Page 1 of Dark Revolution

Prologue

3021

Stanlion

Lower-Levels, Market District

Jaxxon

Estrus.It always has a very peculiar smell. Though every omega is different, there’s still an underlying thread that stays the same. Tipping my head back, I drag the scent deep into my body, growling at the small shivers making my hair stand on end.

Annalise isn’t due to go into heat for a few more weeks. No doubt her body is preparing itself for me, the most alpha of males. I’m not the highest-ranking Alpha, but her body responds to me in a way it hasn’t to others. To her, I’m her champion Alpha.

Roderick has been sniffing around for weeks, and nothing. No change in scent. Day after day, he visits her in the gilded prison they call the High Sanctum and growls and prowls, but nothing. She is unattached, and we are all vying for her affections, just waiting for the day the High Council will make its decision.

Roderick wants it to be him, demands it even; however, the moment I pulled her into my arms, the very air shifted around us. I don’t believe in fate, or true love mates for that matter, but something in that moment changed. The electric charge was tangible. I could taste it in the air.

I knew then what I’d have to do. I will stop at nothing to make her mine. As a Guardian Alpha, it’s easy to gain the ear of the High Council, but Roderick still outranks me. This is the main obstacle I need to overcome. It would be nothing to change the reports. No one would question my presence in the Antechamber. A signature here, and jot there, and Annalise would be on record as being mine. Deep in my heart though, I know I can’t chance anything that would have her be stripped from my side.

Roderick may have the credentials, but he has no clue what’s really going on in our government. If he had just a bit of foresight, he would have made a sizable donation to the crown, but thankfully for me, he’s more concerned about who to kill next and not on the finesse of politics.

I know how much debt Stanlion went into to finance this latest war, and I know for certain that credits will ease many passages. What Roderick will never realize is that brute strength isn’t always the way. Glancing over at Annalise, a soft smile curves up my lips. To think, all it took was the craving of an omega to soften some of my hard edges.

Before her, I would have done the same, gone in, neuron blasters blazing, but in getting to know her, I learned some things are just far more important than ego. If Roderick, in all his pomposity, was unable to procure her, then other tactics had to be utilized. With Annalise, it was always the long game and never the short sprint.

Shaking my head, I step away from her cubicle, eyeing the other Alphas nearby. Most of them are here to see their own intended omega, but many watch me, eyes squinted in concentration. If they even knew what I was planning, they’d warn Roderick in a heartbeat. Kissing her fingertips one last time, I pull away, ignoring the distressing sounds of her whimpers. Me leaving is always a hardship, but hopefully, this will be the last time.

I slide my hand into my pocket, fingering the proof of credits. Though I have them hidden away, a transaction manager rifled through all my money and recorded the notice. So much easier than hauling all those credits around. At least if the paper gets stolen, no one can spend it. All it is is a notice of collateral to show the High Council. Rounding the corner, my shoulder bumps into Roderick, and he pulls back with a snarl.

“Still sniffing around my omega?”

“She’s not yours until the High Council allows it. Step aside so I may leave.”

Instead of moving, he shifts further into my way, muscles bulging as he puffs himself up, making himself just a bit larger than I am. Glancing up at a nearby clock, my blood runs cold. If he doesn’t let up this posturing, I’m going to be late for my meeting and never even get the chance to put in my bid for her. This cannot happen.

Ignoring Roderick’s blatant display of power, I shove past him, choosing to not engage. I may be seen as weak for doing this, but Annalise is far more important than my ego. Besides, I’ve seen Roderick train. I know where he’s weak. For him to fight me would mean his death, and I neither want nor need to step into his position. I’ll let someone else be squadron leader if needed.

“You’ll pay for this show of insubordination. Mark my words.” His growl reaches my ears, but I press on, needing to get to the High Council before they break for the day. The halls twist and turn, and every time I look up, time seems to be running away from me. If only I hadn’t stopped to visit Annalise first. But I know deep down in my soul that I wouldn’t have been able to stay away. Each moment apart is like agony. Gods help me when she actually goes into heat.

The door to the council chamber is closed, and I frown as I reach up and pull on the handle. Shut tight. Fuck. They must have left early. Sorrow lances through my heart as I picture Roderick up there with my future mate, wooing her, forcing his affections onto her. This was my one chance.

“Ahh. Jaxxon. Come to thank us?”

Confusion fills my brain as I turn to look over at High Council Alpha Marston. “I -.”

“Oh, have you not received the reports?”

“No? I’ve been chatting with Annalise.” The foreign feeling of elation fills my veins as his smile widens. Could this mean they decided?

“She’s your mate now. Go and grab her.”

The sheer joy at being able to claim her is tamped down by the knowledge that until she wears my mark, she will never be safe. There’s no way Roderick would allow us to be happy when he wanted her as his own. Fury boils deep in my heart at the potential threat he’s causing. I’ll have to claim her with or without estrus. Anything to keep her safe.

Instead of taking her to my home, I’ll need to secure her in the bunker until her stomach is round with our child. Only then might Roderick finally concede and let us live in peace. If not, I’ll have to kill him after all, assuming a role I never wanted. Waiting until True Night falls, I ease my way back into the High Sanctum.

Though I’m allowed to take her any time I wish, secrecy is imperative for both of our protection. As I get closer, I finger the small vial, regretting it has to be this way, but I just can’t risk it. Not when I’m this close. Her soft snores bring a smile to my face as I drip the concoction onto a rag and hold it over her nose. I can’t risk her disturbing the guards or other omegas. The stench of fear they can create would alert even the dumbest Alpha that something is wrong.

Her slight form huddles deep into my arms. Even in her sleep, she knows who I am and reaches out for me. Holding her close, I load us both onto a nearby transport and program it to drop us off at the lower levels. No one should know we are here, not even Roderick. Laying her down on a soft pile of fabrics, I stroke her cheek, admiring her beauty until she wakes up.