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Lars bit away tears as he thought of his parents, who had chosen death over prostrating to the Empire.Mother, Father,he thought.You'll be avenged.He felt a great release, like he was ascending through the clouds to the heavens above."Restore honor, return to order," he repeated.

He looked at Griffin and Phoenix. His Alphas sat tall, powerful, regal. They were absolutely glowing. Or did he see them that way because something inside ofhimhad changed? The impossible had happened—he was filled with pride to be their Omega. And something else had blossomed inside of him—a deep lust for the taste of vengeance. Death to Xyletia and all those who opposed his Alphas and their New Adosh Empire.

* * *

"Do you now understand, Omega?" Phoenix said to Lars. The two of them were outside in the hallway waiting for Griffin to finish privately addressing some of the officers.

"Don't call me that."

Phoenix scowled and turned away. "...Lars," he grunted under his breath.

Everything felt different now. His connection to Phoenix and Griffin had extended beyond something purely primal. He understood them. They were no longer monsters. He knew why they were the way they were because he also knew the pain that they'd endured. They'd had to become wild beasts in order to survive and succeed.

With some hesitation, Lars reached out and placed a gentle hand on his back. Phoenix's muscles tensed, like an animal about to strike out. Lars didn't pull back. It was the first time he'd touched him this way, an offering of intimacy without any lust or primal need behind it. He felt Phoenix's crackling fury and intensity, and it didn't frighten him. He knew where it came from, and he couldn't blame him for it.

"Why didn't you just tell me from the beginning?" Lars asked.

"And risk everything? We didn't trust you."

"And you trust me now?"

Phoenix laughed in his harsh, deprecating way and pulled away from Lars's touch. "Don't get this wrong, Lars. You're our Omega because we need what you can provide us."

"I don't believe you," Lars said, and Phoenix looked like he'd just been slapped in the face. He wasn't accustomed to Lars speaking this way to him. "But I understand. You don't need to tell me, because I learned everything I needed to tonight. As long as you honor me as your Omega by giving me back my people and my crown, then I will always stand by both of you. I will give you strong heirs, as many as my body is able to. I will do everything I can to help you succeed in your mission."

Phoenix looked at him, his hardened scowl unreadable as usual. He exhaled sharply, like he was about to do the most difficult thing in his life, and reached into his coat pocket.

"Take it. It's yours," he said, thrusting his hand out in front of him. The stone pendant hung from his grip.

Lars took it from him and cradled it in his palms. He traced his thumbs across its shape, feeling its familiar weight in his hand. Tears streaked his cheeks, and he quickly slipped the chain around his neck.

"Mind who you show that to." Griffin had emerged from the room and was walking towards them.

Lars nodded and tucked the pendant under his shirt collar.

They made their way back to the room, with Lars following behind them by a few steps like he always did. He touched his shirt, feeling the shape of the stone beneath, and hurried forward to walk between them. He was their Omega. He was no longer going to walk behind them with his head held down like some slave.

Phoenix glared down at him, but otherwise didn't protest. Griffin didn't react at all.

Lars could hardly believe it, but there was happiness in his heart. For the first time that he could remember, he felt happy.

"Understand something," Griffin said, back at the room. "Whatever you may expect from us, know that we cannot give it to you. Phoenix and I are cursed by this mission we've been tasked with. It's all we know. If you expect us to show you love, you will forever be disappointed."

"I don't require it," Lars said. "A king must only need enough room in his heart and his mind for his people. If you can give me a chance to save my people, that's all I need."

A smile spread on Griffin's lips—small, but it was the first genuine smile that Lars had ever seen from him.

"That, we can provide," he said.

"And I'll provide the support I can," Lars said, walking to Griffin and slipping his hands beneath his coat. He pushed it back, and it fell from his shoulders and tumbled to the ground. "To my kings."

Phoenix didn't wait for help to undress. He had his coat off and was already popping open his shirt. He approached Lars from the rear and began to remove his clothing.

Lars went erect immediately and his entrance grew wet with desire. Their touch was aggressive and forceful, but Lars knew how to dance with them now. He came at them with equal aggression and pushed Griffin onto the bed, straddling his waist and kissing him. Phoenix, not wanting to be left out, came behind and raked his teeth across the back of Lars's neck, scruffing him. Lars cried out in a half moan, half shout. He spun around and slammed Phoenix with his palms, knocking him backwards.

"Oh, Phoenix chuckled. "I like this."

Lars jumped to him and pushed him onto his back. He nipped at his nipple, playfully at first, and then clamped down on it. Phoenix roared but didn't stop him. His cock was rock hard, and Lars reached down and squeezed.