Her Broken Alpha - Isoellen Page 0,97

alpha has rules and is clear about them."

Finnor thought about the answer for a bit, his eyes pouring over them from head to toe in a way that made Naya want to laugh. He could be a tyrant, this young brother of hers, but he was also thoughtful.

He tipped his head to the side after his assessment. "What kind of rules?"

"That is between mates."

A big huff of displeasure escaped the boy. "Talis says that we will learn more in our final year at school before our enlistment. Why is all the good stuff in the final year? It's not fair. I'm ready to know now."

"Maybe, maybe not, pup. But there is a reason for alphas to go through extra schooling and enlistment, and your body has not yet met the requirements," Monster informed him.

Finnor threw his shoulders back, puffing out his youthful chest. "I am not a pup. I may be young in age, but I am never at the bottom of the pile."

"You cheat," Naya volunteered, softening her words with an indulgent smile.

He frowned at her. "There is no cheating when it comes to winning, Naya. I just know where everyone is weak."

He knew where everyone was ticklish and had a technique to make them either have to laugh or give way. In the middle of testing their strength, trying to win while playing at big, no young alpha would dare laugh or giggle. They'd give up first.

It was Naya who had discovered that trick while playing with them when they were still babies in the park. She'd loved to hear their loud, free laughter. Finnor had paid attention to the lesson.

"This brother of yours should come and foster with us, Naya. He could be one of your guard," Monster murmured. This was a big compliment, and Finnor grew taller right before their eyes.

It would be nice to have her family with her, but Sector 2 was still Sector 2.

Monster ignored her parents, only answering their questions if they came through her. Her brother Talis, now Talis Rizer, was home from his time with the army. He hung back, just watching, but the youngest three, always together and led by Finnor, amused Monster somewhat. He answered the boys’ questions and let them examine his claws.

Naya discussed packing her things with her mother and Phee and talked about the sort of things she might need for the baby. She talked to the servants about family recipes. The conversations stayed mundane.

She asked her mother how she was feeling, but got only half-truths in answer. Mother couldn't look her in the eye. Phee was no better.

Phee stayed near Talis or generally avoided her. Naya wanted to talk with her, but Monster, conscious that this was the house of her kidnapping and that her parents had not treated her with the regard he thought she deserved, would not leave her alone for a minute.

Phee had not renewed her marriage contract with her mate. SHe wore the event like a failure rather than seeing it as the freedom to find a mate who would value her.

Naya could feel her older sister's assessment even at a distance as she watched every interaction between herself and Monster.

As far as Naya knew, they were the first bonded couple Phee had ever seen up close, and their interactions—Naya's joy and Monster's purring contentment—were not what she had expected.

Complexion sallow, body thin, Phee had suffered much from her marriage's failure. Wearing the lurking bitterness Naya had sensed since her marriage to Grayson Swift, Phee's disappointment settled on her shoulders like a mantle of mourning.

She didn't eat. She relied on lady’s maid to sleep. She'd lost all her vitality. Naya had never known Phee to be anything but confident in her status, even a little haughty. But Phee had failed to do the one thing expected of every omega.

The failure to create a family had left a mark.

On her second day in her childhood home, Monster and Alreck were across the room engaged in conversation with the king and his father. Naya sat nearby, two guards stationed next to her chair. It was overkill, but Monster left nothing to chance.

She was sorting what yarns to take and leave when she saw Alreck's head turn as Phee lingered in the hall. Nostrils flaring, the alpha scented her.

Phee's contract marriage ended, her bond untaken, she was an available omega. It was awkward for all the unmated Sector 2 alphas in the group who had never come across omega breeders. Instinct and desire