Chapter 112
Lamberton Dormitory, Tri-Market Warehouse, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2036, Planet: Grimoire
Circumstances had taken a turn for the better, though oddly enough, Grifton became tenser and warier as time passed. That was due to the presence of a seriously nasty Alpha named Donrico Eldorado Consuenos. From what he'd learned that Alpha was deviant in his desires and obsessive about Omegas. He had a criteria in mind for those whom he'd keep sequestered. Any others he just destroyed and dumped into horrible hellish conditions where they died from lack of decent care.
His three siblings, who'd manifested as Omegas very late, apparently not only caught his eye but also met his criteria briefly before they were scheduled for termination of memories. Luckily for his siblings, they had people looking out for them, and they'd been rescued, though not before they'd given birth to numerous offspring.
They'd proven exceptionally protective of those offspring, often putting themselves in danger when stopping that Alpha from getting his hands on them. That's when Grifton acknowledged he'd been lucky to have remained where he was. Going to lawless lands was risking his life.
Then again, just leaving the Republic of Shantu proved quite the risk. However, stagnating somewhere was worse, in Grifton's opinion. With more threats hanging over their heads and health conditions still at their premium, none of them were in any state of mental, physical, or emotional status with which to embark on journeys of any kind.
Grifton also experienced his first heat while in a safe environment. It was still unpleasant, but at least he'd been able to receive the proper treatment to make it end faster, even if it had been brutally painful.
That's when Madam Murray told him. "You'd be better off finding someone interested in mutual benefits but not commitment right now." Her statement surprised Grifton, but at least she wasn't telling him to find a stable mate or something like that. Just find someone who would help him with his heat so that he didn't rely too heavily on medication that he'd later develop resistance to at the worst possible moment.
~*~
Lamberton was disinclined to force the four siblings to go anywhere right now. He'd seen enough situations when someone did that to others who weren't ready to move on. The consequences were disastrous, to put it mildly. As a result, he was more than willing to do other things that would grant the four peace of mind that they still couldn't obtain. "How is the process of gathering evidence against Consuenos?" Lamberton knew that would be difficult since the Alpha had the backing of three influential families in his lineage and two countries.
Commander Darmono's shrugged. "It's happening slowly but surely." He grimaced because he knew a faster way to catch the Alpha. "The fastest way of capturing that slick creature would be to set out bait that is his favorite to prey upon." He just wasn't inclined to put any sane Omega through that hardship.
Lamberton regarded him grimly. "I'm willing to hear you out." A sigh escaped him. "Believe it or not, I've heard of Omegas willing to do anything to get that man off the streets and permanently imprisoned." There'd been a few other vindictive suggestions about him, but those were ones that he didn't care to relay to Darmono.
"Let me guess, they wanted him sterilized?" Darmono looked amused.
"Nope, they want him executed." Lamberton shook his head with a sigh. "We're not the only ones who want him dealt with permanently."
Darmono shrugged. "Well, the construction of that new prison is underway." He gestured to a map. "There is a continent useless for cultivation, terracing, or viable life." Darmono looked doubtful even as he listed the reasons for its existence. "The only thing that it's good for is hunting monsters. The bad part is that supplies, including potable water, must be imported."
Lamberton was shocked that such a continent existed in Grimoire. He rubbed his jaw while pulling up information on that continent. "I see. I recognize this place. It is one where many explorations foundered." Lamberton winced because he was one of the survivors. "As I recall, you, me, Moline, and a few others had formed a group." That really wasn't a success story he wanted to publicize. It might cause some false expectations to rise. "Weren't we the only ones to not get killed after having made the landing successfully?"
Darmono nodded, "While that is true, I remember others landing successfully." He reminded Lamberton with some exasperation. "People can reside on three bays and peninsulas without problems." He shrugged. "The mainland ringed with impassible mountain ranges is the problem."
Yet that is where they wanted to dump off the prisoners of the most heinous crimes? Lamberton didn't have a good feeling about that solution.
~*~
Although three months had passed since Alpha was arrested, his siblings had safely given birth to their newest children. They had undergone a severe health exam to determine what made them tick. Before they could resume active crafting, much less traveling outside the Republic, it was a requirement. That was Madam Murray's condition before she'd allow them to leave.
Grifton was no exception to that either. "How are you three holding up?" He visited them in their separate rooms.
The significant change in their lives was that they all had separate suites in the Lamberton Dormitory. This facility wasn't provided to students but to workers within the merchant caravans.
Marlayne smiled at him. "I'm doing fine."
Calico grinned. "Kiddos kicked up a fuss. They wanted to see you."
Amberlyn shrugged. "We all decided to gather in Calico's living room this time."
It was a conscious decision that they rotated through the four living rooms every week. That meant no one bore the burden of hosting gatherings for the sisters and brothers, and they also kept an eye on their thriving children.
Grifton exhaled. "I just received the news about the results of my various exams. What about you?"
The extensive medical exams had been relaxed, so Grifton hadn't minded going through them. He'd instead find out what his weaknesses were beforehand. That way, he could find a solution to turn them into strengths.
"Huh? Oh, I received mine about three days ago." Calico shrugged.
His siblings made the same decision. None of them wanted to remain sequestered because of the trauma dealt to them by one asshole.
"Same," Amberlyn and Marlayne chorused.
"So, you were just waiting for me to receive my results before we discussed our next steps?" Grifton regarded them with relief.
Calico nodded. "Yeah, even though we're here now, it is only temporary." He shrugged ruefully. "Also, living here is very, hmm, how should I put it?" He was at a loss for words.
"Suffocating?" Grifton had a good idea of what they were going through.
"Yes, that's the word." Calico nodded.
"We have other concerns, too." Amberlyn yawned. "We established a stable base, networks, and various contacts." She was curled up on a couch.
"The other problem is that we must maintain steady contact with them to prevent nasty rumors from rising." Marlayne's face darkened. "If that happens, we'll disappear without warning one day." She acknowledged this with harsh frustration and disappointment. All of our hard work will be for naught."
Grifton shook his head. "No, you won't lose out." He explained what he was thinking of doing. "I have to begin from the bottom," That didn't bother Grifton. "I'm sure that won't take long."
His siblings shook their heads. "No, we're sure about that." Marlayne looked bemused. "So, what are you planning?"
Grifton exhaled. "I'm going to be following a custom-made series of routes that'll give me the fastest promotion rate to frost tier rank." He shrugged. "From what I saw of the routes, which should only take me a year maximum, six months minimum." Grifton spread his hands wide as he spoke. "In the meantime, I'll gain the practical experience I lack. I should be able to visit you once I'm also established."
The trio looked taken aback. "So, you're not going to protest us returning there?" They were referring to the unnamed Republic.
Grifton shook his head. "No, why should I?" While it did bother him that they'd managed to progress so far ahead of him, he wasn't jealous. "You're the success stories that I can look up to as an example." He held up a hand when they would've protested. "Also, a warning of what could happen even if I take every precaution." Simply determined to catch up to them, that was all. "I know it only takes one moment of carelessness to get caught."
His siblings nodded soberly. "None of us want that for you," Calico confirmed tersely. "There is nothing honorable about being used as a brood box for some Alpha's seed." His face darkened angrily. "I had actually found a compatible mate. Now that's no longer on the table."
Marlayne nodded somberly. "It was the same for us as well."
Amberlyn sighed. "However, with our bodies tarnished, we're no longer viewed as prospective mates." She shrugged. "I'd rather find out their real views than receive harsh rejection after going through a bonding contract."
At that point, all three of them showed signs of displeasure.
Amberlyn shook her head. "We all were almost deceived." She wasn't pleased about her gullibility when it came to that Alpha.
~*~
Calico had plenty of time to accept what happened to him. Yes, trauma gave him nightmares. However, forming a powerful bond with his siblings and children. Also gave him peace of mind and dulled the paranoia that forced him into hiding at one point.
What puzzled him was how much fear was evident in Grifton. This entire time, Calico believed Grifton safely resided in the Orphanage and worked on his projects peacefully. Now, having learned the brutal truth, he was shocked.
In fact, Marlayne and Amberlyn were as shocked as Calico. Their informant deceived them cruelly into believing he'd been coasting on his laurels. Now that they knew otherwise, they were at a loss for words.
On the other hand, seeing him play with their children and exhibit such concern and kindness toward them made the trio feel extremely guilty. Now, they had to tell him the truth of what they'd believed.
"I think you should know that we've been receiving reports about you this entire time," Calico said, opening the topic.
Grifton looked at them thoughtfully. "I guessed as much." He admitted. "Even if I wasn't always able to keep in touch with you, I figured someone must've been watching over all of us." His lack of curiosity regarding the informant made them frown at each other.
"You're not curious about the informant?" Calico found that baffling.
Grifton hesitated and looked uncomfortable before answering. "Well, since I've caught a few flashes of annoyance from you three." He reddened slightly. "That is once you realize the individual lied." Grifton shrugged ruefully. "It wasn't hard to figure out who it was."
Uh oh, Calico didn't care for the sound of that. "Do you plan to retaliate against that person?"
Grifton shook his head slightly. "No, I'm sure there were reasons why that individual meant to isolate all of us from each other." He frowned. "I speculate that he/she didn't want us remaining comfortably close."
Calico grunted, not satisfied with that response. However, he gave up when Marlayne and Amberlyn shook their heads at him. It became apparent that Grifton wasn't willing to enact revenge unless there was concrete proof of obstruction. Since when had he ever bothered with that type of thing? Calico was confused and didn't care about that emotion at all.