chapter 7: Ryan

I was stunned by the omega's outburst. Never in my life had I heard of an omega acting like that. I rolled my eyes, the attitude that he had been suppressing was finally back. I sigh softly and sit by the omegas door. I really didn't know much about omegas. I was raised in a village of beta's, I was the oddity. I lean heavily against the door the omega was locked in, trying to be close to protect him. I was sure he would be vulnerable in his heat state, so I needed to stand guard until he was well again. I must've sat there for hours because the doctor returned as the sun began to set. I look up at my friend sadly and he shakes his head.

"I wouldn't sit there if I were you," Kero whispers as he moves into his bedroom to change. I slowly stand and move to speak with the other man.

"Why not?" I question softly, embarrassed that this beta knew more about omega's than I did.

"You'll drive him crazy. Imagine you're starving and you're locked in a room alone. But, just outside the door you can smell food. You would drive yourself mad trying to get to it, wouldn't you?" I nod slowly, understanding dawning on me.

"Can you… Will you teach me about omegas?" I ask, my gaze focused solely on the carpet.

Kero sighs. "Why? You said yourself you don't want an omega,"

I huff and gently tap my foot in agitation. "I'm responsable for him until we get back to the palace. I need to know some things so I can keep him safe. It's not fair to keep going without knowing anything,"

"Fine, let's make dinner and we can start your training," I nod and trail Kero to the small kitchen. Kero uses a match to light the stove and begins to pull out ingredients.

"We'll start with heat," I blush, but don't argue. "An omega has their heat every three months. Their heat is when they are most fertile and often when they seek out a mate. Unmated omega's often go feral during their heats, their instincts the only thing they have. They won't recognize family or friends, just potential mates. This is why most homes come with a heat room, which is a place to lock an omega up so they can't go get themselves pregnant," I nod to show I was paying attention.

"He said something to me, about rejection killing omegas?" Kero nods.

"That's correct. An omega in their feral state, or even in a normal heat haze, will seek out potential mates, as I've said. If one is already mated they will search for their mate and beg to be pupped. If their mate or a potential mate rejects them, their heat will end and they will fall into an omega drop which can be deadly." I bow my head sadly.

"That's awful," Kero nods in agreement.

"That's why omegas are mated soon after they present, it's for their own safety," I chew my lip.

"Do you think the king will kill him if I return him?" Kero shrugs.

"I don't know. But I do know he probably will never be mated. No alpha wants a used omega,"

"Used? But I've never-"

"Doesn't matter, he's attached to you. He's soaked in your scent and that will always be there. Any alpha he's offered to will be able to smell you and that's offensive," I bow my head.

"So he'll suffer for the rest of his life if I return him," I make a sad sound. "But he'll also suffer if I keep him. What do I do, Kero?" again, the doctor shrugs.

"You do what feels right, who knows, maybe the king will figure something out. He could become a brothel omega, that would sate his heats," I shudder at the idea of such a sweet omega being sent to the brothels. "Or maybe he'd be happy with you," Kero begins to put the food into dishes and sets them on a tray.

"I'm going into his room to deliver this food," Kero says as he grabs some water and heads towards the room.

"It's locked," I call, to which he chuckles. Kero pulls out a key, unlocks the door, and steps silently into the room. The omega's scent wafts out delicately and I growl. He smelt wonderful. I bite my lip, fighting my wolf from going in and claiming Nox. I couldn't do that to him. I turned around and forced myself from the house. I needed to get out of there before I did something that would hurt Nox. I needed to think anyway. I push the door open and begin to walk to the woods.

Was it actually possible for Nox to be happy with me? I was clueless, which would get annoying pretty fast. But, Nox was so patient. Nox was wonderful, he didn't deserve to be in this position.

"Why are you asking questions now? For days you've avoided speaking to me, but now you want to know about me? Why? Are you falling for me? Gonna turn around and keep me after all?"

Yes, Nox. I was falling for you. Being in close proximity with you for a little under a week was torture. I wasn't used to being around omegas. They're not allowed on the battlefield and that's where I spend most of my time. The rest is spent alone in my cabin, training and wallowing in my loneliness. Having something to care for, to hold in the dead of night and comfort was new, but absolutely amazing. I wanted to care for Nox for the rest of our lives. Hell, I might even give up fighting for him. Settle down, start a family. Could I really do that? I had revenge to enact. I was a murder, not a lover. I couldn't trap Nox with me. Hell, look how terrified he was when I killed his attacker, he looked at me like I was a monster. I'd saved him, and somehow I was the bad guy for killing someone. There was no winning in this situation. I needed to take Nox back and hope he could return to his previous life in the castle. Being a servant couldn't be that bad, especially compared to being a brothel omega or being stuck with me.

I look up from my thoughts and glare at the body of the guard. He smelt terrible and his body was missing pieces. Clearly the animals and bugs had begun picking away at him. I bend and examine his face. Lieutenant General Colin Silva. I shake my head. I knew the man to be jealous and a bit malicious, but who would have imagined him harming an omega. Especially one so close to the king. He was lucky I had killed him. If the king had learned of his actions, he would've been slaughtered before his family and friends. His family would have had to live with the dishonor for the rest of their lives, it was a terrible way to go. I sigh softly and whisper a soft prayer for his soul before dragging him off to bury. He deserved that, at least. Even terrible people should have their souls released and their bodies returned to the earth. When I had finished, the sun was once more rising.

"How did time pass so quickly?" I wonder aloud