Page 32 of Stray Omega

This night, however, they would have company.

Orwen started to speak again. “Boss, listen—“

Ark waved his hand in annoyance and cut him off.

“Not now, I said. Look, I fully understand the consequences if we bring this omega back to the ruins with my mark upon her neck. That is why I will consider the matter carefully. Don’t you trust me, brother Orwen?”

The second dropped his head and glumly muttered, “yes.”

“Good. Now, this dirty little omega needs a thorough cleaning.”

“I’ll do it,” Leros offered, eagerly hopping to his feet.

“No,” Ark grunted. “I’ll do it. I need some time alone with this omega…to study her.”

Leros dropped his head with a disappointed nod.

Well done, Ark,the pack leader thought to himself bitterly. In the space of a minute you have succeeded in disappointing both of your pack brethren.

Oh well, such was the reality of being a leader.

“You have an even more important task,” Ark said. “I’m tired of eating this dried meat, and I’m sure the omega would appreciate something fresh as well. You and Orwen can go out and catch us some fish to roast for dinner.”

Leros’s face brightened at the thought of providing sustenance for the omega.

“I can gather some berries too. I know a place nearby where they grow, and they should be really ripe and sweet this time of year.”

Orwen was less enthusiastic, but he still seemed grateful to have something to do. He rose with a weary grunt, found his loincloth and refastened it. Leros did the same. The two alpha warriors retrieved a pair of long, thin fishing spears from a crude rack by the wall and headed toward the entrance of the cave. Their bodies were two silhouettes against the glow of the sunlit waterfall.

As Ark watched them go, he felt as if he were watching two warring halves of his mind. Young Leros, overeager to welcome the strange omega into the fold. Bitter Orwen who would prefer to be shed of her.

Which path would Ark choose?

Either way, he would alienate one member of his pack, it seemed. But the alphas were not the only entities involved in the equation.

His eyes dropped once again to the curled-up omega.

What did she want in this matter? Did she even know? It was not like Ark could simply ask her.

But there was one thing he could do for her, and that was to wash away the caked mess that was drying on her breasts and belly and thighs.

Ark stood and hoisted the little omega in his arms.

“Come on,” he grunted. “It’s time to get you cleaned up, imp.”

“Embla.”

Ark looked down at the omega in surprise. She was staring up at him wide-eyed. Her pupils were still dilated, but not nearly as much as before.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Embla.”

“Is that your name, little one?”

The omega nodded slightly, and Ark smiled faintly in response.

“Very well, Embla. Let’s make you clean.”

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