Page 46 of Storms of His Wrath

“I listened to our parents and our uncles and aunts talk about how they met,” Oppo said. “They all described a moment where the body recognizes that is in the presence of its true mate: her scent sweetens, and there is an attraction like you’re beingdrawn toward her. And she smells like a kind of bliss that you didn’t know existed.”

Akoro nodded slowly. That matched exactly what had happened with Naya—the way her scent had shifted from pleasant to intoxicating, the magnetic pull that defied rational thought.

“As you know, we were together for a few weeks,” Oppo continued. “We met in various districts and spent time together, she never wanted to come to Onn Kkulma or to the palace, obviously. And then she was pregnant and I insisted on staying with her during it.”

“Did she have her heat?”

“No,” Oppo shook his head. “She was taking something that prevented her from going into heat.”

“Where were you with her while she was pregnant? You told me you were in the Sands.”

Oppo gestured around them at the endless golden expanse. “It’s not strictly a lie,” he said.

Akoro’s face contorted. “You were here?”

“I was in their community,” Oppo clarified. “but I didn’t know where it was. It was a beautiful, calm place, nothing like this. Oshrun and I were isolated from everyone else, so I never met the rest of them, but I got to spend every minute with her. I learned a lot, and obviously I understand why they choose to separate themselves.” Pain eased into Oppo’s features. “I had to respect that I would put them in danger if I tried to change that. If it wasn’t for our family’s hand in things, I probably would have stolen her and the child away. Taken them somewhere isolated and lived my days there with them.”

Akoro remained silent for long moments, processing the enormity of what his brother had endured. Oppo had left his true mate and his Omega daughter and hadn’t seen them in years. “I don’t know how you did that,” he said finally, astonishmentthreading through his voice. “I don’t know how you could leave them.”

“I would do anything to keep them safe, brother,” Oppo said simply.

The comparison between how his brother had treated his Omega and how Akoro had treated Naya struck him. Oppo had gone without his true mate and child for five years, while Akoro couldn’t endure a day without his Omega. It wasn’t exactly the same, but it still showed Oppo’s willingness to sacrifice himself for them. He took a breath. “I assume you want this alliance to work, then?”

Oppo’s brow furrowed as he considered. “I would prefer them to be safe,” he said finally. “I don’t want Omegas returning to the region only to be abused again, by anyone. Knowing they have been safe all these years is the only thing that has kept me going. Even if I never see them again, I do not want them to come to any harm.”

Akoro nodded, understanding that desperation to be sure that one’s mate is safe.

“If this happens, we have to do better than our family did,” Oppo added. “But… it is your region, brother. It is in your hands.”

Akoro let the weight of that responsibility seep into him. Oppo was right. He had to do better. He handed the drawing back to Oppo, then pulled him into a tight hug. “Congratulations, Oppo,” he said. “I look forward to meeting them.”

Oppo made a strangled sound and smiled through the emotion threatening to overwhelm him. Drawing a steadying breath himself, Akoro turned toward his tent, where his own mate waited. The woman who’d walked away from him only to now hold the fate of his people in her hands.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Akoro pushed through the heavy fabric entrance of his tent, and the moment he stepped inside his eyes were drawn to the exact spot where Naya had shuddered in his arms just yesterday, her back arching as pleasure tore through her, those shapely thighs spread, the breathless sounds she’d made when his tongue laved her sweet, slippery clit. The intoxicating scent of her arousal had lingered for hours after she left.

She stood near the table where his maps were scattered, studying them with careful attention. But when the tent flap fell closed behind him, sealing them in the intimate space, her shoulders tensed. Her breathing shifted, becoming more careful, more controlled.

Good. She remembered too.

Her pulse fluttered at her throat, and beneath the unfamiliar herbs clinging to her borrowed clothes, he caught hints of that sweetness that always preceded her body’s response to him. The knowledge that she was affected, still drawn to him, sent satisfaction curling through his chest.

“Sit,” he said, gesturing toward the cushioned area where he’d made her orgasm yesterday.

Instead, she moved to the opposite side of the tent, settling onto a smaller collection of pillows, putting deliberate distance between them. The choice sparked quiet amusement in him. Even now, even when she was here to negotiate an alliance, she was still trying to protect herself from the connection between them.

As if distance could diminish the way the air burned whenever they occupied the same space. He was already hard.

He lowered himself onto the main seating area, allowing his gaze to drift over her with open hunger. The way the rust-colored fabric clung to her curves, her copper hair that caught the filtered light streaming through the tent walls, the careful way she kept her hands folded in her lap to prevent herself from fidgeting.

Beautiful.

Perfect.

Still his, whether she admitted it or not.

“What do the Omegas want?” he asked, settling back against the cushions.

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