Resonance
– You’ve got to be kidding! Just! You’re a demon! A monster! – Leo hissed like a mad cat, – Am I right in understanding that if Nari hadn’t put a mark on you and interrupted Toneri's call with her own, you would have killed us all there?!
– Who knows, – Noah shrugged, – I never remembered anything after Toneri used the call.
– Well, – Iris sighed from the corner of the trailer, – I think we all owe words of thanks to Nari, who slept with this living weapon!
– Eeee! – Nari hissed at him, – shut up.
– Yeah, so what?! – the golden-haired guy looked at her skeptically, – the mark can only be placed at the moment of utmost emotional and physical closeness.
– That’s not the point!
– Nari, you’re a grown-up girl! You shouldn’t be ashamed of that!
– Will you calm down or what?! – the girl asked irritably, – or are you like this because you didn’t get anything at all?!
– A treasure is valuable only when the path to it is difficult! – Iris said philosophically, – and besides, you should be ashamed! He’s right here!
Leo turned red. Noah simply rolled his eyes in silence.
– Oh, Great Tree! Both of you shut up already! – Maiden croaked from the bed, – it’s bad enough without you!
– You look pretty rough, – Kae entered the trailer.
This was the first place that Mai mentioned when they emerged from the underground corridor. The only person she trusted just as much as Noah was alpha Kae from the western ghetto. He didn’t ask any questions when they appeared at his doorstep. He let them into the trailer and immediately cleared the bed for Maidena. Nari quickly treated her and then got to work on Noah's bruised arms.
Kae didn’t waste time, preparing dinner for them. Then he disappeared for a while and returned with blankets. The boys lay on the floor, the girls on the bed, and Kae settled into an armchair. From the corner of his eye, he watched Nari all evening and glanced cautiously at Noah. Mai, noticing this, merely smiled. Father, such a father.
Before dawn, Nari woke up to the faint sound of rustling. Opening her eyes, she saw Noah going outside. Carefully getting out of bed so as not to wake Maidena, Nari followed him. The young man was sitting on the trailer steps, staring at the gray walls of the ghetto houses.
– Can’t sleep? – Nari asked quietly.
– I’m not that tired, – Noah replied, – but you’d better head back, it’s cool out here.
– Noah, – the girl took his hand, – I want to stay here with you.
– I don’t know if that’s a good idea, – the young man sighed, – to be close to me.
– You don’t want that?
– I do! – Noah turned to her, – more than anything in the world, I want to be close to you! Every day, every minute. Never take my eyes off you, never let go of your hand. But… I could have killed you today. When I came to my senses, I thought, what if I crippled you? What if… you’re scared of me now?
– I’m not scared of you, Noah, – Nari whispered, leaning against him.
– I got scared, – he lowered his head, – all my life I’ve been a stranger among my own. An alpha without a battle call. Like a chimera… no goals, no desires. But next to you, Nari, I become greedy. You’ve become my goal. Your voice calms me, your presence helps me believe in the future. And then I thought, let the world turn upside down, I will love you. I’ll be the chimera, and you’ll be my soothing balm. And then, this world won’t be so hostile and lonely anymore. At least, that’s what I think… but I’m scared I could hurt you.
– Even so, I will trust you, – Nari reached for his lips.
The quiet morning brought with it a light rain, hinting at the approach of autumn. When the first drops fell on Nari’s face, she jumped up, raised her arms to the sky, and smiled sincerely.
– Dance with me… – she extended her hand to Noah, – just today.
– I will dance with you all my life, – the young man took her hand, – under every rain that awaits us.
***
– Mr. Adelson, your coffee, – the alpha secretary placed a silver tray on the table in front of her boss, – the floor will be cleared in three minutes.
– I have no doubt, – Cypher reached for the cup, – good job, Rita. You’re free too.
When the secretary left, the leader of the corporation leaned back in his chair and turned toward the panoramic window. The view was breathtaking. All of Elastra seemed to be in the palm of his hand. The city center, still green and bright, as far as the land’s resources allowed. Trade districts, residential high-rises, glass, concrete, asphalt. And down there, like in a giant anthill, people bustled about, not even imagining the catastrophe humanity was currently on the brink of.
Cypher was just past fifty. He held Elastra in his hands, and what’s more, all of Katoria. Money, estates, the corporation, respect, fear, admiration, envy. He had it all. And he also had an heir, a disgraced son who was to take his place by his side. He was preparing for his engagement to the daughter of the second most influential clan and had also prepared a wedding gift for him. A flawless, perfect omega. A girl whose veins ran with the blood of dominant Alfa and Omega. Dominant 13-22, Inariya. She was to belong to Aiden completely, every inch of her body, every secret part of her soul. Because of that, he saved her life. The daughter of his best friend, who chose omega over everything he had. Cypher was curious what choice his son would make upon seeing her. Would it be about appearance? About the scent of pheromones? About the call? Or was it merely instinct? He wanted to see it with his own eyes. But everything went awry.
– How long do you plan to hide there? – the elder Adelson squinted his eyes.
– You’re losing your skills, – Noah coldly replied, stepping out from behind a decorative screen, – you’d have sensed us the moment you entered the office before.
– Mmm… – Cypher took a sip of coffee from the porcelain cup, – so you’ve been waiting here for a while? You must have something very important, if you decided to risk your life and hers.
He nodded toward Nari, who stood behind Noah.
– If you’ve dared to come here, 13-22, then be bold to the end. Don’t hide behind your Alpha. Have some respect for me and, more importantly, for yourself. Look the person you want to talk to in the eyes.
– We have something to discuss, – Nari barely held back the trembling in her voice, – you need to listen to us!
– Hmmm… – the elder Adelson set his cup on the tray, – a son who tried to kill me. And an Omega who broke free from her chains. I’m curious, what do you have to say that would make me not kill you both here and now?
– Just try it, and I!.. – Noah began defiantly.
– We know how to save the World Tree! – Nari interrupted him, – you’d better hear this.
Cypher raised his eyebrows. Obviously, this information piqued his interest. He gestured for Noah and Nari to take a seat on the leather sofa. He listened silently, not interrupting, occasionally shifting his gaze from Noah to the girl.