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You are super happy this is on your property, aren t you?

He grinned. Up, up, and away.

She snorted and turned to look at Sarel. Time to let go now.

He sighed and got to his feet with her in his arms. I would like to see what Vinul was muttering about.

She shrugged. Okay. You will have to let me go.

When we get there.

She looked at him and Salat and said, I thought male omegas were supposed to be petite and boyish.

He chuckled. So I have heard. I work out and take after my father. It helps me stave off unsuitable suitors.

She nodded and kicked her feet. Normally, I have a more flowing outfit for this.

I am sure you will be fine.

Aerial silks are like flying.

He carried her to the stage and rig, whispering, Don t think about running.

I wasn t, but now it s all I can think of, she muttered as she walked to where the panels of silk hung from high above. She tested the connection of the silk, wrapped it once around her waist and took a running start, swooping over those gathered. She rolled upward and began just to have fun.

* * * *

C adence watched Leska soar and said, I feel guilty.

Raek asked, Why?

Because she wouldn t have been exposed if I didn t want my friend with me.

It was part of the harmony. It still is.

Cadence sighed and nodded as she watched her friend fly around the stage using silk and her own body for propulsion. She loves flying.

Sarel was looking at her with shining eyes. Oh, look at that.

The other alphas returned, three struggling women between them.

One of them was looking around. Cadence! What the hell is going on?

Oh, hi, Mori. Um, so you remember Leska? She pointed to the woman dancing in the air above them.

Yes. Why?

Well, I was assigned to my partner, and I was lonely, so he offered to bring Leska to keep me company, but she s an omega, and that s disturbing for some reason, so she needs an alpha, but she hates alphas, so Raek called some nice ones that he knows, and they came here, but there is only one Leska, so they went through our memories to find more.

Shit. Do you know how hard it is to just hide in the population? That is why we go to Aksalla. There is so much active power we can usually hide easily, and why is this one petting my hair? Mori turned around and stomped on the foot of the eagle alpha.

Mori s thick, bouncy curls were tempting.

Uh, Mori, I think that that particular alpha has decided on courting you.

Mori blinked slowly and turned to face the man with the eagle head. In a sudden move, she grabbed his beak. How the fuck is this supposed to work? she shrieked.

The eagle was shocked as the small woman hung from its beak.

Cadence covered her mouth. Mori hung on as the eagle lifted her, and Raek chuckled. Right. They are getting along.

One of the other ladies was being eased into the arms of a very polite alpha who was smiling shyly.

The sand-coloured alpha and a man with hair made of night were facing the third omega and kept touching her arms. She was slapping them with a lot of ferocity. They were grinning as they stroked her. The slapping didn t bother them.

Leska continued to flip in the air above them. When the tiger alpha returned, he was with a reaper, and they were speaking with Sarel. Leska slowed and walked free of the ribbons, and Cadence smiled at her slow and careful steps. She always walked that way after performing.

She crouched near the others at the edge of the stage. Vinul held his hand out to her, and she took it, walking down the steps.

They spoke with the reaper, who confirmed her status, touched her mind, and then staggered back. After that, he bowed and left them alone.

* * * *

L eska felt Vinul arrive , and she slowed her fun to descend to the ground.

Sarel was there, watching her and smiling as Vinul was talking with another alpha.

She walked carefully to the edge of the stage and looked at the man in the reaper leathers.

He looked back at her with calm eyes. Miss, you are the contract in question?

Yes. Subject Scales.

He nodded. That is it. How old were you when you encountered our alpha?

Yours? He was one of yours? She rubbed her head. Between six and eight years old.

The man jolted. What?

Yeah, they pumped him full of chemicals and sent him into my cell. After that, it s a bit blurry. She shrugged.

May I see it? That is why I am here. Your alphas didn t want to take an unmated female into the reaper headquarters.

Um, how?

Just a touch to your head. I need you standing in front of me and not touching anyone else.

She nodded and climbed off the stage to stand in front of him. What now?

Nothing. Just keep yourself relaxed and don t touch anyone else.

She glanced at Sarel and Vinul. Okay.

The reaper touched her head and stroked his fingers through her hair.

She saw the image from her childhood. The taunting of the lab techs, the door opening, and the shadow-faced male came in.

Then the world turned gold and crimson. She came to covered in blood as they dragged the gargling man out of the cell.

The reaper inhaled, and she felt his hands buried in her hair. She patted his arm. It s okay. It was what it was. Did he survive?

The reaper looked at her with a slight smile. Yes. He recovered, but his family fixated on what they were told. Uradda was trying to make sure you never had a place to hide.

They were very successful. I could never tell Z-Corp my full medical history, and that kept me from getting help. Did he get married? Have a family?

The reaper nodded. He did. Once I make my report, he may wish to speak to you. Could you manage that?

Um, I suppose? I can access the claws again, so I will be ready.

He smiled. It will be at the home of Sarel, so you don t need to worry about fighting your way out.

Why will it be there? She looked to the eternal omega.

Sarel smiled. Because that is where you will be. Any questions?

She flipped him off because screaming would have been rude. She was a fucking lady.