Dron seethed as Rynax continued to antagonize him with just his presence.

"People have already started to talk, Dron. They say you aren’t fit for an omega as precious as the one you’ve managed to get. They say it was all a big mistake."

Dron shrugged one shoulder. "If it was a mistake, it was not on my part. I’d be careful who I listened to. You might find yourself on the wrong side of rumors."

Rynax huffed indignantly, "As if any words could sully my name. Everyone knows who I am, and they know that your foreign flower is rightfully mine. Just admit it. She made a mistake. I won’t hold it against you." Rynax narrowed his eyes at Dron who was fighting against the urge to jump across the space between him and the other alpha. He wanted to rip the man’s face off.

As much as Dron didn’t want to admit it, he could see how the townsfolk would think Tempest choosing him was a mistake. Even Dron himself, was certain that Tempest had just pressed her indicator too late and had actually wanted to choose Rynax.

Nevertheless, Dron was the one chosen, and he wasn’t about to let another Alpha intimidate him into going against Tempest’s wishes. If she wanted out of the marriage, she’d ask to be released.

"You test my patience, Rynax. You and the rest of the people in this community can talk all you want about me, but Tempest is pure, and I won’t have you or anyone else making her out to be a fool." Dron took a step forward.

He could feel his instinct pushing against his free will. Dron knew better than to fight here in the open, especially with another alpha. Rynax wasn’t as loved as he thought he was, but he was still loved more than Dron was. The community would instantly take the flashy alpha’s side before Dron.

"Of course not. I would never speak ill of Tempest."

Dron bit his tongue to keep a hiss down. He hated the way Rynax said Tempest’s name. It was getting harder and harder for Dron to keep his cool.

"I would love to know more about her. Who knows? Maybe next time she’ll pick me as a suitor. I’m sure I can give her a much better experience here in our home. No disrespect to you, of course. I just know you are limited in what you are allowed to do." Rynax tilted his head.

Dron could read the judgment clearly in Rynax’s eyes. He thought of Dron as less than even though on the battlefield Rynax would be no match.

The problem was they weren’t on the battlefield. They were among the community. And here, among the town, Rynax was superior.

"I think it’s highly disrespectful to speak of mating with my wife in the future while she is still mine. If I weren’t a civilized man, you’d have a fight on your hands." Dron glared at Rynax, hopeful that he’d take the hint.

"Civilized? Is that how you think of yourself? Be realistic, Dron. You’re cursed. Nothing more than tainted meat, walking and breathing. Every day that you keep hold of Tempest does nothing but make her less and less appealing to the rest of us. You should be grateful that I would even bother with her after you dirty her up." Rynax folded his arms over his chest, but the muscles pumped out as if he were holding himself back as well.

Both he and Dron seemed to be waiting for the other to make the first move. Neither wanted to be blamed for a fight here in the middle of the festival.

"Talk about her again." Dron warned. He was fresh out of patience.

"How about we don’t do that?" A voice came from the side of where both Rynax and Dron was standing.

Dron blinked and turned his head to see Maznik had hobbled over to them. Dron was so focused on Rynax that he hadn’t even heard the old man come up to them.

Dron cursed himself for nearly destroying all that he’d worked for over the years. He was thankful Maznik was there to stop him before his alpha instincts completely took over. Once that happened, there would be no turning back.

"Ah, Maznik. It’s wonderful to see you." Rynax quickly shifted his character and relaxed.

"And you, I’d offer to show you some of the new gems I’ve got at my shop, but it looks like you wouldn’t have anywhere to pin them on your cloak. You may look good with a few threaded through your hair."

Dron chuckled but quickly clamped his mouth close to keep the sound at bay. He was getting used to laughing, but he was sure no one else around knew what it meant. He’d never seen anyone else laugh besides Tempest. It was like their own little secret.

"That’s alright, old man, I save my credits for better quality goods." Rynax spoke in an upbeat tone, but his words were nothing but disrespectful.

"As you should." Maznik didn’t fall for the trap; instead, he focused on Dron. "Have you had a chance to check out my wares? I held a few pieces over specifically for the festival." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Maznik turned and started walking back to his stall with Dron following alongside. Rynax was left standing alone, his attempt to bring out the worst in Dron failing with every step Dron took away.

"Thank you for that." Dron whispered when they were far enough out of earshot, making sure Rynax wouldn’t be able to hear.

"Yeah, well you’ve got a pricy order in route. The last thing I need is for you to be carted off to the black cells and not be able to pay your bill." Maznik shrugged his shoulders.

"Really? You were able to obtain-"

Maznik pressed a finger to his mouth and hushed Dron. "Boy, are you trying to get me in trouble? This kind of trade isn’t exactly legal."

"Sorry, I’ll keep it quiet." Dron nodded.

"What is that?" Maznik stopped and stared at Dron.

"What’s what?"

"That motion you keep doing with your head. You’ve done it several times already." Maznik mimicked the up and down motion with his head.

"Ah, it’s a cultural movement from Tempest’s planet. It’s actually quite intuitive. This means yes." Dron nodded, "And this means no." He shook his head from side to side.

"Oh, how peculiar." Maznik tried it a few times. "Seems your little mate has much to teach our people."

"Yes, I think she does." Dron turned and scanned the area, bypassing all the rude stares and letting his eyes land on Tempest. She was still speaking with the other omegas.

"How are you liking married life so far? This is your first go-around, is it not?" Maznik questioned.

"Yes, you know it is. Married life is...confusing."

Maznik puffed out a quick breath. "Yes, that it is. Take some advice from an old man? Don’t try to understand because you never will. Instead, just be present."

"It’s not that easy. I never know what she’s going to do next. I can’t anticipate or plan for anything." Dron groaned, focusing back on Maznik.

"Why must there be a plan? She’s with you; that’s all the plan you need."

Dron looked back to Tempest.

Could it really be that simple?

Dron had always been a prepared man. He knew what to expect in every aspect of his life. He had his rituals, and he was content with the path his life was on. Of course he still wanted more, wanted to be accepted by his peers, but even if that never happened, he’d built a good life for himself. On his own.

Now that he had Tempest, even for the shortest of times, would he really be able to let go of his normalcy for a bit of chaos?

Dron looked down at the ground. He closed his eyes and let his thoughts wash over him.

Tempest made it clear to him that she had no intention of staying past their marriage term. She would bring bedlam and uncertainty into his life for a short period before leaving him to go back to his old life. Dron didn’t know if he wanted to give in to that. It would be too hard to fix everything when she was gone.

Dron knew he needed to separate himself from Tempest. He didn’t need to be so concerned about what she wanted or how she would change him. As long as he remembered that there was an end date, everything would be fine.

It would all be fine.

Dron watched as three alphas walked up to Tempest, and his entire body jerked forward.

"Don’t. This is to be expected. Everyone wants to get to know the outsider." Maznik spoke up before Dron could move any further.

Dron glared at the men surrounding his mate. He tried to calm himself. Tried to keep hold of his civilized nature.

But then they backed her into a corner.