"I have to get back to Tempest."

Dron had too much to think about. He wanted to trust Tempest. Out of everyone that he’d ever met, she seemed like she was the most trustworthy. Then again, maybe it was just his desperation to have someone close to him. He was so close to his dream. So close to truly not being alone. Maybe he just wasn’t seeing what was right there in front of his face.

"Do what you need to do. I know you won’t fail me." Mark Chief Tuliq stood from his seat and shrugged his shoulders once.

"If you say so." Dron turned and walked out of the small pub-like place.

His mind was swirling. He didn’t know what to think or, moreover, who to trust. Mark Chief Tuliq had made no secret of the fact that he didn’t care much for Dron. It was always more of the same when it came to the people in his military company. They tolerated Dron because he was a higher rank and because he did what the other soldiers didn’t want to do.

Now, all of a sudden, there was a big mission that hinged on him being able to figure out the truth.

It seemed a little too good to be true.

Dron walked slowly back to Clik’s shop, his attention not on anything around him. He noticed as he walked up the two guards in front of the shop quickly moved away.

Dron pushed open the door, but the instant that he did, he knew something was wrong.

He couldn’t sense Tempest anywhere around.

Dron quickly scanned the room but could only see Clik, who was completely absorbed in whatever experiment he was doing at the moment.

"Where is she?" Dron barked out.

"Hmm?" Clik didn’t bother to look up. "Did you know there are tiny microorganisms in the rivers that clean the waters for us? I’m sure I can use them to help clean the sewage. I just need to—"

Dron groaned. He knew at any second there would be a long tirade of facts spewing out of Clik’s mouth. Information that he didn’t want to know right now. All he wanted to know was where his mate was.

"Clik! Focus!" Dron shouted, and the man finally looked up from what he was doing.

"Yes?"

"Where...is...Tempest?" Dron spoke slowly and clearly so the man couldn’t get confused with anything that he’d said.

"Oh, the Earth omega? Uh...well let’s see...yes...no...yes, she left—"

That was all the information Dron needed to hear.

She wasn’t here. Wasn’t where he knew she would be safe.

A small kernel of panic bloomed in Dron’s chest. He shouldn’t have spent so long with Mark Chief Tuliq. Should have insisted that Tempest be allowed to come with them.

Dron raced out of the shop and into the square. He scanned every corner, every shadow, but couldn’t find Tempest.

Why would she leave the safety of the shop? And why didn’t the guards go with her? She knew better than to walk out on her own. Knew that it was dangerous.

Unless, of course, she was sure that she wasn’t in any danger.

Snippets of what Mark Chief Tuliq warned him about earlier swirled in his head.

Humans are opportunistic.

She will seek stronger blood.

A cursed alpha will never truly keep an omega satisfied.

Dron shoved the thoughts down immediately.

He didn’t have time for them.

He had to find Tempest first.

Dron stormed left, then right. He didn’t know where to start.

Before he could stop himself, Dron bellowed long and loud.

"Tempest!"

Everyone around gasped.

He was nearly foaming at the mouth. Frantic with every moment that passed and he wasn’t able to find her. When she didn’t automatically come out from wherever she was, Dron started running into stores.

People dodged and ducked him. A few people actually screamed when he came near. It was clear that he was out of his mind with worry, but to outsiders it probably looked as if he were insane.

One female pulled her child closer the moment Dron stormed past.

Another male immediately lowered his eyes and moved out of the way.

Dron barely noticed any of it.

The panic only continued building.

His markings burned beneath his skin.

Finally, Dron made it to the last small shop. A blacksmith’s shop. There was armor and other weapons hanging on the walls. Heat rolled through the air from the forge in the back.

Dron looked at the shopkeeper. "I’m looking for an omega, dark hair—"

Before Dron could finish, the shopkeeper pointed silently toward the back.

A wave of relief washed over Dron so intensely that his knees nearly weakened.

She was here.

She was safe.

Slowly, Dron walked toward the back of the shop.

The relief was short-lived when he witnessed something that shouldn’t have been happening.

Tempest wasn’t alone.

She was with Rynax.

They stood far too close together near one of the back worktables. Tempest’s attention was completely on him while Rynax leaned down slightly toward her, speaking in a low voice.

Whispering.

A strange emotion flooded Dron’s body. At first he couldn’t place it. His chest tightened painfully while heat crawled up the back of his neck.

Seeing Rynax that close to Tempest made Dron want to tear him apart with his bare hands.

The worst part was that Tempest didn’t look upset.

She looked engaged.

Interested.

At ease.

As if she enjoyed Rynax’s attention.

The realization hit Dron all at once.

Jealousy.

Disgust immediately followed.

Tempest wasn’t his.

She was there on a contract. A temporary arrangement. He had no claim over who she spoke to or what she did.

And yet every instinct in his body screamed otherwise.

His muscles tightened so hard his jaw ached.

Before Dron could stop himself, he stepped forward heavily enough that both Tempest and Rynax startled.

Tempest’s eyes widened. "Dron!"

Rynax slowly straightened to his full height. There was no fear in his expression. If anything, the male looked entertained.

"What are you doing back already?" Tempest questioned quickly.

Dron ignored the question entirely.

His eyes stayed fixed on Rynax.

"What is going on here?"

"Nothing." Tempest lifted her hands slightly. "We were just talking. It’s not that big of a deal."

"It is a big deal." Dron’s voice dropped lower. Rougher. "You cannot be alone with another alpha."

Tempest blinked at him. "Why?"

"Because people see things. They talk. You are contractually attached to me. If someone sees you sneaking away with another alpha, it becomes scandalous."

"Sneaking away?" Tempest scoffed. "Dron, I was just having a conversation."

Rynax took one slow step closer.

Dron instantly straightened.

"You seem tense, soldier," Rynax murmured.

Dron’s hands curled into fists.

"Back away."

Tempest looked between them nervously. "Can both of you calm down?"

Rynax ignored her completely.

"You know," he said lazily, "for someone who insists this human means nothing to him, you certainly look ready to kill over her."

The words slammed directly into Dron’s chest.

His markings practically burned beneath his skin now.

Rynax smirked.

That smug expression made violence bubble beneath Dron’s skin so fast it nearly blinded him. One more sentence. One more smug look and Dron was going to slam the man through the wall.

Rynax must have sensed it because his smug look widened slightly.

"There’s no need for all that," he said calmly. "We were only talking."

Tempest frowned. "That’s literally what I just said."

Dron barely heard her.

All he could focus on was the way Rynax looked at Tempest.

Like he was assessing her. Interested in her.

The exact same way every other alpha male looked at valuable Omegas. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Something ugly twisted in Dron’s stomach.

Mark Chief Tuliq’s words slithered back into his head again.

She will seek stronger blood.

A better alpha.

Someone worthy.

Dron suddenly grabbed Tempest by the wrist.

She stumbled slightly. "Dron!"

"We are leaving."

Rynax chuckled softly behind them. The sound followed Dron out of the shop like a taunt.

The moment they were outside in the crowded square, Dron quickened his pace. Tempest struggled to keep up with his long strides.

"You’re hurting me," she hissed.

Instantly Dron loosened his grip, but he refused to let her go entirely.

"What were you talking about?" he demanded.

Tempest looked away too quickly.

"Nothing important."

Dron’s stomach dropped.

"What did he say to you?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Because it matters," Dron snapped.

People around them turned to stare.

Tempest frowned harder. "You’re acting ridiculous."

"Am I?" Dron stopped so suddenly Tempest nearly crashed into him. "You disappear without guards. You leave the shop without informing anyone. Then I find you hidden away whispering with another alpha male."

"We weren’t whispering."

"You were alone with him."

"Because he wanted to ask me questions!"

"What questions?"

Tempest hesitated.

That hesitation nearly sent Dron over the edge.

"What did he ask you?" Dron repeated more harshly.

Tempest crossed her arms over her chest defensively. "Nothing bad."

"That is not an answer."

She rolled her eyes. "You’re being controlling."

Dron physically recoiled at the accusation.

Controlling.

Was that how she saw him?

"I am trying to keep you safe," he growled.

"And I’m tired of being treated like I’m too stupid to walk around without supervision!"

Dron stared at her.

For a second neither of them spoke.

Then quietly, dangerously, Dron asked, "Do you trust him?"

Tempest frowned. "What?"

"Rynax. Do you trust him?"

"I barely know him."

"Yet you walked away alone with him."

Tempest threw her hands into the air. "Damn it, Dron! Not everyone is trying to kill me."

"No," Dron said darkly. "Some are trying to manipulate you instead."

Tempest’s expression shifted slightly at that.

And that tiny shift was enough to make dread settle heavily inside Dron’s chest.

Maybe Mark Chief Tuliq was right.

Maybe Tempest truly was beginning to drift away from him already.