But Nova's face was pale, and she was sweating. The soldiers didn't seem keen on leaving.
"No trouble at all. You shouldn't have to watch both women on the road alone. Especially with an omega.”
Goatee looked at Nova again.
My gamble paid off. I didn't smell like an omega to them, so the scenario was barely plausible.
Of course, I didn't know how we were going to produce a bonded alpha for Nova once we got to Ronahim, but that was a problem for the future.
We moved back to the road, and the soldiers formed a ring around us. Nice and obvious, sure to draw attention from anyone we passed. I shared a look with Nova. She didn't look so great, and she kept her eyes on Goatee.
"I'm Major Branson." Goatee's chest puffed up.
Valens looked so unimpressed I had to stifle a laugh.
"I'm Valens, this is my wife Zara, and sister-in-law Nova."
I liked how possessive he sounded when he said wife and reminded myself I was being an idiot.
It was a tense afternoon of traveling. We stopped once, Valens making a big deal about how Nova needed a break.
He leaned in close like he was whispering something sweet, and my whole body shivered.
"Make a big to-do about cooking."
He brushed his hand across my back, like we were newlyweds sharing stolen moments and my stomach did a flip flop that felt like falling and flying.
He was going to kill me, but I would enjoy the sweet death.
“I'll get you some firewood." Valens wandered to the edge of the trees. He whistled once, but the soldiers weren't really watching him. A small raven flew over and landed on his shoulder.
"Who wants some bread?" I pulled baking supplies out of my pack with a flourish.
Valens whispered to the bird and tied a small piece of paper to it's feet, and the bird flew off.
Branson and his cronies offered Nova sweets, hovering.
I didn't like it. Nova was pale with red spots on her cheeks and they were crowding her.
"What a bunch of idiots," Kivai said.
I glanced to the side of the forest. He stood on the edge of the clearing, hands on his hips looking disgusted.
I grinned. "There you are."
"Want me to scare them off?" He winked and gestured at one of the soldier's bags. "Make them think the place is haunted?"
Nova and Major Branson looked over at me.
I gestured at a raven roosting in the tree near Kivai. "That bird has been following us for a while. I thought he left."
"I didn't leave." Kivai walked over to me, eying Major Branson. "I had things to attend to, and wanted to let the seal settle down.”
"Right," Major Branson said, and turned back to Nova. Nova gave me a curious look but answered Branson's asinine questions about being an omega.
"You're not scenting as an omega right now, that's good." Kivai glared at Branson.
"I’m glad you followed us," I said.