Twisted Fates

by A. R. Ford

  I lost track of time. Day faded into night. Days into weeks. Tilda grew frantic with worry. She stretched the boundaries of her time with me. My angel placed herself in danger--to save me.

  “How long have I been here?” I whispered one night as Tilda spooned against my back.

  “Just over three weeks.”

  “I’m afraid Gabel will know I’m pregnant.” Tilda’s hand came to rest on the rounding of my belly as I spoke. “He beats me nearly every day. Why does he hate me, Tilda?”

  “Gabel hates himself. He cannot love another until he learns to love himself.”

  Tilda’s explanation brought a bit of clarity to the situation. It did not ease the ache of the ankle that I knew was infected after weeks of the shackle biting into my flesh. I fell asleep as a great emptiness filled my heart. I knew I would die here. My baby would die here. I prayed it would end quickly. I cried until both eyes swelled shut. The misery grew exponentially, as did hopelessness.

  My next moment of awareness came when the sun broke through snow clouds. I shivered as snowflakes drifted through cracks in the wall, settling over me until a blanket of snow covered my body.

  “Here she is, sir! I told you Gabel locked her in the barn as soon as you left. He beats, and kicks her, calling her an Omega whore. I’ve tried to feed and keep her warm at night. She’s ... she carries your child, sir. Please, save my friend.” Tilda’s frantic voice broke through the haze of a dull, dry warmth that encompassed me.

  Kade crouched there, brow furrowed, eyes flashing with fury. His big hands turned my body, one settling on my belly. A roar of fury shook the very ground. Tilda loomed over me, bright blue eyes wide, and filled with tears.

  “Don’t cry for an Omega whore like me,” I murmured. “The gods will take me, now.”

  “Stay for me, Mia. I need you,” Kade whispered.

  Awareness faded as the Alpha lifted me in his arms.

  Chapter 6

  Kade

  My brothers gathered in the transport for our journey home. Freeing them took time. Four weeks of daily agony as I worried about my mate. I hovered over the pilot’s shoulder, eyes following the transport’s path to Barkjour Isle, and Mia. The tendril twisted, and writhed, then went silent. Terror filled my heart. I knew what this meant--for me, for my mate.

  “Maximum speed ahead,” I ordered the pilot.

  “Sir, pushing this aging craft over the limit might…” the pilot said in protest.

  My hand closed around his neck, fingers tightening until the words were cut off. “I said full speed ahead. Do not question me. Is that clear?”

  The craft spewed smoke, and sputtered, but it remained in one piece. I bolted down the loading ramp as soon as it came to rest on the ground. The others followed, gathering behind me as was their habit. I was their commander. They would follow me to the ends of the earth.

  Gabel stood in the center of the courtyard. His eyes widened, a sheen of perspiration covering his now pallid features. “Welcome back, sir. We ... I did not expect you back this quickly.”

  “Where is my mate?” My words were tinged with fury, and retribution. If Gabel failed to keep Mia safe, he would pay the ultimate price.

  The Alphas at my heels encircled Gabel. “She escaped, sir. I did everything I could to keep her here. She refused.”

  “He’s lying!” a voice shrieked outside the circle of Alphas. “She’s hurt, and sick. He put her in the stable!”

  “Take him to the dungeon. Two guards on the cell, two on the door, at all times.”

  Two Alphas grabbed Gabel’s arms. They dragged him kicking, and screaming, to the dungeon. Two others followed behind them. I turned as the circle of Alphas parted to allow someone through. A slender Beta I recognized as one who worked in the kitchen. She tugged my sleeve, nearly frantic as words tumbled out in a jumbled mess.

  “Please, sir, I’ll show you!” The Beta ran full tilt across the courtyard in the direction of the stable. I followed on her heels. My gut clenched when she led me to the last stall. “Here she is, sir! I told you Gabel locked her in the barn as soon as you left. He beats, and kicks her, calling her an Omega whore. I’ve tried to feed and keep her warm at night. She ... she carries your child, sir. Please, save my friend.”

  The Beta’s words were lost as I saw Mia lying in a pile of straw, covered only with a ragged blanket. Snow dusted her hair, and the surrounding area. A roar spilled out. I turned Mia onto her back, eyes widening as the rounded belly came into view. No! Not my mate. Not my child. My hand came to rest on her belly.

  “Don’t cry for an Omega whore like me,” Mia murmured. “The gods will take me, now.”

  Rage gave me the strength to rip the chain in two. She was light as a feather in my arms, head lolling against my arm.

  “Stay for me, Mia. I need you,” I whispered.

  The Alphas who returned with me from the mainland parted as I walked from the stable. I cursed the horses we needed for hunting. I cursed the stable for being built. I cursed Gabel, and swore vengeance. Most of all, I cursed myself for failing to protect her.

  Berenger appeared in the hall as I carried Mia to our room. He followed with a backpack of medical supplies. Mia’s Beta protector followed at my heels. I held my mate, refusing to release her as Berenger examined her from head, to toe.

  “She’s dehydrated, hypothermic, and has lost quite a bit of weight. I’ll start an IV, and give her antibiotics. We need to get that shackle off her ankle,” Berenger advised me. I watched impassively as he inserted an IV in Mia’s hand. The bag of fluids lay against her chest.

  My mate, and our unborn child, hung precariously on the scale between life, and death. The shackle’s removal revealed an ugly wound encircling Mia’s ankle. Rusted metal dug deep into her flesh. Pus oozed from the wound. The skin was an ugly, irritated red.

  “Not good,” Berenger muttered. Mia did not move when he cleansed the wound.

  The young Beta stepped forward. “Sir, may I stay, and help? I’ll do anything you ask me.”

  “You helped her.” It was not a question, but a statement of fact. Why would a Beta so small, and defenseless, risk everything to help Mia when someone like Gabel lurked in the shadows?

  She cared for Mia.

  “I took her food, and milk, every night. I slept with her every night when it was the coldest. I made sure the water in the bucket was fresh.” The Beta glanced from Berenger to me. “I’d do it all over, again. I should have killed him. He deserves to die.”

  The Beta could not know how true her words were. Gabel would die. His death would serve as an example to those who lived in the Garrison. The decision was made the instant I learned of Gabel’s treachery.

  “What is your name, Beta?”

  “Tilda. Will you allow me to serve her?”

  A smile graced my face for a brief moment. “Of course. Mia needs someone as dedicated as you are.”

  I sat with Mia in my arms, clutching a blanket around her that Tilda provided. It took several hours for her core temperature to rise close to a normal level. Honey eyes fluttered open. Her hand cupped my cheek.

  “Kade?” The hesitation in her voice was nearly my undoing.

  “Yes, love?”

  “I wanted to tell you something important. I’m pregnant,” she murmured. “I should have told you before you left.”

  “Your lovely belly gave the secret away.” My lips brushed her forehead. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving. And I need a bath. I stink.”

  “I’ll get you something to eat, miss!” Tilda offered as she sprang off the floor.

  “Tilda?” Mia wiggled free of my iron grip. She sat on my lap facing the young Beta. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. Would you mind bringing me one of your famous ham sandwiches?”

  “You know I will. Would you like one, sir? Berenger will be back, soon. I bet he’s hungry, too,” Tilda grinned as she scuffed a toe on the floor. “You’re welcome, miss. I couldn’t bear the thought of you being hur
t.”

  In the time it took for Tilda to retrieve the food, my mate clung to me. Her head buried into the crook of my neck, and shoulder. I held her, content to stroke her hair, and purr as she calmed. The terror, and pain, she experienced while I was gone, flowed through the tendril. Each blow upon her flesh made me wince as she relived the experience in her mind.

  Without warning, she sat up, arms looping about my neck, her mouth finding mine in a rare display of affection. Her fingers tangled in my hair. She straddled my lap, grinding against my groin. Gods! She would unman me if I let this continue.

  I pulled away first, eyes tracing the outline of her face before catching, and holding her gaze. “When Berenger removes the intravenous line, and determines you are fit, little one, I will rut you into oblivion.” My hand moved along her back. The caress brought a cry of pain as she instinctively flinched. “I would see what he has done to you.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’m just sore.”

  Eyes narrowed, jaw clenched, I growled before carrying her to the bathroom while she cupped the bag of IV fluids in both hands. When she stood upright, I muttered, “I would see what Gabel has done to you.” There was no resistance as I tore the dirty clothing from her body.

  “Kade, please.”

  “Turn around, Mia.” She obeyed, without question. Perhaps the iron tinging my voice told of my determination to continue the examination.

  My eyes widened at the evidence of Gabel’s torment. Bruises in various stages of healing, and cuts, covered the posterior of her body from neck, to heel. A hand skimmed over the exposed skin, pressing gently to assess for more serious injury. By the time the examination was complete, Mia’s eyes filled with tears. I pulled her against my chest, and held her as she cried. My comfort eased her suffering. Perhaps I could learn how to be a proper mate?

  “Would you like a shower?”

  Mia’s eyes met mine the instant the words were out. A rare grin appeared, only to disappear when she lifted the hand with the intravenous line. “What about this?” she murmured.

  “I think we can manage a shower with that. Tilda should be back. Perhaps she would help?” With Mia’s approval, I opened the bathroom door only to find Tilda standing patiently with a tray containing three ham sandwiches, and drinks. “Tilda, would you put the food on the table, and come help me? Your mistress would like a shower.”

  Tilda held the bag of IV fluids while Mia stepped into the steaming flow of water. She sighed, content to merely lean against the wall as the hot water flowed over her. Mia kept the hand with the IV elevated over her head, out of the water’s path. I assisted with shampoo, and other items, as needed. When Tilda saw Mia’s back, she gasped, but made no comment.

  By the time Mia left the bathroom, she not only had taken a shower, but brushed her teeth. Bundled in a robe, a towel around her head, I carried her from the bathroom, only to be greeted with Berenger’s disapproving scrutiny.

  “Would it matter if I express my disapproval?” Berenger muttered before stalking to the bed where I placed Mia.

  “I feel much better, now,” Mia interjected. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “I haven’t had a bath in a month. I could only wash my face, and hands.”

  Berenger’s irritation vanished when Mia spoke. “I apologize, Mia. I did not consider how important a shower would be. I’m certain the hot water helped warm you up a bit more.” He sat on the edge of the bed. He warmed the stethoscope in one hand before pressing it against her chest.

  Berenger was thorough. That much was a given fact in all the years I knew him.

  He checked all of Mia’s vitals, and temperature, before sitting back with a smile. “You are doing surprisingly well. Had I been here, I would have done everything in my power to prevent Gabel from abusing you so horribly. Accept my apologies, on behalf of the others, for what occurred.”

  “Thank you,” Mia murmured.

  “When you’re feeling stronger, I would like to conduct an ultrasound to help determine the baby’s due date.” Berenger gave Mia’s arm a pat. He declined the ham sandwich with the excuse that he had matters to attend to in the medical bay.

  Mia ate Berenger’s sandwich, in addition to her own. She appeared to grow stronger with each bite of food she consumed. Color slowly filtered into her cheeks. Her voice grew stronger.

  Tilda remained in our room until nightfall. When Mia yawned several times in succession, the young Beta left the room with a promise to return in the morning. Her eyes closed not long after I joined her in bed. She curled against my body, feet tucked against my legs. I slept fitfully, waking when Mia moved, or made a sound.

  My thoughts lingered on Gabel, and an appropriate punishment for his crimes. Death was the only suitable option. To show weakness at this juncture would undermine my authority, and Mia’s position as my mate. Another thought occurred to me. There was one way to ensure her safety. A grin split my face as my plan for Gabel’s castigation solidified.

  Near dawn, Berenger appeared in our room to assess Mia’s vitals, yet again. Flushed cheeks, and rosy lips indicated her condition was much improved over the day before. “I’ll continue with oral antibiotics, and remove the IV, now. The ankle is infected, but has improved with care. Your presence seems to be the best treatment for her, Kade.”

  “I would argue her presence is the best treatment for a beast such as me.”

  “Your intentions with her have evolved over time. Who would think the fierce warlord of Barkjour Isle would be tamed by a tiny Omega?” Berenger’s observation made me chuckle. His countenance grew flat, and emotionless, with the words that followed. “What do you intend to do with Gabel?”

  “He will be sentenced later today.” I had no intention of revealing my plan for the ancient weapon retained in my personal armory, which, before now, served only as a museum for weapons, and armor. The kopesh in my hand would serve as Gabel’s judge, jury, and executioner.

  “I hope you execute him. He deserves no leniency.” Berenger’s comment was tinged with malice, and something bordering on anger. He stood upright with hands clenched at his side as he spoke. Even the normally neutral expression on his face changed. Eyes narrowed. Brows drawn together. Jaw clenched.

  It appeared my Omega had yet another devotee. It warmed my heart that slowly, but surely, my people grew more accepting of Mia. Before the day’s end, all would swear to accept, and protect her, and the child she carried, or they would meet the same fate as Gabel.

  “We should discuss this elsewhere. Would you be so kind as to fetch Tilda to sit with Mia?”

  Berenger went in search of Tilda. I maneuvered Mia into the mound of pillows. It concerned me that she had yet to begin nesting. Another matter to address. I dressed in clothing suitable to be worn beneath my armor.

  Tilda entered after a hesitant knock on the door. Finger at my lips, I smiled at the young Beta who cared for my mate while I was away. No doubt, her care saved my mate’s life. I leaned over her, whispering instructions in her ear. Tilda beamed before going to the bed where she crawled beneath the blanket. My heart warmed even more for Tilda when she snuggled against Mia’s back, her free hand lightly stroking my mate’s hair.

  I went in search of Berenger. He stood in the medical bay arranging supplies in cabinets, and the backpack he often carried when in the field. We huddled with our heads together, conversing about my plans for Gabel. Berenger I could trust. He had proven his loyalty through the years. Not once had he betrayed me.

  “Gabel will die by my hand. Is Mia strong enough to be there?”

  Berenger glanced at me, mouth open in shock. “Are you certain it’s wise for her to observe an execution?”

  “I want all of my people to understand how important she is to me. There is another matter I wish to attend to, before the execution.” I moved even closer, a glance over one shoulder reassuring me that no one listened to our conversation. “The old Beta who professes to be an ordained minister. I would have him marry us on the steps of the Garrison, in front of
everyone. It will be a brief affair. I do not wish to stress Mia.”

  “You’re concerned marriage will stress her? What about the execution?”

  My hand closed around Berenger’s throat before I could stop myself. The feral beast within me rose to prominence. The tone of my voice morphed into that of the beast, the one who would brook no arguments. The one who would wield the kopesh when Gabel met his fate.

  “You have been a loyal member of our family, Berenger. Don’t let that change. It will be done. See to the arrangements. Have everyone gather in the courtyard at two this afternoon.” The grip on Berenger’s throat eased. His skin bore the faint outline of my fingers. Regardless of my affection for the man, I would not tolerate insubordination. Insubordination led to Mia’s maltreatment.

  Insubordination is the root of many ills.

  My personal armory resided down the hall from my quarters. My fingerprint activated the keyless lock. The door slid open with a soft hiss. A motion-activated light switch sprang into action. Soft blue light lit the room. Each wall was fitted with racks where weapons, and armor, were arranged. Everything from simple daggers, to swords, gun shields, a spring-loaded triple dagger, and my beloved kopesh, lined the walls where weapons were stored. A section of modern weapons was included. My most revered weapon from this wall was a pristine VLR, which, with the flick of a switch, could assume the role of assault rifle, or automatic pistol, and anything in between. Powered by lasers, it did not need reloading.

  The armor walls included chain mail, full bullet-proof body armor, and the latest innovation retrieved from a One World prison, and research headquarters. Flat black body armor infused with bulletproof fibers, and synthetic flexing fibers. Once donned, it became almost one with the wearer's body. With the body’s heat, it clung to the wearer’s form like a second skin. Impervious to bullets, and lasers, it was a sight to behold. The armor was so high-tech, researchers had not yet named it.