THREE

“Hey, what are you doing?” Gaz watched Lillah fight with his shirt.

“W-wont the Alpha King be mad if I’m wearing your clothes?” Lillah’s tiny hands were holding big fistfuls of Gaz’s shirt turned dress.

“He won’t mind. Lillah – try to relax. I know this must be scary for you.” Gaz put his hand on the doorknob. “Take a deep breath. Just mind your manners as you normally would.”

“Thank you, Beta.” Lillah smoothed the shirt down, tucked her hair back and closed her eyes while taking a few breaths.

“Ready?” He smiled kindly at her.

“Yes, Beta.” Lillah nodded nervously.

Alpha King Keegan, I have the Omega Lillah here. Are we permitted to enter? Gaz mind-linked

the King.

Yes Beta, bring her in. The King answered.

“After you,” Gaz opened the door, ushering her inside.

Lillah was surprised to find the room was ‘normal’ sized. Alpha King Keegan sat behind a desk; much like Alpha Aaron would. He was, however, handsomer than Alpha Aaron and his garnet eyes were kinder. She supposed that was a good thing considering she would be joining his harem of breeders. There wasn’t a single grey hair amongst the intricately braided, dark red hair upon his head. If asked how old he was she would have said early 20’s but she knew the dragon King was at least 300 years old and still considered young.

Neeri was starting to stir. Groggy, she stretched inside Lillah before giving up and settling back down – a good thing considering Lillah had only just about managed to calm herself down; she didn’t know how she would calm her wolf.

Lillah looked down at the floor and the two dragons conversed for a moment via mind-link.

Gaz, why is the Omega now in your shirt? The King asked, amused and enjoying the view.

She jumped off a landing platform. It was a little chilly. Breeth replied instead. The Alpha King bristled, annoyed the Omega had been in danger. Lillah sensed the change in his demeaner. It frightened her. He was mad. Like Alpha Aaron would get mad. There were so many reasons for him to be mad at her. Was he going to beat her? She’d ran away. She was wearing another male’s clothes… by the Goddess, she was still covered in Alpha Aaron’s scent. That was probably it. The Alpha King had been expecting a virgin Omega to play with and Alpha Aaron had taken her first, and now she was unwashed, in the King’s presence, flaunting that fact.

Tears gathered in her eyes, clinging to her tick lashes before dripping to the floor. Lillah couldn’t help but sniff and quake where she stood.

“Omega Lillah, why are you crying?” The King asked softly.

“I’m sorry, Alpha King Keegan. I must be such a disappointment. Please don’t punish me, I was just doing what Alpha Aaron ordered. I promise to behave in your harem, I’ll do whatever you ask.” More tears came as she spoke making her words choked and filled with sobs.

“My harem?” The Alpha King chuckled. “Is what the packs are telling the tributes now days?” Gaz and the King shared a look. “My dear, I do not have a harem. There is no need to apologise for anything prior to you being here, it wasn’t your fault. However, it does upset me to hear you jumped off of a landing platform.”

“I- I was just trying to get away… I- I didn’t realised until it was too late that there was no more floor, Alpha.” Lillah spoke honestly with her head bowed, eyes down. “err, King. Alpha King.” She added hurriedly.

“Ah yes, it is quite the optical illusion. I’m glad you weren’t trying to hurt yourself.” The Alpha King continued to be kind, which contrary to his aim, made Lillah cry more. “And, Lillah, I understand this is a large adjustment for you; there will be leeway. Alpha or King is fine, I can tell you are being respectful.”

“T-thank you, Alpha.” Lillah tried to choke back her sobs.

“Why did you run?” The Kings words were calm but Lillah felt like it was a trap. Her knees quaked.

“I was just scared and my thoughts are so loud. I – I- I-” She stammered, not managing to string anything else together.

“Understandable. The Goddess intended us to be part of packs, not rogues. We shall remedy that now and hopefully you will feel much better. Do you have any questions?”

“Um,” Lillah wrang her hands. This was all so strange. How was the King going to stop her from being a rogue? She was a wolf and he was a dragon. Was that even possible? And the harem thing. What did that mean? Would she be the only one for the Alpha King or was she to serve some other purpose?

“Come on, what’s on your mind?” The Beta prompted.

“What am I to do here, Alpha King?” Lillah asked shyly, worry clinging to her heart.

“You will still be a breeder, that will be your primary role here.”

“What if I’m already pregnant?” Lillah picked at her nails while looking the floor.

“It is… unlikely, considering the trauma your body went through with the severing of the pack bond and the amount of nightshade you drank but, if you are pregnant, you will be able to have your pups – should you so choose to do so, as well as being able to raise them yourself.” The King offered generously. It was not a scenario that had ever occurred but the King wasn’t making empty promises. Should it transpire that Lillah was carrying Alpha Aaron’s (or anyone else’s) pups she would have a choice. “Anything else?”

“What about Neeri, my wolf?” Lillah sniffed, feeling hopeful.

“What about her?” The King was perplexed as to what exactly the tiny Omega meant by the question.

“Can I shift?”

“Yes, Lillah, you are allowed to shift.” Keegan relaxed back in his chair, pleased with the Omega. She wasn’t overly docile, nor was she particularly feisty. Her temperament was amicable, her questions were sensible and she was honest.

“But… I’m sorry, Alpha King, I shouldn’t ask.” Lillah panicked internally, worried she had overstepped.

“Omega Lillah, ask the King your question.” Beta Gaz encouraged her. The King was very busy and this was the most time she would probably ever spend with him. It would be good for her to be able to look back on this moment. In the future, when she was settled and the fear had cleared she would be able to remember this meeting with the clarity hindsight brings and know that Alpha King Keegan was not a bad person. Afterall, Gaz knew Lillah would live the rest of her life here in the Nest, it would be best for everyone if she was happy and comfortable – harbouring no resentment towards the King.

“Will my wolf get to run in the forest? And hunt? And roll in the grass? And dig in the dirt? I haven’t had her very long, just two moons ago and she’s only been out a couple of times -” Lillah’s begging for Neeri to have the things other wolves took for granted had brought her to tears once again.

She has a point, Galcalar, the Alpha King’s dragon spoke to both the King and his Beta.

Most Omega’s do not feel their wolf very strongly. They usually do not even have the inclination to shift. Gaz responded.

But she is not them and they are not she. I would not be happy if I were not permitted to take to the sky when the desire takes me. Galcalar grumbled. This wolf, Neeri, shouldn’t be punished just as we are not punishing the girl.

You are right, Galcalar. Keegan responded, making his dragon purr. “Lillah,” he said out loud, “Neeri will be treated well. There are many acres of land below the Nest that would be both safe and suitable for your wolf. Arrangements will be made when necessary and when you are not with child – obviously.” Dragons were very protective. Homes, partners, young, eggs – they would be defended tooth and claw.