Page 70 of Sweet Omega
Now?
“Fuck,” Tarymn muttered, his eyes dropping to the stack of documents on his desk.
He didn’t have time for this. Not now.
His eyes skimmed over the draft of the new law the council was preparing to enforce, every word depressing. He’d searched for cracks, for hidden threats that could turn the people against them, but the document was airtight. On the surface, it looked like they were giving the people exactly what they demanded: pulling omegas out of public spaces and medicating aggressive alphas into compliance. But it reeked of control.
“How can you forget your heat?” Pitra asked.
“I have too much work to do,” Tarymn snapped. “My heat is the last thing on my mind. It’s a fucking inconvenience.” And he didn't feel like fucking anyone.
“Are you okay with Femi?”
Fuck.
“As long as he’s fine with it. I’m fine,” Tarymn said, distracted, the words slipping out automatically as he checked the time. “Shit. I’ve got a meeting with Maxus.” Rising abruptly, he shoved his chair back, then paused, before glancing at Pitra. “Find me a room somewhere. I don’t want to be… at home.”
Pitra held his gaze for a moment, then gave a sharp nod.
“Thanks,” Tarymn muttered, shoving the thought away before he could admit to himself why the idea of fucking another omega with Ludiin just a few feet away felt weird. He turned and left his office.
“Hey, Tarymn,” Maxus said, glancing up from the e-reader balanced in his hands. Dark shadows painted the skin beneath his eyes.
“You don’t look good,” Tarymn said, studying him.
A faint, humorless smile tugged at Maxus’s lips. “I could say the same about you.”
“Right,” Tarymn exhaled, the word slipping out on a tired sigh.
“I was going over your suggestions,” Maxus said, his voice flat with exhaustion. “We’ve taken every precaution we can. But this won’t be easy for omegas. I can’t imagine being forced to leave home.”
Tarymn leaned against the edge of the desk, jaw tight. “This doesn’t have to happen. You’re the alpha king. You could say no to the council of alphas.”
Maxus gave a short, bitter laugh before exhaling, shoulders sagging. “I don’t think I have that choice. Deltta is my brother… things are different.” He shut the e-reader with a snap, rubbing his eyes. “All we can do now is hope for the best and protect the omegas who’ll fall under our care.”
Protect the omegas in our care.
The words looped through Tarymn’s head, tightening in his chest. Ludiin. Luci.
“I have two omegas I need to protect. I’m going to need you to pull some strings for me.”
Maxus gave a small nod. “Of course. Everyone here is making arrangements for their families. Only the poor will suffer. I wish it weren’t that way, but…I’m tired of fighting.”
“We’ll find a way to make sure they don’t suffer. I’ll make sure of it,” Tarymn said firmly.
“Yeah.” Maxus forced a smile, though doubt flickered in his eyes. He didn’t believe it, not really. And Tarymn couldn’t fix that. Their world was already broken. All they could do now was protect their future.
He stepped out of Maxus’ office, the heavy door hissing shut behind him, and found Pitra waiting just outside. Without a word, Tarymn headed to the exit.
“Where are you going?” Pitra asked, quickening his pace to keep up as they entered the parking dome.
“Home.”
“I’m sure Ludiin and Luci will be glad to see you,” Pitra said, keying the pod open as they approached.
Tarymn’s mouth twitched, but there was no humor in it. “I doubt that,” he muttered, climbing into the pod.
Pitra slid wordlessly into the operator’s chair, his hands flying over the controls. Within minutes the pod drifted onto the airway, leaving the council district behind. Tarymn stared out the window even though there was little to see. Over the past months, life had morphed into something unrecognizable. The capital, once alive with noise and movement, now stretched before him silent and ghostly.
