Chapter 9

 

Half buried under the scented furs, Morgaine barely stirred when Uriel burst in for the next day’s work.

His demeanor had altered drastically. Pensive agitation was gone, fresh determination behind his words instead. “We knew you would be feral, but having analyzed your complaints, we agree you are also under the false impression that you are not safe or cared for by our strict standards.”

Pacing back and forth, he spoke as if addressing soldiers at attention. “Every law has been followed. Every rule exacted with precision to ease your adjustment.”

Rubbing her eyes, Morgaine sat up with all the enthusiasm of a woman about to be fed to lions.

Appraising the unenthusiastic bend of her spine, he paused his march. He even bore the look of regret. “I cannot provide what you require. As such, there is only one recourse. Your belligerent temperament has altered the timeline for the selection of your mate.”

Unmoved, almost unfeeling, Morgaine asked, “Who?”

Coming to stand at the edge of the sleeping pit, Uriel frowned down upon the sad scene—an Omega who refused the comforts offered. “Despite your protests, I will no longer deny suitors from their rightful turn for physical interaction. Corporal Esin holds the greatest claim, he shall be first. Penetration will be permitted.”

Her fate was inevitable. Perhaps it was best to have it over with. “When?”

“At bedtime he will share your nest, with or without your initial cooperation. Tomorrow the next in line shall attend you, then the next, until arbitration has ended. You will acquiesce immediately if you are wise. Remember what is at stake if you… misbehave.”

Yes. They would publicly maim her mother… again.

Morgaine slumped back against the pillows, utterly defeated. “If Esin already has the greatest claim, then why draw out handing me over? Just give me to him and be done with it.”

Sergeant Uriel gestured toward the fur scraps she so pointedly refused. “Each pelt is a sampling of those who would contest his stake. As you can see, there are many soldiers to consider. Had you favored a scent from your nest, it would have altered the odds and ended arbitration more quickly. You have not done so.”

There was a way to have a different outcome? Shooting up to her knees, Morgaine grabbed at the furs, holding a bunch up to her nose to sniff. “What if I favor one now?”

Crossing his arms over a barrel chest, Uriel scowled, entirely unamused. “It would be an illegitimate response. Had you recognized the scent of the most compatible male, you would not have scattered the fur away and tried your best to sleep uncovered despite modification to the room’s temperature.”

There was nothing to say, nothing that Alphas might listen to. Six days with these males and Morgaine knew ugly nursery rhymes were correct. Being born Omega was far worse than any evil.

Shaking his head at her stubborn silence, he warned, “You continually reject Alpha attention, are unaccustomed to adult urges—that will change quickly with this new curriculum.” Reaching down, he took her hand and urged her from the bed. “Sexual release accelerates acceptance. You cannot know what it is Corporal Esin offers you, and so your fear is misplaced.”

She knew what he offered. Every last muscle was still sore after what he’d done the day before.

The hollow feeling in her chest rattled with the deep vibrations the older man confidently projected. His purr might have been unwelcome, but the rumble was enough to allow her ribs to fully expand. Breath brought color to pale cheeks.

This was the submission they desired.

“Where I come from, being forced to have sex with strangers would see you executed by Alphas when they invaded to steal your crops and livestock.”

Not a single flicker of compassion was to be found in Sergeant Uriel. Cold discipline, the true hardness of a tried and tested warrior—he was unmoved. “There is no Alpha on this ship who would cause you pain. All they want to offer is pleasure. Corporal Esin is no different. The decision is out of your inexperienced hands. As with all Omegas I have trained, you will thank me once you’ve grasped what a knot might bring you.”

Even though she offered no resistance, Morgaine was dragged by her elbow to the table. Once seated, a plate was piled high.

“You will need your strength today. Eat.”

The Omega swallowed the food Uriel had chosen for her without tasting a bite. Afterward, a bath was ordered, tonics given to be swallowed that he claimed would cheer her. For the first time ever, the sergeant stood over her as she soaked. He ordered she clean under her nails, lather her hair with soap, oil it with a slimy unguent left in a jar by the rim.

All the water drained.

“I did not command you to rise.”

Half out of her seat, the soggy girl hesitated. She always hated this part, being wet and naked before an audience. But at least today the audience was not Corporal Esin.

Eyes on Uriel’s boots, Morgaine rearranged herself and kept her eyes downcast. Wet hair lay plastered over her breasts. Legs together, hands in her lap to cover as much of her secret place as possible.

“Before we prepare for today, I have news for you.”

Chin still tucked, she glanced up under her brows and waited for this news.

The Alpha looked pleased with himself, as if expectant to see her smile by what he would share. “Your genetics were run through our database to assure that none who offered for you were a blood relation.”

Unsure how to answer, Morgaine lifted her brows.

“During this process, your patriarch was also discovered.” Sergeant Uriel extended his arm, so she might obediently take his fingers. As she did, he added with a smile, “The Alpha in question was executed this morning.”

“Executed?” Her mouth fell open, her foot missed the mark, and Morgaine’s heel slipped on the tile.

Before she could do more than tangle her legs and bruise a shin, Sergeant Uriel caught her. He hauled her out and stood her far enough away from the ledge to prevent another accident. Steadying the girl, frowning, he said, “As I told you before, Alphas protect Beta settlements. Such a grievous breach of protocol had to be answered for. All are safe from him now. This should please you.”

She had never thought of the male who’d fathered her as a real person. Even her mother had never spoken of it. Morgaine had only learned of such a thing from cruel neighborhood gossip. As a child she had questioned why her mother had been shunned, why she had no friends beyond her aunt.

It had been Hanna who had told Morgaine she was an Alpha’s bastard when her boy had decided to play in their yard. She had said it as if letting her son play chase was the most magnanimous offering she might make as a neighbor.

Her mother had never complained, but there had been far-reaching consequences. No man in the settlement had asked for Elizabeta’s hand, no matter her sweet smile or skill with needle and thread.

She was tainted in their eyes.

But they had one another. Their lives were quiet and happy, with no need of outside interference.

And though they had avoided her mother, the same neighbors had never been cruel to her. In harsh winters, no one went hungry. When her aunt’s body had been found swinging from the rafters, many had come to offer solace.

As far as parentage, for all Morgaine knew, her mother had been a willing participant the day she was conceived.

And now her father was dead. Did he even know why? Had he too watched Esin rub between her legs?

Guilt, disgust, and shame left the Omega white as a sheet. Morgaine knew she had to answer, had to give Sergeant Uriel something or else a punishment might follow, so she muttered. “Alphas keep Betas safe.”

Uriel was pleased, a smile in his eyes. “Well done, girl. You are learning.”

She was learning. Every day she learned Alphas were closer to monsters than men. “What is my lesson today? Shall I sit in the chair and watch the screen?”

“No.” Genuinely exultant, Uriel took her by the elbow and offered clothing. “Today we leave this room so that you can be introduced to those in the fleet with an interest in knowing you better.”