27. A Wolf's Instinct

Seff understood why Allium was upset with her, but if jealousy was the driving factor, why was she not jealous of all the other Omegas in the harem? Kiran didn’t belong to any one of them. He didn’t have a mate. Though they each hoped to be his soulbound chosen, most of the harem figured he would never have one. 
Apparently up until news spread how infatuated with Seff he was.
The next two weeks were miserable for the entire Keep. Though a few Omegas were in heat, he bedded not a single one. Of course, the other five Chosen, Allium included blamed Seff for his elusive appearance and lack of being fully initiated into the harem. The established Omegas gave her harsh side-eyes, some calculating as if to plan how to get rid of her, others ripe with jealously. Even the pups who scampered through the halls playing chase recognized her as the one who made their mother or father mad.
At least no one knew that she slept with Selene.
Altan and Elio were her only salvation, the only ones who knew the truth and she the truth about who their allegiance was to. They didn’t mind lounging with her in her room all day to avoid being snapped at again. Apparently, a very annoyed Omega female who was in heat and hoping to catch again was “missing her chance” thanks to Seff.
“It won’t always be like this,” Elio promised, handing her a small glass of wine.
She took it with a grateful smile. “I know, but just how long until it isn’t? It’s been two weeks today, and not even Sienna has seen him.”
Kiran’s new Delta Sienna Haru was no kinder than her Alpha, somehow thinking that asking Seff, “Are you secretly screwing him in your bedroom all day?” was even plausible. 
Outside Seff’s door, Kiran’s voice belted out.
The lesser Alphas and Seff ran into the hallway to find Kiran storming into the courtyard, naked and smeared with blood that gleamed in the afternoon sun. Two of his sons limped behind him in their wolf forms, their pelts matted with blood. 
“Alpha,” Sienna began, dropping down from the second level, shooing the Omegas who tried to reach him, including a female incredibly close to her due date. 
Kiran shoved past his Delta, searching the sea of white and gold hair. “Where is that one Chosen? Floral, or something.”
Flora Harebell peered around one of the columns as if waiting to be summoned. The rest of the harem parted for her to pad onto the grass, her silks fluttering in the slight breeze. She dipped her head submissively as Kiran looked her up and down without emotion before snatching her arm and pulling her toward the harem.
Seff caught Flora’s gaze—excited, because she would finally be a full-fledged Omega of the Sun pack once she and Kiran consummated. But scared, because Kiran looked *murderous*. And that meant pain for anyone around him.
Sienna Shifted and planted herself in front of her Alpha, halting his conquest. He growled at her, but she didn’t back down, which was very impressive. “Kiran,” she said, “Aster is about to give birth any day now. You are supposed to help finish her nesting.”
Flora winced as Kiran’s grip tightened. He turned his head to the pretty Magnolia female, Aster, who Seff didn’t recognize—she didn’t know a lot of her own pack, choosing all these years to keep away from the fanatics. Almost all Omegas gave birth to at least twins, rarely ever a single pup, and while this female was curvy, she was oddly short. Which meant her swollen belly was nearly half the size of her. She looked exhausted and ready to burst, and the silent plea she gave Kiran struck Seff—she was desperate, and it was through no fanatical desire to please.
Even in a harem of dozens of Omegas run by a heartless villain, Alphas were hardwired to protect what was theirs. His unborn offspring needed to be cared for, and he would feel the innate instinct to be by the Omega’s side until he was *absolutely* sure they were safe.
No other pregnant wolf was present, but the Omegas were clustered everywhere, and no one missed Kiran’s body tensing with each passing second from all the attention now focused on Aster. He released Flora with a snap and a shove, moving to kneel before Aster’s belly barely covered by her silks. 
It was an oddly domestic moment, something that should have been private, an intimate interaction between the two wolves connected in an equally intimate way. Kiran placed his hands on either side of Aster’s belly, ear against her skin, and emitted a soft growl. Aster looked close to tears, taking the chance of resting her hand over his; he didn’t pull away. Even from further away, Seff saw the female’s belly…*move* a little—the pups inside her wriggling in response to their sire’s voice.
Kiran grunted in satisfaction and rose to his feet, gently pulling Aster under the crook of his arm. She looked like a shivering white eaglet compared to the great gold beast he was. And the beast was baring his teeth at the rest of the Omegas as if he irrationally expected them to rush Aster. Message received, the harem wolves backed away as far as possible. 
He guided Aster toward the nursery where she had her own room, as any pregnant Omega was automatically given to nest and raise her pups, so he could fulfill his instincts. 
Flora made the mistake of taking a step forward and whimper his name. 
Kiran whirled and snapped lengthened teeth in her face. She yelped and Shifted into her wolf form, dropping to her belly with ears flat. Just as quickly, Kiran whipped back to check Aster as if she had been injured.
Still, he did a double-take. 
Seff watched the scene play out, each noise and movement sending her consciousness out of herself. Kiran just did what she thought he could never do: *care*. In letting instinct overpower his personality, he proved that he did have some kind of heart. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have displayed those territorial actions. Maybe he didn’t love Aster, but they were there nonetheless, and he would do anything to protect her.
It wasn’t love. But it was close.
And he saw Seff come to that realization. 
*As if we have no meaning, like we’re nothing,* she’d spat at him two weeks ago. *As if expecting you to* actually care. 
*Learn to love.*
*“I could,”* he had told her. *“And maybe you’ll fall in love with me too.”*
Kiran and Seff both thought that there was the smallest chance that Seff could feel something other than hate for the gold god.