Page 13 of Prelude to a Revolution

I am no greater than them because of my genetics. There are a handful of Alphas that agree with me, but they are few and far between, and none of them want to go against the High Echelon Alphas. They have their families to think about and so do I. Everything I do is for the safety and protection of my family. Shaking my head, I lean back against the wall and look down the hallway. Still nothing. Just an hour to go on my shift and I can be out of this place.

The girls eat their food while I stare across the table at Sonria. There’s something wrong, but she doesn’t reveal anything. Her eyes are dim and don’t have that same sparkle that’s usually there. What’s more, there are bags under her eyes that weren’t there earlier.

Whenever she moves, she tries to conceal a wince, but I see it. I always see it. Last night was rough on her. Stabbing my food, I chew on it, but taste nothing. It’s like ash in my mouth. There’s got to be some other way. We haven’t tried creams or any other pharmaceuticals that might help relax her, but then she hates the idea of being drugged.

The only way I got her to even consider the device is because I was the one putting it in her. I teased her with it, making it a part of foreplay. She’s not convinced that I could do so well with creams or shots. And I will never bring up the illicit drugs that make betas go into a false heat. That would just be cruel.

Even though it might lessen the discomfort, she will always wonder if I prefer an omega over her, and that’s a thought I never want in her head. It’s bad enough I have to fight against the whole of society; I never want her to think she’s less than in my eyes. Because she isn’t. She’s my entire world.

Once Karis and Annora are done, I stay behind and work at the dishes while Sonria tucks them both in. Soon, her soft voice makes its way back out to my ears, and a smile creeps up my face. All too soon, Karis will be too old and want her mother to stop. That tinge of sadness is quickly overridden by the fact that Sonria is expecting another. By the time Karis no longer wants her to sing, she’ll be singing to our son.

As I dry the last dish, a silence descends over the house. Normally, this time after the children are asleep, things are quiet, comforting, but there’s something in the air, something that feels wrong. I can’t place it, but my hand itches for my blaster.

Shaking it off, I meet Sonria in the living space and sit down, opening my arms for her to sit in my lap. I don’t know what has her so distressed, but hopefully, my purr will put it to rights.

The moment I wrap my arms around her, she sinks down, giving me her weight. I lean down and skim my lips against her head, rocking her back and forth as her fingers worry the front of my shirt.

I open my mouth to ask her what was wrong when a loud rap at the door startles us both. She jumps, her body vibrating with fear. It pollutes the room, filling the space with an acrid scent. This isn’t normal. There’s something she’s not telling me.

Setting her to the side, I stand up and make my way to the door. Once I open it, my heart plummets as bile rises up and threatens to choke me. Men in unrecognizable uniforms stand before me, their faces covered in masks that conceal their features.

By their size and scent, I can tell they’re Alphas, but I’ve never seen them before. I don’t recognize the clothing, the stance, anything. When they speak, their voices are digital, as if speaking through a filter that distorts the sound of their voices. But why? Why do they need to hide who they are?

Only criminals need to hide.

“Are you Guardian Alpha Gemhardt? Abiding with low-class, beta Sonria?”

“If you’re referring to my mate, you better choose your words a bit carefully. She is not low-class. As my mate, she has every right to be here in the high sectors.”

“Not according to this.” The leader flashes a screen that outlines the evacuation of everyone deemed unacceptable, and there, in bright, bold red, is Sonria’s name.

“This is a mistake. You can’t take my mate from me.”

“Guardian Alpha, your voice is elevated. I would hate for this ruckus to disturb your two children.” He glances back down. “Karis and Annora. Both beta born, both showing signs of underdevelopment.”

“You will not lay a finger on my children,” I seethe, my voice laced with a hint of hysteria.

I have to keep it together for my family’s sake, but these strangers are threatening everything I hold dear.

“We will do as we are commanded. Right now, that does not include your children since you, their father, are a Guardian Alpha.”

“And on whose authority are you attempting to take my mate?”

With a few swipes of his fingers, he holds up another screen, and my heart plummets. There, as if they were gods themselves, are the signatures of all the High Echelon Alphas that sit on the council. Just those signatures alone make the word law.

“No.” I stand up straighter, a low growl humming in my chest. Though I knew someday, I’d have to make a stand, I didn’t think it would be in my own home, so close to my two daughters.

“You cannot refuse. To do so would be to strip your title and property. Your feral children will then be taken into custody and sent to wherever best suits them. Do think rationally. It’s the beta you’re harboring or both her and your children. Make no mistake, we will be getting her either way. It’s your choice what the collateral damage will be.”

Helpless, I stand in the middle of the doorway and look between the strange Alpha and my mate. Elex, what can I do? I cannot let them have her. To allow her to go back to Sector One would mean death.

Chapter 6

Sonria

My breath comes in quick pants. I’m unable to take in enough to fill my lungs. It’s happening. It’s what the notes, the signs, everything foretold. They don’t want me here. But how can I leave and not take my children? They won’t thrive in Sector One. Leaving them here with Gemhardt is the only way I’ll know they’re having a good life.

He’s sacrificed so much for me. It’s time I sacrificed myself for him. Walking towards the door, I ignore his angry, heated stare. It’s not aimed at me. It’s aimed at the men who showed up in the middle of the night to tear me away.