“And if I kill him, the command goes to the next in line. Then I can save my Femeni.”

Both women looked at each other for several seconds. I wasn’t sure if it was telepathy or instinctual knowledge like I had with Matros. Another stab shot through my stomach and I leaned up even as the pain went down my back. I had no way to know for sure, but I knew it wasn’t supposed to feel like this. I watched videos and listened to my doctors, so I had expectations. It was more gut-twisting pain instead of contractions. Almost like something was ripped inside me. Torn maybe. Admittedly, I worried if squeezing a baby out would tear something, but not this soon.

Thoughts on how it wasn’t supposed to be like this went through my mind before I shoved it away. I didn’t have time for useless thoughts. The old Peter was a do-nothing who wasted his life. The new one was royalty sure, but that wasn’t the most important. Even being bonded to Matros as amazing as that was, still paled to one thing.

Parenthood was coming. I failed at so much. I couldn’t lose a child before he ever came into the world.

My words were slow between grunts yet still I smiled as if to ease his concern. “Something isn’t right, my love.”

Matros looked at my stomach then my face. “I know. We will get you to a doctor. We’ll tend to your wounds. You’ll deliver and–”

I shook my head no.

“No… something else isn’t right.”

His voice was calm. “You’re distressed. It’s your first. You don’t have experience.”

I bared my teeth and yelled, “Stop treating me like I’m a stupid Omega.”

During our conversation, he put the other woman down. I turned to both while I held a hand to my face. I wondered what I could call them beyond guards, next in line, or even kidnappers. Fuath ruled, but they had their part in it. Still, what were they?

Matros was Alpha, king, mate, and soon to be Father. What was he most?

Likewise, with the women or rather Sammen, were they female first? I was male, yet they gave birth before. I used to think male and female were complete opposites. In a world of aliens, men that could give birth, and extra sexes, who did I have more of a connection to?

Alien females or alien males?

My gaze darted back and forth from each one. “Earlier, you promised nothing would happen to my child or me. Is that still valid? Will you keep your promise?”

Both hesitated for a few seconds before they spoke. “Yes.”

Okay. One point down.

“Can you deliver a Volardi child safely?”

Matros’ eyes widened. “Certainly not. I forbid it.”

“It’s my body.”

“It’s my child,” he said.

“My pregnancy.”

“I am King.”