Odin (Alien Adoption Agency #5) - Tasha Black Page 0,33

Liberty told him. “I traveled with the Physician’s Brigade for some years, and Odin has been on active duty. But adopting Colton means a new life for all of us. We have a lot to learn about farming.”

“I’ll say you do,” Old Alney chuckled. “They came up here to look for some missing rainbow sheep. I loaned ‘em our scanner, Ma.”

“Good, good,” Mrs. Alney said. “We’ll be sure to keep an eye out. Can’t say as I’ve heard much about rustlers in these parts. More’n likely it’s a jaguarootte.”

“Thank you,” Liberty said, beginning to wonder if she’d made a mistake with the big cat they’d found near the farm. Everyone seemed so sure the beast was dangerous.

Colton pushed his milk cell away. He had emptied it in record time. Liberty lifted him to her shoulder to burp.

“Well, now that he’s settled, let’s fix you a plate,” Mrs. Alney said.

Liberty glanced up at Odin. He looked like he was in shock. She had no idea what could have possibly happened in this innocent conversation to upset him, but it didn’t feel right to stay.

“I’m so sorry, but we’re eager to get back to the farm,” Liberty told her. “I’m sure we’ll visit with you again soon.”

“See that you do,” Old Alney said, rising and offering Odin his arm.

Odin seemed to rouse himself and took it, clasping firmly.

“Until next time, son,” Old Alney said.

“Thank you again,” Liberty told him.

“Goodbye, your honor,” Chipper called to Odin.

Odin gave a vague wave in the boy’s direction, but didn’t turn. Liberty was left to wave to three generations of Alneys on her own.

When she turned back, Odin was already far ahead of her.

She eased Colton into his sling and then trotted down the path after Odin, replaying the conversation in her head and wondering if she’d said or done something to upset him.

26

Odin

Odin silently held Liberty as the stag-mare took them home.

He hated his body for responding to hers, and he hated himself for believing for a minute that he could allow himself happiness.

The boy, the boy…

He didn’t look anything like Adyxx, the young onyx dragon, but his expression was the same one Adyxx had worn at their first meeting.

He was so innocent, so eager to roll his sleeves up and help.

Odin had taken Adyxx under his wing. He had been fool enough to think he could help the boy become a success on the force.

Instead, when it mattered most, in the heat of an ambush gone wrong, Odin had shifted to protect his crew.

But the appearance of a dragon had only escalated matters. The enemy had launched their most powerful weapons in retaliation.

And though every other member of the team had escaped with their lives, Adyxx had lost his.

Adyxx, who looked to Odin for everything, Adyxx, who trusted him.

Odin had let the boy down in the worst of all ways.

The memory of it would haunt him forever.

My poor judgement killed him. My lack of self-control destroyed his future and broke the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Odin did not deserve the starry-eyed admiration of Chipper Alney, or of anyone.

He should have been stripped of his medals. Instead, he had been given another award for bravery and quick thinking.

But in the awful years after the event, his work had suffered.

They had finally assigned him to guard Colton, the closest thing to an honorable discharge without actually discharging him.

And while the last thing he deserved was to care for another innocent child, he couldn’t stop adoring the little whelp, couldn’t stop wanting the best for him - not just to protect him but also to love him and teach him. It almost felt like a second chance.

But seeing Chipper brought it all crashing back.

He was responsible for Adyxx’s death. He did not deserve a family, not even a make-believe one. He did not deserve a mate or happiness.

He should have died on that field with the boy.

“I know you’re upset,” Liberty said softly pulling him from his thoughts. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But I’m here if you do.”

Her words were like a knife through his heart.

“I hope I didn’t do something to offend you,” she added softly.

“Of course not,” he growled.

He longed to tell her everything. He hadn’t talked about Adyxx with anyone. He had held the boy’s story in his heart, carried the weight of it alone, as he should.

Liberty went silent again. He could feel her hurting through their bond. She didn’t understand what was wrong, or