Athelney was bustling with activity when they arrived.
A few people recognized them as they passed and waved or called out greetings.
Linus and Brite often came through to speak with various townsfolk or hire services so the attention wasn’t surprising. Annoying, but understandable.
All Dyllen wanted was to hurry up and get to the village green where the mayor would be waiting with their new members. Linus had no idea who or how many people they would return with and being in the dark still, after all their hours of travel, grated at him.
They pulled up beside the large patch of grass where a dozen dirty, ragged people greeted them.
Dyllen paid no attention to Linus as he greeted the mayor, choosing instead to dismount and cast his gaze over each of those present before dismissing them all out of hand.
What the fuck was this?
Not even one among them looked fit enough to hold
Eicianalmost couldn’t believe he was alive.When the hugealpha had picked him up with effortless ease to put him on his horse, he honestly thought he was done for.He had travelled for weeks to get there and survived unmolested, only to get kidnapped on the final stretch of his journey. His terror at the towering alpha had stopped his brain in its tracks, freezing his entire body and robbing it of its most basic fight-or-flight instincts.But here he was, untouched barring a thick arm around his waist and a leather-padded chest at his back to be dumped down in front of a rustic-looking wooden building.A few people watched them curiously, but none approached as the huge alpha who called himself ‘Dyllen’ pushed him roughly inside when he didn’t move on his own.“Cherub,” Dyllen called as they entered a long room filled with drying herbs hanging from the ceiling and ceramic pots lining woo
“Oh! But I only just finished my own training,” Skyereplied in surprise and disappointment flooded through Eician.Did he travel for weeks only to be turned away?“I didn’t mean you couldn’t be,” the other omega clarified at his crestfallen expression. “I’m just surprised. I knew they would send someone eventually, but I didn’t realizeit would be so soon.Ecrinis such a long way from Aldea, most choose to stay closer to home.Especially anAldeannative.”Eicianworried at his lip as he decided how to reply.He had chosen Skyepurely because he was based so far away but saying that would raise questions he didn’t want to answer right now.The Kingdom of Heralsat like a triangle between Aldeaand Ecrinwith each country sharing a border. The capital of Ilaridge, where he was originally told that Skyere
Dyllenswore under his breath as he struggled to get the fence post in the right position.His mug of tea sat empty on the post beside him, and he relished in the physical work. The tension in his body eased as he focused on the task at hand.Yashhad wandered past earlier, pausing as though surprised to see him slowly erecting the picket fence around Skye’s huge garden but he had moved on quickly after a nod of recognition.Dyllendidn’t even bother to wipe the snarl from his face, the others were used to him enough to know it meant he wanted to be left alone.He swore profusely as his attention slipped for the briefest of moments and his balanced wooden stake shifted to the side. It was far easier to do this with two people but then, he wasn’t here to help as much as he was to work off steam without biting off someone’s head.He had been planning on hunting Urkanedown for a good wrestling
Skyecame bouncing into the room with a cup in hand just as Eiciansat down at the table, unsure what to do with himself while he waited.The other omega beamed at him, and Eiciangave him a tentative smile, unsure how to react to such a look.“Is everything okay?”“Hmm?”Was he making more tea?The thought made him a little anxious, he enjoyed it but the memories the warmthof the tea brought back were less wanted.“T-the alpha? The one outside?”“Oh! Dyllen! Yeah, he’s fine, he’s just sulking. He looks and acts all tough and callous but he’s got a real soft underbelly. I think he misunderstood something and got upset thinking he was being cast aside. That, and he sure acts like a grumpy old man sometimes.”“Oh, I-I see,” Eicianreplied faintly, trying to equate the huge, rough looking alpha with som
Fear gripped him as boots thudded on the wood sounding out the unknown man’s sudden approach.Memories of pain and terror clawed to the surface even as he tried to force them down.Gentle hands gripped his face, shaking him from the almost waking nightmare and kind silvereyes swum into focus in front of him.“Hey, it’s okay. Breathe. Deep breath, come on.”Eiciantook huge gulps of air as Skyegently guided him and slowly,he calmed.Finally settled, he glanced over at the alpha staring at them in curiosity and a hint of alarm. His clean-shaven face was handsome compared to the earlier alpha’s rough, but still handsomelook, but they were about the same height, although this alpha was leaner, muscles more compact. Still, the blond alpha was huge, sporting the kind of muscled athleticism that said he regularly used the sword resting at his hip.Even though he was calm
Dyllenlooked up from sorting out the wooden fence posts to see Linusstanding with the six teenagers from that morning.They looked cleaner now; the dirt washed away and fresh, too large clothing adorning their frames. It only highlighted how poor shape they were all in.He held back a sigh as he looked them over properly, gazelingering for a moment on the only girl among them. She was an alpha while the rest were betas.Female alphas were as common as male omegas- which was to say rare- and he wasn’t sure what to expect from her most of all.“We’ve rearranged the sleeping arrangements in the barracks, you will all be right at the back. You’ll see when you go in there. There aren't enough beds just yet, you’ve only got six allocated, but we are working on putting bunks in. Should be sorted in a few weeks,” Linussaid, staring at him, hard.There was a warning in his gaze and Dy
Eicianwas shaking by the time they made it inside and he collapsed into his seat at the table, setting his forehead against the cool wood.While he had been thankful for Dyllenstanding up for him and explaining his situation to the others so they understood, the alpha had been terrifying.It had taken him all his willpower not to bolt inside at the cold power in the alpha’s voice.Skyepetted his hair, and he looked up at the omega smiling kindly down at him.“You did a lot better than I thought you would. This morning you couldn’t even speak in front of Dyllen!”“I think I’m just t-too tired to be so tense,” Eicianreplied tiredly. He felt exhausted suddenly, the stress of the day catching up with him.“Maybe you should have a nap before dinner, you’ve had a big day.”Eiciannodded but made no move to get up. He felt completely
The next few days were a blur of meeting new people, learning his way around the tiny settlement, and discovering what was required of him as part of his training.Eician wasn’t sure what was worse: trying to take in all the names and faces of the people here or trying to remember what Skyewas telling him about the herbs and medicines he used.The other omega was quick to reassure him that he didn’t expect him to remember much straight away but he would keep explaining what he was doing so it would eventually stick with him.It wasn’t particularly reassuring when Skyecheerfully reminded him that they used a particular herb only yesterday, but Eicianhonestly didn’t remember.The alpha presence in the village didn’t help matters. There were four alpha males from the Silvermist Company, one old alpha farmer, two newcomers, and the female alpha. Dahliadidn’t set him off as much as
Months passed…Dyllengroaned as Linusstormed into their bedroom looking wild-eyed and panicked.The darkness invading the room where the flickering candlelight of Linus’s lantern didn’t reach gave him an idea how late it still was.He certainly felt like he hadn’t gotten the chance to sleep at all. Beside him, Eicianmirrored the groan but neither of them dallied as they sat up.They knew the reason for Linus’s sudden visit.“She’s coming!” he exclaimed, a slight note of hysteria in hisusually quiet and nonchalantvoice.Dyllenwould have found it funny if he hadn’t been assigned the duty of keeping the other alpha in check while Eicianhelped Skyebring their daughter into the world.Between the two omegas with their Healing Sight, they had determined the baby’s gender early on, allowing them to
Thank fuck no one else was around because Dyllensounded like nothing but a prepubescent teen, voice breaking on every other word.Why the fuck was this so hard when Eicianhad already given his fucking answer?“I, uh…” he tried to continue but was distracted by his lover.Eician’s eyes were wide but a huge grin slowly took over his face. He looked positively radiant in that moment and he grabbed Dyllenby the shoulders, tipping his toes and aggressively pulling him in for a kiss.The passion startled Dyllenbut he returned the kiss with equal vigour. His omega’s small body pressed up against his as their lips clashed together and Dyllenpulled him in even closer.Eician’s scent enveloped him like a drug, the smell a mixture of need and want.“I love you,” Dyllenwhispered against Eician’s lips, not wanting to pull apart from his mate.T
The would-be assailant tumbled to the ground, taken completely by surprise, and Dyllenwasted no time in ending his life.Eiciangasped as he watched in horror, turning away at the last minute.The sound of the man being run through turning his stomach and he heard Skyewhimper in distress, no doubt feeling the same. Linusrushed past him in a blur of movement to scoop up his mate in his arms.Turning, Eicianfound himself face to face with Dyllen’s chest before he was also scooped up in a fiercely protective hug, his feet leaving the ground. He didn’t even remember dropping the dagger but nothing remained in his hands, he realized.“I’m okay,” he whispered, sounding as strangled as he felt.He patted Dyllenon the back but the alpha seemed reluctant to loosen his hold. It was comforting to be so close to his alpha after their harrowing event, and he knew Dyllenwo
A few moments ago… Eicianwatched with wide eyes as he saw the side of his lover he knew existed but had never seen. Almost immediately upon leaving the house, the alpha came across a single man, a bandit by the look of the mismatched armoured and dirty appearance. Dyllensnarled as he swung his sword with such force and precision that he cut the man down in one blow. The alpha stood there for a moment, head moving as he scanned the battlefield and his entire being radiated power. It was a confidence in his movements, a surety in each step, combined with a steely aura of determination and cold anger. It was as breathtaking as it was scary. Eicianfound that he didn’t fear Dyllen, not now that he knew the man underneath, but right in that moment, covered in the blood of the man he killed, his alpha was intimidating. The omega looked to the side to see the three kids with him watchin
“That’s the alarm!” Eicianexclaimed, sitting up on the bedin alarm.“It is,” Dyllenagreed as he armoured up lightning fast, years of practicein similar situations making the task easy.Once done, he pulled open their bedside table drawer and reached in to grab out a long, sharp dagger. He’d had the blade for as long as he’d been on the road, jokinglynaming it ‘Dyllen’s Claw. It was deadly sharp so it could cleanly skin and gut game they found on the road.“Take this,”holding out the knife to his omega, he waited for him the grab it.Eician’s hands shook as he took the weapon but he clenched it tightly and didn’t ask any questions. All he did was nod, that look of grim determination taking over his beautiful features even as his limbs trembled with his fear.Whoever called omegas weak was a fool.Eicianmight be
Eicianfollowed him, shivering as they left the cosy warmth of the kitchen.He wanted to go back to the kitchen fire or even better, curl up in bed with Dyllen.With the alpha taking the second night watch, he’d been hoping Dyllenwould come back for a morning nap before his second shift and he could somehow get away with staying curled up in bed all morning.Instead, they were trudging over the frosted ground towards the stables. As they approached, he spotted three of the UAalphas standing beside the horse enclosure fence with three of Dyllen’s kids. Though he supposed, they were kinda his kids too.He missed a step at the thought and stumbled, catching himself before he fell. It left a warm feeling in his chest that matched the heat building in his cheeks.“Careful,” Skyecautioned as he waved to his mate as they headed past them. “It’s slippery with the ice.”Af
Eicianslowly became aware of where he was.When he stretched out his hand, he found no warm body on the bed beside him. He must have fallen asleep on Dyllenstraight away afterwards. Disappointment flashed through him when he realizedthat Dyllenwasn’t still in bed with him until he remembered that he had the second night watch.Ah, well, he could stay in his warm nest and doze until the alpha returned. He realized that the alpha must’ve cleaned him down while he slept. The thought sent embarrassment coursing through him but more than that, warmth flooded at the sweet and considerate action.He was just drifting back off to sleep when a knock interrupted him.The door opened almost immediately after and he groaned when a familiar chirpy voice greeted him.“Morning, Eician!” Skyewasn’t the biggest morning person but he was always chirpy once he’d woken up. “Com
“Dyllen!” Linussaid, appearing in the doorway looking relieved.“I just wanted to chat, if you’re free…?”“Sure thing, let’s go!” the other alpha grabbed his arm and yanked him from the house.Dyllengrunted at the force but let himself be dragged away. The look of complete desperation on his friend’s face had Dyllenfeeling a little less stupid over his own drama.“Is it okay to leave him?” Dyllenquestioned as they strode in a random direction, bypassing the mess hall where everyone was gathering for food.“Yep, I can’t be fucked arguing with him anymore. Teruo’s always been an incompetent idiot but I can’t believe he’s still employed in the palace. If anything happens, it’s my father’s fault for coming when we weren’t prepared,” Linusgrumbled, looking ruffled. He was dressed but h
Dyllenpaced slowly along his patrol line, desperately trying to keep his focus on his task.Kadencetrotted along beside him, looking uninterested. The beta had started out full of alertness due to his worry but it quickly morphed into tired boredom.Unlike Dyllen, who was wide awake and far from bored.Memories of Eiciansitting above him, body flushed with his pleasure, eyes blown black, and lips puffy,haunted him. As did the musical sound of his omega’s moans, playing in a loop through his head.It had been pure torture to have such a sexy little thing bouncing in his lap and not take care of his own needs but his need to look after Eiciankept him in check.Right up until Eicianopened his sinful lips to utter those words. Nothing could have stopped Dyllenafter being asked- no, begged- like that.After that, it had been a mission to not throw him to the bed and swarm over him, pre