Page 24 of Dark Company

I thought my entire life existed only to serve Stanlion, but out here, I’m a king in my own right. The stars are my loyal subjects as they keep me on the path I’m supposed to tread. Once more, I pull out my datacom and stare at her face. It’s maddening. Why in the hell can I not get her out of my mind?

Nothing about her should call to me, yet the more I study her face, the more I see the sadness that lurks in that gaze. There’s some hidden turmoil that even she doesn’t know. If she did, she’d have far more grace and humility. Looking at her stats on the side, I note her age. She’s so close to being an adult, yet even though she looks older in this photo, I can now see the injured child that lies locked inside.

It’s stupid, really. As if someone like me can tell all that from a picture. Though, deep inside, I feel that I’m not wrong. My training is good for many things, including picking up on moods and telling if someone is about to strike. Something else that it’s good for is being able to read a person. Granted, this is all from a picture, but if her expression is the same when I get to her in person, I’ll be able to tell.

I may not know anything about women, at least not the things those other men seem to find important, but I know how to tell when something’s wrong. That will have to count at least a little, right? Without conscious thought, I grazed the swell of her cheek in the image with my thumb.

Chapter 7

Karis

The tent is hot and perfumed with spices. All around me are various oils and soaps, each one a different color and a different scent. In the middle is a large tub, big enough to hold both me and a large Alpha. Once more, my stomach flips as my mind replays the activities from the night before.

I haven’t seen Alexi or Ladria, but they both told me to meet them here. Perhaps this is where I’m to be prepared for my sacrifice. Now that I know what it all entails, I no longer look at the ceremony with dread. In fact, the only part that worries me is finding the right man to bed me afterwards.

None of the betas have caught my eye. They just don’t have what I need or want. Though I try to force out the idea of having my own Alpha, it doesn't work. None of these men measure up. Perhaps I should be like Alexi and try to be with a woman instead. That way, I’m not disappointed when confronted with all the choices I don’t want.

Deep in thought, I miss the sound of them entering, only turning when I hear a soft cough. “Are you ready?” Alexi looks at me, her eyes gleaming.

Ladria smirks as well, but her smile is more friendly and less suggestive.

A bubble of nervous laughter wells up in my chest. “And you’re sure all the omegas go through this? You’re not just trying to touch me?”

Alexi lets out a snort of laughter before walking over to the side of the tent and pulling on what looks like a small tube. “You can ask the Clan Mother yourself. Hell, you can ask Glarinda, the omega that was sacrificed yesterday.”

“And -.” Heat races up my cheeks. “And you were the one that prepared her?”

“No. That honor is only given to the closest friends of the omega. Ideally, it would be someone you’ve grown up with, or in my case, spent a considerable amount of time with. In our commune, our bodies are looked at in a far different way than Stanlion. Here, we appreciate the gift that each body brings. We don’t hide them. We aren’t ashamed of them.”

Ladria glances to the side as she chews on her bottom lip. She seems to be hiding something, but I can’t tell what. Looking over at Alexi, I watch as she positions the pipe above the tub and turns a small crank. Hot water pours into the large basin, filling the room with steam. How long has it been since I’ve had an honest to gods hot bath?

Since coming to this place, I’ve had to make do with creeks and lakes, waiting until the others were asleep to slip out unnoticed to bathe. It wasn’t ideal, but at least it allowed me the ability to clean myself in private. It’s more than the others do. Who knows how often they clean themselves? Certainly not as often as I prefer.

Without saying a word, Alexi motions for me to get undress. For a moment, that pang of uneasiness sets in my gut, churning my insides, but since I know I’m only here for one reason, it’s not as shocking when she asks for me to disrobe. Ladria busies herself over near the fragrant bottles, leaving Alexi and me alone by the tub.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Even though she’s told me many times, I still need to hear it.

There’s still that massive part of my training that begs me to run away from the life she’s offering. It sounds good. Too good. Noting her smile and nod, I remove the dress and stand there in all my glory.

Once the tub is full, I step in and groan as the heat penetrates my muscles. If by some miracle I ever make it back to Stanlion, I am going to soak every day. I don’t care how I come up with the money to pay for it, I will make it happen.

“There are some questions we need to ask of you before we begin. Who would you like to have stretch you, Ladria, or me?”

I glance over at Ladria, who ducks her head, her cheeks stained the same pink as mine. Curious. I thought she was from this commune. Why would doing something like this embarrass her? Besides, even though I consider Ladria a friend, I don’t think I’m close enough with her to let her touch me like that. Alexi has already seen everything, so I might as well go with her.

“I would prefer you, Alexi.” She beams at me and motions to Ladria to hand her a bottle.

“Perfect. And have you chosen a male for your ceremonial mating?”

“No. I haven’t. And I dread the thought. I know none of these men. How will I know if they’re going to be any good?”

“You don’t. This will be your first experience; I would be shocked if it was amazing. Besides, you’ll still be sore from the sacrifice.”

“But Glarinda seemed to enjoy it.”

“That’s because he actually gave her an orgasm before he penetrated her. That always seems to help, but many men don’t wish to waste time on such things. That’s why we allow the frenzy of mating and the taboo of having others watch us get us going.”

Sinking back into the tub, I let Alexi’s words penetrate my brain. Orgasm was never a word that was taught to us. I know she’s trying to tell me something positive, but it has no meaning to me. All I know is that Glarinda seemed far more enthusiastic about being with her male than Alexi is making it sound.