Motya had picked up your scent long before she saw you. She paused from wrapping her knuckles, tilting her head. For a moment she considered her mind must’ve been playing tricks on her. She’d told you to stay home and rest, that you didn’t need to work.

But no, she wasn’t wrong. Motya could pick you out from a crowd from your breathing alone. She knew you as she knew her own heart. Which was why she should’ve realized you wouldn’t listen to her. She loved that you were stubborn, loved every part about you, but in this moment she wished you’d just relax.

You were pregnant. A pregnant omega wandering around dozens of adrenaline filled alphas was bound to be disastrous. She knew how they got after a fight, especially if they lost in the ring.

Motya shoved her way through a couple of betas, uncaring of what they had to say. She silenced them with a single look. There you were, wobbling about as though it was another day of you working as a medic.

“No,” she said, hands finding your shoulders to successfully maneuver you toward the exit. “This was not the deal. You told me you’d stay home today.”

And yesterday, and tomorrow; preferably you’d never come back to this place. Motya would keep fighting to support the both of you. You never needed to lift a finger again. That’s what alphas were meant to do for omegas. It was truly the bare minimum. If you insisted on working (and only after the baby was here), she’d find you a job that wasn’t shady and also legal. An underground fighting ring with very little rules to protect omegas was not that place. She couldn’t risk you. Her fingers unconsciously traced the bite mark on the back of your neck.

“I know you worry, but I am fine. This place is not suited for you.” It never was, but she didn’t add that on. Fours years into this marriage taught her that sometimes it was best to keep some thoughts to herself. What once started off as mere convenience had blossomed into love so strong she felt it right down to her bones.

Motya paused by the exit, cupping your cheeks. “Please?” she added. She ghosted a kiss onto your forehead, then your cheek. “I will return after my fight, zaya.”