Page 26 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
“‘If he were on a Volardi planet, he would pay.’ He’s on one now.”
“Okay Peter,” said Nate. “I know how it’s done. I guess it’s what I deserve.”
It took less than a few minutes for the tables to float out of the way. The silver orbs flew in and formed a ring around the two Omegas while Peter waited with taut muscles.
My jaw set. Back in the days of the Mad Emperor, there were events like this; Femeni forced to fight other Femeni. Peter chose this, but my stomach churned.
They both stood within a circular rotating ring. Fortunately, per the orbs, neither one was with child. If they were, it would have been enough to stop the fight.
“Well? Do something,” screamed Peter.
Nate smirked. “You first, twig.”
Nate gave permission for a start, and Peter took it. He took one quick step forward, placed both hands on Nate’s shoulders and pulled him into a knee hit to the stomach. There were several defenses, but Nate kept his hands to the side. The only movement was his muscle tensing as he grimaced.
A right elbow strike came from Peter and Nate’s head violently jerked to the right as did blood and saliva. Three more blurry punches came from Peter. Nate’s nose, eye and then mouth warped under the flurry of blows.
“Fight,” screamed Peter as Nate fell back. “You wanted me, didn’t you? Can’t you do it without sleeping pills?”
Nate moaned on the ground, then pushed his hand up as if trying to get up. I didn’t realize I had my hands on Caan’s shoulders. Instead of moving out of my grasp he leaned into me.
Nate gave one try to stand and then collapsed when his arms gave out. Peter’s hands balled into tight fists. “Fight, damn you!” Tears went down his face and dripped over his bare chest. I think the whisper was only for Nate, but I heard it. “You took this away from me too. Damn you.” He turned to Matros who put his arms around him. The room was silent except for his heavy sobs.
Matros spoke slowly. “My mate needs me, but we are not finished. You threaten to leave Augo, and you bring my mate’s attacker. Look at what you did to him. There will besevererepercussions.”
I watched him stomp out, then other guests left silently. Traditionally the announcement would take hours since Femeni and Omegas were so rare. Nothing was said, but there was an unspoken acknowledgment the affair was over. Dara servants escorted the lingering partygoers out while the redheaded Dara male with chalk-white skin – a royal physician – attended Nate. Strong hands picked him up as if he were dead and set him in a hovering medical chair. Humming purple orbs hovered around, and I was thankful they weren’t shrilling the death tone nor turning black.
My father stood with his hands at his side and looked up away from everyone. “Who invited him?”
“Not me,” said Caan and I in unison.
“It wasn’t me First Father,” said Balo.
“The hell it wasn’t,” said Caan. “You think I don’t have you figured out?
Balo took a step forward, and I matched him. “Contain yourself brother,” I whispered.
He put his hands up. “On a Volardi world, he needs to act like one.”
“Subservient?” asked Caan.
“Upfront.”
“Says the man hiding in the shadows.”
My father frowned and his forehead and bald head wrinkled. “There has already been a fight, we do not require another.”
“Why not?” asked Caan. “Back on New Texas that was the way to get everything out in the open.”
“You are not fighting,” I said. It could have been directed to either man, and I suppose it was. Caan wasn’t fond of orders, but I couldn’t have him attacking my brother.
Balo’s gaze went down to my mate’s arms. “Because of your father, the other Omega, we nearly escalated relations with our neighbor. Tell me, Earthling, what would you have done if the Ryba interfered? Attack them with your claws as well?” It was a reasonable question – although not something I would admit out loud. Had our pairing been real, perhaps I would have taken greater offense at the inquiry. “The Omega’s father caused an incident. If we are to stay united, we need to be in good relations.”
Old sinewy muscles flexed while my father folded his arms. His lips pursed in thought.
“We are not sending him back,” I screamed. Two sets of purple eyes looked at me while Caan did the same. He was still frowning, but I think I caught a hint of a smile.
“If he’s to stay,” said Balo. “He needs to remove his claws and nanites.”
