Page 38 of Frenzy
Not with the Legion though. If I did one thing while I was Alpha General of this town, it would be to whip the Legion Force into something to be proud of. They would fear me or respect me, but either way, they would be better protectors of arguably the last Manix colony in the world.
Arguably, because up until a few months ago, I’d thought I was the last Manix in the world. Well, Naja and I.
“You seem very comfortable with that cub, Alpha,” Doc teased, holding out his hands to take Georgia from me.
I snorted, handing over the baby gently. “They don’t expect much from me, other than warmth and the odd bottle. It is Pryce and Bonnie who do most of the work.”
Doc gave a low hum, raising a single eyebrow. “Indeed. But a lot of Alphas would do a lot less.”
“I am not most Alphas.”
Doc laughed as he placed Georgia on the scales. “I think that is abundantly obvious. Ah, well done little cherub, you have put on a whole pound since arriving. Aren’t you just a little achiever, hmm? I wonder if you will be my grandcubs?” he whispered to the baby conspiratorially. “I see the way your Papa and Alpha look at my Bonnie. I am sure they wouldn’t just be playing with my girl’s affections, don’t you agree?”
Pryce flushed, and it was my turn to raise an eyebrow at the older Manix. “I assure you, Doctor, that I feel a lot of affection for your daughter.” Blood or not, Bonnie was his daughter. The doctor might be gruff, but there was obviously love there too. “Pryce is discovering himself, and we aren’t rushing him.”
Doc stood, holding Georgia to his chest. “As it should be. I am only teasing, Omega. A happy Omega means a happy Pack, so don’t let anyone pressure you into anything. You don’tneeda Pack, unless you want one.”
I choked on my tongue, but kept my Beast in check. He revolted at the very thought that Pryce wouldn’t be ours.
Doc handed me Georgia. “Bonnie holds you both in high regard, that much I know. Now, Alpha, how is that stomach wound healing up?”
Another twenty minutes of fussing, we were finally able to leave with the Doctor’s blessing. “Come, Omega. Let me get you something to eat.” I ushered him outside and down toward the diner.
He nodded, shifting the baby on his chest. “I, uh, have a date tonight with the Alphas Merrick and Murphy. But there’s still time.”
I hated them. I mean, I didn’t before right now—they were good men and some of the few capable Manix in the Legion Force—but I was absolutely demoting them to the worst shit-kicker jobs I could think of.
“That sounds… exciting,” I murmured, forcing my tone to be neutral. Hell, it probably bordered on uninterested.
As I held the door to the diner open, I was aware that all conversation stopped. I was used to it now, but I missed how it was with my men, that casual camaraderie. Most of them had left to find new things to do—separately of course—except Loren and Dominic. I knew Loren would leave sooner or later too; he wasn’t a man made to sit still.
It would take time to get used to this pedestal power, where I was far above everyone and they somehow revered me as much as they feared me.
I hated that too.
The diner owner, a fidgety Beta male named Pete, appeared from the kitchen. “Alpha General. It’s good to see you again.” Pete seemed nice enough, not prone to genuflection at my appearance. He turned to Pryce. “It’s good to see you as well, Omega. And the little ones.” He stepped closer so he could coo at Georgia. “Aren’t you the prettiest little biscuit that's ever seen the side of a griddle?”
I blinked, because I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a threat. Given the man’s wide grin, I was going to go with a compliment.
“Hey, Alpha General. Come and sit with us.” The voice that called to us was laced with sarcasm, and I knew it could only be one person. My sister, Naja.
I turned and winced internally at the sight of her Alpha, Gatlin. Also known as the son of the man who’d had his head ripped off because of me. I hadn’t been ignoring them specifically, but I hadn’t been searching them out either.
I guided Pryce over and Naja stood, smiling at both of us, before reaching out her hands. “Gimme gimme,” she demanded, shaking her hands toward Gabriel.
Seven, her Beta, rolled his eyes. “We have enough of those at home, remember? We were coming out for a cub-free lunch.”
Naja made a rude noise and pointed to me. “Gimme One as well.”
I was impressed that she knew the difference between the babies, but Pryce smiled proudly. “They have names now. Georgia and Gabriel.”
Gatlin gave him a soft look. “That’s very good, Omega. They look like they’re doing much better.” You didn’t need to be an Alpha to sense it wasn’t just the babies doing better, but no one said anything.
Naja easily juggled both babies in her arms. “Gah, they are so cute. I swear our cubs just grow like weeds.” She kissed the top of both babies' heads. “You will too now, you sweet little things.”
Gatlin shook his head. “Sorry, we think perhaps she's going into heat again soon. She’s been a bit baby-crazy, nesting and things.”
I raised an eyebrow, because I didn’t know much about Manix biology but I did know it was meant to be only once every year. And given the age of the cubs, it hadn’t been a whole year yet.
