Chapter 4

four

. . .

ADDY

"Are you excited for the festival?" my om-father asked.

I was staring out the window, watching the preparations blindly, thinking of what was to come. His voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, of course," I said.

"You need to have some fun," he went on. "You seem very stressed lately."

I could tell he was hedging the subject, very careful of what he was saying.

I glanced over.

I had taken my al-mother's coloring whereas Om-father had given Latif his midnight colors but that was where the similarities ended. He was a good omega. Well behaved and traditional, unlike Latif.

"Tell me," I said. "Where did Latif get his rebellious streak from?"

Om-father held in a smile and shook his head.

"I believe he is a product of his time, just as you are. There are certain opportunities that he had that many other omegas before him did not."

"So, you are suggesting that all omegas would rebel given the chance?" I demanded, suddenly frustrated. "Do they all hate alphas?"

Om-father shook his head and came to the window next to me to put his arm around my shoulders.

"Not at all," he said firmly. "I love your al-mother more than anything and I was excited to get a mate. Especially her."

"What is it then?" I asked, trying to understand.

"I suppose, it would just be nice if we didn't have to hide before that. Life is very restricted for an unmated omega. You understand, don't you?"

I could feel my anger growing, heat rising in my body.

I had to bite my lip for a moment to level my voice.

"That is only to protect them," I forced out.

"I know dear," he said with a sigh. "But if there is a way that they can be safe without being shielded from life, it would be better for them."

I hummed a response because I couldn't open my mouth now without saying too much.

Even my om-father agreed with the changes. It was so frustrating.

I bit my lip and looked out the window again.

Nassa were carrying decorations and supplies to the city center.

Soon, I would take an omega and show them that being under an alpha's care was better for them. Soon, all of Diwan would understand.

I could not shake my mood after that. I had been feeling low for months now with only anger to bring me up.

Despite my om-father and al-mother's best efforts to cheer me up, I was unable to bring myself around. My thoughts were too occupied, my nerves too high.

As we went to the festival, I looked on in disinterest.It was the same as all the other New Moon Festivals I could remember. Everyone in the city seemed to have congregated here. There were bouncing games for the children, and other games for the adults. Some to check strength, some to check aim and the winners received cheap trinkets. As was tradition, a tail strength contest was going all evening and the winner was going to light the first firework. A stage had been erected next to the fountain where a band played and artists sat around them, providing portraits for those who wanted one.

The atmosphere was high and I saw it all, but didn't see anything at the same time. For as long as I could, I walked with them, said hello to those that stopped us to talk. Eventually though, I saw with a sigh of relief that the last sun was lowering toward the horizon.

"I'm going to go find my friends," I said, turning to go, but Al-mother caught me by the wrist, stopping me.

"Stay with us," she said.

I paused, meeting her orange gaze, so like my own.

There was a challenge in her eyes that caught me off guard.

"Why?" I asked slowly.

"Because I don't care for your new friends," she told me.

I felt my shoulders stiffening. When Al-mother saw the spikes rising on my shoulders, her eyes widened.

"Do you feel threatened?" she asked, concern clear on her face. "Just from the suggestion that you should not see them?"

"Addy," Om-father said at his side and I glanced at him, unable to take the worry in his eyes as well. "You have been different since you befriended them. What kind of hold do they have over you?"

Heart pounding, I yanked my arm free from Al-mother.

"You'll see," I said, even though I knew I shouldn't.

I turned away, ready to run to meet the gang, then I hesitated. I could be on the run after tonight. I didn't know when or if I would be back. This could be our farewell.

But if I said goodbye, they would know something serious was about to happen, and they would stop me.

So, I pushed my feet, forcing myself to walk away from them despite the poisonous feeling that sank into my gut.

The others were waiting where they said they would be, out in the open, on the steps of the library. There was nothing suspicious about that, nothing to draw anyone's attention.

No one said anything when I joined them, but Kazm nodded to me, his expression pleased.

Everyone was ready.

"What shall we do for now?" I asked.

"We wait," Fari said.

That was easier said than done. I had never felt so anxious. All of my skin was itching, eager to go.

"Have you chosen someone?" Ossad asked me in a low voice.

I swallowed and shook my head.

"I will take whoever is easiest," I whispered in return, glancing over my shoulder to make sure that no one was close enough to hear.

I had thought about Alil several times but, as much as I would like to be alone with him, even if only for a few hours, seeking him out specifically would be too complicated.

But then, my eye caught on a beautiful amethyst, glinting in the sunlight and for a moment, my heart stopped.

"Alil," I said, before I could stop myself.

He paused at the bottom of the steps, a sweet smile lighting his face when he saw me.

"Oh! Addy! What a pleasant surprise," he said. "It has been so long since I've seen you."

His eyes flew over my shoulders, seeing the others watching silently and he seemed to pull back his smile.

Likewise, I glanced at his om-mother who smiled at me.

"Will you be joining us to watch the fireworks?" she asked.

I froze. My hands started to shake, so I held them behind my back.

"Perhaps," I said. "Where will you be watching from?"

"We will be watching from the fountain, with Latif and Blaine," Alil said, as though in warning.

"And your parents," his om-mother added, oblivious to the issue. "You and your friends should join."

I pursed my lips and suddenly could not even meet their gazes.

"Perhaps," I repeated.

There was a long pause and when I glanced back, the other two were already walking away. Alil was dragging behind though and he looked back over his shoulder. When our eyes met, he gave me a small wave goodbye.

I could scarcely tear my gaze away from his retreating back. Alil had dressed up for this occasion and the sheer fabric he wore, a perfect match to his flowing hair made my insides squirm.

I wanted him.

A hand landed on my shoulder.

"Perhaps that invitation was fate itself," Kazm said quietly into my ear.

I swallowed and nodded but then shook my head violently.

"They'll be at the fountain.Right in the middle of all those people, how?—"

"Sh," Fari hushed, cutting me off.

I bit my lip and took a seat on one of the steps, feeling even more uneasy than I had before. The fact of the matter was that I had to do this or I would be miserable for the rest of my life.

It didn't haveto be Alil. We weren't mating with the omegas we stole, after all. I could take anyone.

But who would listen to me with an open mind? Who would smile at me while I explained why we were doing this? Who would understand and treat me with kindness, despite everything else?

If I grabbed a random omega, they could easily be as stubborn and difficult as my brother was. It was better to know them first.

And I didn't know many unmated omegas. Truthfully, I didn't want to know any others.

I shut my eyes, already knowing that what I was about to do was foolish at best.

As we were plunged into shadows from the setting sun, I pushed to my feet.

"Where are you going?" Kazm asked.

I lifted my chin.

"To meet with them at the fountain," I said firmly.

I could see the pleasure in his eyes, and it gave me strength that I was doing the right thing.

"See you at the meeting place?" he asked.

"I won't be late," I promised, and with that, I left.

I didn't know how I was going to get him, but I knew that somehow, I would arrive at our meeting with Alil at my side.