Page 30 of Evan and the Alpha

9

Sobek

We are an hour late to meet Nojak at the market. No doubt everyone already knows what has happened. If Wek and Kiki did not report it, then our lateness broadcasts it loud and clear.

The way Evan’s shambling along also says something, as do the lovely, livid bruises around his neck. And yet, I cannot find it in myself to care. I know what must happen next, as surely as I know Nomantru rises in the south and Enochtra rises in the west.

Still, I find myself lighthearted, even confident, at the idea of fighting Nojak. The omega is mine. There is no question, no doubt in my mind at all. Nojak may be a bigger, bulkier, more established alpha. He may even be the more experienced fighter. But surely, when we meet in pitched battle, I will prevail. The gods will smile upon me and assure my victory.

I cannot see it happening any other way. Why else would they have made their child so well-suited for me? Why else would he have confessed his desire to be mine? If the gods did not will Evan to be mine, then surely, something would have prevented me from completing my claim on him.

My confidence quails a bit upon seeing Nojak’s hulking form, Tiakka the bookkeeper standing beside him with an imposing frown.

I have done bad business. I have gone back on my word. I have been most dishonorable, putting my claws all over another alpha’s omega.

Even at that omega’s insistence. If I did not wish another to have the omega, then why did I bother to sell him at all? Why make a deal with Nojak that I must now break?

A fight is the only way to restore honor. If I should lose, Nojak can claim the gods have sided with him. They have punished me for acting in so duplicitous a way. If I win, however, it will prove the transaction was poorly thought out; it was never meant to be. The gods will not allow it.

I forgot to pray to the sun gods this morning, to thank them for delivering this omega to me. I was too busy worshipping their child. I hope that will be enough to supplicate them, to convince them that I must prevail, since I’m the only one who can properly care for this sun spirit omega.

Looking at Nojak, the gods’ favor no longer feels like a foregone conclusion. The other alpha looms above me. He is all teeth and rage. “You,” he says, “are late.”

Evan, bless him but he needs to learn when to shut up, makes matters worse by saying, “You’re lucky we even showed up. We considered not coming at all.”

“Evan,” I grit out.

Nojak heaves a huge breath, irritation in every molecule he exhales. “That would be just what I’d expect from such a dishonorable alpha,” he sneers. “You sell me an omega, then dishonor our agreement by soiling him. You mock me, Sobek.”

Evan glances between us. “It’s not that,” he protests.

“Be quiet,” I snap at him, afraid he’s going to make Nojak even angrier. Evan shrinks back, clearly cowed. Worry enters his eyes as he glances between us. I think he begins to understand that he does not understand what is happening.

“I do not mean to mock you,” I say.

“And yet you do,” Nojak insists.

I lift my head a little. “The omega does not wish to go.”

Nojak growls. “And he wishes to stay with a low-down, yellow-bellied serpent of an alpha like you?”

“Yes,” I say. It’s all call and answer, prelude to the fight. There is no avoiding our match.

Tiakka claps his withered hands. “We must let the gods decide!” he cries, his shrill voice piercing the air and grinding the rest of the market to a halt. “To battle! Let the gods decide who shall prevail, let them show favor to he who is righteous!”

“Wait, what?!” Evan spits, whirling to look at me. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re going to fight over me?”

“Yes.” It’s simple, really. I don’t see what he’s objecting to.

He shakes his head. “That’s stupid!” he cries. “Why would you do that?!”

“Because,” I hiss at him, “I broke a promise, a contract, on your account. That is a dishonorable thing to do, and now I must correct it.”

He shakes his head with more vigor. “No. No, that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, Sobek. I didn’t want to go with Nojak. I want to stay with you. That’s all there is to it.”

He looks across the way at Nojak. “Just … give him his money back and let’s go.”

I sigh heavily. I pat him on the head. “That’s not the way it works.”