Page 20 of Venom Island
My lips form an “O” shape, yet the sound doesn’t leave my mouth. I… I’m not sure how to respond. I thought maybe he was from a land of kind Alphas. Apparently not.
And I don’t think staying here with him is an option.
Unless they take me back to my brothers, I think, grimacing.
“But you’re planning to go back to Andorra Sector for a while, right?” Sven says, his comment clearly for Enrique.
He runs his fingers through his thick hair, something I’ve seen him do a few times now. The strands tickle his ears, suggesting that maybe it’s a bit longer than he’s used to. But I like the length. It gives him a somewhat wild appeal. “Yeah, that’s the plan. For now.”
Sven nods. “It’s a good plan.”
Enrique gives him a look. “I’m sure your brother feels similarly.” His sarcasm is evident in his tone, but it just makes the other man chuckle.
“He’s used to managing intimidating Alphas and fending off challengers.”
“I won’t challenge your brother,” Enrique tells him.
“Oh, I know. But I don’t think you’ll submit to him either.”
Enrique shrugs. “I might.” But then his gaze returns to me. “Sven will tell you more about Norse Sector, in case that’s where you would like to go.”
“What if I want to go with you?” I ask before I can think better of my bold question. “I… I mean…”Crap. Why did I say that?
However, he doesn’t seem to mind my boldness. Because he smiles in response. “You’re welcome to go with me, pequeño tesoro. In fact, I would very much like that. But Sven had to offer an alternative.”
“Just following Ander’s new courtship rules,” Sven drawls. “I’ll let him know her choice.”
He leaves before I can tell him I haven’t actually made a choice. Not one I vocalized, anyway.
But I… I like the idea of following Enrique.
Besides, several of the other Omegas are going there, too. And they’ve been pretty nice to me so far. Mostly, that is.
Hel likes to tease me, but not in the same way the Omegas teased me back home. She smiles and shares information. The Omegas in my Alpha’s nest never smiled, and they certainly neversharedanything either. No food. No water. No kind words. Just… barbs and cruelties.
Enrique brushes his knuckles down my cheek, an action he’s done several times now. I like it. It’s almost like a mark, his scent embedding itself into my skin. I lean into his touch and inhale, his woodsy cologne surrounding me.
“The jets will be leaving around sunset,” he tells me before glancing at the others. “There are showers on board that you all can use once you’re in the air. New clothes will also be available, but sizes will vary.”
“Will you be on the jet?” I ask, embracing my bold streak and hoping he still likes it.
His answering grin tells me he does, but it’s a short-lived expression as he replies, “I don’t know yet. But once I have my assignment, I’ll share it with you.”
Something about that feels like a promise. An intimate vow. It has my wolf wagging excitedly in me, like she’s pleased this Alpha is favoring us.
Is he? I wonder, staring into his dark eyes.Does he feel as drawn to me as I am to him?
I don’t get a chance to ask because someone calls his name from the field, drawing him away from our group. He sends me a wink before he leaves, the look one I commit to memory.
“You should be careful,” one of the unnamed X-Clan Omegas cautions. “I was talking to a Beta earlier, and he warned me that Enrique was one of Carlos’s favored generals. He’s not a good Alpha.”
My brow furrows, her description at odds with my instincts.
“It’s true,” the other unnamed Omega says. “I heard their conversation. He was saying how he didn’t understand why the Alphas have let Enrique live after everything he’s done.”
The original Omega nods. “Yes, exactly.”
“Maybe he helped the other Alphas stop whatever was happening here,” Guðrún offers, her voice soft. “They all seem to be friends.”
