Sidone (The Hordesmen Book 3)

by Milana Jacks

  “What’s wrong with you?” my Omega asks.

  “Transition,” VP shouts.

  “What the fuck is transition?”

  “She sheds her armor.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Because she bonded an Omega.”

  Bastard. He’s gonna manipulate my Omega into doing his bidding. Mr. VP has fooled even the president, and the guy paid for it with his life. The president wanted to respond to my king and seemed curious about aliens. Mr. VP couldn’t let me go. He became obsessed, stopped going home to his wife and kids, and slept across from my cell more often than he did at home. He enjoyed breaking me. That's how he knows about our dynamics, transitions, and things I'm ashamed I told him.

  “Is that true?” my Omega whispers, though I can’t answer him. Jaw locked tight, I fight the pain.

  “She needs medical attention, or she’ll die,” VP says.

  “No,” I mumble.

  “Jesus.”

  I picture my Omega running his hands through his hair.

  “I’m coming out. Don’t shoot,” VP says. “I can help her.”

  “Shoot him,” I groan.

  “What?” Kade grabs my hand. I stop shaking. Just like that. The convulsions cease. The pain stays, but that I can handle.

  “Shoot him,” I repeat and pray he understands my slurred speech.

  Footsteps sound, and Kade fires.

  VP screams, and I know he’s been shot. The gunshots that follow almost deafen my sensitive ears, and Kade lets go of my hand. Again, I panic and shake. Across my belly, pain slices so hard, it’s as if someone’s gutted me. I wonder if they have. My back arches, and I swear my spine snaps.

  The door closes, and silence blankets the room.

  Kade’s breathing tells me he’s alive. I try to lift my eyelids and succeed.

  Kade has tucked me away behind the bed, far away from the door, and he’s dragging furniture, stacking it to block the entry point. Bullets fly past his head. He ducks and curses, replaces his gun magazine, then glances at me and does a double take.

  I swallow, then clear my throat. “I’m that hot, am I?”

  A small smile plays on his lips. “Is it true what he said?”

  “I’m not sick. I’m in transition.”

  “Because of me?”

  “Because I bonded you. Transition is a good thing.” Provided I grow red armor in the places I’ve shed my old one. I keep that to myself.

  Chapter 8

  Kade

  Midnight nears, and so does the yacht. Sidone and I are trapped inside the hotel room, with her grimacing every few minutes and me washing the scales from her body. Under the scales, her skin is raw. This must hurt, but she sits there, not making a peep. I think she’s amazing. I’d be crying like a baby. And I tell her so.

  She chuckles and takes the sip of water I offer. She wipes her mouth and says, “Alphas don’t cry.”

  It’s my turn to chuckle. “Real men don’t cry.”

  “Hm?”

  I sit beside her, eyes on the door, where I hear more men are gathering. They’re preparing, waiting for the right time to barge in here and kill us. I’ve got a few rounds left, so I’ll take some out as I go down. If I don’t die from a bullet, the Regha king will surely kill me for putting his sister in this position. “Real men don’t cry, Mom used to say. Hell, most people I know say that to boys. We’re not allowed to cry like girls. People think it makes us weak.”

  “I see. I used to think Omegas are weak. One span, I met an Omega girl who cried. She also shot the king. Twice. I’ve changed my mind about Omegas since.”

  “She shot the king?”

  “Mm-hm.”

  “And lived?”

  “She’s my sister-in-law.”

  “Nice family. I’ll fit right in. My mom got it in her head that Dad was cheating and once tried to shoot him too.”

  “Was he cheating?”

  “Nah. Mom was just paranoid to the point of madness. She left when I was young, after the invasion.”

  Sidone covers my free hand. The other, I keep on my gun and pointed at the door.

  “Do you know why we invaded?” she asks.

  “For the Omega pussy.”

  Sidone laughs. “I can tell you worked for my nephew. But no. Tayseer, the Regha king, sent Dreikx and me through the gate to establish contact with your people and ask for Omegas. We came in peace. Hell, I didn’t even bring weapons.” She looks up at the ceiling. “Your leaders captured us, put us away, tortured us, and when we didn’t return to Regha, the king sent the Horde.”

  I am mute.

  Sidone continues. “That man out there, your vice president, is an evil man. I’m going to kill him if it’s the last thing I do.” Sidone grunts and stands, then wobbles on her feet.

  I vault up and hold her upright. “Easy, now.” I try to make her sit on the bed, but she stands firm. She cranes her neck to see out the window. “And the challenge is accepted.”

  “What challenge?”

  She points at the docked yacht where those pale green males with stars over their eyes unload. There’re probably a couple of dozen. “A small army,” I say. “This is not a fair challenge.”

  “I am offended there are only two dozen.”

  “Oh, I’m not. I wish there weren’t any.” I grab her shoulders and lock eyes with her. “Sidone, you can’t go out there. Yet. Give it a few more hours. Rest more.”

  “I don’t rest. Where did you put my weapons?”

  “Girl, you’re staying right here.” I point at the floor.

  She follows my finger, then looks back up at me. “I can go out there barehanded or carry weapons. Up to you.” Her earflaps snap up. “They’re coming,” she whispers.

  “Damn. Who?”

  “The Horde.”

  “Great.” I pump my fist.

  “They will not interfere.”

  “Huh?”

  “They will not engage. When an Alpha claims an Omega, the Alpha has to defend that claim. Solo or as a part of a unit. I don’t share, so it’s solo.” She makes a fist and hits her chest.

  “That is the stupidest rule I’ve ever heard.”

  “Careful, Omega. That’s the Regha Alpha way.”

  “Well, it’s fucking stupid.”

  Sidone pushes past me and starts getting dressed. She’s wrapping her tits, putting on her clothes, and she winces every time the fabric brushes the raw skin of her back and belly. In this state, she can’t possibly engage twenty-four males and live. “Though I have zero doubt you can kick ass, it’s best if you wait a little longer.”

  “I can’t wait, Omega. The men in the living room are piling in. I will not die from a bullet wound or by a human hand. No offense. I will die fighting for my right to keep you.” She grabs those killer axes and twirls them. I think they put her in a better mood. She does that thing with her mouth where I’m unsure if it’s a smile or a show of teeth. Hyenas do this, I recall.

  Sidone has made a decision. I can see it in her eyes. I can either get on board with it or lose her. I would not lose her over this though I dread the moment she goes out there. Buzzing of bees sounds, and I turn around. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “The Horde has surrounded the hotel. There will be no survivors.”

  “Not even the guests?”

  “I said to evacuate, didn’t I? Everyone is responsible for themselves. If they made poor decisions, they’ll pay for them. Listen, Omega.” She shifts from one boot to another, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I care about you. I want you to have my kill.”

  “Is this like ‘I love you and want you to have my baby’?”

  Sidone laughs. “Something like that.”

  I chew the inside of my lip. “I’ve got your back. Just…just worry about those things out there.”

  She grabs the back of my head and lowers it so that our foreheads touch. It’s more intimate than any kiss she’s given me. Then she’s gone. I run after her on the balcony jus
t as she jumps off, hops down from the building, and lands on the sand, taking off running toward the aliens that seem to be waiting for her on the beach. The Horde males close in and light up a bunch of torches, but keep their distance. Their collective rattling creates an eerie feeling, as if I’m sitting in the middle of a beehive. My skin crawls.

  Sidone rattles off a battle cry.

  A huge Alpha with a big pendant around his neck steps forward as if he’s gonna join Sidone. I think it’s the king. She changes track and heads for him, both axes swinging. Oh shit. Sidone shouts as she runs. It doesn’t sound friendly. The king steps back and melts into the Horde crowd.

  Sidone runs back toward the beach. When she nears the starred ones there, she does this thing with her long legs. It reminds me of athletes competing for a long jump over the sand. She leaps long and high, and I see the males’ eyes widen. Sidone is a blur. The axes fly and so do heads. She lands in the water and turns, bloody axes at her sides. Three bodies hit the ground.

  The Horde explodes into cheers.

  “That’s my girl!” I shout from the balcony.

  All eyes turn my way.

  I thump my chest. “Yeah, baby, you got this.”

  An explosion rocks the ground. My furniture barricade collapses, bullets pierce the door, and men barge inside. I fire at will, shouting at the top of my lungs. Bodies fall, piling on top of one another, and I keep shooting and shouting as I move into the living room.

  Pain slices across my shoulder. Taking cover behind a knocked-over desk, I discard the rifle and get my pistol out. The front door clicks, and I aim toward the hallway, transferring the gun into my right hand. My left shoulder bleeds, and I’m feeling the pain now. Three men rush inside. I shoot one, then the other, and a third one before I realize the third one is an alien male. He doesn’t fall, but instead makes it to the table despite multiple gunshot wounds. He lifts the table, and I stand and pull the trigger. It clicks.

  I’m gonna die. No man has ever beaten an alien in one-on-one combat. They’re stronger, with bodies made for battle. He lifts his hand, claws poised to strike, but I don’t cower. Sidone’s face flashes before my eyes.

  And the male’s head slides off his shoulders. His body sways and hits the floor, revealing Sidone behind him. She’s covered in blood, and red armor shields her trunk and neck. Heaving breaths, she drops her axes and steps over the male. I extend my arms to hug her, comfort her, but she grabs my left hand and leads me out to the balcony, where a sea of Regha males stand on the shore. As we emerge, silence descends, the only sound that of their breathing.

  To my utter shock, Sidone drops to one knee before me. Oh boy, what do I do? I glance at the crowd just as the king steps forward, eyes narrowed. I run a hand through my hair, thinking about going back into the living room and grabbing one of those axes, then knighting her with it. Having her on her knees makes me uncomfortable and humbled at the same time, so I fold my knees too. I lift her chin, cradling her bloody face. “I love you, my warrior princess.”

  Chapter 9

  Sidone

  Days later

  Kade and I extended our stay at the hotel. Outside on the patio, my nephews and brothers join us for breakfast. The sun, like Sycol on Regha, warms my face and reminds me of freedom. There was no sun inside the frozen capsule or the underground facilities Mr. VP hid me in so he could continue his research. I don’t even think he was interested in alien species research. I think he was obsessed with me. Something my Omega cured him of when he killed him.

  Kade walks out of the restaurant, carrying a plate. His green eyes shine, and he’s wearing a white cotton tank that shows off his fitness. He puts a plate before me.

  I stare at all the fried things, then at what everyone else is eating. Loven is stuffing his mouth and moaning. I catch Tayseer's gaze.

  “Fried eggs,” he says. “Jewel makes them often.”

  Next to him, Raven stands and leaves for the buffet.

  “Scrambled eggs,” Kade says and points at the yellow mountain on my plate. “With fresh tomatoes, a hint of thyme, and buttermilk. Fried bacon. Sausages. Hash browns.” He points to each item.

  “I know what those things are,” I tell him. Gross.

  “One might find experiencing new things to be quite thrilling,” says a voice behind Kade. Dreikx comes around and takes a seat next to me, then sets down his plate. It looks exactly like mine.

  Kade squeezes my shoulder. “Just try it. Once. For me.” He leaves to get his own serving. I watch his jeans-clad behind. “Spectacular ass,” I purr.

  Chewing stops. All eyes watch me.

  “Well, isn’t it fucking spectacular?”

  “Indeed,” Tayseer says. “I haven’t heard you purr since Arkin’s birth.”

  “Because she only loves me,” Arkin says, “and everyone else, besides Kade, isn’t worthy of hearing it.”

  “Shut up,” Seer, his twin, says.

  I laugh.

  More staring.

  I roll my eyes. “So I’ve bonded an Omega. Sometimes I purr and laugh and think about his ass. Big deal. Carry on, boys. In the absence of your Omegas, I take it this is a meeting. Let’s get on with it.”

  “Nah. I came to eat,” Loven says.

  “Only you,” Dreikx mumbles between bites. He continues, “I’m happy for you, Sidone.”

  Nodding, I say, “I owe you.” For keeping me sane during captivity. I don't have to say why I owe him. He knows.

  “Negative,” Tayseer barks with more force than necessary. “None of us owes Dreikx a single thing. All debts are paid in full and then some. Isn’t that right, Telean?”

  “Correct.”

  Dreikx was a thief, hiding inside a swamp region of Regha with no hope of ever returning to his homeland, Telea. My brother Kinre recruited him to help the Horde rebellion against the then Regha king, and Dreikx has stayed as a part of our most inner circle ever since. He’s helped Alphas for decades with nothing in return. We all wonder about his endgame. And Tayseer just told us he knows. Likely, he’ll keep it all to himself.

  Kade returns and digs into his food, then moans. When I give him a blank stare, he picks up a fork, stabs some egg on it, and, as if we’re the only people at the table, nudges my mouth, a big smile on his beautiful face. Kade smiles a lot, and when he does, he positively shines. I can’t refuse him anything. I close my mouth over the food. Delicious sweet, salty, sour, and spicy but fresh flavors explode in my mouth, and my eyes widen.

  I chew. “It’s pretty good.”

  “It is excellent,” Dreikx says. “Drool worthy. Speaking of drool…” He gives me a pointed look.

  I take the cue. This is a meeting. “The abomination from the yacht never showed his face, and I am certain he commands the two dozen males I killed. He stayed on the yacht.” I crunch on bacon. “Sent his males but didn’t face me. Dickless male.”

  “The question is, where does the former vice president fit in?” Dreikx asks, then sips water. “He knew where you were. Either he kept tabs on your movements, or he got tipped off with your location.”

  Raven sits down with a pile of fresh fruit. He picks up an apple and crunches into it, chewing. “Where is Sotay?”

  “Chasing pussy,” Arkin says.

  “Didn’t you collect them all?” Raven asks.

  “Not that one Omega. Sotay was adamant about her staying at her house. Also, she’s friends with my Tabby, and things could get complicated for me if I collected Leah. Though, if you order her collected…”

  Raven purses his lips. “I might, if only to get him back to the Stronghold.”

  “Can we please focus on the topic at hand here?” Dreikx asks.

  “Aunt?” Seer leans across the table and taps the fruit on Raven’s plate. He snatches a slice of watermelon. “You ready to head back to Regha?”

  Kade stops eating and watches me. I glance at him, then cover his hand with mine. “We haven’t discussed that yet.”

  “You know how I feel about you st
aying on Earth.” Tayseer pushes his plate away. “Your mission is complete. Return home.”

  “Don’t order me around, Tayseer. I will do what Kade and I agree upon. You’ll stay out of it.”

  “Of course.”

  I snort.

  Kade reaches for a napkin. “I wouldn’t mind seeing Regha.” My eyes widen. Kade nods and continues. “I’ve always wanted to know where y’all came from. What’s it like on another planet? I’ve been as far as Nevada and that’s it.”

  Loven stands and stretches his body, cracking his neck. “That’s settled, then. You will stay at the Horde stronghold. Beach, sea, good weather, nice people, lots of food, and bathrooms with toilet paper.” He unsnaps his til and turns his bare ass to the table. “I’m going for a swim.” He leaps over the railing and takes off for the ocean.

  “Good riddance,” Dreikx mumbles, then sighs. “The issue with returning to Regha is the gate.”

  I prop my elbows on the table. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s unstable. I wouldn’t dare send you in there.”

  “But you would go inside yourself?” I ask Dreikx.

  “He is different,” Tayseer says. I bristle because I know where this is going. “You and your Omega are a unique pair, and I forbid you from traveling through the gate until I’m certain of its stability.”

  “Oh, you mother—”

  “My decision is final,” Tayseer says.

  I slap my palm on the table, cursing their dicks and balls all the way to my apartment. After the fight, Kade and I switched apartments, taking the one on the other side of the top floor while the crew cleaned up the bloody mess my Omega left behind.

  Inside, I sit at the alcove. The Pacific stretches on forever. Waves hit the shore, spitting out Loven now and then.

  The door clicks, and Kade enters.

  I don’t turn away from the view.

  He approaches on quiet feet and squeezes into the alcove, broad shoulders hunched to make space for his body. He lifts a paper bag. “Brought you leftovers.”