20-End of Chapter 6

No-Man's town was the last stand of the Alphas, a black market that he and his family had allowed to live simply because of the convenience. He couldn't deny the need for scavengers to hunt down items that were needed. And a handful of Alphas left to rot within the lands of apocalyptic doom were small fry.

An old Omega was the voice of the entire syndicate (they couldn't allow an Alpha to be in power). And he guided his brethren well enough for them to survive, the man was in charge of the business, and he kept it systematic and beneficial to the empire. Besides, none could pass the teleportation system aside from the Omega and thus what remained of the scented Alphas were kept at bay.

The Omega had been waiting when he arrived, greying and blind, with eyes so blue they were almost white. He was fey just like Solar was, and he'd swept prophetic eyes over him murmuring praise. His wings, like his, were gossamer and moonshine, diamonds and star dust. They flapped softly, made beads of light that danced with the motes and the grains of weathered fine sand that coated the back of his throat.

Solar's was just as pretty, maybe even prettier.

"You come searching," the Omega mumbled, babbling away, "the wastelands are the remnants of history. Why come to the past when you can seek the future?" Solar didn't have to speak, a soldier stepped forth demanding he bow, a gun nudged towards his face.

There was a flurry of sound and Solar peered at the crowd that clattered forward. The Alphas were immediately leering and whistling, exuding pheromones and perfumes so thick he cringed at the scent of stale water, drying rain, and soil.

He'd forgotten that Alphas had the oddest of perfumes, not pretty like the Omegas but strange items that made breathing difficult. He admitted that when in Heat and under the doctrine of the Matriarchy, he'd once found the smells sexy, had even enjoyed moth balls and clouds of dust.

Mated to six, now all he smelt from them was the unsentimental bite of their body odour.

Solar's face twisted into disgust, wrinkled his nose, and then recoiled. He was thankful for the suppressants, the medicine injected into his veins to stop his needs for an Alpha forever. It gave them all the ability to fight back, had been the reason why they'd won the war.

Without it they'd have lost the moment an Alpha Rut wafted into their nose, would have bent over and spread their legs for the women to fuck them.

A sword placed too close to the artery was enough to get the women to grow quiet in the den. The inn was so small and dirty it seemed to sag, the boards creaking. Wooden beams and waterproof tarp were stretched to make ceilings and walls.

The windows were cracked glass, painted darker to block out light. Wood and stone were all that they had to build the hut on stilts, and he could see the ferment of the apocalypse, agitating and peeling at the cracks. The beams swallowed the abuse but could not bear its weight. He could see that even now, Alphas worked on keeping the establishment together, pinning more boards over a sagging wound.

The Omega offered him food and drink at a table. A cushion was laid upon chipped seat as if his ass needed the pampering. He scoffed and threw it to the side then gagged at the cup of murky water that was brown with bits of sediments at the bottom of the cup, and biscuits with a strong scent of age.

They lived poorly, but he felt no pity.

Alphas were people with the minds of rapists, paedophiles, and murderers. They were women that only knew blood shed and tears, anger and revenge, lust and never love. They were controlled by their instincts, savage beyond reason.

Alphas enjoyed all benefits, and the Omegas had been the bottom of the caste. Naturally, they hadn't relinquished their rights so easily. They had wanted the easy sex, the financial benefits, the rights for healthcare, education, and ownership. The men prostrating at their feet for every meal.

Only children could be forgiven, cultivated into better people. And one day when they were properly taught, the two could stand as equals. But for now, the separation was necessary until the generation passed and a new one was born.

And Solar was certain that the generation would never be his.

"Prince Helios is missing," he'd declared, voice in a low angry hiss. "You will aid in his retrieval or die in the name of the New Kingdom."

"Of course," the Alphas had answered quickly, growling restless with need. They salivated, eyes growing dilated, cheeks flushed, and he felt the gag begin in his throat. "Anything you want."

A day was spent trading information, declaring a reward that he stamped upon the board. He would offer a thousand gold coins to any Alpha that could bring Helios back, and ten for information. A hundred to any willing to join his search party in the wilderness.

The third lead had been a trap, deception spilled from the lips of a slimy looking Alpha with ratty hair and wafting with the stench of human waste. His men had caught on easily, tasting her lies in the air. There were reasons why the fey were sent to the wastelands.

Solar watched from the balcony that loomed over mountains and broken cities, smiled when the Alpha was killed the moment she pounced, hoping to rape his soldier. Her brain was blown into bits and her body burned into crisp with magic. Her skeleton was thrown over the canyon.

Bitches.

He killed another three during their first search attempt, sank his sword into necks that ran to him, each Alpha begging to fill his ass with cum. He didn't even know why he tried with these women. The Lonely that they found in the desert were not fey, and he killed them quickly with rising despair. He returned when night fell for the safety of his men, but by then, Solar had been defeated, had stared at stars that peaked through acid drenched clouds and began to weep.

He was a soldier and yet he couldn't help himself, arms clutching his body and his frame wracked with tremors. Vinegar flavoured his tongue, the sour of his distress. He'd been rocking if not for his location, would have climbed into the arms of his soulmate if not for the desperation.

The old wound at his neck had been throbbing when she arrived.

"Heard that you were looking for this guy." The voice was low and cool, sweet as it curled on a dulcet. There was a rush of heat that flowed up his limb and memories flickered in his brain, sparking at the familiarity. But he didn't see it at first, his eyes immediately on his soulmate.

The figure was small in her arms, body sagging against her shoulder. He could always recognise those obsidian wings, glittering with traces of gold over each curve. The flame of red curls on his head that would glow even in the darkest night. He didn't have to look at the silver on his neck to know that this was no bait.

'Helios', his soul sang. He felt the urge to run to her and drag his mate into his arms, check his breathing and beg for his life. But Solar snarled, raised his gun like an idiot, pointed it to her head with shaking limbs. He would shoot her if she bartered for more, he would kill her if she threatened Helios's life.

"What did you do to him?" he growled, but inside he was eating, siphoning the emotions in the air, hoping to take Helios's energy to feel for his life. God, he was begging that his lover was alive. But she stood a mile too far for him to taste, and his rage only ballooned.

"Relax," she answered, raised a hand in surrender, "baby's sleeping, koala bear wouldn't let go. Found him in the wastelands. He's an idiot for flying out so far, would have died without me. But he's lucky he met an expert."

She lowered him down and now he understood that Helios was floating upon a bed of old technology, clinging to her with his arms around her neck and genuinely unwilling to let go. Solar was surprised he hadn't ripped into her flesh and eaten her face, with the way his soulmate had his face pressed to her neck, and his legs around her waist.

"Sorry, he's somehow so clingy even in his sleep," she grunted but Solar hissed when she seemed a little too rough. "Yeah, I'm gentle, not hurting precious goods." Eventually she managed to lay him down, hands supporting a body that curled and moved.

The bed swam to him just as she dislodged from his embrace. It was Helios, but not the Helios he knew. Solar stared, eyes widened at how healthy the Omega was, cheeks full and pink with vitality. His lips were rosy with health, and his skin glowed.

Solar's fingers danced over the Omega, felt the snap of their bond, electricity between them. Then he tasted the strength and the pastel pink coil of his soulmate's healthy soul dancing within. His magic was almost full, his life force was filled to the brim. Even the fertility he believed that Helios had lost had returned, a spark within his lower belly. There was no darkness, no grey, no Lonely.

"I promise I didn't do anything to him, but he was a little hungry," she admitted.

"You raped him?" he snarled, eyes snapping up to the figure now taking her in.

She was dressed like a scavenger, a cloak that frayed, mismatched shoes and clothes that were only held in place because of the belts that she'd strung across her body. But his eyes zeroed in on the mask of blue over her face concealing her identity, his gaze danced to the wisp of curls that twisted pretty around her ears.

She was way too far for greater dissection. And he squinted into the darkness to make out her build, tried to gauge her height and weight. Inside, his heart gave a strange leap, skipped three beats as if he were in love.

"God, no. Not everyone here's a rapist. I've got better morals than that. I fed him food," she answered with a groan, fisted her hands into pockets. "Just bread, with meat and cheese. Lettuce and tea?" She cleared her throat. "Like a sane person, you know? Any chance you'd give me the reward that was advertised?"

She waved the paper that he'd hammered into the board. And he stared, then frowned as he pulled out coin from his pocket, tossed a solid gold medallion at her. She snatched it from the air, smacking her lips with a happy cry.

"Perfect, thanks. I'm adding it to my retirement fund."

"How..." he cleared his throat, didn't quite know what to say with her comment. "How was he when you found him?"

"Uh, filthy? He needs a bath, he didn't get one because he fell asleep," she shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"No, I—What state was he in?"

"State?" she bit her lips, and he understood now that the distance was her attempt to prevent him from tasting her feelings. His eyes narrowed at that, felt the need to step closer but she only smoothly stepped back. "Look, fairy. I learnt my lesson with Helios okay?"

"Fairy?" he snorted, let out a genuine laugh that bubbled free from his mouth. He slapped a hand to his lips.

"Helios was...A difficult guest. I'm exhausted, okay?" she staggered backwards. "Look, thanks for the tip. I'll leave." She turned and he noted now that she had a bike that roared to life as she stepped on the pedal.

"Hold on, what's your name—"

But she was speeding into the distance, her vehicle sending her flying across the sand. And Solar stared at her back, brows furrowing as his hands moved to his chest felt the thunder of his heart that was flying then the warmth in his cheeks. His ability to tell the future did not speak, quiet as if silenced by her presence.

But he felt as if he'd met her before.

A/N: Read 10+chapters ahead on patreon.com/tinyeyecat