Page 8 of Where the Current Takes Him
The driver chuckled. “It’s not as scary as your anti-Mer factions make it out to be.”
“Then why are you here, and not in Paeil?” Beau shot back.
The Mer’s grin faded. “Human Omegas may be in high demand, but Mer Omegas, not so much.”
Beau snapped his jaw shut.
Idiot. The whole reason they came here was to find mates capable of live births.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Beau ventured a question. “So… Omega Mer aren’t having any babies? At all?”
“Of course it happens sometimes. But it’s strongly discouraged. The radiation damage to our genetic code basically thinned the membranes of our eggs and increased risk of birth defects. It’s pretty rare for Mer children to hatch successfully.”
Beau winced. “That’s awful.” He wasn’t exactly a kid person, but his Omega instincts sent a pang of sorrow through him nonetheless.
The other Omega shook his head, as if dislodging a bad memory. “It is what it is.”
The two men lapsed into silence. Beau was just about to work up the nerve to ask something else when his driver spoke again.
“We’re here.”
Beau sat bolt upright and stared out the window. The sea lapped at silky sand, and the docks wavered gently in the breeze. Tied to the dock just ahead was a sleek, cobalt blue speedboat, bearing the seal of the Paeil Islands government. The captain was lounging inside, but sprang up as soon as he spotted Beau’s car.
The man was too far to determine his species, but Beau suspected he was human. More importantly, he was alone—no hulking Alpha waiting to clap his new Omega in chains.
The driver popped the trunk and climbed out of the vehicle. Beau’s arm felt heavy as he unlatched his own door. The boat’s captain was striding toward them with a welcoming smile on his face. Definitely human.
“Beaumont Montgomery I assume?” he called.
“Just Beau.”
“Captain Jaime Rodriguez, at your service.” The older man stuck out a hand for Beau to shake. After a hasty swipe of his palms on his shorts, Beau obliged. The faint breeze ghosted through Jaime’s graying hair, and Beau paused. The sweetish scent was unmistakable.
He’s an Omega. A human Omega.
Jaime gave him a knowing look. “I’m sure you have questions. I’m happy to address them once we’ve set sail.”
As Jaime led him toward the boat, Beau scanned him from head to foot. The older man seemed happy and healthy. No signs of being held captive. After all, he was trusted to man a speedboat from the Mermade Islands to the mainland. Then again, there was always Stockholm Syndrome.
The speedboat’s engine rumbled to life, vibrating the floor beneath Beau’s sandaled feet. Jaime guided the vessel between the creaking docs and into the open water. Only when they were several hundred yards from the docks did Jaime speak.
“So! What do you want to know?” The older man had an easy smile, with faint lines crinkling at the corners. “Ask away.”
“Is it as bad as they say?” Beau blurted out.
Jaime let out a roar of laughter. “Don’t tell me you believe all that nutjob propaganda.”
Beau flushed.
“No,” Jaime answered, grinning. “It’s not that bad. In fact, you couldn’t pay me to move back to the mainland.”
Beau raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“Beau, do you have any idea how revered human Omegas are to the Mer? Hell, they flew across galaxies to find us, and even now, people aren’t exactly leaping at the opportunity to meet a nice Alpha and settle down.” Jaime shook his head. “It’s all that culty group, what were they called? Natural Order something…”
“Natural Order of Humans Opposing Mermated Omegas,” Beau supplied.
“Yeah, them.” Jaime scoffed. “All their Bible-thumping ‘two gender’ nonsense. And no offense, but your dad definitely doesn’t help.”
