CHAPTER NINE
DROCCO
Drocco continued to mate with Cailyn. She was absolutely incredible in her Haze, just as he knew she would be. She responded to everything he did with such pleasure and delight that he almost forgot where he was. The desperation and burning ache that had been building in him since she left disappeared, replaced with a contentment and satisfaction so strong he found it difficult to even think properly. Of course he was in his rut, but it was more than that. Maybe it was the change of her scent as soon as she conceived. He couldn't place the feeling, but he knew it was something that could break his resolve if he wasn't careful. He had to remind himself that she was the same woman who attacked him and escaped not so long ago. The same woman who denied their connection. The same woman who rejected him as her Alpha and treated him with disdain. She was still that woman, even if she wasn’t in that mind-set right now. All of that behavior still had to be addressed. Still, he was relieved that she had conceived so quickly—everything would have been difficult if it hadn’t happened.
He had made sure to remove the charm from the door that had eliminated magic in and around the room. The Talent-crafter twins had indeed delivered a good item—they had been able to affect the magic in the castle without Malloron being alerted, and the item itself disintegrated into dust as soon as he removed it.
When the door opened, as the afternoon ended, Drocco lay on the couch while Cailyn rode him to another orgasm. He turned to see Malloron, the man's face slack in shock as he took them in on the couch.
Drocco grabbed Cailyn's ass and slammed her down on him, as he came in her. He kept his eyes on Malloron, watching the man carefully as he spurted inside his now pregnant Omega. Cailyn dropped onto his chest, panting. Drocco encircled her in his arms, fighting against the urge to remove her from Malloron's view. Malloron needed to see it with his own eyes; Cailyn belong to Drocco, and nothing he could do would change that. Certainly not now.
Malloron and Drocco continued to stare at each other, Malloron's eyes hardening as his initial shock passed.
"What the fuck have you done?" Malloron hissed, the fury in his face contorting it to almost unrecognizable proportions.
"I have reunited with my Omega," Drocco said.
“How?” Malloron growled. “She was adamant that she didn’t want you. I want to speak to her. Cailyn—”
“Cailyn is in her Haze,” Drocco said sharply. “She barely knows her own name right now. The only thing she cares about is her Alpha.”
Malloron’s fist clenched. "Is that why she smells…" He paused. "How is it that she suddenly entered her Haze?" he demanded.
Drocco didn’t answer.
"You tricked me," Malloron bellowed.
Cailyn's eyes flew open and she shrunk back from the boom of Malloron's voice. Drocco tightened his arms around her, silently reassuring her that she would be all right. She turned her head away from Malloron and settled again on Drocco’s chest.
"No," Drocco said coldly. "You stole her from me. I’m simply taking her back."
Malloron clenched his jaw. There was nothing he could say and he knew it.
"You tried, Malloron," Drocco sneered. "You made a good effort, but she was always mine."
Malloron gnashed his teeth. "You haven’t left my castle yet, Drocco. You’re still in my territory."
"Yes," Drocco snapped. "And my army surrounds your castle. What do you presume to do? I told you that I'm happy to die here. But if I do, my warriors will fight to the death to avenge me. Will your men? Will your people, your neighboring territories, and your precious trading infrastructure support that kind of disruption to the Western Lands?"
Malloron was silent. He took a step, and Drocco shot up to a sitting position on the couch, holding Cailyn close to avoid moving her too much on his knot.
"Do not move one step closer," Drocco hollered. “My Omega is with child. I'm sure you are aware how protective Alphas become over their pregnant mates. With an Omega, it is intensified ten-fold, especially during her Haze. Do not come any closer."
"You have impregnated her?" Malloron said, incredulously. "This afternoon? In my castle?!"
"We have fucked numerous times," Drocco said, casually. “Your guards aren’t as effective as you think."
Malloron let out a roar of anger. "How dare you!"
Cailyn whimpered, pressing into Drocco harder at Malloron's roar.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Drocco said, mockingly. "It has been incredible to be inside my Omega again. And imagine my surprise to learn that you didn't even fuck her?" His expression turned deadly serious. "Your restraint has earned you the privilege of keeping your life. For now."
Malloron’s mouth contorted and he turned to pace across the room, clenching his fists in agitation. Drocco watched him, every part of his being tense. In truth, he was highly on edge about Malloron being so close to Cailyn—no Alpha should be anywhere near her while she was in a state of undress—but this discussion had to happen. Malloron needed to know that Drocco had claimed Cailyn in every way possible. There was no way that Malloron could consider marrying her now.
Malloron slowed to a stop and turned to Drocco. "It makes no difference," he said firmly. "No one needs to know that you have impregnated her."
"Actually, the Lox already know," Drocco said. "So if you're thinking you can pass my child off as your own, you can't. The fact I haven't returned yet has told my commander that I’ve been with her in her Haze. He will have passed that information onto the Lox, and they will be celebrating right now that there is an heir to my Empire."
Malloron's eyes narrowed. "So you admit it. You did know that her Haze would happen? You tricked me into letting you in here knowing she would be going into a state where she couldn’t refuse you."
"She is my Omega," Drocco responded. "I’ll always know more about her than you. That is all you need to know."
Malloron breathed heavily, his eyes flashing with anger. "Fine. And all you need to know is that you’re in my territory and I won’t allow you to leave with that child. In fact, it would be fitting if your child became the first sex slave borne by an Omega in the last hundred years." He sneered. "Imagine the interest I’ll get on such child. There will be requests to fuck it throughout the Lands."
Drocco snarled. "If you think I’ll allow my child to be born only to suffer at your hands, you are mistaken. You have underestimated me before, I caution you not to do so again."
"I won’t allow you to simply fuck and impregnate my intended queen and walk out of here!" Malloron barked. "You have underestimated me if you think I will allow that to happen."
He then surveyed the room, his expression morphing into one of disgust. "Enjoy your time with her now. It won’t last." With that, he turned and headed toward the door.
Drocco watched him leave, stroking Cailyn's back. He had expected Malloron to be furious, but he hadn’t expected the threat to his child. Either way it didn’t matter. Torin would have told the Lox by now, and they wouldn’t rest until Drocco, his Omega, and his heir left the castle. Malloron had no idea what he was dealing with.
***
Over the next two days, Drocco enjoyed Cailyn's attentions. She smiled for him, touched him, and reached for his cock regularly. However, even though he had been desperate for her smile, and for her to be eager for him, it was different when she was in her Haze. She wasn’t the same prickly female that he was used to dealing with. She was much more subservient and eager to please him all the time. He thought he would prefer that, or at least enjoy it more than he did, but he didn't. He wanted his Cailyn with her sharp retorts, her disagreeable attitude, and her occasional shyness. He preferred when she pressed into him, knowing exactly who he was and their history, but unable to resist being close to him. He preferred when she touched him, knowing she touched the man who had once caused her pain. He couldn't even enjoy her smile properly because it didn't feel real. He watched her closely, absorbing everything about her. Her Haze locked her in a delirious state—her golden eyes glazed over most of the time and she wanted him inside her constantly, even though she was now pregnant.
One of Malloron's servants brought in food twice. It wasn't enough for them both, but that was probably his intention. He wanted to weaken them, to try to ensure that Drocco would not be a problem for him. However, it was irresponsible to not feed a pregnant Omega properly. And it irritated Drocco to no end. He fed Cailyn everything that came, but of course that was what Malloron wanted. The servant also brought in a bowl for their waste, and Drocco gritted his teeth as they used it. Malloron was treating them like prisoners, but it wouldn’t last long. He just had to be patient.
At midday on the third day, Malloron returned. This time, Drocco blocked Cailyn from view with his body.
Malloron entered the room, surveying the state of it. Furniture had been moved about in their wild, frenzied mating, especially as they no longer had to keep quiet.
"I'm surprised you haven’t asked for anything," Malloron said, his disposition calmer than their previous encounter. Perhaps he had come to terms with his situation. “It’s irresponsible for you to not ensure your Omega is in full health."
"My Omega is in perfect health," Drocco said, tightly.
"So there is nothing you need?"
"Are you expecting me to negotiate with you?" Drocco asked. "Is there a problem you're having that you would like me to help you with?"
Malloron scowled. He turned away, and thought for a moment before turning back. "You need to tell the Lox to pull back."
Drocco eyed him, trying not to let his satisfaction show. "Why would I do that?"
"It makes no sense for either of us to have them continuously attacking the castle where you and your heir are situated," Malloron said. "You would be at risk too, if they breached the castle."
Drocco shook his head. "There is no risk to me. The Lox would not mistakenly kill me or my pregnant Omega. They will only kill you and your people. And that is what will happen eventually. You cannot hold them off forever."
Malloron's jaw clenched. "So you want nothing? You don't want a proper bed or proper food for your Omega or a more comfortable environment? You cannot truly be satisfied in a meeting room."
Drocco resisted smiling. He pretended to consider. "Yes, all of those things would be appreciated. But what would you want in return?"
"You will tell your army to stand down."
"You have threatened to turn my child into a sex slave," Drocco said, his voice low. "And you want me to tell my army to stand down?"
"If you want your child to even be born healthy, you will need your Omega to be in better conditions than this room," Malloron pointed out.
Drocco said nothing as he pretended to enter deep thought. After a few moments, he said, "I’ll speak to my commander. Have him brought in. However, in return, I want a bedroom for me and Cailyn, with a washroom that includes a bath. I want a range of clothes for her, extra bedding and cushioning for her to nest and some books for her to read. You will give us both three meals a day and allow Cailyn everything she craves."
Malloron nodded. "And you will tell your army to stand down?"
Drocco nodded. "Yes."
***
Malloron delivered everything he promised. For once. Drocco found himself in a large bedroom with all the things he asked for. After he bathed Cailyn and tucked her inside the bed, he felt a little more secure. Torin was brought in to see him within a few hours of them being moved.
"I see your plan is moving forward nicely," Torin commented quietly, as they stood talking in a corner of the room.
Drocco nodded, struggling to keep himself under control. Having another man in the same room as his pregnant, Hazed Omega, still made him uncomfortable and caused an almost uncontrollable urge to remove the threat. He knew it was his rut causing the feelings and he couldn’t allow it to destroy all the careful planning he and Torin had done to ensure Cailyn remained his. He forced himself to remain focused on this fact as he responded, grateful that Torin, once again, kept his back to his Omega. "Yes, Malloron has kept his word in this instance. You have been causing him a lot of trouble?"
"We began killing civilians," Torin said. "He didn't like that. Then, one of the troops entered into a neighboring territory. It seems Malloron is sensitive about his standing with the other territories in this land. At least, that one in particular."
Drocco nodded. "Good work. Has the assault with the Talent stopped?"
"It has lessened," Torin said. "It hasn’t gone completely, but it’s definitely more bearable. I don't really notice it now, but when I entered the castle I felt the difference."
Drocco shook his head. "I’ll speak to him about that. I estimate Cailyn has about four or five more days in her Haze. The next phase of our plan should happen within two weeks after that. If I don't summon you by then, then you know it has worked."
“Understood.”
“Did you get the item from the Alpha females?”
Torin dipped his head in a nod, and carefully pulled a small chain from a kink in his armor at his elbow. He dropped it into Drocco’s hand with a jet-black, pebble-sized gem. Drocco examined the chain as Torin explained exactly how the items worked, confirming what he had researched. It looked like it was made from old gold, but when he peered closer, glints of sapphire, ruby, and violet darted along the delicate links.
“The twins’ story is real, Drocco,” Torin said. “They are exceptionally talented.”
Drocco looked back up at Torin.
“They are in danger if they stay here and we need Talent-crafters, especially if your plan works.”
“We didn’t come here to recruit Talent-crafters, Torin,” Drocco said, exasperated.
“Maybe you didn’t, but I did,” Torin said. “You said you wanted crafters who were as talented as Malloron. That meant we would only find them here, in the Western Lands, but to find his actual bloodline, willing to join us and fight against him? That is extremely rare, Drocco. We cannot turn them away.”
“And what if they have targeted the Lox because they want to infiltrate us on Malloron’s behalf?” Drocco said. “It’s too lucky we found them.”
“I have investigated them thoroughly, Drocco. I’ll take responsibility for them.”
Drocco tilted his head, surprised. It was rare for Torin to take such risks. He examined his commander. He seemed determined—his mouth set firm and his steel eyes unwavering. “I will ask you this once, Torin,” he said slowly. “They are Alpha females… have you found yourself attracted to them in any way?”
Torin’s jaw hardened. “I am not an Omega male.”
“I know,” Drocco said, quickly. “And I mean no offense, but surely there is a draw?”
“I find them intriguing on a personal level,” he responded, slowly. “But not enough to risk my status and reputation on if I didn’t truly believe they would be beneficial for the Lox.”
Drocco nodded, thoughtfully. “All right. It’s in your hands.”
Torin dipped his head in a bow, and Drocco noticed Cailyn fidgeting.
“I must go,” he said to Torin.
"I wish you well, Drocco. And congratulations." Torin grasped Drocco's arm firmly. "You said you would have an Omega, that you would be an Emperor, and that you would have a family. All of this has become true and I'm very happy for you."
Drocco clasped his arm back firmly. "Thank you, my friend. I hope to bring such happiness to you too. Let us hope the next part of our plan goes well."
As he walked Torin to the door, Cailyn sat up in the bed and watched him exit. Drocco frowned, a harsh irritation flitting within him. As soon as the door shut, he stalked over to the bed and grabbed her neck, his irritation turning to fury. "Keep your eyes off him!"
She went limp and moaned, and that familiar arousal shot through him. He climbed over her and she automatically opened her legs wide for him, drawing her knees up in both complete surrender and eager invitation. He undid his robe with one hand and plowed into her wet, tight heat.
"Why do you watch him?" he snapped, stilling at the hilt. The sweet strangle of her pussy tempted him to forget her indiscretion, but he couldn’t. "This is not the first time you have watched that man. What fascinates you about him?"
"He is strange," she whispered, her golden eyes on him. "He has no glow."
Drocco relaxed his grip, trailing his hands down to her hard nipples. "He is a Beta. Does he interest you?"
She let out a whine and ran her hands over his forearm then pulled his hand back to her neck. Drocco refused to clasp her the way she wanted. “Answer me, Cailyn. Does that Beta interest you?”
She blinked, and her gaze struggled to focus on him. “No. You’re the only one with the glow I want, Alpha.”
Drocco watched her for a long moment. He didn’t doubt she spoke the truth, but he wasn’t satisfied. She wanted him for biological reasons, and although that was exactly the way he had planned to tie her to him, and get them out of Malloron’s hold, the words rung hollow. He didn’t want her like this. In her current state, she was too driven by her needs and would do anything he wanted. He hadn’t even bothered to demand that she tell him that he was her Alpha because she would simply agree with him in her current state. It wouldn’t mean anything. He wanted the Cailyn who had her own mind, who argued with him, and had fire in her gaze. And yet, at the same time, he knew he could never trust that version of her. She had proved to be more devious than he had expected, and he couldn’t allow her to defy him again.
He slipped his hand away from her neck and held out the chain Torin had given him. It popped open at the clasp, and he secured it around her neck. As soon as it was fastened, it molded itself onto her skin until it was completely smooth against her, and then disappeared. Drocco peered closer. It appeared to have burrowed right into her and faded to match her honey tone. All that remained was a slight shimmer. He ran his hand along it, and it rose up under his touch so he could feel it. It was certainly a sophisticated magical item. He pulled out the black gem Torin had given him. It was a location gem that would tell him where Cailyn was at all times as long as she wore the chain. Currently it glowed a deep jet black, signifying she was close.
As he studied it, Cailyn began to writhe and wriggle on his cock, frustrated with his inaction. She let out a whine that called to his baser instincts. She was in need and he couldn’t resist. He moved within her slowly, watching her eyes roll back as she tilted and gyrated her hips. His hand clasped her neck again, feeling the chain around her, and she shuddered and sighed, clenching along his cock in that way only his Omega could, and he built up speed as his pleasure at her reaction heightened the sensations rocking his body.
He was annoyed with himself that he remained unsatisfied, even though he had gotten everything the way he wanted it. It wasn’t enough. He wanted all of Cailyn; her thoughts, her real reactions to him, her considered acceptance of him as her Alpha, not just her body or her instincts. And yet, that Cailyn would never accept him. She had made her choice. He would never have her the way he truly wanted, and that burned him more deeply than he had ever thought possible.
As his orgasmic crescendo built, his contemplation squeezed out of his mind; his every sense drowned in his Omega.