Page 39 of Frenzy
Pryce frowned. “Is that what that faint scent is? It makes me feel… anxious? No, that’s not right. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to offend you.”
I put my hand on Pryce’s, calming him with my Alpha vibes. “It’s okay, Omega. We all understand what you mean. When a female Omega goes into heat, it creates that sense of urgency in all Alpha and Omegas in the general vicinity, and even the Betas. Except relatives.” I sensed nothing.
“Will you try for another litter?”
Naja literally gasped. “Hush your mouth, Courtland De Léon. We have a bunch of four-month-olds at home right now. We do not want to add another litter to that. No way. It’s going to be difficult, and probably a little, uh, tense for a week or so, but no, we aren’t going to try for another pregnancy.”
Someone sighed around the table, and I noticed their whole group had tensed, but tried in vain to look relaxed.
“The hard thing will be saying no to the other Omegas who come to beg for a chance to sire a litter. Some of them are so worthy, Court. And I feel so bad saying no. But…”
I lifted my hand, because I understood. “It has always been an Omega’s choice, and just because you are the last female Omega, doesn't mean that negates your choice. Besides, as Alpha General, I have to think of the long-term health of the Manix, and having a whole generation of half-sibling Manix would lead to some… undesirable results.”
Seven snorted. “I don’t know, an extra arm or head might come in handy during battle.” Naja elbowed him in the ribs.
I shook my head. “I know the doctor is looking into genetic reasons why we stopped producing Omega females. I am not of the opinion that the Manix are a superior race, unlike my predecessor. I will put the wellbeing of my people now, over the racial purity of future generations.”
Pryce sucked in a breath, and I reached out to grip his fingers. I knew he was having flashbacks to that wretched research facility.
“Not like that. Always free choice. We aren’t free if it is mandated who we can make our mate. But I know that our Omegas especially have urges that need to be fulfilled, so I will try my best to find scientists or some shit who can fix this before it's too late.”
I wasn’t talking to my sister, or Pryce. I was talking to the entire room. I knew how small towns worked; by the time I paid my bill, this little proclamation would be all around town.
Naja handed me Gabriel. “Anything we can do to help, let us know. Doc wants to run some tests when I go into heat this time, and I think that perhaps the guys won’t turn into growling assholes and actually let him, considering we aren’t trying to… you know.”
“Whelp?” I suggested.
She pointed a finger at me. “Gross, Courtland. No.”
Pryce laughed, and then Pete was coming over to take our order. I enjoyed this downtime with my Omega and my sister. I felt like I had made the right decisions, that I had always been working toward this point. Like fate had been guiding me to this moment, which was pretty self-important, and Dominic would definitely make fun of me for the sentiment. We ate and chatted about business with Gatlin, and about the rowdy teens with Naja. Rosa had been taking them all over to bond with Naja and Louisa, and I could tell it was healing for all of them, but especially Naja.
Once I finished, I stood, and they all stood with me. Literally every person in the room, in some weird display of subservience that made me as uncomfortable as hell. Well, all except Naja who was laughing at me with her eyes, and Gatlin, who was daring me to make him stand. He didn’t know that this was the last thing I wanted.
I turned to the room. “Sit. That level of… whatever the fuck this is, is unnecessary. You are warriors, not fucking sheep. Now, sit.” I put the Alpha in my voice then, and they all did what they were told.
Seven raised an eyebrow. “You know you literally just contradicted yourself, right?”
I gave him a dead-eye stare, then looked pointedly at the baby in Naja’s arms. “Can you give me my other cub?”
Naja gave me a shit-eating grin. “Yourcub, Alpha? I don’t see a ring on Pryce’s finger.”
I frowned. “Manix do not use wedding bands.”
Naja sighed. “It's no fun teasing you when you have no idea what I’m talking about.” She handed the baby back to Pryce. “Now the babies are doing better and can probably keep up with mine, you should bring them around for playdates. Bring your pretty Betas.” I growled low in my chest, making everyone snap their heads toward me. Naja just threw her head back and laughed.
“You seem to have fallen into the annoying younger sibling role very easily. I shouldn’t let Rosa spend so much time over there,” I growled.
That just made Naja laugh harder. “If you think youletRosa do anything, you are delusional. She’s a wild one.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples. “You have no idea.”
I hustled Pryce out of the diner and over to Bonnie’s van. I liked their ATV rules in Maxton, but I also preferred to be able to strap the cubs into proper seats.
“Let’s go, Omega. You have a date tonight, I believe.”
Pryce looked at me for a long time, and I locked my shit down tight. Finally, he sighed. “Yes.”
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