He took his helmet from me, but he didn’t put it on. Once he did, I wouldn’t be able to see his eyes. The helmet protected his skull and covered most of his face. “It doesn’t matter what they know about me. They can’t take away what I am. What I want. The lessons I’ve learned in years of battle and being a faithful alpha. I’ve trained longer and worked harder than any other soldier in battle. They’ve fucked with the wrong omega.”
That was the first bit of hope I’d felt since we’d been called back to the castle. “All omegas are the wrong omegas.”
Solen leaned in closer. “If they don’t know that already, they’re about to learn that lesson soon. I wish you’d stay here in the armory instead of joining us in battle.”
“The armory isn’t safe either. They mined everything from here,” I reminded him. “And it’s not the first time I’ve fought. I’m familiar with a different level of battle than you are.”
“The down and dirty stuff you omegas with the fancy titles don’t have to deal with.” Tavia put her hand on my shoulder and gave me a knowing smile. She’d given me it a thousand times before when I’d been afraid that we wouldn’t survive the next battle. But this time, I didn’t have any of those worries. We’d finally come together, honest about who we were and what we really meant to each other. Alphas and omegas needed each other to survive. And this battle would prove it. “But the two of you look like you’re about to strip off your uniforms and rut in the middle of the armory and I suggest you channel that energy into the battle because it will make you mean and we need to put an end to this crap now. It’s time we omegas show them how it’s done.”
“She’s right, Solen.” Dagger could barely tear his gaze away from his mate, but his expression was serious. Almost grim. “This fight has been a long time coming. It’s time to set things right for everyone in this city. I meant what I said, that wasn’t a show for the king. You lead, and I’ll follow.”
“You lead, general,” Evander added.
“I’m proud to fight with you,” Cassian said.
My heart was about to burst, but Tavia pulled me away. “We have our own battle to fight.”
Solen nodded. “We’ll be defending the castle. But we expect the humans to unleash their experiments into the Badlands. No one knows that territory as well as you ladies. You know the people, and you’ll know if something’s wrong.”
The plan made sense, but it didn’t sit right with me. It was very much what the betas and the humans would expect, and they’d be ready to divide and conquer. If this was the last time I saw Solen…
“No. We can’t do that.” It wasn’t like me to speak up in a situation like this, and I’d bet anything that was why the betas targeted me. They thought I was too weak to stand up for myself, and I’d accept punishment for something I didn’t do. There was a time in my life they would’ve been right. “They’re expecting that. If we stay together and fight off the first wave, they’ll call off the rest of it. We can beat their best soldiers. But if we split up, they’ll have us where they want us.”
“So what are you suggesting we do?”
“We fight together.” The idea was risky, and it would turn everything the citizens of Luxoria had ever known upside down. “But we start with the Badlands. Let the omegas see one of their own leading the army, and they’ll make sure no one will ever get close to the king again.”
The generals eyed each other, no one willing to give their opinion, but their expressions made it more than clear. They hated the idea.
“The only thing that will make the omegas understand how serious you are about change is if you fight beside them. Even with all the changes, so many of them feel lost. Like they’re getting left behind. Fight with them and show them they’re the first line of defense and none of them will ever consider joining the resistance again.”
My heart was pounding. My suggestion would be the start of a true revolution.
“She’s got a great point, but it’s risky.” Dagger let out a heavy exhale. “I think it’s worth a try, but all battle plans have to be approved by the king and—”
“The king approves.” Adalai startled us all by appearing in the armory. He had his own dresser, but the expectation was he only set foot in battle under the most dire circumstances. “We start the fight in the Badlands. Omega Ashla, prepare me for battle.”
Solen
Chapter Seventeen
I watched with pride as Ashla fitted the king’s armor. She was mine, and after this was over, I was going to make sure she knew I wanted forever with her.
But first we had to make our people safe.
“The hook has been set,” Cassian confirmed. “The beta resistance has been given word that we’re planning an attack on the Human Keep. This should bring Renaldo out from under the rock he calls home. He’ll send the mutants first. We’ll have to be ready for them.”
