Rath (The Omega Collective #2) - Mina Carter Page 0,27

males turned to stare at him. “She was in heat?” Tane asked.

“And it stopped? What did you do?” Kinn demanded.

“I brought her here to get treatment.”

“You,” Kinn growled, “are an idiot. You do not move a female once she is in heat.”

“I told him I didn’t want to come,” Savannah added, an edge of grumpiness in her voice as she shot him an “I told you so” look. “I liked where we were.”

“You should have been kept there,” Kinn grumbled, bending over Savannah’s wounded leg. “But... with your mate’s abysmal medical abilities, I can see why he brought you to me.” He looked up at Tane. “She needs S’tranisaa. It’s all I can give her that won’t overwhelm her system and interfere with her heat.”

“Get it. Whatever she needs. Fix her. That’s your job.” He looked at his lord. “And no one told me not to move an omega. Perhaps we need our healer to be more forthcoming about what we’re supposed to do since these omegas are not like the ones we are used to?”

“If my orders were being followed, this would not be an issue,” Tane was still staring at the blade in his hands. “Why didn’t you wait to claim her?”

“Because I couldn’t. She was mine.” Rath slapped his chest hard. “Her scent compelled me. I can’t explain it.”

Tane arched an eyebrow. “I suggest you try, Master at Arms.”

The threat of violence was heavy in the air, as Rath resisted the urge to square up to the lord himself. But then a pained little squeak from the sofa got both their attention.

“My apologies,” Kinn murmured, his deep voice soothing. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Savannah had never felt so exposed. After a lifetime of hiding, she was alone in a room with three huge alphas, one of them the Overseer himself. She kept reminding herself of the rules her mother had taught her. Don’t show fear. Don’t back down but don’t stare. Looking an alpha in the eyes wasn’t allowed, yet Rath seemed to like it. The Overseer didn’t seem to mind, either. Much.

“The pain will fade. It always does.” She shrugged.

The healer, Kinn, winked at her. “True. But I still regret causing you pain. Once my bag is delivered, I promise you won’t have any more. Then your idiot alpha can take you back to your nest. That’s what you want. Isn’t it?”

“Yes. Very much.”

Rath glared at the healer, flashing a hint of fang. Savannah found it funny. She’d never imagined the alphas bickering or posturing like this. It was… surprising.

“And that is another thing, Lord Tane. These omegas live in fear and pain. They’re suffering.” Rath gripped her hand tighter. “We need to protect them.”

“Agreed. But first, we need to find them.” He looked at the blade again. “These might help. If the omegas carry them, we know what to look for.”

She froze, realizing she’d given these alphas a way to identify women like her. Omegas. But... would that really be so bad? She looked at Rath and Tane again and then back at the healer fussing over her leg.

“They will resist you,” she said quietly.

“So I’ve been told.” Lord Tane gave her an odd look. “Quite recently, actually. You are not the only omega to arrive at Zabor T’ah recently. I’m taking it as a sign.”

Rath cleared his throat. “I have been told there are others like Savannah, my lord.”

“Interesting. I look forward to hearing your report on that, Master at Arms. Once you have seen to your omega.” The little curved knife flickered as he twirled it over his fingers. “I think we will have much to discuss.”

“You’re going to start hunting us again?” Savannah asked and then looked at Rath. “You know that won’t work.”

“Hunt is a strong word,” Tane replied, watching her. “More... persuade the omegas that surrendering themselves is in their best interests.”

She met him look for look. He made it sound so simple, like he had made the decision and that’s all there was to it. That of course the human omegas would cede because he, the Lord Overseer, had decreed that it was for the best.

He had a lot to learn.

Savannah could have told him so, but she didn’t. She wasn’t going to help them any more than she already had. They knew about the mercy blades now. The rest, they’d have to learn for themselves. If they were decent—like Rath—maybe they’d succeed where the other invading clan had failed.

Kinn kept working on her leg while they spoke.