The Archer: Lost Omegas Book 1

Challenge

DEIMOS

Only one Lead followed the commander from the main hall, almost all having supported Cyrene's challenge and remaining with her. He turned to face his mate. The Berserker had placed him in a terrible position that would cost him his life. He could kill the commander, but that would likely incite war between their two tribes. Even if Cyrene, injured as she was, managed to somehow beat the commander, a man with far more experience and superior strength, her people would still demand vengeance for him murdering their king.

She didn't need to challenge the commander in some attempt to save him; he was a dead man. Her people would not spare his life simply because they were bonded. Though bonded mates suffered greatly at the death of one of the pair, it was possible to survive, though rare. Cyrene would survive his death, she was the strongest woman he had ever met. Stubborn, defiant, willful. All things he believed an omega could never be -should never be. 

He had believed that once she was given the antidote for rue, the herb she took to suppress her omega nature, that she would become more docile and submissive. Things he was familiar with associating with omegas. Yet, he was suspecting that these were not traits of southern omegas at all. Here she was, prepared to fight her commander to the death, a battle she would likely not win, for him- for a chance she may be able to change his fate.

It reminded him of the first day he saw her after the first battle with the Serpe. She was fierce then too; defiant and challenging of the Lobo's presence and intentions. When he had fought beside her at the following battle, he was impressed with her skill. He had never imagined an omega being able to kill men outside of a maternal rage, in an effort to protect her young. But she used her natural protective omega instincts to become a determined fighter, fiercely protective to those she had claimed as her own- her fellow soldiers. Now she was channeling this protective instinct again, for him, because she had finally accepted him as hers. Her mate.

Putting his arms around her, he pulled her into his chest, ignoring the cautious stares from the Leads. He was holding his mate and she had accepted him as he was- a horribly scarred alpha, with beliefs very different from her own, possessed with a malicious war spirit. A faint smile ghosted over his lips at this thought- she was definitely the strongest woman he had ever met. With the Berserker tied to his spirit, he was the strongest alpha in both Raposo and Lobo. Perhaps this is why the Wolf God paired her to his spirit: this strength. Her strength rivaled his own. Holding her like this, knowing she accepted him, was a moment of perfection. He would remember it as the Raposo cleaved his head from his body.

"You do not need to go through with this challenge, Cyrene," he murmured quietly so only she would hear. "I am a dead man. Even if you win, your people will demand my death. I am an outsider and I took your king's life. There can only be one outcome."

CYRENE

Cyrene shook her head. The Berserker had defended her and King Brone would have never let her leave the hall alive. He was a cruel, selfish man, but not stupid. He knew she would continue to try and turn the Skulk against him. "There was always only one outcome, Deimos. From the moment I called out King Brone on his treachery. I would have stopped at nothing to reach the Skulk, to change the alliance and try to make amends with our enemies. He knew that. Once he knew that you could not control me, he would have never let me leave this hall alive. That is not his way."

"It's true," Lead Aceteon cut in, "we had been given orders to kill her if she tried to contact the Skulk in any way or  if there were any signs of rebellion from the army. The soldiers know of King Brone's plans, the dishonor he brought to our tribe. We do not kill innocents. We do not barter away our women. Some agree with his methods, many in the villages do face starvation, but most do not. Dishonor rarely leads to blessings."