Chapter 12 Thorus

Damn. I knew the omega's scent was familiar, I just couldn't figure out where I had smelled it before. As soon as I see her eyes, I remember.

I wasn't even supposed to be in the ritual chamber that night, but it's a damn good thing I was. Everyone else's attention was on the boy. He created such a ruckus when he crashed down on top of the alphas standing in the balcony, that nobody saw the girl heading for the ground floor.

Nobody but me.

If I hadn't caught her when I did, she probably would have broken her neck. How long ago was that? Ten years maybe, I can't remember exactly. But one thing I do know. It's been enough time for that little omega girl's body to change—a lot.

When I caught her that night, she was just a scrawny little thing, all knees and elbows. Now she is a woman grown, and she's anything but scrawny. Her body has filled out in all the right places, and her feminine curves are impossible to ignore. I can tell, because she's completely naked.

So is the lucky young alpha she's got her legs wrapped around.

Lucky because he's got such a gorgeous omega riding his cock, doubly lucky that Brik and I just saved his dumb ass from those nasty Farlanders. If we hadn't shown up when we did, things would not have ended well for him and the omega.

Then again, there is still a chance things will end poorly. The fight is over, but my young protege Brik is having difficulty reining in his aggressive urges. He and the other alpha are still snarling at each other like two hungry dogs fighting over the same piece of meat.

I can hardly blame him. The omega's heat-scent is the strongest I've ever smelled. But this is neither the time nor the place for jealousy and competition.

"Brik!" I growl. "I've told you once, boy. I'm not going to tell you again. Back the fuck off. That alpha is not our enemy. He's from the Tribe."

Brik takes a step back. He knows better than to defy me in a situation like this, but he's clearly not happy about it.

"How do you know he's from our tribe?" he asks. "He doesn't have any piercings."

"Well he sure as hell isn't a Farlander. Any fool can see that. What's your name, son?"

"Markus," the youth answers.

I turn to the omega. "And you?"

She's been watching me this whole time with a sort of dazed look on her face. I don't know if that's because she recognizes me, or because she's still in shock after everything that just happened, but as soon as I speak to her, her face flushes with embarrassment, and she drops her eyes to the ground.

"My name is Syra."

Syra. Fuck, even her name makes my cock jump with arousal. Her heat-scent probably has something to do with that. Being around an omega in heat does funny things to an alpha's brain. Still, I can't help thinking there's more to it than that. I've saved her life two times now—once nine years ago, and then again today. Is that merely a coincidence, or is it Fate?

It's one of many questions on my mind at the moment. I'm also wondering why an omega in heat would be out here in this dangerous territory with only a single alpha to protect her. She ought to have an entire pack.

I'm also wondering what the hell they're doing in a graveyard of all places.

"We shouldn't stay here," I say. "This is forbidden land. Hopefully the spirits of the ancestors will give us a pass considering the fact that you were being attacked by Farlanders, but we'd best not overstay our welcome. Now the two of you let go of each other so we can get a move on."

The omega's blush deepens until her cheeks are about as red as the blood staining her naked body. The alpha named Markus blushes too.

"We would," he says, "but we've kind of got a problem."

"What's that?"

"We're knotted."

Well I'll be damned. They're knotted, and they still managed to kill four Farlanders before Brik and I arrived. Now that's impressive.

"You're right, that is something of a problem. How long have you been like that?"

"I… I'm not sure," Markus answers.

"What do you mean you're not sure?"

"Well… I was asleep when it happened."

"Asleep?!"

Okay, I don't know what's been going on here, but I sure as hell intend to find out—just as soon as we get these two separated. I turn my attention back to the omega. At this point, her face is nearly purple with embarrassment.

"Surely you weren't asleep too. When did this happen?"

"It was only a little while ago," she mumbles.

"Less than an hour?"

She nods.

Damn. With this young alpha being as inexperienced as he seems to be, and this omega's heat being so strong, it could be a couple hours before their bodies finally let go. We don't have that kind of time, however. For one thing, we're on forbidden ground. For another, there could be more Farlanders in this area.

I'm going to have to intervene.

Fortunately, I've picked up a few tricks over the years. I've never had a mate, but that doesn't mean I'm inexperienced when it comes to omegas. Far from it. I move around behind the omega, and I kneel behind her.

"What are you doing?" she gasps.

"I'm going to help you, but I need you to trust me. Now just relax."

"I'm trying."

Normally I wouldn't let an omega talk to me with that much sass, but right now I'm willing to make an exception. She's knotted to one alpha, she's got two more strangers looking on, she's covered in blood, and she's surrounded by a bunch of dead Farlanders. That's a fairly stressful situation for any omega to be in.

"Keep trying," I tell her. "Deep breaths."

I move closer, until my front is pressed against her back. She stiffens, but she doesn't try to pull away from me. She's got my scent, and she knows I'm not going to hurt her. She might not realize that on a conscious level, but her body understands, and right now that's all that matters.

I start to purr from deep within my chest, so softly it's barely even audible at first. Then I gradually increase the volume, directing all of the soothing vibrations straight into the omega's body, especially her chest. She whimpers softly as she surrenders herself to the sensation and leans her body back into mine.

"That's a good girl," I say, continuing to purr even as I speak to her. "Just like that. Nice and easy."

Her head drops back against my shoulder with a little moan.

When I sense that she's ready for it, I slowly bring my hands around in front of her and cup her naked breasts. They are soft and full in my palms, and her nipples are perked up with arousal.

"Hey!" the alpha named Markus growls. "What do you think you're doing?"

I'm able to silence him with a look. He's a good kid, a little bit foolish perhaps, but smart enough to understand that I'm trying to help.

And that I'll put his ass in his place if need be.

As I continue purring, I start to massage the omega's generous breasts, gently at first, then firmly and deeply. Her muscles become more and more relaxed, until her body is practically melting into my own. She nestles her round bottom against my groin, and gasps as she feels my hard arousal pressing against her.

"Easy," I tell her. "Just relax for me, Syra. Relax for me… little one."