Page 102 of Stray Omega

“It is a sacrifice I will gladly make,” Orwen said, putting an arm around Embla. “My omega is more important than anything else.”

Embla smiled at Orwen, happy with the changes that had come over him.

“Well said, brother,” Ark went on. “But perhaps it is not a necessary sacrifice.”

“What alternative do we have?”

“Embla will not live in the Central Ruins. She will live out here in the wilderness with us.”

Orwen and Leros gasped in surprise.

“The other alphas of the Central Ruins will not be pleased.” Leros said. “They will look down on us. They will say we are breaking with tradition.”

Arked nodded. “No doubt some of them will. And I say…fuck them.”

Leros grinned.

“Besides, I do not think everyone will shun us. The Zone has been going through changes, and I believe most of the alphas will understand. The ones who matter anyway. Addom, for example. He is the leader of the Council, yet he is part of an unconventional relationship. His omega is an Outsider.”

“That’s true,” Orwen said. “But it’s not merely a question of tradition, boss.” He turned his eyes toward Embla and gazed at her with love and concern. “The omegas are kept in the Central Ruins because it is safe there. The wilderness of the Zone is a dangerous place. Our omega will always be in peril.”

At that, Embla piped up.

“I not scare!” she almost shouted. “I doesn’t afraid of anything!”

Ark smiled thoughtfully and placed his hand on Embla to calm her.

“Don’t worry, imp. Orwen is simply protective of you, as we all are.” The pack leader looked to Orwen again. “I agree, these wildlands are a dangerous place. But perhaps the Central Ruins are even more dangerous for a wild little omega like our mate. Don’t forget what happened with Jora.”

Embla felt a sudden sting at the mention of that omega’s name. What would happen to Jora, she wondered. Would that omega be punished?

“Besides,” Ark went on, “Embla is no ordinary omega. She has survived all her life in these forests, and she has done a good job of it. Plus, she will have the three of us to defend her and keep her safe.”

Ark looked around at his companions.

“We are a pack. And as your pack leader, I have the right to make the final decision in all matters. But this is a decision that we must all make together. What do you say?”

Leros answered first. As usual, the eager young alpha did not even pause to think. He already knew what he wanted.

“I agree,” he said. “We’ll all live together out here in the wilderness with our omega. And if anybody has a problem with it, then to hell with them.”

The defiance in his young masculine voice made Embla’s heart beat a little faster.

Ark turned his eyes to Orwen.

“How about you, old friend?”

Orwen took a little longer to consider it. When he looked at Embla, she could tell that he was concerned about her safety, but at last a loving smile spread across his face.

“I also agree. This wilderness is where we all feel most at home.”

Ark nodded.

“And you, imp? What do you say?”

All three pairs of alpha eyes were on Embla now. It was up to her. These three dominant alphas were allowing her to make the final decision.

But the omega just had one final worry.

---