Page 5 of Dark Company

Once more, my eyes drift over to Annora. She looks frail and pale, as if one false word will make her snap. Even Jaxxon looks weary. Someone must step in and stop this before either becomes of no use. To my knowledge, neither has really rested after the resistance cleared out the rest of the opposing Alphas. Knowing what I do about omegas, Annora probably needs her nest and a good, hard fucking from Jaxxon.

I clear my throat, and motion to Langston, gesturing to just outside the audience tent. He follows me, his own brow furrowed so hard that thick lines pop out from his forehead. When we are far enough away, I turn and motion back to the tent.

“They can’t keep going on this way. Someone has to step in and force them to take a break.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Langston slides a weary hand over his face. “Unfortunately, King Alpha Jaxxon is stubborn. He wants to fix everything at once. His tenacity will make him an outstanding leader, but until he learns to let others shoulder the burden, I’m afraid he will be too wrung out to do all the good he plans for Stanlion.”

“What can I do? Without a war to wage and with you and the other loyal Guardian Alphas watching him, I no longer have an occupation. Unless you think Gundhar or Laxa are planning something.”

Langston’s lips thin as he looks around for any ears that might talk later. “I don’t know, and that’s what worries me. We are a newly birthed monarchy. They would be stupid not to take advantage of the situation. Civil war leaves everyone vulnerable to an outside takeover. I wish we kept up our relations with them. We could have communicated with emissaries or diplomats. Anything to know that we were safe.”

I sigh and look over at the ruins in front of me. The once grand, towering edifice still has wisps of smoke drifting into the haze of the climbing suns. If we kept it, it would take months to repair, and from what I heard in the tent, Jaxxon is far more concerned with seeing to the needs of the betas cast out into Sector One than rebuilding.

Which is just fine, but again, it leaves me with nothing to do. Leon at least learned other arts in his spare time that could actually help the other sectors. He can fish and plant things; knowing him, he probably has other hidden talents I don’t even know about. Somehow, even though we lived together and trained together, he’s the complete opposite of me. Where everything dies around me, they thrive around him. He’s the perfect Alpha to help piece this broken land back together.

Knowing me, I’d just end up destroying it somehow. I want to leave, to carve a fresh path that’s not dictated by my station, but that feels too close to abandoning Stanlion when they’re at their most vulnerable.

“There must be something I can do.”

Langston tips his head to the side in thought, his finger tapping at his lips. For someone like me, war is the only job I know, and now that the fighting is currently done, I’m no longer needed. I’m obsolete, just like the government I helped topple.

“Come with me.”

I follow Langston back to the tent and wait as he walks over to Jaxxon and whispers in his ear. Annora looks even worse than when I first left, and the way she stares down at her datacom in abject sorrow tugs at the remaining soft spot in my heart. I hate that she’s being subjected to this when her mind is obviously on other things. That Jaxxon is forcing her here stirs up my anger until it simmers just under the surface.

“Everyone, my mate needs to rest. We will pick this up tomorrow.” At Jaxxon’s growled command, the betas bow their heads and slip out the tent flap, leaving me alone with them and the few other Alphas that stand guard around the throne.

“Please Jaxxon,” Annora whimpers. “I’m fine. Let them stay. We have to fix things. We just have to!”

Despite the chilly look he casts her way, Annora continues to stand up to him, arguing about all the issues that need to be settled. He draws his hand back and crosses his arms, listening but not liking the words that are coming from her lips. I didn’t realize she was the reason they were staying so long.

I look back up at Jaxxon, burgeoning pride burning in my chest. That I misjudged him so harshly weighs heavily on me. But then, I’ve never known an omega to insist on anything. After a few moments, it seems that he’s had enough. Leaning down, he whispers something in her ear that has her squirming and flushing hard.

From that moment, she barely makes any eye contact with me, seemingly embarrassed by whatever transpired between them. He shakes his head at her as a small smile tilts up the side of his mouth. Very curious. If any mate of mine, beta or omega, had argued with me like she did, there wouldn't be any smiling from either of us. Unconsciously, my fingers slip up to my mouth. Did I ever actually smile, though? I’m sure I did when I was a child, but I can’t remember any happiness or mirth once I was taken into the program.

Jaxxon motions me forward after speaking to Langston once more. Annora looks at me, her eyes round and hopeful. What did they just commit me to? If only I had paid attention and not let my thoughts drift. What happened to the discipline I was ingrained with? Did it all just disappear the moment my commanders died?

Either way, I need to snap out of this morose line of thinking. It helps no one and leaves me vulnerable. What’s worse is knowing that my inattention might make things worse for this omega who looks at me like I might be her salvation. I’m no one’s salvation. I’m only their death.

“What do you say? Langston assures me you’re the Alpha to call when things need to be done.”

“Please. Please say you’ll look for her!” Annora starts to rise, datacom firmly in her hand.

“You will sit, or I will make it impossible for you to do so,” Jaxxon snarls as he once more wedges his arm between us.

Even though I mean Annora no harm, I can understand Jaxxon’s concerns. He still doesn’t know me. The only Alpha that can assure him of her safety is Langston. Still, there’s a small prick of annoyance as he looks up at me with eyes that dare me to defy him.

“I mean your mate no harm. My apologies for not paying attention. Who am I bringing back?”

Annora’s tear-stained face looks up at me as her fingers tremble around her datacom. My gaze flits between both her and Jaxxon, judging whether I should come closer. Jaxxon’s purr never falters. However, there’s an edge to it, a hint of a growl that layers on top, keeping me rooted.

Between the two of us, I could probably defeat him easily, and that’s probably why he guards his mate with such ferocity. If I had something that precious, she would never be allowed outside. I would hide her away, keep her safe from everyone and everything.

But that wouldn’t be fair to her. A woman needs the freedom to breathe, to enjoy life. Out of all people, I know this the most intimately. But how in the hell does Jaxxon give her that freedom when her death would be his end? Perhaps that’s just one more reason the gods haven’t seen fit to grant me a mate.

Her end would signal my own, and, for some reason, the gods are not done with me yet. That, or the bastards are toying with me for some unknown reason. As soon as the thought forms in my mind, remorse fills my soul. What has happened to me? I’ve never outright cursed the gods before. Something inside of me is slipping. Perhaps it was because I broke the routine, allowing myself an orgasm outside of the designated time?

Either way, before I carry out whatever mission Jaxxon requires of me, I’ll have to pay a penance. I need to show the gods that their faith in me is not unfounded. That I’m still alive despite the High Echelon’s machinations is proof that they’re protecting me.