Dyllen nodded and slowly they set out in silence.
Eician led them into the sparse forest, stepping carefully through the dewy undergrowth until they were surrounded by the tall trees.
There was something calming about nature, the melodic call of the birds and the soft rustle of leaves as their only companions.
“I’m sorry,” Dyllen finally said, and Eician glanced at him but the alpha wasn’t looking at him as he approached the pebbled banks of the river. He stopped at the edge of the water and stared out into the clear depths.
Eician joined him, momentarily distracted by the flash of silver scales in the river. Small fish darted about the rocks and plants he could see lining the riverbed and it almost seemed as though they were playing.
“I shouldn’t have taken my frustration at Kadence out on you,” Dyllen continued after a moment. “I didn’
“You taste like mint,” Eiciansaid with a small giggle of sudden elation.Happiness buzzed through him like a drug and he finally thought that maybe his future was looking bright.“That’s better than what it could have been,” Dyllenmuttered dryly. He moved away, making no move to kiss Eicianagain and the omega pouted.“Is that okay? I’m not sure what’s okay for you and what makes you tense.Although you stopped stuttering a while back.”“That’s because I’m comfortable around you, as long as nothing else flusters me,” Eicianreplied as he leaned close, trying to chase Dyllenfor another kiss. “And it’s fine, more than fine even. The alpha was never…affectionate with me. Just don’t grab me or pull me.”“Shit, so when I pulled you onto my lap?” Dyllenasked, looking alarme
The clacking of wood hitting wood drew Eician’s attention as he left the clinic.Glancing over at the large space left clear for training, he spotted the sweating forms of Dyllenand Linusdancing around each other, practiceswords in hand.Dyllen’s kids sat off to the side watching the sparring match with interest and Eicianpaused, considering.Skyehad tasked him with gathering some moss that grew on trees close to the river that wound through the sparse forest surrounding them. The task would take some time so Eiciandoubted that the omega would mind if he dallied for a few minutes.Part of him wanted to watch Dyllen; it was fascinating seeing him in his element and Eicianwould never turn down a chance to admire the man’s muscled torso that was on display. However, more importantly,he wanted tospend a few moments with the teenagers Dyllenhad adopted without the alpha
Dyllen stood there for a long moment, staring down at the omega, waiting for something.What, he wasn’t sure. But there was no fear in Eician’s eyes, and he remained relaxed even with Dyllenstanding so close.Small hands reached up to cup his face, guiding him down as Eicianrose onto his toes to meet him. Their lips pressed together, gently at first, then Eicianpushed closer to demand more.Their lips parted to deepen the kiss and finally,Dyllenmoved, bringing his arms up to wrap around the omega, tugging him closer.A breathy gasp met his actions as their bodies pressed together and Dyllenreveledin the feeling of closeness.Unlike when he had surprised the omega,Eicianwas completely relaxed in his armsnow. In fact, he was eager, pressing himself even closer to him and wrapping his arms around his neck.When Dyllenpulled away, Eicianchased him,
“Dahlia?” Dyllenrepeated in surprise.That was the last person he expected to help, not because she wouldn’t but because he didn’t expect Eicianto ask another alpha, albeit a girl.“She sprained her wrist yesterday and came to the clinic to get Skyeto heal it. He’s started wearing a lot of Linus’s clothes now that his morning sickness has started. You know, for comfort when he’s feeling sick. So we were talking about it and she offered to bring me one or your shirts. I didn’t think she would actually do it and now,I owe her a fresh batch of sweet rolls.”“She stole my shirt to give to you in exchange for sweet rolls?” he repeated slowly.A nod against his chest was the only reply he got from Eicianwho seemed about ready to sink through the bed in embarrassment.“You could have asked me, I would have given you one.”
Dyllen’s brain just about short circuited at the words and if Eicianhadn’t pressed his hand against his cock through his pants, he might have checked to make sure that’s what he was meaning.“You sure?” he asked, voice cracking with need but like hell was he going to fuck this up.Eiciannodded, biting his lip as he stared down at Dyllen, hand still firmly in place. “I want to. I have done this before…just not…”he trailed off,looking uncertain but the alpha knew what he meant.He had done whatever it was he planned before with the other alpha, being forced to pleasure him against his will. Which meant that while he technically knew what to do, he wasn’t sure how he would react to doing so.Dyllencaught himself wondering if Eician was planning on using his hands or mouth and had to push that thought away to keep his focus on the omega.Righ
It took a moment for Dyllento sort through the stammer and process what Eician hadsaid.It was then that he realizedEicianwas beyond embarrassed, he was downright mortified.His face was a brighter red than Dyllenthought possible and he wouldn’t meet his eyes.Relief that he wasn’t the cause of the stutter followed by amusement at the reaction flooded through him.“So what you’re saying,” Dyllensaid slowly, partially to make sure he had heard correctly but a small part of him was enjoying making the omega squirm. “Is that no matter how much you stroke that pretty little cock of yours, you can’t get yourself off? That the only time you have ever gotten off was on an alpha’s knot?”A small nod met his words and Dyllengrinned.Oh, he was going to enjoy showing Eicianreal pleasure when he could finally touch him like he want
“Oh shit,” was all Dyllen could come up with in reply, eyes growing wide in alarm.Anxiously,Skye stripped it down, shredding the leaves in his fingers almost unknowingly.Eicianlooked between them in confusion and mounting concern.“Boss disagreed but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I haven’t told anyone else, I don’t want to freak everyone out just in case. But an old alpha who has lost his mate and wants to see how his youngest son is doing? I only met him once, the same day I met Boss for the first time, but looking back, I think he regrets not being closer to him.He spoke fondly of Boss and it seemed more like Boss was holding a grudge than he was.”“We are not prepared to have a fucking monarch here,” Dyllenhissed, lowering his voice. “We have no fucking fortifications, and our minimal watch won’t keep out any fucking assassins
“It’s snowing!”Dyllengroaned above him as the bedroom door was flung open.Loud footsteps thudded against the wooden floorboards and Eiciantried to press closer to the warm body beside him.“Fuck off,” the alpha grumbled then snarled, jerking upright as Kadence’s gleeful laughter could be heard as he dashed from the bedroom.“FUCK!”Eicianyelped as a few stray flecks of snow fell off Dyllento land on his warm skin. He quickly brushed them off before bundling himself up more in their blankets, stealing all of them off of Dyllenas well. The alpha grumbled as he threw the remnants of a snowball onto the floor.“You little shit!” he roared, earning an even louder laughter from the kitchen.Now that Eicianwas awake, he could hear the yells and laughter of a snowball fight in full swing outside.It warmed him to hear wha
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