Chapter Four

Remy rushed through her ship, reaching the cockpit only to find the door locked. “Open up. I want to see you in person.” He sounded rough and demanding, and he instantly softened his tone, realizing that would only frighten her more. “Please, Maya. I’d like to speak face-to-face. Will you open the door?”

He truly expected her to remain unmoved, so it was a surprise when the door slid open a moment later. She was still seated in the pilot’s seat, her arms crossed over her chest. Noticeably, she wore a holster with a laser pistol snugged inside, and he had the feeling she would use it if she felt afraid of him.

It was a relief to see her, almost immediately followed by displeasure. Breathing in her scent revealed she was on the suppressant again. He could barely pick up any indication she was an Omega now, except the rings around her eyes remained. He assumed it would take a while longer for them to fade, and it wouldn’t happen until the optimal dose of suppressant had built up in her system once more. He shook his head in confusion. “Why are you hiding what you are?”

She snorted at him. “That’s an easy question for you to ask. As an Alpha, the world is yours to command. As an Omega, I’m considered your subordinate, and you can do what you want with me as long as you don’t kill me. All Alphas are like that, and all Omegas are their victims. I refuse to live my life as a victim again, and I’m much happier not being an Omega.”

He was stunned by her words, shaking his head. “It’s not like that at all.” As he spoke, he moved over to the copilot’s seat, and Swish hopped out so he could sit down. He nodded his thanks to the CAP before turning back to Maya. “Omegas are for cherishing and protecting. Our job is to see to your every need and to keep you safe, to ensure you’re loved, and to protect our offspring. That’s my biological imperative.”

She rolled her eyes. “Supposedly, but far too many Alphas find it easy enough to ignore that imperative and just take what they want. They regard Omegas as toys. When I’m in the throes of estrus, I have little common sense and rarely the ability to refuse anything. More than one Alpha will take advantage of that.”

Sensing she spoke from experience, he had to resist the urge to surge to his feet and demand to know who had hurt her. He wanted to rip them apart, but he was certain any sign of violent anger on his part would just make things worse between them. He clutched the armrests of the seat he occupied, feeling the fabric start give under the pressure he exerted, so he loosened his hold slightly. “That happened to you?”

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “My mother had given me a suppressant from before puberty, since she realized what I was. I never knew, so when she died unexpectedly, I didn’t get my dose for a few days. It wore off right after my mother’s memorial service.”

Her eyes closed, and a tear streaked on her cheek. He wanted to reach out and brush it away, but he was afraid he would startle her, and she might shut down again. He needed to hear what had happened to her so he could find a way to overcome her fear and objections to allowing him to be her Alpha.

“I was in the middle of a crowded street when the estrus came over me. I was so confused and scared, and lost in grief at losing my mom, that I had no idea what was happening. I had no chance to feel any pleasure or respond to any biological imperative. It was terrifying.

“My brother Chase was there, and he was trying to help me. People thought I was ill until the Alphas appeared.”

He scowled, trying to keep his tone level. “They smelled you?”

She shuddered. “I guess. It was clear all four of them intended to take me. Chase tried to fight them off, but the one in charge, Thane, took me from him. He slammed me against the building, and he forced himself on me with everyone around watching, and no one do anything to stop it. His friends planned to be next. They were lining up and getting ready.”

He couldn’t hold back the growl in his throat that emerged as a fierce roar. “I’ll kill him.”

She surprisingly didn’t flinch from his angry tone. Her gaze was haunted though. “You’re too late. Chase did that. When no one did anything, he snatched a gun from one of the enforcers standing around watching the entertainment and shot Thane. He shot the other three as well. Thane and two of them died, and the other one was permanently injured.” She sounded uncaring about his fate.

He breathed a shaky sigh of relief, though he was feeling slightly petulant that he wouldn’t get the chance to exact his own revenge. “Bless your brother.”

She looked down, shaking her head. She appeared to be on the verge of sobbing, but she drew in a ragged breath instead. “He should have just let them do what they wanted. The laws protect Alphas, not Omegas. They were moved by the biological imperative, supposedly trapped in a rut, and responding to my estrus. They were completely shielded by the law, and Chase wasn’t.

“He was convicted of manslaughter for interfering and killing three of them. It didn’t take long for an Alpha in prison to exact revenge, leaving me completely alone in this world.” She looked up at him, her expression haunted. “Chase kept Thane from knotting inside me and fully breeding me, but at the expense of his own life ultimately. It wasn’t worth it. I could have just taken a pregnancy preventative. They were easily accessible where we were.”

He scowled. “I’m certain your brother was thinking more about the pain you were enduring, rather than preventing such a thing. He did the right thing.”

She seemed surprised. “You truly believe that as an Alpha? You think it was okay for a Beta to come between an Alpha and the Omega he’s intent on claiming? You’d be okay with those circumstances?”

He shifted in his seat, feeling uncomfortable. “Part of me is angered at the idea of anyone trying to interfere with me and my Omega, but you were being taken without pleasure and without consent. I know your brother did the right thing, regardless of if he was a Beta. It was wrong for the spectators and enforcers not to try to stop the assault, leaving him no other choice.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, appearing relieved. When she opened them again, she eyed him doubtfully. “You aren’t what I expected. I mean, for an Alpha, you seem like a decent man.”

Damned by faint praise, he thought with a twist of his lips. “I try to be a decent man, and I’d like to think I would be a good Alpha to my Omega. My goal is to love her and cherish her, to keep her safe and satisfied, and always happy. I’ve been looking for my Omega all my life and for the last two years, completely forgoing any other sexual relationships. They’re a waste of time when I know I can only be satisfied with an Omega. My Omega.” He hesitated for a moment before adding, “You.”

She frantically shook her head. “I don’t want to be any Alpha’s Omega. I hate the status. I’m my own person, not a subordinate to you.”

He frowned. “I would never consider you a subordinate to me. Don’t you understand it’s coded into my DNA to protect and love you?”

She shrugged a shoulder. “That might be your imperative, but the law is clear. I have no rights as an Omega, at least when it comes to Alphas’ rights. They trump all my rights, and allowing myself to willingly mate with you, to be bound to you for life, would be agreeing to those terms. I refuse to be any man’s slave.”

He scowled. “I have no plans to enslave you.”

Maya shrugged. “Your plans don’t matter to me. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but it’s the truth of the matter. I have my own plans, goals, and aspirations, and they don’t include accepting anyone as an Alpha. I’m sure you can tell by now that I’ve returned to taking the suppressant, and I’ll continue to do so.”

He could feel her slipping away from him, and if he didn’t handle it just right, he would lose all chance of being with her forever. If she decided to leave the Antares Belt to return to more civilized space, he’d probably lose track of her. Now that she was within his grasp, and he recognized her as the Omega he’d been waiting for, he couldn’t bear the thought. “I accept your decision then. There’s no reason to rush off. We work well together, and I suggest we continue our partnership.”

She eyed him warily. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”

That set his teeth on edge, but he reminded himself she had good reason to be distrustful of Alphas. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath to regain control of his anger. “I haven’t harmed you, and I won’t. I’m sorry for rushing you through mating, but we were both willing participants.”

She nodded, looking disconcerted. “I can’t deny that. I’ve never been through a full estrus before, and I didn’t realize how compelling it would be. I hold no anger toward you for submitting to your rut and acting on it. I was sending out clear signals, but I want to make it clear I won’t be in that position again. I will continue to use my suppressant, and if you try to interfere, I’ll leave. If I have to, I’ll shoot you to do it.”

His eyes widened at the threat, and he sensed she was sincere. He’d known some strong Omegas before, but his was the strongest yet. Rather than be afraid, he felt a swell of pride, but he managed not to grin. He didn’t want her to think he was mocking her when he took her seriously. “I understand. I’m simply suggesting we work together. As long as you’re on the suppressant, I’ll be able to control my urges.”

He could still smell the Omega pheromones from her, and he could see the rings remained around her irises, but they were gradually fading. Likely, the silver would be gone by morning, and so would the enticing smell of her. He mourned the idea of it disappearing again, but he was also thankful there was an option that would allow him to maintain control and perhaps win her over. It was his only chance to be with her, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.