Page 12 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
My breaths increased, and I didn’t know why. Yes, he was handsome as most Volardi are. It might have been my Omega nature. I smelled nothing from him, and I’ve seen hot guys before. My planet had Humans and Volardi. I avoided the purple-eyed race for several reasons.
Mainly because there’s only one thing they wanted. If his species was different, I might have relaxed a bit and admired his looks. Growing up, I had a few questions on what sex I preferred. Earth women were beautiful, but I found myself with men. Don’t know if it was my upbringing or biology.
“I’ve taken this form to allow us to communicate easier. Currently, I’m several hundred light years away, but perhaps soon we can be closer. I’m Graden, prince of a significant and proud kingdom on Augo. I have a proposition for you, Caan of New Texas.
***
Chapter Eight
CAAN
Once assured the security shield was on, his dark-haired duplicate spoke and explained the situation. I listened even if I didn’t particularly care what happened in a Volardi kingdom. Being in their towns, was bad enough. A planet full of them was something I’d never want to experience.
He or rather his sim put his hands behind his back, and I stared at his bare, hard chest. Augo is a water planet, and that answered my question about his physique. Anyone with that lean, taut look had to go in the ocean regularly. Images of him dripping with ocean water lingered in my mind before I forced them out.
“Standard procedure,” he said, “is to kill all enemies of the Volardi.”
“Is that what I am?” I would say ‘we,’ but I didn’t want to add Nate to the list and shouldn’t give him ideas about Tiny.
“Killing our citizens if they aren’t wanted for bounty makes you an enemy. Volardi don’t kill Volardi. Any that do would be put to death. Client races who dare are put to death.”
“I’m sensing a theme,” I said.
“Humans aren’t a client race. The closest thing we have to a partner. Your ancestral planet has given us decades worth of Femeni.”
“Omegas.”
“Whatever term you like… no Human has killed a Volardi, and we don’t know what the standard procedure would be. Most likely death, but we’re open to other possibilities.”
“Letting me go sounds good,” I said before I chuckled.
He didn’t join my soft laughter. His gaze went down to me and lingered. I thought I saw a hint of a smile, but I wasn’t sure. “Transformed Humans are Volardi citizens.”
“They have to be mated,” mumbled my father. Thinking of him as that wasn’t pleasant.Maybe ‘Nate’ is best?
Graden’s lips thinned, and he nodded. “It’s true. Their Volardi status isn’t official until the Omega accepts their mate.”
“I learned my lesson,” said Nate to an unasked question.
I wondered which he referred to: not attacking Omegas or avoiding the Volardi.
Graden let out a dismissive murmur. “Caan, you are the first Omega from a Human Alpha and Volardi Omega paring.”
“Attack,” said Nate.
“Like you tried to do to Peter on Earth,” said Graden dismissively. “I had nothing to do with what happened after your original capture, but if the records are correct, you assaulted a Volardi mate in his mating period. Reprehensible! Would you like to speak of your ill fortune to Peter?”
Nate jerked his head to the suggestion.
“He’s in the next kingdom over. His Soturi or Alpha, if you prefer would love to meet you.”
I wouldn’t say Nate breathed fast. More like shook as he took in air.
His attention resumed on me. “You are Omega.”
“The hell I am. I’m me.”
“I don’t have time for semantics. Youcanbe considered an Omega. Your father was changed, and he birthed you. Our Femeni have three sexes, and you’re the one that can have a child. I have need of you.”
