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"Yes?" I whispered, my voice hoarse. I sucked in a deep breath and forced my fangs to push back up. The movement was slow, and my gums ached as my wolf tried like hell to take over.
Once steady, I turned around to face my omega.
His hypnotic eyes met mine. The soft purple strand in his hair looked almost grey in poor light, and his knees were pulled under his chin, arms wrapped firmly around his legs. I took another breath and sat back down, fist clenched, keeping my distance.
"What's wrong?" I asked when Blue didn't say anything else.
He shook his head, mumbling out a soft 'nothing'.
I hated seeing him like this, so uneasy and small. I wanted him to find comfort and strength in my presence, but I only scared him.
"Don't worry, omega. I'll protect you," I said, pretending his fear had more to do with the encampment than me, but I knew better.
Blue looked up at me, a sweet smile brightening his face. "I know." His features looked relaxed despite the smell of distress swirling around him. "But in case you're worried," he continued, "I'll protect you too."
I straightened my back and cocked my head. Was he teasing me? He still smelled of fear, but he looked almost playful. The contradiction was a bit confusing to my wolf, making me want to lean in to scent him.
I stayed put.
"That's very kind," I said, letting out a small laugh, "I'm sure I will sleep very well tonight, knowing you're on guard."
Blue's voice was soft but somehow a little challenging despite the sweet glint in his eyes. "I know you're teasing me, but I've lived my whole life without an Alpha protecting me. I know a few things about escaping your kind." He looked so proud of that fact.
My wolf snarled, and I crossed my arms. I didn't like him implying he didn't need me.
"Don't be mad, alpha," he whispered. "I've decided I'll let you protect me. Just this once."
My shoulders relaxed, and I returned his smile. I wasn't used to being teased, and I wasn't sure what to say. "That's very kind of you. And I promise I will do my best to keep you safe."
He bit his bottom lip. "I know."
The air felt a little calmer, my wolf a bit more settled and Blue's scent softer, not as fearful. I stretched my legs out, my feet just next to his. He had big feet for his size but still much smaller than mine. They almost looked like he'd be clumsy, but he was far from it. Fast and graceful. An impressive omega.
"Can I ask you a question?" His eyes met mine, and I nodded immediately. "The King of Wolves is your father?" I nodded again, slower this time. He was already aware of this, having heard Joon and I argue about it. "Omega Tzidal said you don't want him to die, but if that's true, then why are you helping her?"
Every muscle in my body went tight, and my mouth flooded with a bitter panic. I wondered what else Tzidal had told him. Not that she owed me any secrets. But I didn't want Blue to hate me for killing innocents—just like his pack. Although, he should.
"He is my father," I forced out. Admitting it felt like a confession of all my sins.
I opened my mouth to say more, but I couldn't find the words to tell him about my violent crimes and my desire to make amends. I was terrified that Blue would want to know more, and I couldn't lie to him. No matter how badly I wanted to, my tongue wouldn't allow it.
Blue crossed his legs under him to lean forward a bit, his eyes big and curious as he patiently waited for me to continue.
"I'm helping Tzidal because I owe her my life," I said simply. It was true. She saved me when she should have killed me. Hell, I even begged her to kill me. But she was endlessly kind and gave me the chance to try to mend my soul.
"But Alpha Joon and Tzidal want the King to die. And he's your father. Are you…do you want him….?" Blue struggled to find the words, clearly wanting to ask if I wanted my father dead as well.
"My father is not a kind King," I said. "He does things that are cruel. Even before the marked wolves." I shook my head, finding it all so damn hard to talk about, but Blue deserved the truth. Especially after what happened to his pack.
"The King has been known to frequently order his guards to round up wolves that live outside of the villages and force them within boundaries he can control. He attacks peaceful colonies of non-weres because he doesn't like sharing our land with other species—even if they have been here as long as we have. He's…not kind."
It was all true. It didn't answer his question, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I wouldn't condemn the King to death because if he deserved to die, so did I. My father told me to kill, and I did. Commanded by my King or not, it wasn't an excuse.
"The King has done horrible things, but so have I," I said. "We're the same in that regard. So I don't wish him death, but I understand Omega Tzidal's desire. I won't help her kill him, but I won't stop her either. I owe her that."
Blue's eyes held so much pity for me. I hated it.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, placing a hand over his heart. "I never knew my parents, they died before I could talk, but I think I'd prefer no memories over awful ones. It must be so hard to know a horrible parent."
