Page 31 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
“Engage in physical activities,” he said before smiling. “What else?”
My right arm vibrated from within, and the soreness dulled to a minor throb then went away. A replicated Volardi thug stared impassively while I thought.
“Begin,” said Graden.
On command, the battling lump lunged toward me. It was fast and threw a right hook, that I blocked. My jaw set while the pain radiated through my bone and flesh. I knew he wasn’t real, but he was built like those men you could hit, and it hurtyoumore. Two left punches came and then the third, I ducked the first few, but the last one glanced me across the jaw. I spun and staggered out of its reach while my neck and ears grew hot. Either it was anger, embarrassment or both.
It lunged again. I don’t know if that was its default attack, but it gave me an idea. I jumped and aimed my foot at its kneecap. The momentum and my strike broke it quickly, but it landed on me. Large hands went over my wrist, and it lunged down with its bald head. My vision shook, and an instant headache came. Its head went back for another head bunt, then stopped. The bare toothed grimace returned to a blank expression.
I suspected if I were still on New Texas, I would have gone to the Great Saloon in the sky.
“Dismissed,” said Graden.
I waited for the nanites to remove a throbbing headache. Several seconds later, the only agony left was a mental embarrassment.
“What did you do wrong?” asked Graden.
“I lost.”
“Because you didn’t fight well.” He gave me time for a retort. Instead, I remained quiet. “You still depend on weapons you don’t have. Had this been a real fight, you may not have survived.” I thought I heard a quiver at the end. He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know, but it didn’t make it any easier to hear. “Your idea to switch to kicks was clever, but you failed to account for his momentum. If someone takes the fight to the ground, whoever is on top tends to win. It’s the guy on the bottom that’s at a disadvantage.”
“And...?” There was more surliness than I cared for in my voice. I wasn’t one of those men whothoughthe could fight but never threw a punch. I had the bounties and experience to back it up.
“To be fair,” said Graden, “it is set for a Volardi warrior. All things considering, you did quite well.”
I rubbed my head even if there was no overwhelming pain. “It doesn’t seem like it.”
“Other combatants would feel nothing at all because they would be unconscious. You live and stand. That’s a victory.”
We said nothing for several seconds while I breathed in his sweet citrus aroma amid my own muggy sweat. I didn’t tell him, but something was throwing off my fight. I’m not the best fighter, but I’ve been proud of my focus in a brawl. Combats that should be easier, weren’t. I know what he told me about the sparring dummy being set to Volardi, but it still felt like I should do better.
Hell, what doesn’t feel off lately?
He inhaled deep and frowned. “I smell the dank water on you... frustration.”
I got a good nose, but nobody could beat the Volardi. There were questions about how ‘Volardi’ I was, but I wasn’t used to anyone being able to read me like this. I practiced my neutral facial expressions and stance, so an opponent wouldn’t know what I was thinking. All useless against Graden. He knew I was frustrated because of my smell. ‘Dust’ or rather concern wafted off him.
Guess the disadvantage and advantages go both ways.
“In the Olden Days, the third sex would never be allowed to fight. However, you are a rare Omega.” His shoulders rose, and I think his eyes shone. “It would be my honor to teach you.”
Despite my status as the third sex, I was still a man and not used to another guy saying he was better. Still, they were are a practical people, and I had Volardi in me – depending on how you look at it. My heart thumped as I wondered what I should do about it.He’s being nice. Let him.I swallowed hard and gave what I hoped was a genuine smile. “Show me what you got.”
For the next hour we practiced punches, throws, blocks, and kicks until we both sweated. It didn’t escape my notice I panted more than he. Another man might have thought something bad about their own body. Instead, I looked at the beads of sweat that dripped between the grooves of his fleck covered muscles. He moved in for a successful grapple. My hand went behind my back, and I landed on the mat. I didn’t try to free myself while I looked up into his purple eyes.
“You lost your focus,” he said.
Down before I felt myself stiffen. The dojo filled with sweat, testosterone and definitely pheromones. Most of my body didn’t move, but my cock did. Heat flashed over my face when he noticed. “Caan?” His gaze darted off to the side as if wondering if he should ask something. “Have you ever?”
“Had sex where I’m the one who got…” My voice trailed off, and I should have been able to say it. It was just one word: penetrated. I did it to him and guys back on new Texas. Even a sweet homestead gal I wasn’t compatible with.
The smell wouldn’t let me lie nor would my body. I shook my head no.
“Would you like to?”
***
Chapter Seventeen
