It wasn't expected that Skye would stay at home forever, bonded couples often moved away to settle down and start their life together, but this was far sooner than he expected.Once outside, they walked around the side of the building to a large stable where the band were saddling up an array of horses.“Lejend," Linus called and a tall, slim beta with feathers tied in his black hair approached.Skye blinked as the thing on his shoulder moved and he realized it was a small speckled black bird. It was round and not much bigger than his fist.“He's never ridden before, have we got a spare that will do?"A derisive snort drew Skye's attention, and he turned to see Dyllen leading out a huge black horse. The alpha had a sneer on his face that set the omega on edge.“If he can't even ride, he shouldn't be coming with us," the alpha bit out but Linus ignored him and continued to stare steadily at the beta, waiting for an answer.Lejend reached up and ruffled the bird’s shoulders on his feath
Getting out of the saddle was a relief.Skye groaned as he pulled his stiff leg over the horse then fell as he tried to dismount.He hit the ground with a muted thud as the wind was knocked from his lungs. Unable to move, he lay in the soft grass for a moment before Dyllen's deep grumblings got him up.The alpha seemed keen on criticizing everything he did.Laughter filled the air as the horses were tied to large shady trees and the men stripped down on the banks of a huge lake.In the distance, Skye could make out small fishing boats and a town on the far shore but here, it was just them. He sidled closer to his mate, unsure about joining them in the water.Just as Linus turned around to face him, Skye caught sight of Brite as he pulled his shirt off and gasped.Unconsciously, he reached forward, hand outstretched with his healing activated before he came to himself and pulled his hand back in.Huge, raised scars lined the alpha's back going from shoulder to shoulder and down, curlin
The rest of the afternoon and early evening had been spent leisurely making their way further from the capital.They had passed through several larger towns and villages that sat on the outskirts of the city’s influence, but now, all that surrounded them was rolling farmland with large patches of woodland.The occasional traveller joined them on the road, mostly people on foot with their belongings on their back, but a few farming wagons ambled along as well. The sun had set and was nearly hidden from view while the last oranges and reds streaked the darkening sky.Skye was relieved that they would finally stop for the day. His entire body ached, his muscles not used to the odd gait of the horse protested being forced to ride for so long.Top that off with tiredness from healing Trace and Urkane earlier and he was ready to just fall into bed.Except that he had to brush down his horse first.Then move all his gear so his mount could enjoy a night free of the saddle. Moya had earned he
The next few days followed the same pattern.Rise with the morning light, travel until lunch, then stop for a break. Then continue for the afternoon until the sun began to fade and set up camp.Linus still hadn’t worked out how to treat his omega companion and spent his days much as he had before Skye joined them; helping with the chores when they stopped and night watches when they made camp for the evening.Every other day, he practiced sparring with Terni to continue his training.The only real marked difference was the warm body pressed against his when he slipped into his bedroll.Dyllen had been giving Skye all the worst tasks to complete when they made camp and while Linus expected some kind of complaint, none came.Honestly, if he had to do all the shit jobs repeatedly, he would have taken it up with Dyllen himself. Although such confrontation was probably against the gentle omega’s instincts.Today marked a change in pace, however.They approached the large town of Athelney,
Linus was steadily knocking back drink after drink and Skye was beginning to worry for his mate.Half the band had left following Brite who had dragged Dyllen away to go ‘wenching’, although he had overheard Brite asking the other alpha if he was looking for a ‘lad or a lass’.He wondered if it was still called wenching if you were picking up a male partner.The ones he had been left with were all quiet and while everyone else seemed content to sit and relax quietly together, Skye was feeling rather awkward.Mainly because he honestly didn’t understand why his alpha was so intent on getting drunk.Linus hadn’t said a word to anyone beyond ordering each drink so it was hard to tell how far gone he was but he noticed the other three who stayed behind all watch their leader with wary looks.Skye cleared his throat and finally ventured to ask one the questions that had been on his mind the last few days.“What do you all dream of?” He flushed when four pairs of eyes turned to look at him
Linus had changed out of his armor as soon as they were back at the inn and his soft shirt let him feel a hint of the hard muscle hiding underneath.The alpha scented the air, his pupils dilating at the thickening smell of Skye’s increasing arousal. The omega flushed at being so easily caught out but the anticipation building inside of him was overwhelming.“You want something, Cherub?”Skye shivered at the deep voice, now husky with a mirroring desire.“So, you are calling me that too.”“It suits you. And Brite’s right. You have to start keeping your identity underwraps for you and your family’s safety.”“I don’t know what to call you,” Skye replied.He had been introduced to him as Linus, but the band always called him Boss. It would be strange to call him Boss in the bedroom though.“Whatever you like,” the alpha replied as he flipped them, forcing Skye onto his back while his alpha slipped between his parted legs.“That doesn’t help,” he muttered before lips pressed against his ow
Linus stared at his mate from the corner of his eye.The omega had been difficult to wake that morning and even as they left Athelney behind; Skye seemed more asleep than awake.They had spent two full days in the bustling town and left at first light on the third morning.Skye swayed almost drunkenly in his own saddle and even the ever grouchy Dyllen looked concerned. Each of the band seemed to be keeping an eye on the sleepy omega and no one was surprised when Linus abandoned point to fall back beside his mate.The alpha suspected it had something to do with two full days of healing the townsfolk. It probably didn’t help matters that he healed his own injuries, and Linus’s, in his sleep.It was certainly a nice change to not wake up saddle sore after a morning on the road or cramp-less after sleeping on the cold, hard ground but he wished the omega could turn it off.Clearly, it was affecting himself. There was no other reason he could think of for Skye to be struggling to stay awak
Skye sighed as Dyllen dumped a pheasant Rocket had caught earlier in the day in his arms and walked away without a word.The omega understood that he was being given tasks to help contribute seeing as he was there too but the things Dyllen assigned to him were all in a similar vein.He usually helped cook; spending time each day to skin, gut, and clean whatever game they had caught during their travels and when fresh meat wasn’t on offer, he was ordered to clean. Horses, armor, clothing.It felt like an intentional slight against his omega class that the only things Dyllen assigned to him were effectively cooking and cleaning duties.Not once had he been asked to keep watch or join in their sparring practice.Skye didn’t know how to fight but it felt like it would make sense to have a basic understanding of self defense considering the group he was travelling with. He would hate to hurt someone but that wasn’t the point.The way the intimidating alpha acted; it was like he couldn’t be
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