Chapter 18

eighteen

. . .

ADDY

We had to stop with growing frequency for Alil's sake. The bumping and swaying of our buggy did him no favors.

In the end, he rested his head back against my shoulder, kept his eyes shut and breathed slowly, insisting that he was fine whenever any of us asked.

I was still warm inside from the way that Alil had stood up for me. I didn't think I had ever felt so supported, but I hated that he would probably have to do that again and again over time. It was hard to believe that our union wouldn't be the source of gossip.

The sight of Diwan growing in the distance did not help.

The first sun was already starting to set, and we were nearly there, but I didn't feel anything like relief at the idea of finally being home. All I felt were growing nerves as we neared the city.

We eventually reached the city in the light of dusk. My heart was pounding as the wheels sped on the stone paths. It felt surreal to finally be here.

"Where should we go?" Samar asked quietly.

"I'm not sure," Naz said, slowing to a stop.

The street we were on, on the outskirt of the city was completely deserted.

I watched as he climbed out, stretched his arms and legs and then let out a sigh.

"I suppose this isn't the best time to storm the city. Perhaps we should return in the morning," he said dryly.

Samar chuckled.

"If you want to cause a scene, we can drive into the town square. This thing is quite loud."

Naz smiled, but shook his head.

"No, no. Poor Alil doesn't need that right now. Perhaps it is best we deal with this quietly."

He looked at me.

"What would you like to do first?" he asked. I was still amazed and grateful for the fact that he and Samar didn't look at me with such strong disdain anymore. Maybe that meant the others would be forgiving too...

I took a fortifying breath and looked down at Alil.

Somehow, he had fallen asleep at the last stretch of our journey.

He didn't look very peaceful though. Even now, his brows were drawn down in a frown. Who knew how badly he was feeling. I had a fear it was even worse than he had let on.

"I want to get him to the medic first," I finally said. "We can deal with everyone else after that."

I stroked back Alil's hair, dragging my fingers through the lovely soft strands.

Why did I feel like he was about to be snatched away from me forever? It didn't make sense. We were one now, but I was still afraid.

"I meant what I said back there," Naz said. "I will speak on your behalf."

I swallowed and nodded, finally gripping Alil's shoulder and shaking him gently.

"We're here, Lili."

Even though I said it softly, his eyes flew open.

He sat up, then swayed and I caught him as he leaned against me with a groan.

"Oh Goddess, I am not ready for this."

I pulled him into an embrace and held him for a long moment.

"We'll go to the medic first," I said. "We will deal with everything else until you are feeling better."

I wasn't surprised when he immediately glared at me.

"How many times do I have to tell you?—"

"I know, I know," I said. "We are doing this together."

I glanced at the other two, who were waiting patiently.

"Then, perhaps we will hold off dealing with any big decisions until you are ready."

Alil shut his eyes.

"Just come in to see the medic with me. I'm sure anything else can wait."

I hesitated because I was pretty sure if any of our families or friends caught wind of our return, they would demand answers at once, but Samar nodded.

"It will be fine. Stay with him for now."

I still didn't know how it would work, but perhaps if we snuck our way through the city streets...

We left our stuff in the car. Since it had all been meant to help with our travel, I didn't feel the need to take it with us. All I needed was walking at my side, tucked safely under my arm.

But my hopes of going unnoticed were dashed as soon as we turned onto one of the main paths.

It wasn't exactly busy and at first, we walked past a couple going in the opposite direction, but as we continued to walk, I could practically feel with growing intensity people's gazes on us.

Everything was quiet. Too quiet. Until we were entering the busier streets.

Then, each person we passed stopped and stared but no one spoke until an omega turned around, looking confused and gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth at the sight of us. Her wide eyes fixed on Naz. I didn't blame her. It was probably a shock to see the omega priest outside of the temple where all could lay eyes on him.

"Priest Naz!" she whispered. "You're back."

Naz nodded, smiling tightly.

"Yes," he said, and then added loudly for all to hear, "I have everything under control."

"But where are the others?" the omega asked, looking worried. "We heard a whole group went missing, that they were taken by alphas. There were search parties looking for you."

Her eyes flew to my face and then she looked at Alil and I knew she could already tell that we were mated. It was pretty obvious. Even if Alil hadn't been in my arms, we nassa could sense the mated and unmated pheromones immediately.

Naz grimaced and glanced at us before turning back to her.

"We will discuss this with the alpha council before spreading any information," he said firmly.

With that, he nodded at her, then turned forward and froze.

I followed his gaze, shocked to realize that everyone on the street had come close to listen, practically surrounding us like we were an exciting attraction.

Lips pursing into a thin line now, Naz hooked his elbow around Samar's arm and then took Alil's in the other one.

He pulled us forward, strong and confident, giving no room for anyone to stop us.

No one tried to, but I had to fix my gaze on Naz's back as he pulled us along because too many disappointed looks were being sent my way.

"It's down here," Samar said, taking the lead when Naz hesitated for a split second. Of course, he probably didn't know the city so well after years of being in the main temple. He directed us down a small street, which I recognized, toward the medical center.

It was a cluster of small buildings where each medic had their own practice and a shared hospital area in the middle. The grounds were surrounded by palm trees for the shade and artfully placed fountains.

Diwan was the biggest city in Mukhana's northern hemisphere, but we had only a handful of doctors. I couldn't remember the last time we had a new one. I was pretty sure that the last medic had joined the others when I had still been a young child, so it was a comfort that I would know the doctor.

"Can I sit down now?" Alil asked.

He was pale, drawn, looked incredibly troubled, andhe didn't need to mention why. That scene on the streets was weighing on both of us.

I led him to one of the benches while Samar and Alil went to one of the doors that had a light flickering in the windows.

I put my arm around him and waited, watching as Samar and Alil went inside. It only took a minute for them to return with the doctor.

As expected, I knew him. Ifra was an unmated alpha who had been working as a medic forever.

He came out, saw me and Alil and instantly fixated on him.

"Oh dear," he said. "Come on. Come inside."

It was honestly a bit of a relief to see his familiar, kind face devoid of any judgment. He probably saw it all firsthand and his focus was only on making others healthy.

He took Alil's other arm and helped him walk into his practice even though Alil seemed steady on his feet.

"Sit here," he instructed and took a moment to light another two lamps to brighten the room while we sat on the free bench.

Naz and Samar stood near us, watching.

"Should we let your families know that you are here?" Naz asked.

Alil shook his head.

"No. Please. I want to avoid the commotion for as long as possible."

"I don't think we'll need to tell them anyway," I added. "I'm sure enough people saw us that the news will spread fast."

"Now," Ifra said, taking a seat in front of us. "Tell me how you are feeling."

"We will wait outside," Naz said and pulled Samar outside after him.

"Not the best," Alil admitted. "We were in the desert for days and?—"

Ifra tsked .

"That's not good. You need to stay cool."

"Perhaps that was the issue then," Alil said. "I have been feeling faint, exhausted and I cannot keep any food down. I can barely walk straight."

"Any other pains?" the medic asked.

Alil shook his head.

For a few minutes, he answered questions, clinging to my hand, before Ifra began a few standard tests, checking his temperature, his eyes, his saliva.

Before any answers could be given, a sound rang through the streets outside and we both stiffened, listening.

"Alil!"

Alil was on his feet as the shouting continued.

"It's my om-mother!" he said, wringing his hands. "Oh, Goddess."

"Please, calm down. Take a seat," Ifra said.

There was no chance of that happening because there was suddenly a commotion from outside the door and I realized that it wasn't only Alil's om-mother who had arrived.

"Where is he?" his al-mother demanded. "Where is my son?"

"Please, he is alright," I heard Naz reply calmly.

"Then why is he in with the medic?!" his om-mother demanded.

I stood at Alil's side, my heart in my throat as the sound of a struggle suddenly reached us.

"What in the universe is happening?" Ifra demanded, marching toward the front door to put a stop to the kerfuffle, but that was a huge mistake because the moment he threw the curtain open to confront the group, chaos ensued.

Both of Alil's parents were there, as we knew, as well as a few others behind them. Some we had passed on the street. I even glimpsed one or two alphas from the council. They all looked inside.

For a split second, Alil's parents looked at him and then at me. I saw the flash of understanding cross their eyes and then his al-mother burst through the door, shoving the medic out of the way.

I held my hands up just as Alil screamed and I was hit across the face.

I was too stunned to do anything in return, and I was not about to fight my mate's own al-mother even though she hit me hard enough that I stumbled back.

The next strike had me falling, something wet spraying as I hit all the medical contraptions and sent them flying and glass shattering.

I didn't have a moment before she was on top of me, hitting me again and again and it took far too long to realize that it was more than just fists, but claws too, skewering my body.

I was aware of screaming and then, Alil's al-mother's grunting, furious form being lifted off of me with a furious roar.

I stared up at the scene, realizing that she had been physically dragged off of me by the other alphas.

Slowly, I looked down at myself.

There was blood everywhere.

The vicious attack had happened so fast that I had barely been able to react, but now, seeing the pooling liquid, the pain suddenly hit me.

"Al-mother!" Alil wailed. "What have you done?!"

He was being held back by his om-mother but he broke free, running to my side and falling to his knees, holding me.

"I'm okay," I lied, shakily.

"I'll kill you!" Alil's al-mother yelled as she was dragged from the room.

How foolish. She knew that me and Alil were bonded. Why else would she be so mad? She must know that if I died, I would take her son with me, right?

"This is a place of healing!" Medic Ifra shouted, aghast. "Everyone who is still capable of standing, get out!"

For a moment I thought he would be listened to, but then this bad situation only got worse because at that moment, my parents arrived.

They took one look at the scene and all havoc broke loose.

My om-mother shouted in dismay and tore into the room as my al-mother leaped toward Alil's al-mother, clearly intent on taking her head off.

The other alphas jumped in at once and a veritable brawl fell onto the night street, drawing more and more people who were trying to help.

There were people shouting, Alil's om-mother was screaming at them to stop. I couldn't see much through the door's opening from where I was laying on the floor.

Alil stayed with me and my om-father remained on my other side, clearly torn between concern and anger.

"You foolish boy!" he chastised. "What have you done?"

I finally understood why Alil had been so adamant about staying in our safe oasis.