Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Her glare said liar. And his responding smirk was cheeky.
Then Jules got to business. “As I said, there was something important on that ship, necessary to avert a larger crisis. Her name is Maryanne, an Alpha female penetration and control specialist. A genius at unraveling systems.”
It was jealousy, a flicker so bright in his mate that Jules had to suppress a smile at Brenya’s response to Maryanne’s description. Instantly offering comfort, his touch slipped higher, the side of his thumb tracing the claiming mark on her neck. The Omega’s response was instant. Her shoulders eased away from her ears, Jules drawing her just a little closer. “A coup was set to begin this afternoon, one that would have sequestered sections of the Dome under the expectation I would release the virus in response. They were willing to sacrifice however many citizens it took to overthrow my rule. I would have kept my word to you. So long as you remained in the Dome, I would not release the virus.
“Which means we would have been captured and most likely killed. Not every insurrectionist wants Jacques back in power. Many desire power only for themselves. Making you worthless in their eyes. Making Betas fodder. You understand that if anyone knows I won’t release the virus, I’m powerless. That’s why you can never tell.
“And if they killed you…” The virus would be released anyway. Jules needed her to deeply understand that.
Male fingers traveled to the nape of her neck, to massage and toy with the new short waves. To play as he drew her a tiny step nearer. “Maryanne came here to save your people when she could no longer help from afar. Abandoned her life in Greth. And she needs Georges’s support. He knows the lay of the land. No one would look for him, or count him as missing. Find it in your heart to be grateful for all they did. Without them, there would have been war today. Fire, murder, chaos in the streets. Instead, there were one hundred unmated Omegas joining our population. And when all is said and done, Lucia’s idea for a registry and medical attention will be seen to. But… do not, under any circumstances, try to enter Central, Brenya. Even Lucia, who desperately wants to help her sisters, knows that is a death sentence. Those Omegas have Alphas now. It is an Alpha’s duty to protect their females. The natural order will play itself out.”
“But you’re a Beta.” Defensively spoken, because Brenya was not a fool who subscribed to Alpha superiority. Because deep down, she knew her Beta mate was far superior to her Alpha one.
Jules was, and he knew it. Vastly superior.
Leaning closer, he took a deep breath of her, allowing his eyes to close as he purred. “I am a Beta. And I protect you. Even if that means making you do things you’ll hate me for now and then.” A kiss to her forehead. “Are you feeling better now?”
Her stubborn silence made him smirk as he kissed her temple, her cheek, rocking her gently as he coerced her to relax into him and let him lead.
“Maryanne is a very capable woman, and someday she may save your life. But I warn you, her methods are unorthodox… though highly effective.” A half-truth, a bid for understanding, wielded by a male who was determined to gain ground.
And the tension returned, Brenya stiff and frustrated. “I think the Alphas in Central are doing bad things to those women.”
“She saved millions.” His hands passed over her throat, stroking upward until her pretty face was cupped in his palms. Thumbs tracing her cheekbones, so very proud of his stabilizing mate, Jules murmured, “And she likes you, Brenya. It’s important that you know that. She struggles to make friends, so be kind if she’s brash.”
A little, “Likes me?” came from his shy mate’s mouth.
Earning her a kiss on the top of her head. “Yes, she’s been watching over you. She’s the one who started the electric fire in the hall the night you came to rescue me. I know you noticed it on the way to… becoming my wife. She wants you to succeed, and she will keep you safe. That’s why she’s here. To keep you and all our people safe.”
Our people, the words chosen and weaponized.
Effective.
The words and the sway had her caught in Jules’s rhythm once more, his mate lowering her eyelashes as she fell into his influence. And they danced, the Omega slowly mesmerized as long minutes of silence slowed her thoughts to the point she dared murmur, “What were you reading earlier?”
“My journal, and all my secret thoughts about a pretty Omega named Brenya. I love her, and I don’t want her to be sad or scared. I need her to trust that I will take care of her. Even if she gets mad and calls me Havel.”