Or perhaps it’s the paranoia that's causing the ache, since I’ve never heard of pain of separation between mates. Hell, when I went to Straf and Olo stayed at the den, I'd be gone for cycles at times and never felt pain like this.
When I first woke in this bare cell with a solid metal door, I was out of control. I slammed into the metal walls and threw punch after punch until finally I calmed enough to think rationally. So here I pace, a constant growl echoing through the cell as I wait.
The door opening draws me to a complete stop, and I drop into a crouch, ready to charge. Before I can rush whoever is out there, Olo's face comes into view from the crack in the door that isn't widening quick enough. Suddenly a clear film of some kind drops down before me, blocking me from the door where two aliens are dragging him through.
I still try to rush it and slam into it, pain radiating from shoulders where I body-checked the clear film. It's hard and doesn't waver with my hit. By the time I slam into it again, the door to my cell has closed, leaving Olo on the inside this time.
The screen lifts, and I hastily crawl through the gap at the bottom and carefully pull my mate into my arms, edging backward while keeping my eyes trained on the door now that I have one of my mates to protect. Thankfully the clear film has disappeared again, so I back myself into the far corner, Olo tucked close to my chest, my growl still echoing throughout the otherwise silent cell.
Time seems to drag as I wait for Olo to wake up from whatever sedative they gave him. Finally, after what feels like several rotations, he starts to rouse. I squeeze him to me harder as his eyelashes flutter.
My omega peers up at me and croaks, "They… They said they were going to observe us together. I-I don't know what that means."
I lean down and press a kiss to his forehead. "They likely want to study the dynamic between us and how the Allagi changed us. They noticed my enlarged canines, my knot, and who knows what else."
Olo looks around, frowns, and asks, "Where is Lyra?"
I shake my head and glare at the door. "I don't know."
The door opens again and I swiftly, but carefully, set Olo behind me and crouch in front of him. My growl kicks up a gear and only gets louder when I see them push Lyra in and she stumbles. I race to her just as the door slams shut behind her, the cowards fleeing instead of fighting me like I wish they would. Gently I snatch Lyra up in my arms and back away to where Olo is still sitting in the corner.
She curls into my arms, her face in my neck, and I desperately want to offer her a purr to comfort her, but with how high my aggression is right now, I know I won’t stop growling anytime soon. I drop to the ground beside Olo and shift my little female around on my lap until I have room for both my mates.
Without warning the door opens for a third time, and I'm immediately on my feet, pushing both of my omegas behind me as an alien walks into our cell like he owns the place. He's got something long in his hand and a collar around his neck. Whoever this alien is, the collar marks him as a slave, and I hesitate to attack, even as my protective instincts scream at me to rip into the perceived threat.
I'm given little choice when the alien suddenly charges, the long, stick-like thing now raised high. He crosses the midway point of the cell and I react instinctively. Before I realize it, I'm tearing into his throat with my teeth and dragging him away from my mates. I drop the now-dead body by the door just as it opens again.
I burst forward and snap the female's neck the second I see another stick-like object in her hands. She collapses right on top of the male’s body.
"Well done," a familiar voice drawls. "As a reward, I'll share some wonderful news with all of you. Your female is pregnant with your offspring, Green One, and the male is now viable for breeding."
My vision darkens as rage consumes me. Distantly I hear Olo's gasp, but it's like he's down a tunnel.
How dare this alien bastard put hostiles in the cell with my pregnant mate! It was already crossing a line by putting my mates in danger, but to think she's carrying too? It has me seeing red, and I want nothing more than to tear the bastard’s throat out with my fucking teeth.
I know I should be comforting my mates and showing Lyra my excitement for her pregnancy, but I can't get lax in my protection. What if that bastard sends another one in to attack? What if there's other tests and tricks he's got up his sleeve? What can I do to protect them when I'm nearly helpless, trapped in this cell they can easily gas?
Fuck!
My growl gets impossibly louder, Lyra’s sobs the only sounds breaking through this seething rage and helplessness. Immediately I stop guarding and move to comfort her and Olo. I resume my previous position with them both tucked in my lap, Lyra’s tears soaking my shirt. Olo's arm is wrapped around her back, offering her wordless comfort and support too.
"Shh, mate," I croon softly. "It's okay. We're here."
"How touching," the bastard cuts in, and I scowl. "Food will be delivered momentarily. Eat well, tomorrow is a big cycle for all three of you."
Food is passed through a slot at the bottom of the door, something I hadn't noticed previously, and when the food is pushed all the way through, I see why I didn't notice it before. The slot completely closes up, so much so that there isn't even a crack in the door itself, just seamlessly blending metal all over.
I want nothing more than to stay cuddled with my omegas, but they need food. So reluctantly, I untangle myself and cautiously move toward the door, ever vigilant for any surprises that might come my way. Thankfully nothing happens, and I grab the three bars and three canteens of what I assume is water. The bars themselves are the standard space travel nutrient bars.
Ripping into one of the bars the moment I'm once again tucked against the back wall with my mates cuddled close, I take a bite. Normally I'd ensure my mates ate first, but I don't trust these bastards not to put a sedative—or something worse—in our food or drink. And to be thorough, I bite each bar and drink from each canteen. I don't take much, just enough to test them. I also make sure to wait before each bite and each sip so I can identify what the problematic food or drink was if something did happen.
Nothing happens, so I hand one and half bars to Lyra and one and half bars to Olo, both of whom refuse them. My growl is enough for Olo, and he diligently eats his portion and drinks his canteen.
Lyra still refuses, her face tucked into my neck, her voice muffled as she says, "No, I don't—"
I cut her off. "You need to eat. If not for you, then for the baby."
She finally lifts her head and eats. Lyra is slow about it, clearly reluctant, but every time she tries to stop eating, I growl softly and nudge her until she takes another bite. When she's finally finished, food and water gone, I relax ever so slightly and offer them a nearly silent purr to comfort them as best as I can without the bastard alien hearing me.