Page 31

Treasure

Ozyn

B y the time we returned home, it was very late into the night. We had celebrated with the pack, welcoming Alpha Blake back with the congratulations he deserved. When he had left the aviary, some two hours after us, he had ensured Sebastian and Jake were safe and the situation legally was all in hand.

Boring stuff like the land deeds had to be transferred through Blake to Sebastian since Blake had rightfully won the Alpha position. I was still impressed by the young man. At only twenty-four, he had a fated mate, children, successfully ran a large pack and business, while committing himself to bettering conditions for betas and omegas.

I’d learned that before the sickness, beta females suffered from discrimination, and likely in some packs, they still did. They were often seen as useless because of their inability to bear children, as if that was all women were intended for. Blake and Deke before him had allowed beta women to become enforcers, seeing them as the perfect people to protect vulnerable omegas. I’d asked Melody if she wanted to change because she had the potential to be an alpha. She declined, stating it would be “too much drama,” and she wanted to remain a beta in what was possibly the last generation of betas since none had been born to the pack in some time. Eventually, perhaps there would be beta babies once more. Perhaps they would all have the ability to change if they wished for it.

Both Winter and Chase, as Deke had said, did not want to change either. They liked things as they were. I had to trust The Luna had taken measure of her shifters' hearts and knew better than I did what they needed.

“Do you think the aviary betas will have the beta sickness now?” I was fascinated by the process.

A correlation was found in the length of time each beta had the strange illness. If they woke after only two weeks, they would only have a malformed version of the gene required to unlock either alpha or omega designation characteristics. Though perhaps they should not limit their thinking to alpha and omega, as there were at least two deltas from the betas who had changed in the pack.

Those who slept a month, or more like thirty days, a full lunar cycle, would have the gene which would need activating depending on whether the beta wanted to change or not.

“Not sure. Maybe. I hope so for some of them. The aviary… it was awful. You saw it.”

The place was more like a prison than a compound designed to protect its members from the outside, where they might still be discriminated against for being shifters. A pack or pride, whatever they called it, was a place of safety and belonging. They weren’t supposed to cage their members.

“It’s going to take some time to change things, but I think Sebastian can do it with Blake’s help.”

“Blake would not set Sebastian up to fail. I think he was right to place a bird shifter, one who had knowledge of the aviary, there as their leader. The Luna was happy with the choice at least, which is confirmation it was a good one. It is… unusual for a god or goddess to be so involved in their followers’ lives.”

“Yeah,” Deke smiled. “I think we’re a special case. A sort of catalyst for change everywhere. Look what we’ve done to the council. They’re going to jail, or at least the ones behind the attacks and abuses. We couldn’t have done that without her influence.”

I could agree with that.

“Besides, I think our faith powers her to be more present. Now that the elves know who she is to them, she has even more followers, boosting her energy.”

“A mutually beneficial relationship.”

“Right.”

Our home was dark when we entered. I found I missed the light and noise from our visitors. Nhil was yet to return. He was observing his mate from afar whilst sampling the alcoholic cider the pack made in partnership with the demon, Toth. Safi was still staying near Chase, who was trying to be the life of the party.

I hoped to have some alone time with my mate, but there was something to do first.

Deke walked through the house, turning on lights, picking up discarded items like cups and dishes. Most of our guests had been thoughtful and cleared up after themselves. I fear our boys had not been as civilized. They were accustomed to servants in the castle. At least that was their excuse, I would bet. Some of which were shifters who had been rescued from fighting rings. There was a small, insular population of shifters in Abrocaelum. I wondered if they had the beta sickness, too.

Truthfully, I had barely been interested in learning about the changes in Abrocaelum after my imprisonment. I had mourned my people and my connection to them. Knowing they were in safe hands with Rezoth, I let go of my ties to protect my heart. Perhaps I should have tried to learn more about them once I was settled in Sweetwater, but there had been little time for it.

“Ozzy? Are you okay?”

“I need to get the eggs. Will you help me?”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“Blankets to wrap them in so we can carry them upstairs. Then I would like to enjoy the empty house with my mate.”

“That sounds amazing. Okay, be back in a sec.”

Deke took the stairs two at a time in his hurry to get me what I needed. I went into the yard where the solar lanterns lit the night. Deke’s love and support made it easier for me to deal with the dark, yet I still preferred to have something lighting the way.

I shifted forms, letting my dragon wings stretch. In the house, I could hear Deke muttering to himself about which blankets were best. The sounds of lamps being switched on made me smile.

He returned with an armful. “Okay, ready.”

Taking them out of the magical pocket they were in took a little work and some magic. Thankfully, I’d barely used any of my power while at the aviary. Us all going had been overkill with the SDF and police there. Though it was possible things were calmer because of the excessive show of force. If it made the transition easier for Sebastian, then it had not been a waste of time.

Each of the eggs traveled up my throat to my mouth, where I deposited them carefully on the lawn. Deke whisked each one into a blanket.

“Should we wash them?”

“No, it can cause problems for the hatchlings. We can wipe them down.”

“Okay.” Deke led the way to the kitchen, where we cleaned each egg with the utmost care. He had brought enough blankets so they could have a fresh one once we were done. “Is it just me, or are they bigger than before?”

I studied them. They had felt more challenging to bring up than swallow. It took me only a moment to realize that they were significantly bigger. I blamed lack of proper sleep for not seeing it sooner.

“They are! Let’s put the warming spells on them so you can take me to bed.” I was excited to treasure this time with my mate before the babies arrived.

“Do you want a shower before…?”

“No. We barely did anything today. I just want… I want to have this time alone with you before Nhil and Safi come back.”

“Okay then.” We each took a bundle of three eggs up to their nest. Deke moved it to the floor so we could have the space to ourselves. He sat on the edge and watched me fuss with the blankets. “We don’t have to do anything. We can just sleep.”

“I want you, though.”

“Then come here and kiss me.”

I stepped between his legs and leaned down to taste his lips. They parted for me, his tongue coming out to meet mine.

Deke wrapped his arms around me, pulled me onto his lap and took the kiss deeper. His hands found their way under my t-shirt, splaying over the muscles of my back, pushing me closer to him. I loved the feeling of his slightly callused hands on my skin.

My fingers pulled at the button of his pants. I felt this urgent need for my mate I couldn’t explain. I flicked the button and delved inside, rewarded with the feeling of his hard cock.

Resting a hand on his shoulder, I moved back and slid to the floor in a fluid movement. My mouth replaced my other hand, sucking the peeking tip of his cock until Deke became frustrated. He shoved at his pants, baring everything to me.

Gazing up into his lustful eyes, I felt powerful. I took his cock into my mouth, working him over until I could take all of him in. My nose met the neatly trimmed patch of hair at his base and I smiled at his heavy breathing, the way his fists were clenched. My mate was on the verge of losing control.

I rolled his balls with one hand while the other held his shaft so I could tease the crown. The taste of his precome was tangy, slightly bitter, but addictive.

It didn’t take long for Deke to reach the edge. His hips made aborted thrusts, telling me just how close he was. My mate would never cross my boundary and go further.

“Close. My turn. When I come, I want to knot you.”

Taking his knot in my mouth was impossible for me. All I wanted was him buried deep in my ass when he came. I was glad he understood what I needed without the need for words.

I gave a final lick and smirked. Deke hoisted me up and tossed me onto the bed before he flipped me over onto my belly. He nuzzled each ass cheek, then pulled them apart to tease my hole. The first lick earned him a moan. Soon I was crying out, begging him to give me more than just his tongue. He added his fingers to ensure I was properly stretched.

He drew me onto all fours. His cock was lined up with my entrance. “This okay?”

“Yes. Please… I need.”

Deke thrust inside me on a deep groan. The stretch was perfect. His body was hot against my back. There was a brief moment of panic, which must have crossed the bond. He drew me up so I was sitting on his cock in the cradle of his lap.

He used my body, wringing pleasure from us both. Each pump of his hips hit my spot perfectly. Sweat dripped down my body. My cock leaked where it rested against my belly. Nearly. I was almost there.

“Close,” Deke panted in my ear. The sensation and a savage thrust pushed me over the edge. I spurted over myself, grunting as I tried to stay conscious.

I felt his knot expand as he pumped his seed inside me. He kissed my mating mark.

“Love you,” he whispered.

“Love you, too,” I mumbled.

“Give me a minute and I’ll get us in the shower.”

We stayed like that for a few minutes. Deke kept nuzzling my throat and stroking my stomach, extending those lovely post-coital feelings.

It stung when he climbed off the bed, me still stuck on his knot. I winced.

“Sorry, Ozzy.”

I felt his love in the careful way he washed me in the shower, letting me have the warm spray, then again in the way he enfolded me in his arms once we were no longer joined.

“You are more precious than any jewel,” I said quietly against his chest.

“High praise, my dragon.”

“No.”

“C’mon Ozzy! This is a great thing. Just think, you can fly freely over not just the compound but Sweetwater and Northarbor, too.”

“Must I go to the ceremony?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Blake sympathized. “It’s good optics for the mayor and the pack. We’re even opening the gates to let the media and some city hall officials in.”

“I heard there were some regular humans coming, as well as shifters picked from the aviary,” Kade added. He rubbed his swollen stomach, looking uncomfortable and slightly green.

Taking his hand, I breathed over him, using my magic to steal away his sickness and discomfort. He squeezed my fingers in thanks.

“The eggs…” I muttered in my last attempt to get out of this, despite knowing Nhil wouldn’t be far from his little brothers since I wasn’t there.

“Are safe with Safi, Ingal and Dalton. Larken dropped the quads off at the daycare so they can focus on watching them, though I think Dalton is busy watching Safi and Ingal. Did you see the way Ingal blushed when Safi took his hand?”

I had noticed something between them during the time everyone was in our house post attack. They constantly watched the other while never getting close. I wasn’t sure they even talked! Dalton would fix that. He had whispered to me he believed the elf, Ingal, had a crush on Safi. Our fae friend was very beautiful.

Dalton already had plans to bring our nannies closer together once the eggs had hatched.

“Do I need to give you an order?” Blake asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No. I will go. For the good of the pack,” I conceded. “Will I need to change my clothes?”

Kade looked me up and down. “Yes. I’m a little taller than you but I’ll have something that works in my closet. Blake will get it for you.”

His mate got up immediately. “I think we left your council appropriate suits in the closet in our old suite.” He left to go look.

When he returned, there was a clothing bag over his arm. “Go home and change. Head to Georgia after. She’ll pin the suit for you.”

The two omegas had been found in the detention area of the aviary. Apparently, they weren’t equipped to deal with a ferocious omega wolf protecting a younger, more vulnerable shifter in her care. Georgia had raised hell. When Blake had found her, she finally broke down. He took her home, then joined the celebration, letting her come to terms with her ordeal in private. The other omega had stayed with her. I was anxious to check on my friend and therapist. She had helped me so much. I hoped to do the same for her.

She was waiting on her porch for me. “Good to see you. Looking sharp, Ozyn.”

“Are you well?”

“Could’ve done without the experience, still I had faith Blake would come for us. He didn’t let me down.”

“He loves you.”

“And I love him like he’s my own. All three of those boys. Your man there, too. Deke, honey, you look fantastic.”

Inside her small home was cozy and warm. It was a place I could see myself visiting. “Could we do our sessions from here in future? Perhaps I could take a couple of the children with me when I come.”

“I’d be offended if you didn’t bring me those babies. Now, let me get you pinned up so you can get your award.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I grumbled.

“Honey, you took the roof off the cage that kept those poor birds trapped with those fanatics. You protected the pack. You’ve done plenty.”

Her fingers were sure and quick in their work to take up the pants and jacket Kade loaned me for the award the mayor was presenting me. She kissed me on the cheek, doing the same to Deke, and thanked me for coming for her.

“I would never leave you behind.”

“Get. You’re gonna make me cry.”

Deke led me to the front door of the mansion. There on the lawn to the side was a stage set up with chairs in front of it. Each of the chairs held a guest here to witness me getting the freedom to fly over Sweetwater and Northarbor as a protector.

The ceremony passed in a blur. There were speeches about the formation of a new supernatural council where all species would be represented. With shifters making up a larger part of the community than others, they would have a few representatives. At least one would be an omega.

My attention wandered. I tried to stay present. I shook the hands I was supposed to, said the words necessary, and tried to smile.

“What’s wrong?” Deke asked in an undertone.

“There are too many people. Will this last much longer?” My anxiety was rising with each minute.

“Just a few more photos, okay? Your medal looks awesome.”

I looked down at the shiny gold trinket pinned to my lapel. “It will make a fantastic addition to my new hoard.”

“Good. I’m proud of you, you know. This was a lot and you’ve handled it well.”

He kissed my nose while a photographer took the opportunity to take a candid shot of us. I felt my smile slip when the journalist asking us questions moved on. I wanted to go home.

“Deke? Ozyn? You need to head home.” Blake granted my wish. A smile broke across my face. It fell with his next words. “Dalton has gone into labor.”