Her Broken Alpha - Isoellen Page 0,83

Darre didn't feel the others were equals, he believed the input of the lower breed and drones would make it easier to create the peace and harmony his father had claimed he wanted.

Rhineholth had laughed at him. That was the first time anyone had ever called him insane.

When Naya turned and smiled at him, his thoughts scattered. She could pick up a sense of him now, especially feelings he lingered on, just as he could sense hers. Her face and body might be sore, but Darre could feel that it hadn't wounded her desire for his attention.

As he took her hand and pulled her back into his lap, another knock sounded at the door.

"Come,” he called, irritated. Would they never leave him fuckin’ alone?

The door opened. Rhineholth.

The old man moved into the room, cautious in the lack of welcome. Darre did not want him here and wasn’t hiding it.

Naya's nostrils flared, but as fearless and trusting as ever, she didn't shrink before his father like most did.

The tall, skinny youth behind Rhineholth got much more of a reaction from her than the former master of the 12 Sectors. He felt it in the bond—fear, curiosity—and smelled the anxiety souring her scent.

The young alpha needed no introduction. It was Crispin.

Darre moved his hand over Naya's belly and tipped her head back, kissing her, tongue dominating hers until her heart was fluttering and she was so absorbed in him that she forgot about their guests.

His eyes remained on the other males. Crispin's eyes darted away, not knowing where to look. He lacked everything a thwarted mate should be feeling. He had no sense of jealousy or loss, no anger.

Was this Crispin even an alpha?

"Thank you for seeing me, Darre." Rhineholth held his hands up and open, a gesture of peace.

"What do you want?"

"Will you accept my apology?"

Darre narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I can forgive you for Alennie. She never wanted me. But it's more than that, and you know it."

His father nodded.

How could Darre let it go and forgive him for all the failures? It was time to release that last betrayal that had broken him and birthed the monster.

But what about the other insults? He had once nearly killed himself for his father, and that had not been enough to please the old man. They wore matching scars, but Rhineholth had never thanked his secondborn for his saving his life. Moreover, Darre never understood how the rest of the family could accept this man's petty cruelties, selfishness and constant duplicity. He had hurt their mother, sold women who had come to him for protection, and stolen an entire city of drones. The list of his offenses was endless.

"Will you introduce me to your bond-mate?"

Reluctant, Darre complied. "Naya, this is my sire. I believe you know the other male. Gentlemen, this is my mate, Naya."

He kissed her head. His hands wanted to wander, palm her tits, cup her pussy, show them both that she was his—that she had chosen him and found him worthy. But he knew that it would shame his proper little omega. She had it in her to revel in the display, he believed, but not yet. It was difficult enough for her to find herself in his lap, wrapped up in his arms before the man she knew as king.

Rhineholth dipped his head.

"Naya, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry this happened," Crispin blurted. He stepped around Rhineholth and started to approach to the desk before Darre warned him off with a growl. "I didn't know. Are you all right?"

Darre started to bristle. Of course she was all right. He fuckin' knew how to care for his mate.

"You look well, other than the bruises... But it's my fault, isn't it? I always wanted to be your friend, Naya. I didn't think an omega would ever choose me. It was my father's idea to court you. I thought it was because he had decided you would suit, that you pleased him when nothing I did pleased him. I thought he wanted you for himself, but I would protect you. I promised myself that I would protect you from him. I never imagined..."

The words tumbled out of the boy like a confession from a child caught trying to steal a sweet.

"You had no clue of his intentions?" Naya asked.

"He was too satisfied. He smelled proud, triumphant. When you disappeared, I thought he must have had something to do with it. I accused him right away, but he laughed