Page 42 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
He blinked several times at the ceiling. “My life is over!”
There was the temptation to chastise him for being overdramatic, but I said nothing. Several logical arguments came, and I hoped I picked the correct one. “Do you know how many Omegas dream for this or Soturi? You would be treasured and cared for.”
“Kept.”
“Loved.”
“As if I were a pet.”
My voice rose. “Youknowthat is not the case. The circumstances are unusual I admit, but now there are feelings I didn’t think I would have.” I gently raised his chest, so he sat up. Tiny continued to lay deactivated to the side. I wasn’t sure how alive it was, but something would have to be done about it soon. This was our life, and I couldn’t have it interfering because a machine thought it knew best.
“We were not scent matched nor were we the result of calculations,” I said. My fingers went over his warm cheek. “Yet I am so incredibly grateful you are here and not for the political advantages. I’ve dived with you in one of the most sacred spots and felt your warmth against me in our bed. Instead of being alone, I had you at my side while I pointed out the aquatic creatures, hiked in the mountains, and the orbital cities. I finally have somebody I can share my life with. Yes, Caan. A child is a welcome addition because it’s something we made together with love.” My voice lowered to a whisper. “Can you imagine that child?”
He nodded slowly. “My father didn’t want this. He was forced to have me, and I wondered if he would’ve taken… earlier measures.”
My jaw set and I hope he wasn’t considering that. He was outside the system and yet still within. I spoke quickly. “When we met, I gave you a chance, and you did the same for me. Have I done anything to betray the trust?
“No.”
“Then let me show you how good life can be.”
His lips pursed into a frown, and I feared I failed. Thankfully, he explained. “If we were a little earlier… Balo and his mate have a head start. There’s always a chance he’ll be late and me early but–”
“– it’s certain that Balo will be king,” I said flatly. “Although, he could help us, albeit indirectly. I think there’s somebody you should talk to.”
***
Chapter Twenty-Three
CAAN
Taleen’s soft voice drew out while medical orbs floated lazily around us. “Balo thinks you’re a bad influence. That’s why it’s taken this long.” He smiled wide to soften the news.
“Me?” I ask with more of a coo than I intended. I leaned back into the massaging lounge chair and thought. In another life, Balo and I would have been rivals. Now, I was merely the other sex and his brother’s mate. Not someone to concern themselves with unless I might corrupt Taleen.
Taleen’s words returned.Influence?
It was all so mental and underhanded and not me. I was direct and physical. Depending on my brain was so… Omega. I looked down to my small stomach bump while doctors chatted in the background. I shifted, and the chair molded as I sat up higher. For now, it was an easier way to move around but the time would come soon where I would need all the help I could get. Visuals of me with a stereotypically full belly went through my head and stayed despite my best intents. Now, my curve was noticeable but not overly so. Nate’s planet – Earth – would consider me to be about three months’ pregnant if I were female. Each race had different gestation periods. The Volardi was one of the fastest in the galaxy, and they were happy with it. Above all else, they needed babies. So Femeni and Omega across their empire were doing that.Even those that thought they wouldn’t.
My earlier conversation came back. “Bad influence?”
“Well, bounty hunter, criminal, you were augmented with weapons.” His lips mashed together. “You killed Volardi! Soturi!”
Gee, when you list it like that.
He shook as if to cast away the aura of their deaths. “Balo hoped…” His voice trailed off, and he looked away. When he saw I was still looking, he continued. “I could make you into a real Omega.”
I pointed to my stomach or rather the swell. “Balo’s a little late for that. A floating orb came and dropped a red vial in my hand. I drank and hoped it would help with my previous bleeding gums.
“Still hurting?”
“There? No. It’s numbing it.” I didn’t feel bad or good, but both. I never had this much energy in my life – even with the adrenaline implants. I wanted to go diving, climb mountains, and do a hundred other things while bloated with a sore back. Graden said it would be ‘unwise.’ I could have argued out of spite yet didn’t. Was it because I was doing what Balo predicted; becoming a good Omega?
Tamed? Docile… subservient.
“Fuck that.”
Taleen’s eyes widened. They didn’t use that word here, but the implant translated it. Rather than explain, I went with another question. “Are you happy doing this?” My hand went to his stomach.
