Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 63709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because it’s no longer just my secret to keep. Haven’t you ever wondered why I always told you to avoid Alphas? To hide?”
“I thought it was because I’m human.”
“No. You are different but they would accept that. You must hide because you are an Omega, too.”
I laugh. I don’t mean to, but… “Ma, no. There’s no way I can belong to a subclass of Ulfarri society. I’m a human. From Earth. New York, to be precise.”
“I don’t know how it’s possible, but I know it’s true. I am certain. You’re an Omega.”
I open my mouth and she holds up a hand.
“I know for sure because I’m one,” her piercing blue eyes are watching me intently, “and I can scent it on you. You may still be a human, but you’re an Omega too. Just as I’m Ulfarri—and an Omega. More importantly, if I can smell it on you, so can they.”
They?
The question must show on my face because she continues, “Alphas. Alphas can scent Omegas. It is their nature. Alphas are our warriors. They are born to fight, born to lead but above all, they are all born to find their perfect Omega. To find her and claim her as their mate. And Omegas can do the same. If they scent the right Alpha, they go into heat. It’s called the rut in Alphas, and estrus in Omegas. It can last from days to weeks, during which the Alpha and Omega join together as many times as possible with the intent to conceive.”
My eyebrows rise higher and higher. Even the wind is still, listening.
“An Alpha in rut can be out of control. Dangerous,” Ma says in her most serious tone. “If you and the wrong Alpha scent each other, and he goes into rut, you can forget about getting away,” she continues darkly. “He will have you, one way or the other. Not only that, but he won’t even think about letting you go.”
“Why not?”
“An Alpha’s instinct is to breed. Especially once the rut sets in. Since he cannot ever impregnate a Beta—Ulf knows, he won’t even go into rut with one—to him, you would be a prize jewel. A perfect mate.”
A tingle runs down my spine. I recall that rich, enticing scent. An Alpha’s scent. I was scenting the king. An Alpha. And he smelled so good.
But there’s no way I can possibly be an Omega, so…
The wind stirs my braids and I snap to attention. Ma is claiming that I’m somehow an Omega, reacting to a biological urge, but I refuse to believe it. I haven’t been with a guy in ages. Maybe I’m just thirsty as fuck, and that’s why the king smelled so good.
She leans in, gripping my hand. “You must trust me in this, Rose,” she says. “If an Alpha claims you, you will never be able to leave. He will keep you forever, or die in the attempt. Do you understand?”
My mind is reeling. This is so much new information to take in. “Of course,” I manage.
“That medicine I give you is an estrus blocker. You must take it without fail, every single day. It prevents you from going into estrus, and disguises your scent.”
“Leelah says the ingredients are illegal.”
Her eyes narrow. “They are, my dear, but most have forgotten. You shouldn’t have mentioned it to her. Luckily, I believe she can be trusted. But don’t speak of it to anyone else. Ever. We must be so careful. There are too few Omegas left.”
“Except you. That’s why you knew about the potion.”
She smiles sadly. “As an Omega who never wanted to be mated to anyone, I took it every day for all my fertile years. It works, but only if you never skip a dose.”
A prickle of panic tingles down my spine. I’ve skipped two doses now. “What happens if you do… skip a dose?”
“You go into heat. Alphas will be able to smell it on you, and that can send them into rut.”
My skin turns clammy and I shiver. “I have no more ingredients to make the potion,” I admit. “And I’ve been called to the village square tonight. One of the soldiers said they would come to collect me just before dusk.” I glance at the window. I have a few hours before that happens.
“You must run. Go to the river and hide. They must not find you. Pack some things, and leave now.”
“But—”
“I‘ll be fine.” She cups my face. “I will find the boola and keeba to make the medicine, and come find you. Go to the river where the water can help cover your scent.”
Heart pounding, I hurry upstairs. Rogue rushes ahead of me, blasting down the hall and opening my bedroom door with a bang. I follow—and find myself standing in the middle of a mini whirlwind.