Matros turned while Nate was still in the air. I wasn’t sure how long he could stay alive or if I cared. He was always an asshole, but this was a certain level of monstrosity I didn’t know he could do.

I stood up and covered my chained nipples with my hand and arm. Perhaps it was the Omega hormones or what almost happened that made me want to cry. Somehow, I kept the tears inside although my body shook in the evening chill. Meanwhile, my body still swayed from the pills.

Pa’s voice was slow. “Let that boy down.”

Matros growled. “Volardi do not take another’s mate.”

“He ain’t Volardi.”

It was such a simple statement, but I could hear the insult in Matros’ voice. “No, he is not.”

I spat out spit and sour sleeping pill residue while the situation washed over me. Nate tried to attack me in the worst way possible. A Volardi was about to kill a human. His purple alien eyes were full of murder. Becky stared at her boyfriend – former I hope – and a newly grown-up brother. I knew Pa wouldn’t let Nate get away with this. You don’t attack family – not in these parts.

I didn’t need him to shoot Nate or Matros. Either would get him in a world of trouble. More so if he shot Matros, but Nate’s parents were plenty powerful and could make life terrible. Pa had his health back and didn’t need to spend his newly given years in jail.

I stumbled and caught myself before I fell. My hand went up to my head as I fought the blurred vision.

Matros lowered Nate enough for his feet to take off some weight. It wouldn’t give him freedom, but it was enough to prolong the agony I’m sure he felt in his throat.

Matros’ musical voice was quick. “Are you ill?”

I pointed at Nate. “He shoved pills down my throat.”

Becky’s eyes widened. “Pills?”

“Sleeping pills.”

“Oh God!” Again, her hands went to her mouth, and she shook her head. “Oh no…”

Matros’ fingers squeezed around Nate’s throat and I swear I could see his skin darken near the fingertips.

Matros spoke slowly. “You attack an Omega far tinier than you, yet are so cowardly, you must drug him?”

I fought the sleepiness as best I could. I still wasn’t sure what being Omega entailed beyond some obvious ‘duties’. Right now, it meant leaving Peter’s tendency to let others fix his problems. I was Omega, an adult, and it was time I acted like one.

“Pa, put down the gun.”

“Son... uh...”

“It’s fine Pa.”