The Alpha's Bride

Chapter 895: Malia strikes again! (Z&O)

Zina was still upset about the incident with Ana. "I wanted to show that nasty Omega where she belongs. How dares she act all mighty just because she is cleaning the packhouse? And how can you live while lowering your head to such trash?"         

"Zi, you don't understand…"     

"I don't. I want you to come back home with me. Right now."     

"I can't."     

"Yes, you can!" Zina said sternly.     

"Even if I come, what about him? Will you leave your mate behind? Maybe that's for the better."     

"Hey, hey! How can you say that? Isn't finding a mate a good thing? Finally, Malia worked for me as well."     

"Maybe it would be better to pass on this one."     

Zina couldn't believe her ears. "What?"     

"Look at him, Zi. He is a warrior in the Red Moon pack, with emphasis on the pack to which he belongs. They treat Omegas like crap."     

"Really? What about George?"     

Dawn released a sharp breath. "George is different. I'm sure you have noticed that by now. Staying here is dangerous. Do you think I'm stuck at home because I like it?"     

"You said you are not afraid of Omegas like Ana."     

"I am not. But going against her will attract attention. I can defeat Ana. I can defeat ten Anas, but what will happen when guys like your mate appear? And before you say that George can protect me, that will also put him in danger."     

"If he is dangerous, why did George leave him here?" Zina asked.     

After the mess in the market, George called nearby warriors to escort Ana for questioning why she attacked a mate of a high-ranking officer. George knew that not much would come out of it, but he hoped it would be a warning for Ana to stay away from Dawn.     

George didn't like the idea of people thinking that Dawn was Owen's mate, but it served the purpose of protecting Dawn without exposing their relationship as mates.     

George hoped that Owen's status as a Lieutenant would be high enough to deter bullies yet low enough not to attract Alpha Edward's attention.     

George hoisted Owen over his shoulder and took him to his villa. Unfortunately, George had important meetings, and if he missed them, people would start asking questions, so he had to leave.     

He explained to Dawn that was Owen, and only after George left did Zina say how she thought the unconscious man in the guest bedroom was her mate.     

"George has important meetings," Dawn responded.     

"More important than you?"     

"Damn it, Zi! I didn't want things to come to this, but you need to put your safety first. Finding your fated mate is great, but that can't compare to your life."     

Owen panicked. Was his fiery Goddess thinking of leaving him? He needed to snap out of it and tell her to stay right now!     

A low groan got Zina's and Dawn's attention, and Zina quickly moved to sit on the edge of the bed where Owen was.     

Owen blinked to confirm that the blurry face in front of him was his fiery Goddess. There was a sweet scent coming off her, but he couldn't identify it clearly because his nose was broken, and everything smelled of blood.         

"Can you hear me? How do you feel?" Zina asked while her eyes nervously roamed Owen's bloodied face. They didn't dare to clean him up because they feared how he would react if a damp cloth woke him up.     

Owen reached to touch Zina's cheek, and his hand jolted when he felt sparks prickling the tips of his fingers.     

"Are you an angel?" He asked.     

Zina's lips stretched into a smile. "Oh, honey… If you think I'm an angel, you didn't look deep enough."     

"Honey?" It was Dawn who asked.     

"Mhm," Zina confirmed with a hum. "He smells like maple honey, the one I use as a glaze for roasted ham." And for pancakes and sweetening the tea and many other treats. Zina loves honey.     

"Pft!" Dawn burst into laughter. "You see him as a ham?"     

Zina glared at Dawn. "Not a ham. Honey. Ho-ney. Why are you laughing? Didn't you say that George smells to you like clover?" She turned to look at Owen. "This man smells of honey, and I want to lick him everywhere."     

Owen swallowed hard. His face was numb, and his heart was beating wildly, but he definitely felt the pressure in his groin area increasing. The fiery Goddess wanted to lick him everywhere, and he found himself unable to move. Will she lick him now? He hoped so. From where will she start? Ah, the possibilities!     

Zina waved at Dawn. "Instead of standing there and staring, how about you bring me a cloth and water so I can wash his face?"     

Dawn folded her arms over her chest. "I'm not going anywhere. George told me about him. Owen was a good guy before he became a jealous prick who is trying to sabotage him. What if he is hostile? What if he looks down on you because you are an Omega? What if he rejects you as his mate? You didn't think about that, did you?"     

Zina pressed her lips into a line. She didn't think about that.     

Zina turned to Dawn. "If you think he is a bad guy, why are you talking about George so freely? Isn't your relationship with him a secret?"     

Dawn shrugged. "People are already suspecting, and after today, I'm done hiding. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I will teach them a lesson."     

Dawn spoke bravely, but the truth was that she decided not to leave the villa until George made his move with Alpha Edward. No one will come to the house of Commander George to stir trouble. That was a fact, and if any disturbances are noticed, she can always flee to the Dark Howlers pack with Cornelia. This secret exit strategy boosted Dawn's confidence. The only thing Dawn was not confident about was if George would come with her. And what about Omegas staying here?     

Zina turned to Owen. "What do you say, handsome? Will you reject me as your mate?" She bit her lip nervously while waiting for him to answer. What if he rejects the bond? He is from the Red Moon pack, and they are known as brute and unreasonable and… did she even want a mate from the Red Moon pack?     

Owen blinked. "No."     

Zina smirked at Dawn, but her gaze now carried some doubt. "See? He won't reject me. Now get that water and cloth so I can see what he looks like."     

After a long second, Dawn gave a small nod and left the room with, "I will be back in a minute. Don't do something you will regret."     

Zina was not sure what Dawn was talking about. Was it related to rejecting the mate bond or getting frisky? Probably both.     

Owen reached to touch Zina's cheek again.     

"Are you not happy about me, Angel?" Owen asked. He could feel insecurities swelling within Zina. "I am not a violent man." Lies. He would end up in squabbles often, but mostly with warriors.     

Zina laughed nervously. "How can I be unhappy about you? I don't know you."