Page 41 of Stray Omega

CHAPTER 16: EMBLA

The next morning, they rose just before dawn. Embla stretched and yawned, feeling more rested and energized than she could remember feeling in a long time. Her belly was still full from the previous evening’s dinner. Except for her brief wake-up, she had slept the whole night through in warmth and comfort. And most important of all, her heat had been extinguished, just like the campfire that had burnt out in the night.

Although much like that fire, Embla knew there were still some hot embers hidden beneath the surface.

As for the alphas, they seemed pleased to find that she was still with them. At least two of them did. Leros tried to cover up his youthful enthusiasm, but he kept darting furtive glances in her direction, and each time their eyes met he flashed a boyish grin.

Ark was more stoic. He sat meditating for a few minutes before cleaning up and getting dressed, but Embla could sense that he was glad she had not run off.

Then there was Orwen.

He did not seem to share his companions’ enthusiasm. He set about his morning chores, grumbling in annoyance. He seemed angry, but Embla couldn’t tell exactly where that anger was directed. Was he still angry at her for biting his thing yesterday? That would be understandable. Or was he angry at his pack leader for allowing Embla to stay?

Maybe he was just angry at the world. Embla couldn’t tell.

Leros added some wood to the fire and prepared a small but satisfying breakfast of roasted wild potatoes and bird’s eggs cooked in their shells. Embla had never had eggs like that before; she had always taken them raw. Leros showed her how to carefully peel away the shell, leaving the cooked insides which had hardened to a white mass. It was meaty and a bit weird, but with a dusting of salt Embla found it quite enjoyable.

The breakfast was completed by a few cups of that brown water flavored by leaves. Embla sipped from her cup contemplatively, wondering what she was getting herself into.

At least today the alphas did not put the leash on her again.

By the time breakfast was finished, the morning sunshine was streaming in through the waterfall, signalling that it was time for them to go. The alphas extinguished the fire with water and gathered up their supplies. Ark even provided Embla with her own loincloth. It was much too big and wrapped around her hips like a skirt.

Then they went outside, fed and played with the dogs, and set off in the direction of the ruined city at the center of the Zone.

***

By the time they reached their destination, the sun was getting high in the sky.

The city was surrounded by overgrown fields of weeds and grass and wildflowers that nodded in the breeze. Dozens of roads radiated outward from the center, ancient roads of tar and stone from a time long ago. The towers of the city climbed toward the blue sky overhead, their walls wrapped in dense vines that branched like green arteries.

Embla tilted her head back and gaped in wonder at the sight. She had never ventured this close to the ruins before, and the sheer size of the place filled her with awe.

How had people ever built something like this?

They approached down one of the paved roads. At the edge of the city, a metal framework spanned the highway, supporting big green signs sporting white symbols that Embla could not understand.

There was a metal gantry, and an old alpha sat there with his legs dangling. A watchman. As Embla and her companions got close, the alpha let out a long, low howl. Ark howled back in greeting.

They passed under the sign and headed into the center of the city.

The fine hairs on the back of Embla’s neck bristled with anxiety. The air here was thick with the scent of many alphas. She couldn’t see them, but she knew they were there. She could sense their eyes watching from the darkness of the windows set into the towers looming around them.

Embla felt a sudden impulse to flee.

But her alpha companions were untroubled. And even more important, the dogs were totally relaxed, their tails wagging slightly as they trotted along in the shade of the high buildings.

They were among friends.

Still, Embla couldn’t help feeling nervous. She had never been in the presence of so many alphas before.

As their little entourage moved deeper into the city, the other alphas started to emerge from the buildings. They were all big, brutish men, heavily muscled, clad in loincloths, and bearing piercings on their faces and bodies. However, none of them seemed quite as big and dangerous as the three alphas that Embla had arrived with.

As the crowd grew, Embla saw that there were omegas too, and even some young children. They all gathered around, murmuring among themselves. Some of them knew Ark and his companions, and they passed greetings back and forth. But the crowd was most interested in Embla, and their attention was especially focused on the mark that Ark had left on her neck.

Even though the gawkers meant her no harm, Embla had never been the center of attention like that, and she felt even more nervous.

She shivered and pressed closer to her alphas, who surrounded her protectively. Even Orwen.

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