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I gave him a sullen look. What else could I do? I knew what he was saying was right, but I was the one who had to live as a lowly omega because of those laws. And I didn’t even know why I was arguing so much. I’d known he’d be this way, and I’d decided already that I didn’t even like the army all that much—that joining it had more than likely been a bad mistake. I probably wasn’t cut out for this kind of life. I suppose it was the idea that this Alpha had “decided” I was only an omega and had no say in things. Things like my own future. I resented him taking away my choice. It was such typical and infuriating Alpha behavior, and what I’d tried so hard to avoid by finding a witch to help me. What would my aunt say if she knew?
“And now that I know about you,” he continued, “I’ll have to report it. It would be better for you, frankly, if you’d turned yourself in and maybe you can avoid a court martial.”
“I’d be court martialed?”
“That’s a possibility, but it’s unlikely. I’d speak to Harrison on your behalf and get him to release you to my custody while you’re awaiting trial. I have things I need to do back home.”
“Oh, so you do have scruples about my lies to the army, but only when they’re inconvenient for you?”
He frowned at me. “I’ll use my influence to make sure the charges are reduced.”
“Charges?”
“It will mean a dishonorable discharge, I imagine, but I’ll make sure there’s no jail time.”
“What?”
“Well, what did you think would happen, Darcy? You broke the law—and used dark magic to do it. And all of this in Sudfarma, which isn’t exactly known for leniency for its criminals. The only saving grace is that this army is under Harrison’s control, and he’s more reasonable about things.”
“I’m not a criminal!” I shouted, stomping my foot.
He shook his head at me. “The army will disagree. They invested a lot of time and money in your training.”
“And I’m still ready to be a soldier.”
“But you can’t be. Surely you realize that. You’re an omega.”
“All I realize is that I’m not going anywhere with you. Not ever! And I don’t need your ‘influence’ either. I don’t need anything from you!”
“Oh, you think you can handle all this on your own? I ought to let you try.”
“Yes, you should. It’s what I want, because this is my business and not yours.”
“Then what’s your plan, genius?”
“Don’t worry about it. Like I said, it’s not your business.”
“What do you mean it’s not my business? You’re my omega.”
“Omegas aren’t slaves. And I’m not your omega unless I say so. And I don’t say so.”
He glared down at me, his face fierce with fury, and maybe a touch of hurt? But I didn’t flinch. I was so angry that I stared right back up at him, and held my ground, though I don’t know where I found the courage. I bent to pick up my pack and jam my hat back on my head, then I whirled around to face him.
“I’m ready. Go ahead and take me back to the regiment. Turn me in.”
“I ought to just call your bluff.”
“Do it. I want you to.”
“If I turn you in, you’ll be arrested.”
“Whatever happens, it’s still my business andnotyours.”
Again, his face got so red I was almost worried about him, and then he mounted his horse and held out his hand to me again. “All right then, let’s get this over with.”
I stormed over to him, and he yanked me up to sit in front of him again. I thought I could literally feel the fury coming off him in waves. He jerked the reins of his big horse, and we took off at a gallop, kicking up dust behind us. All of my bravado drained away as rapidly as it had come to my rescue, but I was determined not to let him see. I sat stiffly in front of him, trying not to lean back against him and clutching the pommel of his saddle so I wouldn’t fall off. I imagined that if I did, he might just keep on going and leave me sprawled out in the dust behind him. I’d never seen him so angry.
Had I really just told him I didn’t want to be his omega? That I didn’t want him to use his influence to help me? He was riding fast, so we came back up on the regiment in only minutes. He wheeled his horse around to come up next to the officers, who were riding at the head of the columns.
