Page 45 of Generation Omega: Claimed (Originverse #3)

“Kazimir, you okay?” Gideon answers, sounding genuinely concerned about me. How sweet.

“Yeah—how’s Tillie?” Did I just ask about Tillie before Ethan? But she was the one in pain when I left, so it makes sense. Doesn’t it?

“She’s good.” Oh, first alpha pride is showing. “She’s adapting. I’m a little concerned Jameson is going to screw her to death, but it’s his bondmark, so what can I do?” He groans ruefully. “He’s got Ethan and Tillie in the nest right now, having a ball with both of them.”

A surge of jealousy starts throwing matches in my gut. “He’s not touching…”

“Easy there, killer.” Gideon chuckles. “Jameson is not touching your guy. He has no interest in meeting his internal organs or having you make a hat out of them. Don’t worry, you made quite an impression on him.”

“Then what’s he doing with my beta?” I demand through severely clenched jaws.

“Jameson is commanding Ethan to pleasure Tillie in all sorts of creative ways—not so unlike what you did, but definitely less intense.” He’s quiet for a few seconds, and reality returns to me.

“We talked, and I understand the decision before him. I commend you for caring about Ethan enough to force him to find his right answer.” Gideon sighs, like he can imagine what the future might bring.

“Anyway, we’ll talk more, but Jameson’s seemingly irresponsible whimsy is a good distraction for everyone.

Mackenzie’s about to take some dessert down there—all is good here. Now, spill.”

I lean over Thatcher’s corpse-looking body and study it, ensuring he’s breathing. No sense making myself the benevolent hero if I accidentally killed him already. But no, he lives. “I had a choice, and I made it. He’s alive and won’t be able to hurt Tillie—or Ethan—ever again.”

Gideon says absolutely nothing, and the silence expands between us.

“Dude, are you disappointed in me?!” I always imagined that making good choices led to gold stars, shiny ribbons, or some damn milk and cookies. I got more support than this when I eviscerated people.

“No, Kazimir, you…” The damn actor’s words fail him.

“You are! You’re disappointed that I didn’t kill him!

” I’m shaking my fist again as the boat soothingly and offensively rocks like I’m in a bassinet for a weepy baby.

“I’m just saying, I’m getting very conflicting signals right now.

Like, be a better man and a better alpha, and oh, by the way, show no mercy to Professor Douchey McAwful .

” I eye the snoring rogue alpha. “I mean, if you want me to… he’s right here, and it wouldn’t take any work to usher him through death’s doorway.

I could make it painless or painful, but, fuck, I thought you’d be… ”

“I am.” Gideon can’t even act like he’s not disappointed.

When I find all those trophies he’s won for acting , I’m going to use them to start a nice bonfire over which I will cook something ridiculously messy and unsatisfying.

“It’s just… I’m listing our resources, and it’s hard to add Thatcher to the assets column.

But Tillie will be relieved— she’ll be happy. ”

Why does that cause my heart to flutter like butterflies are landing all around me? I need a bug zapper or a flame thrower— stat . “She will?” I find myself timidly inquiring.

“Yes.” Gideon’s finally certain about something. “She’s got regrets about how she treated him—I don’t get it or feel it. The omega thing is definitely kicking in, and it might have caused a forever wound if she never got the chance to make things right with him.”

“Well, that’s something.” More than I’ll ever admit.

I brace for what comes next. “As much as I want to be back with the pack, this situation with Thatcher is complicated for more than just me, and I want Ethan to have more time.” I search for any hint of aversion and come up blank.

“As soon as I return, and Ethan gives me his answer, I’ll bond Tillie. ”

“Good. What about Thatcher?”

“I don’t know everything, but I doubt his bite is required anymore.”

His relief is as subtle as an enormous gong. “Well, that’s good news. I’m really curious though.”

“Yeah, me too. Gideon, I… I’m committed to our pack, or I wouldn’t have done what I did. I’ll explain when I understand it better. I can’t really count on guidance from the omega legacy, because they’re pissed at me.”

“Give them hell, Kazimir, as only you can.” Gideon’s amusement brings a smile to my face.

That feels gold-star adjacent—I’ll take it. “Okay, let’s talk plans. As soon as the bonds are healed, you need to be ready to ditch my yacht. We’ll reunite on land and keep moving forward.”

“We’re going to win,” he declares exactly like an action hero. “I mean, really, you didn’t kill Thatcher. Tell me that’s not a promising sign, when the assassin who came to kill us finds worth in such an abrasive piece of shit. I’m damn inspired.”

I laugh with an edge of hysteria. “Sure, great, totally promising. Sign me up. I’ll join your delusion and ride it until it bucks me off. Okay, down to business, where are we heading?”