot is bloody around the nail, though she complains of none of it, and she has a cut above her right brow requiring stitching. I expect you to tend to all of itrespectfully. She’s just come from the bath and is naked in my bed. You will be respectful and appropriate.”

Okayo must read something in my expression or tone because he swallows hard, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable. “You know I like men.”

“And women.”

“Men more.”

“She is different. Perfection. I don’t want Horace or any of your other helpers anywhere near her. You’ll tend to her alone. Am I clear?”

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