It was the only thing that made sense. I remembered the smell of brine from the past days. That thing must have been following or looking for me. It waited for its chance and then…

My fingers touched the side of my neck and the small bump.

“You knocked me out and had the thing drag me out.”

“Raised you to its shell and carry you but overall true.”

I swallowed hard. Telling me this isn’t something I expected an enemy to do. If I got out, I’d tell Matros, and they’d lose their advantage.

That means one thing.

They aren’t planning on letting me go.

***

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

PETER

“I will eventually contact Matros,” said Fuath. “The so-called King. Although trespasser on our planet is his true name. In exchange for your safety, he and the other Volardi will leave our planet.”

My eyes narrowed. Would Matros do this for me? The consensus was Alphas would do anything for their Omegas. It was written into the DNA and backed up by cultural expectations. Still, the question wasn’t exactly answerable.

I thought while I attempted to keep the fatigue at bay. Matros was right. I was pregnant with his… our child. I should be in bed. Walking around the palace cost effort. Normally, I would have returned to my bed, instead of constantly walking.

If he was here, it would solve my problems and give me the answer. Although, I already knew deep down. He wouldn’t leave this planet because he would see no need to do so. Volardi could travel across the stars. They could certainly travel down into the aquatic. After that, overwhelming firepower would finish the rest – once he got me.

My voice is slow. “You don’t believe he’ll do that.”

Fuath blinked slowly as I spoke.

“You want him to attack? Why?”

In my side vision, I saw the two females look down with thinned expressions.

“No, I don’t believe he will but I’m giving him a chance.”

My face twisted into a slight smile. “I get it. You accused me of acting like the Volardi, but you’re just like them.”

Gills opened and closed swiftly along his body. The sound was like someone slapping fingers against the counter. “You’ll say something… like tell the truth but you won’t follow the spirit of the promise.”

“We do not believe in your supernatural.”

I explained the meaning quickly. “You wrap it up in misdirection. You said you wouldn’t attack the coastal cities, but you said nothing about not attacking civilians.” I rubbed my neck for emphasis.

“I did not attack you.” He jerked to the armored ‘crab’. “He did.”

“See… just like the Volardi. They’ll promise something and then honor it to the letter but no more. You’re doing this to anger him. You want him to come? Why?”

“I have no wish to tell you. That is the truth.”