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And there was the reality that he was slowly coming to accept: Hewouldbecome pregnant soon. Maybe it was already happening now, one of the brothers’ potent seed making its way into his Omega womb and fertilizing him. And after he birthed that first child, they'd impregnate him with another. And another. Perhaps that was what his existence would be for the rest of his time on this planet: Just a machine to create a legacy for these two wicked men.

Would he be given the chance to raise his own children? If he was, then maybe that was the way. He could whisper to them, tell them secret stories, plant the seeds of revolution in them. He could tell them the truth.

In an attempt to divert his mind from the dark unknowns of the future, Lars focused his attention on the trees, watching for the signs of birds hiding in their branches. He was in his wolf form, laying outside of the tent where Griffin was meeting with a group of officers. Phoenix was off somewhere meeting with some dignitaries who'd come from Xyletia. More and more were entering Ekdol every day to try and fill positions in the new government and secure new territories and wealth for themselves. Once Ekdol was secured they would push west to invade the nations of Lios and Lyre, continuing their expansion until the entire map was Xyletian blue.

His attention was drawn by a flash of yellow feathers flitting through the leaves. His ears perked up for a call. Then it came, a rising and falling whistle. Warmth gathered in his heart as his mind went back to the comfort of better times. "The Ekdolian Royal Warbler," his mother had told him, "is the only bird in this country whose feathers change color when it's put in captivity. And if it's released, then they change once again."

He'd convinced her to free the warbler they'd had at the aviary, and the two of them had let it go together. In the weeks afterward, he would continue to observe a single blue warbler amongst the golden ones in the trees surrounding the grounds. Then, one day, the blue bird was nowhere to be seen. In its place was one with the most brilliant red and orange plumage that Lars had ever seen.

A presence behind him turned his eyes from the bird. He was shocked to find Griffin quietly approaching, padding over to him in his wolf form. The Alpha sat next to him. Lars said nothing. He hated that he'd now so completely given himself to their rules, but he'd found the punishments too much to bear. Being mounted and taken by them every night was already an overwhelming enough experience without having to deal with the torturous ache of unanswered desire for hours on end on top of it.

"I've never seen that type of bird," Griffin said softly. His voice was deep and gravely from filtering through his wolf throat. "What is it?"

"Ekdolian Royal Warbler," Lars replied coldly.

"It's beautiful. We have warblers in Xyletia. None as beautiful as this one. And none nearly as beautiful as the ones in Adosh. They would gather in the trees by my childhood home. Glimmering rainbow feathers that would change color in the sunlight. Phoenix and I would watch them for hours."

Lars said nothing. The two brothers didn't seem like the type who'd quietly observe birds. More like the kind who throw stones at them, or shoot them down from the branches with guns.

Griffin nodded his head towards the warbler. "Is it a rare bird in Ekdol?"

Lars still held his tongue.

"Well? Answer my question when I speak to you, Lars," Griffin barked. The bird fluttered off the branch and disappeared into the forest. Lars recoiled slightly.

"What's the matter with you?" Griffin asked, his fangs flashing.

"You frighten me," he said hesitantly.

"Good. An Omega should fear his Alpha."

Lars looked away, lowering his head onto his paws. He exhaled sharply, blowing up a little puff of dirt. He could feel Griffin's glare on him, those damn glowing ember eyes. He hated how his body reacted to them.

"I... I apologize. I didn't intend to frighten the bird."

He looked back at Griffin, surprised. It was the first time the Alpha had ever apologized, had ever used that kind of voice with him.

"Just me, then?" Lars asked.

Griffin barked again, this time dismissively. "Do you expect me to apologize for that, too?"

"If I'm your Omega, I'd expect that I would be treated with... perhaps some dignity? I'm more a slave to you both than a mate."

"I'm pleased to hear you acknowledge what you are," Griffin said.

"Your slave?"

"No. Our Omega. It's good to hear you accept it."

"It's not that I accept it. The marking was made, what other choice do I have in the matter? I am your prisoner."

"You play a very important role," Griffin said. "You are important."

"Because I'm going to bear one of you an heir," Lars replied. He'd heard it enough. "And yet neither of you tell me more than that."

"There is nothing more that you need to know. Not at this time. But you will find out."

This was the most openly that either of them had ever spoken to him. Lars took a chance to ask another question, the one that had been weighing on his mind. "So, after I'm pregnant, after I bear a child... What will happen to me? Will I still remain your prisoner?"