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L eska laughed as she ran them through basic grips, and they got a feel for swinging while holding the pole. Tirra got a little queasy, so she sat it out and cheered them on.

Salat was good at it. He looked quite striking as he slowly swung around while Khytten ran to get changed.

Leska looked at Tirra and grinned. I ve got it. The kids are going to be so impressed with Dad.

Salat managed a quick grab and swung around. When Leska heard, Whee! she broke down laughing.

Khytten came back in a bodysuit with two vials. She handed one to Leska and the other to Cadence.

Leska slammed the dose back and wiggled her shoulders. The damage was itching.

Raek kissed Cadence on the temple as she took her dose. A shadow flickered behind him, and Salat flipped to his feet, walking toward it.

Raek got him and Cadence to their feet. He looked at the figure emerging from the shadow and greeted him with that weird man-hug that fighting guys shared.

Another portal opened, and Raek nodded to Salat.

Leska looked at the two males who had just appeared, and one was definitely noticeable. He had a giant black eagle head, black-feathered arms, and the rest of his body was also covered in black.

The other male was normal in appearance, aside from being so stunning that Leska had difficulty looking away from him. Both were bare-chested and were wearing hip wraps, which gave Leska the idea that the islands might be involved.

Instinct was telling her to hide, but she had witnesses, so she walked over to Tirra and sat so that her half-sibling was between them and her.

Tirra glanced over. Are you using me to block?

Yup. It s either that, or I will climb the rigging.

Well, then, I offer myself to the cause. She heard a car in the drive and laughed. Or maybe not. Gorith and the baby just pulled up. I really hope Gorith was driving.

Let s go meet my... niece? Nephew?

Just call it a nibling. It covers everything.

She walked on the far side of Tirra and heard Khytten laughing raucously as Leska made her escape. Two more portals opened, and Leska tried to be smaller.

She looked at Tirra. You are lucky that you just ended up with fetishes and not full-blown omega status. It bites.

How do you know about my fetishes?

I got a download with your kiss. I am an analyst by my nature.

Cool. So is Gorith.

This will be interesting then.

The thickly built golden man got a baby out of the back of the vehicle. See? I told you Mommy would be meeting new people. This is your auntie.

The introduction was swift. The baby was deposited in her arms, and Gorith patted her shoulder. His eyes went wide. You re a-

I know. Don t wake the baby. She looked at Gorith seriously.

So, you know?

I know. But I can t manifest it yet. I need an alpha of my own to pull power from. I nearly pulled from Tirra when she kissed me, but she s fine. No damage, no drain.

Gorith put his arm around his wife protectively. But you didn t.

Nope. Her energy is similar to mine, so I need that to pull on.

Gorith looked over her shoulder and grinned. That is quite the fashion show over there.

Leska put her nibling over her shoulder and rubbed the warm little back. You don t say. How peculiar.

Tirra chuckled. You are scared shitless.

Yes. Absolutely.

Well, when I first saw Gorith, I passed out.

Gorith snorted.

Tirra reached for the baby, and Leska muttered, Dang it.

She turned around and was up against smooth white and black striped hide. She looked up and up and found a broad feline face. It was a giant white tiger with a very amused look in its blue eyes.

Wow. You are quiet.

Amusement turned into a grin. Aren t you just the cutest thing?

She leaned sideways to look around him and over at Raek. He was grinning and talking to the glorious man in black silk, wearing a gold bandolier.

The other alphas were looking at the floating pole, and Salat was showing them a video.

Raek wasn t kidding. He really called a bunch of alphas.

The man said softly, He really did. It was interesting, as I hadn t heard from him since I was a newly active warrior. To hear that he knew of an unguarded omega with a penchant for acrobatics was intriguing. I just had to see for myself.

So, when did your activation kick in? She tried to keep her tone conversational as she looked way up to meet his gaze.

When I was fourteen.

So, you are in your mid-thirties?

He nodded. Is age a concern?

He s been asleep for two decades. Anyone he knows might be a little older than I am comfortable with.

Ah. That makes more sense. I think the oldest one of us isn t an alpha. The eternal omega is over there.

Oh, the shiny, pretty one.

He chuckled. Yes. That is him.

Why is he here?

Because I am his bodyguard, and he was curious when the invitation was issued.

Oh. She relaxed.

Why the sudden lack of tension?

Well, if you work for him, and he s an omega, then you aren t interested in me.

He chuffed. Incorrect. The last heat he had was several decades ago. His interest in you is as an art piece for his court.

Ew.

Would you come with me for an introduction? My interest in you is far more direct.

Direct?

I want a mate. He wants an ornament.

He extended his hand to her, and she looked at the amused Tirra and Gorith and then put her hand in his and walked down to where Raek and Cadence were talking with the shiny omega.

She walked up to them, and the gorgeous man inclined his head. Lady Leska, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.

Nice to meet you, too.

The tiger lowered his hand, and she pulled hers back to her side.

The omega was smiling in deep amusement. So, little one. Are you impressed by the alphas gathered to court you?

Nope. Scared out of my mind.

That jolted him. Why scared?

I have a secondary activation, and if I don t have the right alpha, I will kill the one that is on me or in me. I need to pull a lot of energy for the last change. I don t want to hurt anyone.

What is your next activation? He was smiling indulgently. What needs so much power?

She beckoned him in and whispered in his ear, A dragon.

He leaned back. You are clever to have knowledge of my weakness.

She frowned. What now?

If you can shift, prove it. He stared at her with something she couldn t understand in his gaze.

She blinked. I can t. I don t want to hurt anyone.

Take the energy from me. I have more than enough.

She was going to refuse, but he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in tight. She gasped, and with the gasp, she pulled energy from him. When he kissed her, it was heaven, but power coursed into her as she pushed against his chest.

When he let her go, she was glowing gold, and she staggered away from the crowd as her skin scaled over, wings sprouted, and she snorted a bright cascade of flame.

The omega looked at her in wonder. He held his hand out to her, and she returned to his side, shocked and cuddled against him while he told her how glorious she was.

She turned her head, and Raek looked surprised, but Cadence was grinning.

Etir, can you coax our little dragon into her human form? The omega looked at the tiger.

The alpha took her in his arms and simply began to purr. She gasped as her skin began to mottle and change again. The wings receded, and she was holding tight to him, as her normal self.

She looked up at him, confused. Tigers don t purr.

He smiled and stroked her hair. Perhaps they don t have a reason to.

I am gonna fall down now. Excuse me. Her limbs went completely limp, and she slid out of his grip.

He grabbed for her and lifted her against his chest, scooping an arm under her legs. There we go. Body weak from the transformation?

I guess. I feel like a noodle.

The omega snorted. You didn t take nearly what you need.

I know, but I didn t want to turn into a dragon with all these people around. I have no idea if I am big or tiny. She mumbled it against the tiger s chest.

Salat came by with a vial for her. Here you go, Leska. This is the last of your doses.

The tiger sniffed. What is it?

Leska took the vial. Khytten milk to clear up some scar tissue on my back. Thanks, Salat.

She drank the vial and shivered as a cascading wave of pleasure ran through her. What did she put in that?

Salat snorted and took the empty. She calls it a lemon orgasm. I helped her make it. It means your treatment is finished.

You just told me it was, that would have been enough. Her sex was still fluttering, and breathing was difficult. She was deliberately not looking up at the tense alpha holding her. He was sniffing her, and she looked up and swatted his chest. That wasn t for you.

There was a laughing smile in his eyes. He lifted her and nuzzled her neck. It seems like it could have been.

A chuckle came from nearby. Etir, you have to pace yourself. So far, you have managed to keep any other alphas from meeting her, and you got your scent all over her. Raek snickered.

Etir... protector? His name was a title.

The omega chuckled. Well, she is adorable, and he does need an omega of his own. I am long past claiming.

Cadence looked at Leska, smiling. The harmony is right.

Leska jerked a thumb toward the man holding her.

Cadence blushed. Sort of. The omega as well. You three are a harmony.

Raek looked down at her. You can see it?

I can feel it. Now that the scars are lifting, things are so much clearer. Leska, how do you stand it?

What?

Burning hot like that? You are all the notes, and they are the rhythm.

The omega said, Raek, what is your partner saying?

Cadence looked at the omega. If you and the alpha take her on, you are complete. If either of you rejects her, there are better matches here than half of a whole.

The omega chuckled. Let s see, a dragon and a tiger. It might be awkward if he has to guard us both.

Leska said, Not that I am agreeing, but I can take care of myself.

The tiger rubbed his head along hers. Of course you can, little dragon.

Don t humour me.

He chuckled.