by V T Bonds
Her mate's soothing purr floats around us, yet I find myself clutching Dirk’s hand, the foreign sound discordant to my ears.
“How are you alive?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
I’ve seen what they are capable of. Memory serves up the sight of my mangled and terrifying feet, webbed with healing cracks. Not a trace of those wounds remain.
“I don’t know exactly.”
Flickers of white ceilings and humanoid shapes flow between us, both of our minds holding such similar images our breaths hitch.
“But no matter how terrifying and agonizing it was, it was worth it,” she declares, the savage fierceness rooted deep in her soul flashing through her features.
“I found my lifemate. I found you. We have a family here, one stronger than comprehension. It is worth everything,” she declares, squeezing me so hard my spine cracks.
Once I regain my thoughts, I suck in a breath and reply with the only words I can summon.
“Worth everything.”
“Whoa, your eyes are pink!”
A flush of embarrassment heats my cheeks at her close scrutiny. My Alpha’s heat sinks into my side as he moves closer, pressing our arms together and touching me as much as he can without coming into contact with Britani.
Seeking my lifemate’s assurance, I look away from Britani, sensing her turning her neck to see her Alpha too.
Dirk’s massive chest rests higher than Britani’s male, his wide shoulders and extra bulk a contrast to the other Alpha’s sinewy muscles. They both exude lethal prowess and excessive strength, yet integrity weaves seamlessly within their auras.
The magnitude of their emotions hangs in the air. Joy, awe, and satisfaction mix with instincts to protect and care for their Omegas.
They clasp each other’s elbows, the difference in their coloring stunning. Even though their grips are firm, neither clenches down in stereotypical Alpha challenge. Their taut muscles show their discomfort at having another male so near their lifemate, but the expressions on their faces convey trust and thanks.
In unity, they break their stare and look down at us. Their purrs strengthen as they see our tears, but neither moves.
Dirk’s lips tilt up in pleasure, the degree of his positive emotions swelling to near bursting. The twinkle in his eye sparks with happiness as he opens his mouth to talk.
“Yes, that happens sometimes, usually when her emotions get too big. The color suits you, Little One. Deep breaths, I’ve got you. We've got you.”
He does. They do.
Just as I have them.
I have him.
I’m never letting go.
Mine.
Chapter Eighteen
Dirk
In a different world we’d be able to stand here and bask in the wondrous moment, but we aren’t in a different world. It pains me to separate my mate from her friend, but it must be done.
I turn to Kwame, who nods in understanding. As though we’re mirror images of each other, we move together.
We release each other’s elbows and scoop up our lifemates, forcing them to let go of one another. Shya’s electric eyes shine with anger at losing her grip on her friend, but she settles into my arms, still able to see Britani.
After a moment of adjusting, neither seem perturbed about their new location. Both Kwame and I hold our lifemates in the cradle position, Kwame’s delight in having his arms overflowing with his Omega apparent in his eyes.
Shya may take up less space, but she occupies my entire heart.
With my Omega securely in my arms and further away from another Alpha, I kiss the top of her head and begin introductions.
“Shya, meet Britani’s lifemate, Kwame.”
Instead of looking at Kwame, she tucks her face into my chest. Worry slides between my ribs, and on instinct I inspect our bond.
She’s gone to the beautiful plane of simple thoughts, the overwhelming emotions taking their toll.
The single impression pinging through her flashes through me. She’s embarrassed. I smile, kiss her head again, and cuddle her closer.
“Give her a minute to calm down. She’s a little overwhelmed,” I explain, pinning her to my chest so she can soak up my purr.
Britani wriggles in Kwame’s arms, trying to get down, but he hooks a finger under the rope wound around her arm and she stops.
While I snuggle Shya to comfort her, I peruse the room.
Jumoke leans sideways with his elbow against the back of the co-pilot’s chair, squinting between Vander, Kwame, and I. I can’t tell if his expression relays genuine confusion or if he’s concentrating on not running his mouth. Either way, I appreciate him giving my lifemate a chance to reunite with Britani in peace.
Vander stands in his signature stance, his ass propped against the control panel with ankles and arms crossed. He watches the scene in its entirety, yet seems to be cataloging each individual nuance in minute detail.
When I catch his gaze, his eyes soften and he nods, indicating his happiness for me.
In the farthest corner, the older Omega stands solo. Her spine holds her tall and straight, a regal ambience surrounding her, one hand lightly clasping the other while her arms hang in front of her. She wears the same gown as before, the solid gray surprisingly unwrinkled, considering the number of hours it’s been since we rescued her. Gloves cover her hands, rendering everything lower than her neck gray.
She doesn’t meet my eyes, her focus pinpointed on my Omega. Before my hackles can rise, Shya unfurls from her hiding place and turns to look at what altered my emotions.
She stiffens before a shaking begins in her soul, vibrating through our connection and manifesting in her body. I tighten my hold on her and step backward, ready to leave should the situation get any worse.
Before my heel lowers to the floor, one definitive word blasts through her mind and into our bond.
Friend.
Similar to her link with Britani and Nova, another connection becomes visible. It isn’t new, but it feels distinctly stilted, as though a vice cuts off a large portion of it.
Unable to form words in her delicate state of mind, Shya stares as fresh tears track down her face.
Huge, overwhelming emotions bombard her, and I do my best to field them.
Sadness. Gratitude. Fear. Thankfulness.
A debt too large to pay back.
To my surprise, the Omega I haven’t been introduced to offers support to Shya, the invisible caress out of my reach but perceptible all the same. Soft and warm, the most tender brush of comfort. The bond becomes constricted once again.
Shya sighs and relaxes, wipes the tears from her cheeks, and looks up at me. She frames my jaw with one hand, gives a timid smile, then hides against my chest again.
The shuffle backward left me in an awkward position, so I fix my stance. Kissing the top of my lifemate’s head, I meet Vander’s eyes.
“Status?”
He doesn’t shift his body, but his commanding tone grabs everyone’s attention quicker than a raging Alpha would.
“Mission success. We’ve landed on a peninsula in the Borov Bay, the only way in or out blocked by mountains. The local town has a hospital of sorts, prepared to see to those of you who need it.” He turns to the people sitting in the chairs along the wall, then flicks his eyes behind me. When I follow his line of sight, I see the Beta tucked into the chair on the opposite wall. She hugs herself, rocking back and forth, but seems cognizant.
“You may not stay with us. Your chances of survival are higher on your own. The people here don’t live easy lives, but they are free. If you decide you want to travel, we’ll make arrangements.”
The redheaded Omega shifts forward, pulling Vander’s attention to her.
“Where is Borov Bay? What are the closest cities?” she asks in a shaky voice.
“Sector Two lies to the west, Sector Three to the east. Jaoli is the nearest city, but the mountains are only passable by Sky-Flyer during certain weather conditions if
the pilot is skilled enough. The rest of the journey is over eight hours of rough terrain.”
She nods, appeased, squeezing her friends’ hands and settling back into her seat.
“Your chaperones will be at the bottom of the hill in less than thirty minutes. Kwame, you’re in charge of handing them off. Myself and Jumoke will check the perimeter. Seeck and Dirk, focus on repairs. Once the rescues are on their way, we’ll regroup here.”
Checking for everyone’s understanding, he glances at the control panel before striding from the room.
After a brief dart of his eyes toward the older Omega in the far corner, Jumoke stomps after Vander.
Kwame sets Britani down before he motions the rescued dynamics toward the door, waiting patiently as the female Alpha struggles to get on her feet. Britani looks torn, but takes Kwame’s hand and coerces the Beta to follow. She peeks over her shoulder on her way out the door, her longing to comfort Shya evident in her expression.
Seeck and I step to the control panel to survey the damage.
Fun times. A few panels need adjusting, thankfully on the belly and not the spine of the Sky-Flyer. A few processes need manual overrides, their switches located near the cargo bay. Other areas in the hull indicate a need for small patch repairs.
“Inside or outside?” I ask Seeck. He looks from Shya to Nova before he responds.
“We’ll take care of outside.”
Nova’s luminescent eyes widen before a startled smile tugs her lips up.
“Seeck, were you just considerate?!” she mock whispers.
“Hush, Nova, before you ruin my reputation,” he mock reprimands, grabbing her nape and nuzzling her temple.
“Excuse me?”
I hadn’t forgotten the Omega in the corner, but I wasn’t expecting such a resonant voice to emerge from her either.
Seeck cocks a brow, but I respond before he can be a jerk.
“Yes, friend of my lifemate?”
Her posture never changes, in fact, her facial expression remains a neutral mask, but her pupils dilate in shock at the title I’ve given her.
I may as well have imagined it with how quickly her orbs return to normal.
“May I be of help?” An impenetrable cloud hangs over her, effectively blocking all attempts to decipher her motives.
Nova speaks up.
“Any task, Seeck. Anything, no matter how small. Do not leave her without something to accomplish.”
The steel core of strength Nova possesses rings in her words. No plea, no request. It appears she will not take no for an answer.
Shya comes out of hiding again, peeking up for the first time in what feels like forever.
Pale gray eyes shine up at me, the robust sweetness of my lifemate making their own opinion known.
“Please, Dirk? You can trust her. Please let her help?” I kiss her cheek in reward for being so adorable.
“We’re passing by the cargo bay. Come with us, I’ll give you supplies to restock the medical bay. Will that work?”
“Yes, sir.”
“My name is Dirk,” I say, uncomfortable with the title, even with my military training. Omegas are too indisposed toward vulnerability with Alphas. They should never be required to bestow a title of respect to an Alpha if he hasn’t earned it.
“It is nice to meet you, Dirk,” she replies, in the same position as when we began this conversation.
“My name is Anastasia.”
Not a flinch. No move to shake my hand.
Understandable. I’m an Alpha, she’s an Omega. She’s just been rescued from the depths of hell.
But she doesn’t fidget or give hints of any emotion at all.
“Time is ticking. We need to get to work,” Seeck interrupts my musings, hauling Nova behind him as he walks away.
I turn to go, kissing Shya’s head when she squirms. When I purr, she slaps a hand to my chest.
“No, Dirk. Don’t purr when it’s just us and Anastasia. Please let me down.”
“No, Little One. Let me hold you close until we get where we’re going.”
She may think I mean the cargo bay, but my plans extend far into the future. I may set her down when we get to our next task, but it will be temporary.
She belongs in my arms, enriching my life with her bright sweetness. Any time I’m not holding her is a moment of waiting until I wrap myself around her again.
This is where I need her to be. Here, in my grasp.
In my heart.
In my nest.
In my soul.
In my life.
Always.
Mine.
Epilogue
Jumoke
What a load of shit.
This is dumb as hell.
Seeck finding his lifemate? One in a million chance.
Dirk and Kwame finding theirs? Right. No. Shouldn’t have happened, no matter the odds.
Three of my teammates finding “happily ever after” with their Omegas?
What a load of shit.
Do none of them see how ridiculous this is? How astronomically impossible the outcome of this situation ending in our favor has become?
Every time I dig deeper, our predicament gets a little worse. No matter what I do, there always seems to be more danger hidden around the corner.
Like finding Vander’s “lifemate”?
That was the major instant I realized we were in deep trouble.
Damn it, we’re being so stupid. As a team, as individual Alphas, as narrow-minded idiots.
I shouldn’t have a lifemate.
I don’t want one. Never have.
But there she was, inundated deep in the influence of my enemy’s clutches, and guess what?
She doesn’t want me either.
Which is fine by me.
Except I am Alpha.
And she is Omega.
And there’s no stopping fate.
No matter the consequences.
Or the risk.
Next in series: Untouched Omega (Alpha Elite Series Book 4)
An honest review is the best way to let me know what you think. I’m always ready to improve my craft, and every review is important, even if all you say is “I liked it.” Thank you!
Leave a REVIEW for Unbalanced Omega (Alpha Elite book 3)
Keep up with V.T. Bonds
Skylar’s Story
Sneaking In: Skylar’s Story Part 1
Breaking In: Skylar’s Story Part 2
Staying In: Skylar’s Story Part 3
Alpha Elite Series
Unknown Omega
Unnatural Omega
Unbalanced Omega
Untouched Omega (11/30/2020)
My website:
vtbonds.website
Find me:
facebook.com/vtbonds
instagram.com/v.t.bonds
twitter.com/VTBonds
wattpad.com/user/VTBonds