At her sister’s wedding, Olly meets the man who rejected her attempt to explain that she was his beta. Now she has to deal with him changing his mind.

Olly got an invitation from her sister’s groom. She made sure that she was there on the day and watched every ceremony as it happened. Polly was glorious.

The only thing that marred the day was that her heat was starting, and the one man who could sense it was there. If she goes through a heat with him, there might be no result, but it would mean she might go a year with her body quiet and calm.

The mating is a disaster, but when it is over, she leaves her surprised mate and tries to resume her normal life.

Normal was never going to darken her door again.

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Fighting Beta

Copyright © 2023 by Viola Grace

ISBN: 978-1-990635-24-3

©Cover art by Angela Waters

All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher.

Published by Viola Grace

Look for me online at violagrace.com.

Fighting Beta

Betas in Waiting Book 10

By

Viola Grace

Chapter One

Olly kept herself calm and focused her meditation on calming her body. There was an annoying sound near her, but she couldn’t focus on it. When someone touched her, she opened her eyes. “Oh. You.”

Taio blinked. “You need to eat and bathe. You are starting to stink.”

She moved off the other side of the bed and slowly got to her feet. “Get out. Wait, how long has it been?”

“Two days.”

“Fuck.” She pulled her silver dress over her head, stripping off her underwear before heading to the shower.

Olly wrapped the shower head in a face cloth and set it on cool. The super soft rain on her skin cooled the surface, and she rubbed soap over herself and carefully between her thighs.

Taio was looking at her. “Why are you doing that?”

“If I don’t set my skin off, I won’t kick in the aggressive part of the heat.” She turned her mouth to the showerhead and drank.

Taio was alarmed. “What are you doing?”

“I am thirsty, dumbass. This isn’t easy. Why are you in here anyway?”

“Feng said I had to get you what you needed. What are you doing now? Are you cold?”

She wrapped a towel around herself and nodded. “Of course. That was a cold shower. It still got me clean, so it shouldn’t be so offensive.”

She walked back to the bed, knelt back, and glanced where she had the toy and lube. “Where did the toy go? And the lube. If you used ‘em, keep ‘em.”

“I put them in the drawer. Why would I use them?”

“I dunno. You and Feng?”

Taio shrugged. “He’s a dragon. He has needs.”

“Which you fulfill.”

“Of course. He’s my alpha.”

“And only yours. Got it.” She settled and started to slow her breathing. “I don’t want him. I just need to calm this down, and I will be out of here. I sought him out once and never since. I can take a hint.”

“You are covered with scars.”

She opened one eye and glared at him. “All my would-be lovers beat me into the floor when I fought back. At that point, they were enraged at being deceived that I was an easy lay. These are boot cuts.”

“Feng insists on a pristine body.”

“Well, then, there is nothing to seek here. If I avoid him, I won’t go into heat, and he can find a nice generic omega to breed with.”

She closed her eyes again and focused on her breathing and thinking cold thoughts.

Heat wrapped around her, and she rose out of the focus. Feng was kneeling in front of her, and his hands were on her shoulders.

Taio was watching with wide eyes.

Olly whined. “No. I was almost through.”

Feng murmured. “I know what happened. I am so sorry,”

She saw white-blue fire moving across her body and felt her scars burning. “Go away.”

“No, Olly. Not again.”

She scrambled for any logic that would work. “Taio doesn’t want you near me.”

“Taio has no vote in this. The dragon will have its mate.”

She swallowed. “Right, so we do this and go our separate ways?”

She had seen how happy Polly was with her mate, so it couldn’t be too bad. “Fine. If I end up pregnant, I will let you know.”

Feng’s eyes glowed. “So, that is a yes?”

She nodded. “Let’s just get it over with.”

Her towel was already gone, and he leaned back to strip. She watched and had a hot blush moving across her body. She was a little slick but not too much.

She stared when Feng was naked, and his scaled cock was dipping and beckoning to her.

Taio chuckled. “Never had a cock like that before?”

She blushed and focused on him approaching her. She went onto her knees when he turned her.

Olly fought her panic as he stroked her mark and slid his fingers into her with a growl.

She grunted and fought to keep relaxed.

“You are tight. This is going to be snug.”

She swallowed as his fingers came out and his cock pressed in. He stroked her clit with circling fingers and then plunged deep.

Pain!

She remained still and silent as he thrust fast until he groaned and his knot grazed the throbbing part of her entrance.

Her entire body was shrieking in pain.

Taio asked, “Do you have your period or something? You should have said.”

She croaked, “What day was today?”

“Five.”

She looked over her shoulder at Feng. “Are you done?”

He stared at her and cupped her jaw. “Why are you in pain?”

“Get off.”

He backed away, and the scent of blood got strong. He glanced down as she got up. “You were a...”

She rinsed off in the bathroom and grabbed her bag, wincing as she got dressed. Panties were not her friend. “Well, that was fine. Let your manager know to expect my call or, at least, to pass the message.”

Taio was looking at her in shock. “You were a virgin?”

“Was. Now I just feel like raw hamburger.” She finished buckling her cycle boots. “Well. Goodbye.”

Feng moved to stand in front of her. “Stay. I will take care of you.”

She started laughing and shoved him to the side. She walked to the elevator, entered it, and went down while she replayed her first time. Of course, it was just as screwed up as the rest of her life.

She gingerly got on her motorcycle. Tears came to her eyes as the engine started up. She settled her helmet and drove out of the parking garage. She didn’t know where she was going, but it was away from them.

Olly finished working in the stable and smiled at the horses before checking her watch. She waved to her boss, tapped her watch, and then waved again.

He nodded, and she headed for her bike. Three weeks had passed, and she wanted to find out if anything had taken root. She had felt a twinge just over a week ago, but she wasn’t sure if that meant anything.

Olly drove to the local clinic and did the blood test. She paid for the test while waiting, and when they called her back to get the results, she just blinked when the positive test was explained to her.

“Oh. Right. Do you have any pamphlets for prenatal care?”

She left loaded down with pamphlets and still in shock. She headed back to the farm.

She parked, and the bell rang for dinner.

She headed inside, washed up, and sat down with Jess and Caber. Jess grinned. “So, how was your appointment?”

“I can keep working as you need for the next four months. After that, the basketball shows up.”

Jess got up with her own basketball in evidence. She hugged Olly and then noticed that Olly wasn’t moving. “Are we not happy?”

“Not really. I also have to quit the roller derby, and I just got the hang of it.”

Caber asked, “Does the father know?”

“No. I told him that I would call when I knew. So, now I have to make that call. At least no heats for nearly a year.”

Caber jolted. “You are a similar kind of beta to Jess?”

“I guess. There are a bunch of us who get the pattern on our backs just in case the alpha needs a visual aid.”

Jess smiled. “What is your alpha?”

“An asshole with an annoying beta of his own already. No real need for me aside from the reproductive part.” She shuddered. “And I know some guys are good at it, but he was not.”

Jess blinked. “Oh. That isn’t usually the case. They usually pay attention to their betas.”

Caber cuddled Jess toward him protectively.

Olly smiled. “My sister’s alpha is really attentive. I think that is why it was so much of a shock. Took a few days before I could ride my bike comfortably.”

She took her phone out and looked for the location of Feng Zhang and Taio. They weren’t on a fight circuit at the time, so she would have to go through the manager.

She looked at dinner and said, “I will be right back. Better to just get this over with.”

She got up and called their manager. “Hey, Renfrew, this is Olly Thorn.”

“Olly, what do you want?”

“Can you get a hold of Feng?”

“Sure.”

“Can you tell him that I am pregnant? It’s his, and he knows it. He said he would tell you to let my message through.”

“Uh-huh. Will do. Night, Olly.”

She looked at her phone as the line went dead and frowned. “Right.”

She sent a text to Polly and said, Hey, can you get Minoru to notify Feng that I am pregnant? I don’t think other means of transmitting the messages are going to work.

She went to eat dinner with Caber and Jess when Melbourne came home, kissed Jess, and settled in for dinner.

Olly was nearly done with her stew and biscuits when her phone went off.

Aren’t you with him? Olly! Where are you?

Not with him. Not too far away. Got a day job. Can someone get him the message?

Minoru is on it. He’s going through his uncle, Delun. Come to my place, and we can take care of you.

Why is everyone obsessed with taking care of me? I am fine. No illness, sickness, or vomiting.

She looked at the others at the table. “Sorry. My sister is insisting that I need to be taken care of.”

Melbourne frowned. “Generally, that is what the alphas do.”

“Well, I found one for whom that was not the priority. He already has a beta. Lucky me.” She had a glass of milk and blinked. Something was happening. She whirled and threw up in the sink.

She rinsed the sink and washed her face.

Melbourne had his phone out. “We’ll find him for you. What’s his name?”

“Feng Zhang. His beta is Taio. He’s not a fan of mine.”

Jess and Melbourne whistled. Melbourne shook his head. “Well, that’s not what I expected.”

Jess looked at him and smiled. “Google Olly Thorn.”

Melbourne looked from his phone to Olly and back again. “You are that Olly?”

“Yeah. I was. Then I suffered injury after injury from attacks out of the ring. I retired quietly and got the hell out of dodge.”

Melbourne frowned. “You were being attacked?”

“Yeah, one of the fighters started to spread the rumour that I was good to go. I had to prove that I wasn’t.”

“Well, I am still going to find him. I don’t want to see you in the same condition Jess was in. She wasn’t keeping anything down because her alpha wasn’t around.”

Jess nodded. “It’s a stark state of affairs when the best thing that you can wear is a smelly t-shirt, and you like it.”

Olly ate another biscuit with some jam, and when she could keep it down, she made to head to her bed in the barn. Jess stopped her. “You are taking a guestroom.”

“I am not.”

Jess stood in front of the door with her hands on her broad hips. “You are.”

They glared at each other, and Caber just walked in with Olly’s bag. He walked past her with a smug grin and up the stairs to the guestroom.

Jess put her hand on Olly’s shoulder. “That’s what alphas are supposed to do. Take care of the people they are responsible for. If they weren’t, I wouldn’t be here.”

Olly sighed. “I hate the fuss.”

“You have never had anyone to fuss over you.”

Olly paused. “Polly tries, but she has other folks to take care of.”

Jess hugged her. “I want to fuss.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“Why do you fight the fussing?” Jess stroked her hair.

“Because I haven’t had it, and I am afraid I would be devastated when it stopped.”

Jess burst into tears, and Caber took her and eased her away, comforting her. Jess fought him and hugged Olly.

Olly hugged the other woman, and then she went to her bedroom, charging her phone and answering the millions of texts from Polly.

No one could find Feng yet, but the entire city was looking.

* * * *

Melbourne stood at the side of the ring. When the fighting duo was done, he looked at Feng and said, “I need to speak with you.”

“Yeah, you and every fanboy.”

“Jeez, no wonder she said you were a nightmare. Well, I need to work out child support and medical support for Olly.”

“Who are you?” Feng’s bluster faded.

“I am the legal representation for Olly Thorn. She’s started to suffer from the lack of her alpha, so I need to know as much as you can tell me about your beast.”

“Suffer?”

“Constant vomiting, lack of appetite, losing weight. My own mate suffered from this with her primary mate. She was dangerously close to either losing the baby or her own life. Don’t worry. If we can find a mate for her with a power signature close to yours and he tends to her, there is a chance she and the child can survive.” Melbourne looked to the tense beta behind Feng. “Huh. Taio, right?”

“What? What did she say about me?”

“Oh, nothing compared to what you said about her. To call an untouched woman a whore is truly low. I hear that Feng doubted her lack of experience with painful consequences.”

Feng growled. “She told you?”

“She told my mate, and she told me. No reason for her not to say it. She submitted to her alpha. Nothing shameful about that.” Melbourne shrugged. “The shame rather lies in the alpha that didn’t take care of her.”

Feng gritted his teeth. “Where is she?”

Melbourne flicked a piece of paper out. “Safe. This is my card. Send me details of the type of alpha you are, and we will find her someone who actually cares about those in his care.”

Taio said, “He takes care of me.”

Melbourne nodded. “And you make sure that he takes care of no one else. Selfish little beta. I believe you might have just cost your alpha a mate and a child. Idiot.” He sneered and left.

Melbourne wondered if he would get a call. He smirked and left the arena where he had first met Jess. It figured that the frustrated alpha would come here. Nothing like punching another alpha to calm one down.

* * * *

Back in his hotel, Feng looked at the card and thought about what Melbourne had said. “Taio, do you hate her?”

His beta paused. “She isn’t my type. I prefer shy girls. Demure, polite.”

“Chaste?”

Taio nodded and froze. “Right. Uh, natural hair. That stupid blue she has is ridiculous.”

“That is the colour of my dragon. The jade of her eyes is pure. I asked her sister at the wedding. Her hair changed when she was fifteen. She has been marked since then. If you had not been with me, feeding me lines to send the women away, I might have noticed sooner. I think that actually to gain her trust now, I may require a second alpha so she has someone who will back her up.” He sighed. “I am too used to having your back. I automatically believed you when you spoke about her, and that was a mistake that contributed to me tearing her open for her first time. She couldn’t get away from me fast enough, and I do not blame her.”

“She didn’t say anything to you. She didn’t tell you.”

“If she had said it, I would not have believed her. She’s stunning.” He ran his hands through his hair. “But since she was a teen, she knew that any male around her wasn’t for her. She finally felt me near her and came to speak to me, and I called her a horny groupie.” He groaned. “This is so fucked up.”

Taio reached for his shoulder, and Feng relaxed as his dragon came out in human size, and Taio backed up.

“What’s he doing?”

“He wanted her, and you helped to take her away. He’s pissed. Dragons do not like sharing, but we will have to. I will contact Delun. He has experience with sharing an omega.”

“She’s a beta.”

“If you are going to say she doesn’t deserve it, he is going to claw up your dick so that you get a feel for what I did to her. He chose her, and all I had to do was not fuck it up.”

Chapter Two

Olly looked at the enormous Japanese-style house that the driver had brought her to, and she swallowed. Polly came out wearing a kimono with a black kitten in her arms. The driver opened the door, and Olly grabbed her backpack. She left the car and walked up the steps to be hugged by her sister. “Olly, I am so glad you are here. We will take care of you if you need a hand.”

Olly smiled. “Jess and Caber booted me out. They don’t trust me not to lift heavy stuff.”

Polly grinned. “Rightly so. This is Jiji. He’s my little buddy. So, do you want to go soak? We have a warm pool.”

“Sure. I could use a bit of relaxation after the drive.” Olly smiled, and her twin led her through the formal entryway. Shoes were removed, the housekeeper was introduced, and she grinned and clapped, muttering that she had the two most beautiful women in the city under her roof.

Fifteen minutes later, they were soaking in the gently warm part of the spacious hot spring.

Polly looked at her. “I am so glad to have you here.”

“Thank you for inviting me. Jess gave me a lecture on accepting help. Caber gave me a lecture on accepting help, and Melbourne did the same. I think even the horses were lecturing me.” Olly smirked. “It was like that time I shaved Molly’s head when we were twelve.”

Polly covered her mouth and laughed. “Ah, that was good. You got your butt tanned.”

“Worth it.” Olly smiled. “Just like all the other times I messed with her.”

“Which was why they came after me instead of you. No way Molly wanted you under her roof.”

They giggled together, and Olly felt better.

When Nari came to shoo them out of the spring, Polly examined the mark on Olly’s back. “Wow. Mine is basic compared to this.”

“Maybe whatever deity did this to me knew that Feng would be rather thick about it.”

They dried off and got dressed in cotton kimonos. She pinned her hair on her head, and Polly did as well. Nari directed them to one of the tea rooms and prepared a snack for them.

Nari stroked Olly’s cheek and patted her shoulder. Olly smiled. “So, everyone knows?”

Polly nodded. “Pretty much. Minoru is trying to find you another alpha with a close energy signature.”

Polly calmly mixed a bowl of green tea and then poured it into two cups. “I know Jess has told you about her experience being pregnant with no alpha. I know of another beta who had a child after she lost track of her alpha, and the delivery nearly killed her. You are still just queasy and barfing. We want to stabilize you before things progress.” Penny’s phone went off, and she looked at it. “Wow. He’s quick.”

“What is he doing?”

“After consulting with Caber and Melbourne, they found a possibility for you. Also, Feng and Taio have been located, and everyone is coming here for dinner. We are getting takeout sushi.”

“Oh, do they have barbeque eel?”

Polly laughed. “Yes, yes, they do.”

“What kind of alpha is it?”

“Something called a thunder beast. He’s the elder brother of someone who was at the wedding.”

“Well, looks like I am going to be up for an interesting time.” Olly sighed and sipped her tea.

* * * *

Feng sat with Taio behind him, Olly’s brother-in-law across from him, and another alpha sitting across from Minoru.

“So, that is the detail of our first time.” He finished the depiction of the event and turned the teacup in his fingers.

The new alpha said, “What did the beta say to her after that?”

Taio muttered, “I asked her if she had her period.”

“Ah. So, you have bound yourself to a complete idiot.”

Feng nodded. “Apparently. Fortunately, we are not bonded. He does not wear my mark. We have just been companions for a long time.”

He could feel Taio tense behind him. He had been begging for a mark for years.

The new alpha chuckled. “Oh, that stung. So, Feng, what do you wish for Olly?”

“I want her to have strength, health, and peace.”

The alpha nodded. “You want that for your mate? Your breeding partner?”

“Yes.”

“For my partner, I want love, laughter, joy, and fun. For her and her children. Life without joy is grey.”

Feng blinked. “I...”

“Have not been thinking of her as a person. She is a thing. A groupie. A body to use and walk away from. If she accepts me as a secondary alpha, I will begin courting her immediately.”

Feng nodded. “I understand. I accept that you will try to win her favour.”

Minoru nodded. “Excellent. She is fairly stable this afternoon. Dinner is from Mama Tsubaki and will be picked up by my driver on my way. You may beat me there by a few minutes.”

The prospective alpha, Benjiro, grinned. “I will see about that.”

Feng shot to his feet and began to stalk to his car. Taio got into the passenger seat and asked, “Do you really feel that way?”

Feng buckled up and started his car. “About you being an idiot? Yes. I exhaust my lovers. None have been able to manage more than one night with me, so it is less frequent. Now, fate has dropped a woman it has sculpted just for me, and I couldn’t believe it. An alpha like me who tries to breed with an incompatible female will kill her or the child or both. It is an appalling thought. I didn’t believe it while I was inside her. I didn’t mark her, didn’t even kiss her. That was the coldest fuck I have ever given in my life, and you chipped in by laughing at her and looking at the blood with disgust.”

Taio swallowed, and Feng saw the tears flowing down his cheeks.

“So, are those tears for self-pity?”

“No. I am going over everything. You told me to take care of her. I didn’t do anything. She drank water while showering on day three. That was all that she got, and she got it for herself. I got mad because she wasn’t letting me do what you wanted.”

“Why did she shower? That isn’t normal mid-heat behaviour.”

“Uh, I told her she smelled.”

Feng nearly rear-ended the car in front of him. “What?”

“The pheromones were getting super thick. I was getting uncomfortable.”

Feng growled. “She was calling me, and I wasn’t there.”

“Calling?”

“The thicker scent. I had been there when her heat started, and no proper alpha would ever leave a mate in heat.” He sighed. “I just ran from the fact that she was my mate and left her with the person I trusted. You were supposed to act for me, but this was not a scenario we had ever discussed. So, when you deal with Olly, do it as you would a good friend. Give her respect, give her peace, and shut your fucking mouth. Being my mate will be physically difficult. If I mark her, she will start holding onto some of my energy, and it will wrap around her and through her. It will protect her and exhaust her. Being my mate won’t be fun for her. It will be hard and tiring. The dragon wants her badly, and he will take her.”

Taio blinked. “What?”

“You saw the vapour dragon in the hotel room. There is also one my size with sinew and claws. Then the larger one, which you have seen.” He was talking nervously and was fairly sure that the black vehicle that had shot past was Benjiro’s. “I agreed to the second alpha because Minoru made the point that someone in her life needs to be capable of offering her affection and acceptance. Being rejected by her mate could quite possibly kill her.”

“That’s why the omegas are usually arranged with packs?”

“Yes. With the links sharing energy, the multiples keep the omega alive longer if one of her alphas or betas passes on.”

“So, betas can be included in the arrangement?”

“Via an alpha. You would have been linked to us.”

“Why are you saying it like it is impossible now?” Taio muttered.

“Are you going to become friends with Olly? Grovel? Ask for forgiveness every day until she grants it?”

He turned off the highway and toward Minoru’s address.

“If it lets me stay with you and allows me to find a way to make things up to her, I might. I am still grappling with the issues I have created.”

“You are willing to work on it?”

“I am.”

“Good, because this is all about her. If she says no, you will go.”

“I thought that was the prerogative of the omega.”

“She’s my mate. If she can breed a child with my power level, she is my omega. From what I have been hearing, it isn’t just possible; it is happening all over this area.”

“Others?”

“Her twin is the bride of the kijin. Minoru might show you his other face. That might help you understand a little faster.”

Taio nodded and shifted.

“What are you doing?”

“Flexing my knees and getting ready to bow.”

Feng nodded. “Yeah, all day, every day if necessary.”

“Right. I wish I had known about all of this before.”

“It has happened recently and isn’t on the news.” He inhaled. “Now, let’s see if she will take us back with Benjiro as the primary carer for her.”

* * * *

Olly was playing with Jiji when Nari came through and said, “Miss, there is a visitor.”

Polly was going to get up.

“Miss Olly.”

Olly handed the adolescent kitten to her sister and got to her feet, walking to the front room where the guest had been tucked.

“Oh.”

The thickly muscled man looked up and smiled. “Hello, Miss Olly. Minoru has interviewed me and found me suitable, so I am here to be assessed by you to be your caretaking alpha as your primary has dropped the ball.”

Polly’s voice came to her. “Go for a walk.”

Olly blinked. “Um, would you like to go for a walk?”

He nodded and got to his feet. Nari whisked past her with his shoes and giggled. “We need to go this way.”

He nodded. “My name is Benjiro, by the way.”

“I would introduce myself, but everyone seems to know who I am.”

They walked to the door to the rear deck, and he sat and put on his shoes while she stepped into some sandals. He held her hand and said, “To the pool?”

“I just came here today. I haven’t gotten a tour yet.”

He nodded. “I have been here before, so allow me to show you around.”

She liked him. He was so very calm and had the same body type as Feng. They walked slowly to the gazebo over the still pool, and she was smiling. She hadn’t smiled genuinely for years. Not if she wasn’t with Polly.

Olly was flustered. Her body was relaxed just by being with him. He smiled at her benignly.

She swallowed. “So, what are you looking for in a mate?”

He looked at her. “Well, you don’t look at my size and freak out, so that is a bonus. You look lovely in a kimono and wear it well. Minoru mentioned that you were an MMA fighter and that you are good with horses. My family has horses on our property. I own a construction company. I have two siblings, both betas, and we get together for family stuff about once a month.”

She smiled. “Sounds fun. With the exception of Polly, I don’t get along with my family.”

“Well, you are twins.”

“We are.” She smiled.

“May I see the mark that calls to Feng’s dragon?”

“Not with this obi. It’s tight.” She was apologetic.

He inclined his head. “Perhaps later.”

“Sure.”

He smiled. “No issue with disrobing?”

“To a limit. I used to work in a sports bra and shorts.”

“I would have expected more muscle on you.”

“I had to retire. The gossip made things awkward, and my performance sank.”

“Right. The rumours that led to attacks.”

“Yup.”

“You had no experience prior to Feng?”

She shook her head. “Not even a first kiss.”

He paused and titled his head. “May I?”

“Just a kiss?”

“Just a kiss.”

He bent, and she lifted her face to him. Her eyes were wide and crossed when he brushed his lips against hers. She closed her eyes, and he stroked her lips with hers. She swayed toward him, and he bent, wrapped his arms around her hips, and stood with her at his level. She held his neck and returned the caress. He was smiling.

“Was it wrong?”

“It was perfect. Let’s try something else.” He stroked his tongue along the seam of her lips, and she shivered. She gasped, and when his tongue slipped inside and stroked hers, he tasted like fresh, cool rain.

The kiss continued and got hotter, she let out little moans, and when someone cleared their throat, she blinked and leaned away from Benjiro. Her pulse was pounding, and she was flushed.

The throat cleared again.

She turned her head toward the noise, and Feng and Taio were standing and staring. It was like a blast of cold water. She tensed, and to her surprise, Benjiro held her head and tucked it against his shoulder.

Feng said, “What the hell is that?”

Olly whispered, “My first kiss.” She pressed her fingers to her lips.

Feng looked stunned. “First...”

Benjiro set her down, and she eased behind him. Feng looked pissed. Taio looked mortified.

She took in a deep breath. “You guys hash this out. I am going back to Polly.”

She took one step, and Benjiro grabbed her hand. “You need to be here for all conversations about you.”

She whined softly. “But I don’t want to.”

Feng’s head snapped toward her. “Where did that sound come from?”

“Uh... Don’t know.”

Benjiro pulled her back to him. “Would you like to find it again?”

She trembled.

He kept his hand around hers. “Feng, would you like to try and find it?”

Feng stepped toward her, and she broke free of Benjiro’s grip and darted behind him. Feng growled and reached for her, but Benjiro stopped him. “Sit on the bench.”

She watched as her primary alpha took a seat and forced himself to relax as he held his hand out to her. Olly bit her lip. “Do you actually want to kiss me?”

Feng nodded. “Yes.”

She stepped slowly out of cover and walked over to him. He eased her down onto his lap.

Benjiro said, “Let her come to you, or you aren’t giving her a chance to enjoy herself.”

She blushed and slid her hand up Feng’s broad neck, urging him to lower his head to hers. He pressed his lips to hers, and she waited until she felt a curl of warmth before she kissed him back. When his tongue touched hers, she jolted, and the kiss burst away like a runaway train. She heard the moaning and whining as she pushed toward him. It was coming from her.

The moment his hand was under her kimono and on her thigh, she froze and started to struggle. She pulled back and made sounds of distress. He growled and held her closer. There was a ripple of thunder, and then the rain started. Feng’s head snapped up. Olly was numb with panic, and she stared at him as the rain fell.

He looked over at Benjiro. “What was that?”

“She’s scared. She bled for days after you had her last time. Pain is a cruel teacher.”

Olly blushed but pushed against Feng’s arms until she was loose. Then she eased away from him and said, “I think dinner has arrived by now.”

Benjiro rubbed her back. “That is correct. How did you feel about us?”

“Good, good, bad.”

Feng blinked. “But... the kissing was good?”

“Yes.”

“So my hand on your thigh was the problem?”

She grimaced and peeled the fabric away, showing the puncture marks on her thigh. “You popped your claws.”

Feng blinked, and a wave of blue fire rippled over him. “I didn’t even notice.”

She sighed and shrugged. “You didn’t the first time either.”

“Wait. I clawed you the first time?”

“Yeah. My sister is pissed about the marks, too.” She put her hand on her ribs and the curve of her hip. “Under here on either side.”

Benjiro nodded. “You were on your knees.”

Her cheeks were pink. “Yes.”

He rubbed her back and shoulder. “It was the first, not the last. Things will get better.”

The thundercloud over Feng’s head disappeared. He was damp.

Benjiro smiled. “At least Minoru has a hot spring here. We can take a hot soak and relax.”

She grimaced. “I have to stay in the cool pool.”

“Ah, pregnant. Right. Don’t want to poach the tadpole.”

Olly blinked. “Tadpole?”

Benjiro chucked and rubbed her back again. “Speck? Sprout?”

Feng got up, and a wave of blue flames moved over his body. He was dried in seconds. That left Olly as the damp one.

“You guys chat. I am hungry.” She took a few steps, but Benjiro grabbed her hand.

“I brought you out; I will bring you back.” He led her back toward the house.

She shivered and walked with him. She swallowed when they got to the house and sneezed. Benjiro sighed. “Some alphas are better at care than others.”

She blinked. “I am going to take a shower and change.”

Nari nodded and helped her find her way to her room.

* * * *

Feng looked at Minoru. “Where is Olly?”

“She got a chill, so she is taking a hot shower and will join us when she is feeling up to it.”

Polly grimaced. “How is it that she is the only one who got wet?” She piled a selection of sushi and grilled eel on her plate.

Feng said, “She was sitting on my lap, and there was a small raincloud over us.”

“And you are dry, and she is wet?”

“My dragon dried me off.”

Polly gripped her chopsticks, and her nails grew sharp and black. She got up and looked at Feng. “You just suck all the way around.”

Polly finished loading a tray with tea and left the room.

Feng blinked. “I should have used the flame to dry her as well.”

Minoru looked at him with shock. “Yes. You should have. Why didn’t you?”

Feng paused. “She left me after I clawed her thigh.”

“Dragons can heal their mates. Why didn’t you?”

“Wait. We can heal others?”

“Sure. I spoke with Niko and his mate Alita when you first came up. The dragon first breathes a healing fire into his mate until her body can take him comfortably and all small injuries are remedied. This is repeated until the mate is in ideal condition. After that, they mate until she’s pregnant, and she is healed and cared for in between interactions. In the end, he provides care and healing and gets a happy and relaxed mate.” He chuckled. “But Niko’s family are devoted to their omegas.”

Feng blushed. “And Niko’s brother is a member of my cousin’s sloth. I will ask Delun about things.”

Taio spoke softly, “First, go and heal your mate. If she catches a cold in addition to being nauseous, she’s going to be pissed.”

Feng blinked and got to his feet, leaving the room and heading for Olly’s room without hesitation. He knocked softly, and when they asked him to come in, he stepped inside and looked at Olly. “May I help you?”

She frowned. “How.”

“A simple kiss with some healing fire.” He fidgeted and rubbed the back of his neck. “It should make you feel better.”

Olly looked at him with eyes rimmed with red. There was a minute of staring, and then she sneezed.

Her twin snorted.

Olly blinked and looked at him. “Um, okay?”

Polly squeezed her twin’s hand. “I am going to go crack into my personal stash. If you are feeling better, I will share.”

Olly nodded.

She was now wearing a blue and purple kimono and a black obi. Her long blue hair waved down her back.

He focused on what he had seen Benjiro do and extended his hand to her. She extended her hand, and her fingers crept into his palm. He pulled her against him and bent low. The dragon rose in him, and when his mouth touched hers, fired bubbled out, and she gasped as it filled her. Feng continued to pour fire into her until he could see it on her skin. His teeth tingled, and the urge to mark her was incredible, but he watched the healing flames flicker out and lifted his face from hers. Her eyes were closed, and the dazed expression when she opened them made his heart thump.

He stroked her hair back from her face. The gesture felt natural. She leaned into his hand, and he cupped her cheek. “Can we rejoin the others?”

She nodded. “Um, yes, or Polly will hoard all the barbequed eel. It’s hers, after all, but I still like it.”

“I will have to take you to my grandmother’s place. She owns a few restaurants, and I think she will like you.”

“Why are the two things related?”

He shrugged. “No clue. I just want to do a lot of things to you, with you, and I think a more public setting might calm things down.”

She blinked. “Okay. I am not sure that I want to do anything else tonight.”

He nodded and rubbed her hand with his thumb. Her skin was much softer than it had been.

He led her back to the room with Taio and the others. Benjiro gasped and smiled.

Feng frowned, “What?”

“Look at her eyes.”

Her thickly lashed eyes were glowing with soft jade to the point were they cast shadows on her cheeks.

Polly snugged against Minoru, smiled, and opened a lacquered box filled with gleaming treats. Olly made a small sound, darted to her sister’s side, and took the chopsticks handed to her. Feng’s jaw dropped when he saw how much wasabi she put on the eel, and she inhaled through her nose while blinking.

She chewed, swallowed, and did it again.

Feng took his seat and shook his head. He resumed eating, and Benjiro smiled. “It seems that Taio had the right idea. She does look more comfortable healed and dressed.”

Olly looked over to Taio, who had colour in his cheeks. She inclined her head slightly.

Feng didn’t smile, but he felt a flicker of hope. If Taio actually began to see Olly, it would make it easier for Feng to do the same.

Things were looking up.

Chapter Three

Olly sat on the edge of the pool so that Benjiro and Feng could take in her mark. Benjiro started laughing.

She turned her head toward him. He got out of the hot spring with a rush of water, and she blushed as he walked over. He trailed his finger over the dragon. “This is the dragon, but this,” he traced around and under the dragon, “is a series of storm clouds surrounding it.”

She groaned. “Great, I have a yakuza tattoo.”

He laughed. “Not quite, but it looks more complete.”

“Is there room for anyone else back there?”

He laughed and kissed her shoulder. “No. I am taking up all the open room.”

She sighed in relief. “Good.”

Polly chuckled. “Oh, Jess, Caber, and Melbourne are coming to check on you tomorrow, Olly. They are bringing your motorcycle.”

Olly grinned. “Yay.”

Benjiro frowned. “Wait. Caber? Does he have horses?”

“Yeah, big ones. I even got to deliver one filly. I have smaller hands than Caber. I think the mare was relieved. I was careful and thinking forward. I treated her like I wanted to be treated.”

He laughed.

“Now, get back in the hot spring. You might shrink or grow. I don’t know what the options are, but get it under the water.”

Polly laughed, and the men snickered.

Olly blushed and sank into the tepid pool with Polly. There was one thing in the world she wasn’t prepared to deal with, so violence was her normal response. Men with romance on the mind freaked her out. And if that erection was what he normally carried around, she had a right to be freaked out. It didn’t have the scales that Feng did, but the size was similar.

Polly nudged her. “Still have that issue?”

“Yup.”

“Oh, dear. And you are facing two and a half of them.”

Taio must have been listening because he said, “Hey!”

Olly fought her smile. “She didn’t mean you, Taio.”

Polly turned and looked at him. “I totally did.”

Minoru made a chuffing sound.

Polly grinned, turned, and sank, so the water was up to her chin.

Olly snickered. “What was that sound?”

“I have no idea, but the image of me getting a spanking flashed in my mind, so I am laying low.”

“Wait. He’s in your head?”

“Pictograms mainly. I can do the same to him.” Polly smiled.

They talked and giggled and floated around each other. Polly looked at Olly. “You want to go and have a chat with Molly, don’t you?”

“I am in the mood for a fight, and her alphas never disappoint.”

“Oh. Maybe just go for a jog or something?”

Olly nodded. “Maybe.” She looked at her sister. “Do you mind?”

“Nope. Go ahead. Jiji will go find you if you are out too long.”

Olly smiled. “Thanks.” She got up, wrapped herself in a towel, and went to where the robes were hanging. She slipped the robe on and took the towel off before sashing the robe closed.

She towelled her hair dry and stumbled. A ball of fire struck her in the back, and she was dry in seconds. She turned back to look at the innocent expression on Feng’s face. “Enjoying yourself?”

He smiled. “Playing is new to me. I think it will be fun to have a mate.”

She sighed and headed inside, pulling her hair into a thick braid as she walked. Five minutes later, she was dressed to exercise and actually happy about it. She carried her shoes out to the steps and put them on. She hadn’t just run in so long that she felt the energy in her legs in anticipation. She got up and stretched lightly before taking off at a jog and listening to the gravel under her feet. She kept her passenger in mind and just ran down the drive and along the tree line.

Her run lasted forty-five minutes, and she was sweaty when she returned to the house. She rounded a corner and walked up to the steps where her alphas and beta were waiting for her. “Uh, hey.”

“Olly, did you tell any of your alphas where you were going?” Benjiro was wearing one of the night robes that Polly had mentioned.

“Uh, no. Well, Polly knew I was going for a run, but even I didn’t know where until I found a path.” She wanted to stretch but suddenly didn’t want to move.

Feng growled and her knees buckled.

Taio looked between them. “What is going on here?”

Olly shrugged. “I don’t know. I felt twitchy, so I went for a run. Now, I feel better.”

Benjiro beckoned to her, and she came closer. He caught her and pulled her into his arms. “So, you thought a pregnant, unmarked beta could just go running around without letting her alphas know where she is?”

She twisted her lips. “It sounds bad when you say it like that.”

“It sounds stupid. You are not stupid.”

She looked up at him. “Uh, so I go take a shower and think about what I have done?”

“Or one of us can mark you, and then we will know where you are.”

“Uh. The first. I like my suggestion.”

“No. I am fairly sure that you like to push yourself, so choose which one of us will mark you.”

She froze. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Can you both get it over with?” She frowned.

He was surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, no offence, Feng, but I sill associate you with pain, so I would rather have Benjiro there at the same time.” She leaned back, smiling brightly at both of them. “Or I could just text you guys when I want to run.”

Benjiro kept his arm around her. “That is a very telling sentence.”

She tried to ease back. “Is it?”

He bent slightly and kept her pinned against him as he walked into the house. “It is.”

She gasped. “My shoes!”

“We will remove them in our room.”

“Our?”

Feng spoke softly. “Our space, Olly.”

She quivered. “It’s rude to claim space in Minoru’s house.”

Benjiro chuckled. “It is his insistence. We are just borrowing space in your brother-in-law’s house for the night. Maybe a day. His wife won’t be easy until you are secure.”

She opened her mouth but sighed. It was true. Polly was one who liked to have things in their place. That included Olly.

“So, after I get marked, what then? Can I run around then?”

“We will discuss it then.” He slid the door open, and the other two entered behind them.

She grimaced. “I remember how that works. That’s a no.”

He chuckled, swung her up, and knelt on a cushion next to the bed. His fingers unlaced her shoes, and he pried them off one by one.

He set them aside and looked at her. “Now, how does the sports bra come off?”

“Wait, I have to be naked?”

Feng nodded. “It is traditional. Having sex with your alpha cements the bond. Even I know that.”

She paused. “Feng, why is it that you don’t know a lot of this stuff? Other alphas that I have met spout it constantly.”

“I was a late bloomer. I wasn’t obvious as an alpha until I was nearly eighteen. I missed all the classes on omegas and bonding and stuff.” He grimaced. “That is why I didn’t realize you were untouched. I hadn’t met a virgin before, and I certainly didn’t know that you could subdue your heat to the point you weren’t ready for me.”

Benjiro stroked her cheek. “Your clothes, Olly. By tradition, there would be more of a seduction.”

“Tell that to Minoru. He marked Polly the day he realized she had the claw marks on her back.” She wrestled herself out of her sports bra and got up to peel off her running shorts and underwear. Her socks were the last thing to go. She wiggled her toes and unravelled her hair.

Taio asked, “Did her hair get darker?”

Benjiro chuckled. “It did. Navy blue. I think it might be stormy black by the morning.”

She pulled a hank forward. “Huh. Weird. Why would it...”

Benjiro was snickering. It was an odd sound coming from him.

“Oh. Right.”

He tugged her back to his lap, and to her surprise, he kissed her. She was startled but focused on the taste of rain and the hand stroking her hair.

The kiss got deeper and wilder. She knelt on his thighs and pressed against him. Heat pooled in her belly, and some of it leaked. Benjiro growled softly, and he gathered her hair in his fist. He bent her neck and nuzzled at her skin. His breath was hot as he licked at her, and she felt his fingers between her thighs. He eased his fingers into her and thrust slowly. On his third thrust, he sank his teeth in, and she moaned as her body clasped his fingers with slow pulses. He kept his teeth in until her body stopped trying to milk his fingers, and then he slowly released her to lick at the marks.

She was gasping and holding onto his robe. He was smiling. She could feel it against her skin. There was a low rumble, and after a moment, she realized Benjiro was purring.

Feng made a sound like a whine and a growl.

Benjiro licked at his mark before he lifted his head. “Feng, now do you see what she needs? She will give you everything but will wither and die if you don’t return the favour.”

“I understand.”

“And once the mark is set, you will be able to feel what she feels.”

Feng smiled. “What is she feeling now?”

“Aroused and embarrassed.”

She muttered, “He is aroused, smug, and pleased with himself. There is also something I don’t understand.”

Benjiro murmured, “I will explain it later. Are you ready to go to Feng?”

She clutched at him and lifted her head to him. He gave her the soft kiss she craved, and she turned her head to see Feng waiting. He was wearing a robe to match Benjiro’s. Taio sat in the corner in another matching robe.

She turned toward Feng, and he reached out for her, pulling her onto his lap. He smiled calmly. “How are you feeling?”

“Slightly nervous. I associate you with pain.”

He tensed. “Really?”

“Yeah. You were one of my teachers when I first started training. It hurt then, too.” She smiled.

His eyes widened. “When was that?”

“Eleven years ago. Maybe ten. I know I bumped into you eleven years ago because that is when the mark on my back appeared. I didn’t know what it meant until two years ago.”

“Are you stalling?”

She blushed. “Why would you say that?”

“If you lean any further back, you will be in Benjiro’s lap again.”

Benjiro muttered, “Feng, get a grip.”

The euphemism became an order, and Feng pulled her up against him with one hand on her back and the other in her hair. He went straight for her neck, licking and sucking until she was squirming against him and gasping. Her neck had always been vulnerable. He tugged her head back and kissed her, stroking his tongue along hers. She threaded her fingers into his hair and dug her nails in, holding his head to hers as she whimpered and took in the taste of him. She felt the fingers moving between her thighs and tensed. He slowly moved his fingers against her sex, teasing her opening, coaxing her into relaxing. One finger, two, and then three slid into her. She whimpered into his mouth and felt herself getting closer to cumming. His thumb grazed her clit, and she gasped. He moved to her neck, and she came when he bit, his thumb pressed, and his fingers flexed. She moaned long and low while she hung onto him. When she went limp, he released her and licked her slowly. He chuckled. “Oh, yeah.”

He kissed her, and flame poured into her body. It lit up her new marks, and she dropped into his arms. Feng stroked her hair and was laughing, and so was Benjiro.

Taio muttered, “How did she do that?”

She had her eyes closed and knew by the tingling that her hair was the issue. “Just wait until I open my eyes. Shits gonna get weird.”

Feng eased her upright. “Show me.”

She opened her eyes and arched a brow. He stared into her eyes. “Oh, that’s lovely.”

Benjiro leaned over and grinned. “It’s stunning.”

Taio blinked. “Holy shit.”

“What colour did they end up?”

Benjiro smiled. “Electric blue with lightning.”

“Polly is going to love that.” She held up her hair. “And black with blue highlights. Well, it is more socially acceptable than bright blue.” She chuckled. “And Taio can’t insult my hair colour anymore.”

Feng sighed. “He’s young and stupid.”

She blinked. “Wait. How young?”

“Twenty-one. He’s not my lover. Never was. He’s my apprentice.”

Taio snorted softly. “I might have lied about that.”

Thousands of tiny hints clicked together. “Oh. I get it. And that explains you hitting on me three years ago.”

“You remember that?”

“Yeah. I said no as politely as I could, which you now know why I did.”

He nodded. “Yeah. It makes a lot of sense now.”

“So, twenty-one, huh? What do they feed you?” He had the height and bulk of a small alpha.

Taio grinned. “Leftovers.”

She caught the reference and blushed, ducking her head against Feng. He jolted but wrapped his arms around her.

“That is a discussion for another evening. For now, we need to make plans to introduce her to our families. That is going to be interesting.”

Benjiro laughed. “At least she won’t stand out like a sore thumb now. That ought to keep the grandmas happy.”

She pushed away from Feng. “I am going to put something on.”

Benjiro shook his head. “Nope. We sleep here. Taio sleeps there.” He pointed to the large futon on the ground and the smaller one a few feet away. “Getting used to sleeping with people is difficult. It is best we start now.”

She made a face. “Fine. But whoever spoons me is going to have to deal with the hair.”

She left Feng’s lap and scrambled to get under the blanket with her head on the pillow roll, and the blanket pulled over her shoulder.

The guys all discussed things and made calls. She fell asleep, remembering that she should have showered before going to bed.

She felt hands moving over her and couldn’t see who they belonged to. Her breasts were lifted and teased, her sex stroked until fingers moved easily, and then a low voice murmured, “Do you consent, mate?”

She nodded, and one of her mates pressed into her. Feng. The ridges and scales gave it away.

She held onto him and rocked slowly with him. He held her around the waist and kissed her jaw as he moved into her. She gripped his wrists as he slowly moved against her, gasping and moaning softly, aware of the other two people in the room.

She knew she hadn’t been quiet enough when Benjiro kissed her and caught her flexing hands when Feng shifted his hands.

Her sighs and moans were caught by one mate while the other slowly brought her higher and higher until she shrieked when the knot wedged inside her. Fire spilled through her and caused a deep shudder inside that made her hands flex and body shake.

“There’s my mate. Just a few thousand more like that, and I will have made up for the first time.”

She was going to snap back, but Benjiro kissed her again. It was only a few minutes until Feng’s knot released her, and he removed himself. She twisted away from one mate and kissed the other.

She felt lips next to her ear. “You sore?”

She broke the kiss with Feng. “If that is what counts as foreplay, you need to try harder.”

He chuckled and rolled her to her back, diving beneath the covers. She felt his mouth on her breasts, drawing hard on her nipples. She covered her mouth to stifle the moans that started the moment he started to play. When he got down between her thighs, she bit her hand as pleasure peaked sharply. She thought he was going to give her a break, but he started again, and between his tongue and fingers, she came two minutes later.

Feng growled and took her hand from her mouth as she sobbed. He blew a stream of fire across her bite and kissed her while Benjiro rose out of the blankets and spooned her. Feng released her, and she leaned back into the thunder beast.

Olly sighed and relaxed against her alpha. Benjiro murmured in her ear, “We won’t always all share a bed, but you can always choose your partner for the evening. Just make sure it’s me.”

Feng snorted. “Sneaky bastard.”

Olly giggled and yawned as she slipped back into sleep. She definitely needed a shower in the morning.

Chapter Four

Olly smiled as Feng asked, “Why do you wear traditional clothing?”

Minoru smiled. “Because I spent half my childhood in Japan, my grandmother’s home was always traditional, and I find it soothing to come home to the trappings of my youth.”

Benjiro smiled. “I do it as well.”

Feng snorted. “Of course, you would.”

Olly perked up. “Why of course?”

Benjiro grinned. “You will see.”

Taio smiled. “I looked up some of your competitions. No one even came near you, and then you retired. Why?”

“My family concerns here needed me.” He looked at Olly. “I am very glad that I was here now.”

Olly frowned. “What did you do?”

He sipped tea, and Minoru covered his mouth with his hand. Polly was still staring at Olly’s physical transformation.

Olly poked Benjiro in the arm. “What was it?”

Polly interrupted as Olly was about to get really annoying. “Olly, when was your last doctor’s appointment?”

“The pregnancy test.”

“You had a physical?” Polly had a hopeful expression.

Olly snorted. “No. I went to a clinic, got a blood test, and they gave me the report.”

Feng frowned. “When was your last full physical?”

“Well, I have been away from the arena for over a year, so... seven years ago?” She nibbled at a biscuit.

The room froze.

She looked around. “What? Aside from a few bruises, head injuries, and dislocations, I am healthy as an ox.”

Minoru winced. “Right. Why do you have a different last name than Polly did?”

“Oh, because she used to call me a pain in the ass, so I thought Thorn was appropriate.”

Polly smiled.

Feng scowled. “So, not even a blood pressure test. Nothing?”

“No. Why?”

Polly said, “You are going to need a full prenatal scan. You aren’t going to like it.”

“I don’t want it then.” Olly frowned.

Feng sighed. “I will ask my cousin where his omega goes.”

“Oh, omega places won’t see me.” Olly nodded. “I found that out the first time I went into heat.”

Minoru nodded. “Polly has a doctor. I will give you the information. It is at the Mckenna Centre.”

Polly smiled. “The doctors are alphas, so they give out treats.”

Olly blinked. “Treats?”

Minoru flipped through his phone, and Benjiro’s phone chirped. Feng’s chirped a moment later.

Olly muttered, “I can just find a regular clinic.”

She remembered how much the bloodwork had cost and tried to work out how much it would cost for a full workup.

She saw Polly looking, and her sister leaned forward and whispered to her for a moment. When she sat back, Olly asked, “Why?”

“Because once they mark you, most of what a doctor will need to see is due to them.”

Minoru paused, frowned, and then nodded. “She isn’t wrong.”

Benjiro frowned. “What is her concern?”

Polly shrugged. “Who will bear the cost of the medical treatment? Betas don’t make as much as alphas, no matter how good they are at fighting unless they are paired with an alpha.”

Taio nodded. “Even then, it is around eighty percent if you win a lot.”

“Forty percent if you are a female. Plus, I have been living off my savings for a while.”

Polly smiled. “I have a bit saved if you need it. I did some modelling for a tea shop, and the campaign was well received.”

Olly blinked. “Wow. Even with the mark on your back?”

“Yeah. Wanna see?”

“Sure.”

Polly brought something up on her phone and handed it over. “Oh, wow. This is pretty.”

“The photographer did most of the work.”

Benjiro looked over her shoulder. “Is that one of the kimonos from my collection?”

Minoru grinned. “Figures that is what you were looking at. Yes, it was.”

Polly smiled. “It is a lovely one.”

“Well, Loki asked politely, and my household drinks a lot of tea.”

Minoru laughed.

Benjiro smiled and got to his feet. “Excuse me for a moment.”

Olly felt the strangest thing. Benjiro was talking to Feng through her. Feng replied, and the other alpha left the room. “Oh, that was weird.”

Feng stroked her neck and his mark before he turned her face for a kiss. Coolness and warmth spilled through her. A short blast of a horn made her jerk. Minoru sighed and got up, walking to the front door.

Olly snagged another biscuit. “What do you think that is?”

“Caber, Melbourne, and Jess. They got an early start.” Polly smiled.

Olly tried to stand, but Feng held her. “Wait. Finish your biscuit. You didn’t eat nearly enough.”

“I am not in training, Feng.”

Taio chuckled. “You sort of are.”

Olly frowned and then covered her abdomen. “Oh, right. Forgot about that.”

Voices approached, and Nari came in with a grin and a full tray of baked goods and herbal teas.

Nari grinned. “More visitors in two weeks than in the previous three years. This is fun.”

Jess and her centaurs came in, and Olly stood and was hugged as her change in pigment was admired.

Olly introduced Feng and Taio, and Benjiro when he walked in.

Jess was fed, and then Olly and Polly took her for a walk to the lake while the alphas talked about whatever they liked.

Jess couldn’t get over the change in Olly, “Okay, so how the hell did that happen?”

“My body decided that it needed more than Feng’s dragon, so I grew another mark on my back.”

“Anymore morning sickness?”

Olly shook her head. “I was fine this morning.”

Jess’s smile was knowing. “I see. Oh, speaking of, can I see your back?”

They were near the bridge, so she loosened her robe and slipped it to her waist.

Polly gasped. “Wow. That is so much detail. Storm clouds and a dragon. Lovely.”

Jess chuckled. “If I was sporting that, Caber would paddle my butt.”

Olly slid her robe up over her shoulders. “Considering what this one means, yeah, I think it would be deserved.”

Jess smiled as Olly tied her robe. “We brought your bike.”

“Yay!”

“We gave Benjiro the keys.”

“Boo!” Olly snorted.

Jess chuckled. “Once we had settled in, the guys hid my keys. Thankfully, Thea didn’t mind being my transport until they trusted my driving. It was a chance for girl time.”

Polly blinked. “How long did that take?”

“Um, six weeks?”

“Oy.”

Jess looked at Olly. “Do you have any questions about multiple mates?”

“Do they always sneak up on you at night?”

Jess frowned and then grinned. “Yes. And in the daytime and when they are bored. Do they both sleep with you?”

Olly nodded. “They said that there would be other rooms available, but no one said where.”

Polly smiled. “Benjiro’s place. It is twenty minutes away from here. He has offered you a driver, an allowance, and a new wardrobe.”

“Offered?”

“Well, Minoru is your brother, so he has the ability to act as head of the house with my consent. I consented on your behalf.” Polly grinned.

“Wow. You look so innocent.” Olly sighed. “Pimping your sister out to alphas.”

“I am handing my job over. I needed a new hobby.” Polly smirked.

Jess asked, “Who is the beta?”

“Taio. He’s Feng’s... apprentice? They say they aren’t lovers.” She shrugged.

Polly smiled. “Do you care?”

“No. It might give me a break.” She smiled and tilted her head. “I can feel that Feng’s beast isn’t going to wait much longer. A distraction would be good.”

Polly blushed. “Oh, yeah. Right. Forgot about that.”

Jess grinned. “Not an issue. I am not fucking horses, and we got that out of the way right off the bat.”

Olly blinked. “You can tell them when you don’t like something?”

Polly stared. “Of course.”

Footfalls made her turn to a gaggle of alphas. “Polly, is it a gaggle of alphas? What is the term for a group?”

Jess opened and closed her mouth then said, “A bully. A bully of alphas.”

Polly smiled. “I think it’s a parade.”

“Oh, that’s good, too.”

“A stride.” Olly smiled. “That sounds right.”

Feng smiled. “We have an appointment to meet my grandmother later this afternoon. We wanted for you to get an appropriate wardrobe before the meeting.”

Olly froze. “Uh, what kind of wardrobe?”

“Some suits, dresses, high-heeled shoes.”

“Oh. That’s not going to turn out well.”

Polly shook her head. “It really isn’t. She doesn’t do well in heels?”

Minoru frowned. “You are fine with them.”

“When was the last time I won an MMA fight, dumbass? We are not the same person.”

He picked her up and brought her nose to his. “Fair point.”

She kissed him quickly.

Olly smiled, and Feng pulled her up against him. “Okay, shorty. Go get dressed. We will see what we can find.”

“Uh, I just have jeans, and half of them need to be washed.” She frowned. “Maybe all of them.”

Polly smiled. “Nari did your laundry yesterday.”

Olly flipped her off.

“Come on, shorty. We will get you dressed, and then we can go to a seamstress that my family frequents.” He tugged her hand.

She groaned. “Fine, but you are going to be very disappointed in my clothing choices. The only thing I have focused on is my workout uniform.”

Polly whined, and Jess laughed. “Just got your sister back, and they are taking her away?”

Polly nodded. “Yeah. Years apart, and now she going again.”

Olly sighed. “Dude, I am going to get girly clothes. You should be happy.” She walked to the front of the house with Feng. “Hang on. I need to get changed.”

He looked at her, then looked to Benjiro. “Can she go out like that?”

“Sure. As long as we can stop at a shop that I like.”

“What? This?” The cotton kimono was weirdly formal, and her hair was still in the thick braid.

Feng nodded. “It will make the aunties extra eager to get you into something else. Delun has his omega dressed by the Russians. If they agree, you will be dressed by our people.”

Benjiro smiled. “And mine. Mine will not care that you are a beta either.”

Feng frowned. “Will that matter?”

“Ask them. We can go to my people first. They are waiting.”

Olly rolled her eyes. “Of course they are. Let me get my phone.”

Feng pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Just this. No wallet.”

“Why not? Are you planning to time how fast I can run or something?”

He tapped her nose. “Consider this a test to see how much you trust your alphas.”

“Oh geez. I hate tests. It was almost a relief to leave school.”

A large SUV pulled up, and they loaded her into it. Taio was grinning at her expression. She made a face.

When they were on their way, and she was mashed between Feng and Benjiro, she asked, “So, why do I need fancy clothing?”

Feng shrugged. “I would like to kiss you on the winner’s podium. And in front of the cameras and in that dark hallway next to the change room. And in the change room.”

She rolled her eyes. “You want to show me off.”

“Yes.”

“Benjiro?”

“Same premise. I want you next to me when there is a winner from our stable. I would like to go shopping with you for baby stuff.”

She looked down. “This would be kinder as maternity wear.”

Benjiro chuckled.

Feng smiled. “Let’s see what the aunties can come up with.”

“Right, but jeans and tees the rest of the time, right?” They were quiet. “Right?”

Taio smiled. “Looks like you are going to be stuck as a pretty beta.”

“Fuck off and die, Taio.” She folded her arms across her chest.

He cackled, and she sulked in her borrowed geta all the way to downtown. Well, at least, no one would recognize her.

The shop was pretty and quiet, but when she lifted her head, the owner and staff went dead silent. “Miss Polly?”

She was startled into a grin. “No, I am her twin, Olly Thorn.”

There was a clatter from the back room, and a young man came out, and his eyes were wide. “Olly Thorn? You have been missing for two years.”

“I wasn’t missing. I had to leave.” She smiled. “You watch the fights?”

“Yeah. You were great. What happened to your hair, and are those contacts?” The young man drifted toward her.

Taio stopped him from making contact as he reached for her hair. “No touching, please.”

The young man looked at Taio, then Feng, and finally Benjiro, and if Olly wasn’t mistaken, she thought he might have just orgasmed on the spot.

She looked to Benjiro. “Okay. What the hell sport do you play? Did you play? If he looks at you the way he looks at Feng, it has to be combat.”

He sighed, picked her up, and kissed her until she clung to him. He set her on her feet and spoke in rapid Japanese to the proprietor, who opened design books that included a lot of mid-thigh jackets. She liked the jackets.

Finally, he was asked for the pattern he wanted to be dyed and embroidered into the clothing. Benjiro looked at her. She caught on. “Oh, right. Is there a place I can take the robe off without flashing the room?”

She was led to a change room, and she opened the robe and worked it down to the top of her hips. She brushed her braid over her shoulder and said, “Um, okay, I guess.”

Benjiro gasped, and then the proprietor did the same. She asked her alpha, “Why are you surprised?”

“It’s moving.”

“Of course, it is. There goes my plan to pass it off as a tattoo.”

She heard the phone clicking several times. When he told her he had it, she tried to struggle into the robe, but she had pulled it too far down and had to undo it completely to tie it up.

She heard a click, turned, and saw the dark brown eye of the super-fan. “Hey. I don’t really want this out to the public yet.”

“Your fans deserve to know.”

“My fans? All three of them?”

“No, there are online forums devoted to analyzing your bouts and wondering where you went. I found you. Do you know how much cred I am getting for this?”

She closed everything and turned toward him. “Wouldn’t you rather have an actual photo with me instead of the cheap shot of a private moment?”

“I don’t want to be online.”

She sighed and deliberately didn’t smack him.

Taio said, “What about her and her alphas?”

It was agreed, and they posed for a family portrait with Taio next to them. The nerd took the picture, and then his grandfather gave him hell. Their phones started going off immediately, and they had to turn the notifications on silent until they finished their business.

She was measured, and Benjiro spoke to the shopkeeper and flipped through the design book while speaking in rapid Japanese. When he finished, he smiled. “You are racing the Zhang family. Whoever gets something ready first gets to clothe Olly.”

Olly blinked. “What?”

Benjiro grinned. “Well, you know how it works with sponsorship deals. Folk will be watching you and asking where your clothing came from, and they have been wanting to start a line of traditional day wear and a small ready-to-wear shop.”

She wrinkled her nose as the last of the measurements were double-checked. “Wait. So, I am a billboard?”

Feng smiled. “Please. You are a mannequin.”

“Do I, at least, get a five-percent discount?”

Benjiro kissed her. “Of course, Olly.”

Feng chucked. “And now on to my aunties, who are blowing up my phone and demanding that I get you into something that won’t shame the family.”

The shopkeeper gasped. “Hua and Jing have done it. It’s on.”

There was a shout from in back, “Woo!”

Olly looked at Benjiro and Feng. “You bastards.”

Feng laughed and picked her up. “Come on, Olly. I can hear my aunts screaming from here.”

She nodded to the shopkeeper, and he beamed at her before getting the sketchbook he had been working in. He started to bark orders as they left, and Taio was snickering.

Benjiro was grinning. “I have never raced tailors before. This is rather fun.”

“Yeah, you don’t have to wear it.” She braced herself against Feng’s shoulder as they headed to the car.

Benjiro smiled as he took her from Feng and tucked her in the centre of the seat. Feng settled in and stroked her thigh. “Don’t worry. Aunties Hua and Jing will be brusque but fine.”

She winced and raised her phone, and Benjiro covered her hand. “Don’t look.”

“I will have to look eventually.” She pushed his hand aside and started flicking through the direct email she had gotten from her manager. No. Can’t. Not up for anything for another year. Pregnant.

Feng asked, “Who was that?”

“My ex-manager. She fired me before I left. I was always banged up, so I wasn’t photo friendly when it came to the bouts. She dumped me.” She shrugged. “One picture of you guys behind me grabbing my butt, and she’s all over me.”

Feng chuckled. “I am surprised you have fans after that long a time out of the spotlight.”

“Yeah. So am I. Less surprised that it was a teen boy.” She grimaced.

Benjiro laughed. “Of course, it was. I have seen some of the publicity shots that your manager used. That was a lot of cleavage.”

She glanced down and shrugged. “The girls enjoyed the fresh air.”

Feng grinned. “Really?”

She batted at his head as he jerked open her robe and dove into her cleavage. His lips pressed against her breast, and she felt the drag of his tongue across a nipple. When he clamped on and sucked hard, she gasped, balled her fist, and punched him in the side of the head.

“Not in the car!” She grunted as he backed away, cradling his ear.

He looked at her with narrowed eyes. “You hit me.”

“You yanked my clothing open on the way to your aunts’ shop.” She jerked the robe together and then tugged it until it was in mostly decent lines.

She sighed and turned to the scowling Feng. She gently pulled him to her and kissed his cheek, jaw, and lips. “Don’t embarrass me in front of your family. Please.”

He sighed. “But we can play after?”

“Of course.”

He tapped his lips. “Apologize again.”

“Do you want me to head-butt you?” She cocked her head.

The car stopped, and Feng sighed. “I end up with a mouthy mate who can hit like a hammer.”

“Aw, that is the sweetest thing you have said to me.”

He frowned. “Is it?” He opened the door and then paused.

“Yeah. I think you said I smelled right, but that is the nicest thing.” She pushed him to get him out, but he looked at her. “What?”

“I will try and do better. I have not been particularly kind toward you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Let’s get this over with.” She huffed. Two angry Chinese women were glaring at the car. “Your aunts look like they want to tear my face off.”

He sighed and got out of the car, leaving her scootching to the edge of the seat. Benjiro reached for her hand and helped her up. He pulled her against him and murmured, “He’s still getting used to you, but I think you hit him really hard.”

She giggled and leaned against him.

The giggle made Feng turn around, and he looked at the car and sighed. He closed the car door and sighed. “I will do better starting now.”

He offered her his hand, and she held his hand as he led her to meet his aunties. They were ushered into the shop, Taio was given a cookie as Feng’s pet, Olly was put on a dais, and the measurements commenced.

A curtain was pulled so that she wasn’t visible from the shop, and she was stripped.

The aunties paused and gasped. Hua said, “It’s moving?”

“Oh, the mark. Yeah. They noticed that at the kimono shop.”

The ladies muttered.

Olly sighed. “As fun as this is, I am getting cold.”

“What is your underwear like?” Jing asked. “We need to know how deep cleavage you are comfortable with.”

“Sports bras are most of my collection of three.” She bent and slipped the robe back on. Tying it into place.

Hua came around and stared at her. “What?”

“All my clothes fit into a backpack, and that includes one dress and heels.”

One of the shop assistants brought tea, and Hua asked her to sit while Jing took her clipboard and moved around the shop.

“We have some stuff for omegas, but we don’t have a beta like you in the family.”

“Yeah, well, I am just a beta, so not technically in the family. Don’t worry. I know where I stand.”

Feng growled. “You know that I can hear you through the curtain.”

She blinked. “I, uh, forgot. Hua, I am very pleased that your family has taken me under your wing.”

Feng whipped the curtain back and looked at her. “I am guessing that Auntie Hua is the only one who hasn’t checked her phone.”

His aunt got her phone out, frowned, then flicked, and then flicked again. “What is your relationship to Minoru?”

“Minoru is my brother-in-law. He’s married to my twin sister, Polly.” She plucked the kimono. “That’s where I got this. I went to their place before the guys got organized.”

“So, you were at the wedding where Delun and his sloth were?”

“Polly’s wedding? Yeah. That is where Feng and I... bumped into each other.” She muttered.

“Oh, your sister is lovely. You have different colouring but the same face?”

“Yes, ma’am. My colouring has changed twice.” She sat quietly.

“Her mark is prettier. Yours is cluttered.”

“It is, ma’am.” She kept her breathing even as she fought getting furious.

Feng frowned. “Auntie, what are you doing?”

His aunt looked at him and smiled. “Just testing your little beta. I am seeing a very subdued mouse.”

“That isn’t subdued. She is trying to stay calm, possibly for the baby. I am guessing she really wants to put you through that wall.” Feng crouched. “Come on; this was a stupid idea. They would probably put you in greys and browns. At least I can tell grandmother that I brought you here.”

Taio came over with a stack of cookies. He crouched next to Olly and offered her a cookie.

She stroked his cheek and took a cookie. He blinked and blushed. “I didn’t know you felt like that.”

She nibbled at the cookie and curled her hand. Hua frowned and darted forward, grabbing Olly’s hand. The older woman stroked her skin, up her forearm, and then her neck. “You... feel like an omega. I know the Russian’s family had one like this. A beta turned omega.”

There was a moment, and Hua’s eyes opened. “Did you say baby?”

Feng chuckled. “I did.”

“Oh, your parents are going to explode.” She chuckled and hugged Feng. “They have been waiting for you to settle down for years.”

Olly got up and stepped away. “You two hug that out.”

She looked around for Benjiro, and when he came in with a coffee cup, she fought the urge to tackle him. He handed her a coffee with a smile. “Decaf, but I think you need one.”

She sipped and sighed, leaning into the arm he wrapped around her.

Feng growled and walked over to her. “Congratulations on your pregnancy, Feng. You aren’t showing at all.”

He paused and tugged his ear. “My family has been worried.”

Jing appeared with an armload of clothing in browns and greys.

“Yeah, I don’t think there is anything here that I am interested in. Well, except for the cookies.”

Taio tsked. “They were so welcoming when I started following Feng around. This is just weird.”

Benjiro murmured, “Give them a chance to get to know you.”

“Why?”

“Because they will learn about something amazing. You.” He kissed her head.

“You are just saying that because you want to get laid.”

“Absolutely.” He smiled.

Chapter Five

The discussion in Mandarin was rapid, loud, and frank. Olly tried to pretend that she didn’t hear them talking about her breasts, waist, and hips, but when they mentioned that Feng must crush her, she caught her alpha’s gaze.

Feng looked between his aunts and her glowing cheeks. “You... speak Mandarin?”

She shook her head. “Oh, no. I can understand it but not speak it.”

“How?”

She met his gaze. “Unlike some twits, I knew my mate when I saw him.”

He leaned in and kissed her. She hummed against his lips, and he purred as his fingers stroked his mark. The vibrations tore through her, and she was startled to feel heat building up between her thighs. He dug his fingers into his mark, and she gasped as her body came apart. She whined softly into his mouth, and he eased her back to relaxation.

When he lifted his head, he stroked her cheek and her mark again.

She stared at him. “What was that for?”

“You learned for me.”

She grimaced. “It was self-defense. I know you give Taio orders in the arena, so I thought it might be nice to know what the hell was going on.” She shivered as an aftershock ran through her.

He smiled and looked over at his aunts. “I suppose we will have to go elsewhere.”

His aunts were gone.

Feng straightened. “Looks like you win, Benjiro. I hoped her skirt would be a little looser around her thighs.”

“There are some dresses that will have the effect you want. Don’t worry. The formal kimono will be mainly for home.” Benjiro smiled.

The aunts skidded back into view, their arms laden with blues and blacks with waves of silver.

Feng grinned. “Or, maybe not.”

A rack was assembled, and a bag with a black silk bra and panties was pressed into her hands while she was ushered into a change room.

The dress came flying over the top, and she caught it, got dressed, and changed then had to stick her head out. “I need someone to finish zipping me.”

Taio chuckled. “I will do it, so you don’t disappear back here.”

He came into the change area and whistled. The black dress was fitted. She turned, and he zipped it. She exhaled and stepped out. Benjiro’s and Feng’s eyes glowed as she stepped toward them and did a pirouette.

Feng smiled. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks, but I can’t fight in this.” She gestured to the skirt that was decent by four inches.

Feng smiled. “We will fight for you if necessary.”

She headed back to the change room, and another dress came over the curtain. This was backless and bottomless.

“Okay, who is picking these?”

She stalked out, and Benjiro grinned. “Turn around.”

She turned. He trailed his fingers over her back, and she inhaled sharply.

“Olly, that dress isn’t meant to be worn with a bra.”

“I know, but I am not going to put the thing off and on all day.”

She stepped away from him, and the rest of the changes were easier, though Taio remained in the change room while she went through dress after dress.

“Why are these all dresses?”

Hua said, “Feng said you don’t have an office job. Skirts are fine.”

Olly shrugged. “Fine.” There were a few that covered her from neck to toe. She had options. “Is that it?”

“That is it. What do you want to wear out?” Jing chuckled.

“Ask the perv squad?”

A blue and silver dress came at her. Taio helped her with her dress, and he helped button it down her side.

“Dude, you are surprisingly good at this.” She turned to him, and he paused with his face next to hers.

He looked at her, and she whispered, “I think you are too young for me. Also, you really don’t like me.”

“You are growing on me.” He finished dressing her and smiled. His hand stroked down her spine. “There is also far less of a gap between you and me than there is between you and the alphas.”

Feng spoke calmly. “Taio, stop trying to seduce our mate. I will beat you into the floor.”

The beta pulled the curtains aside, and she stood there in high heels, a formfitting dress, and waves of her hair. Hua had opened her braid early on.

Hua and Jing high-fived each other. They looked at Feng and smiled. “We will send you the bill.”

He sighed but grinned. “Well worth it. Now, Grandmother is waiting for us.”

Taio stiffened. “Really? At her place?”

Benjiro got up. “Correct. Shall we walk? It is only two blocks.”

Olly sighed. “Fine, but if these shoes try to kill me, one of you will have to carry me.”

They readily agreed, loaded the car with her kimono and shoes, and then they were off. Feng kept his arm at his side, letting her use it for balance.

They got a few folks taking pictures of them, and she was relieved when they entered a very posh-looking establishment. The hostess grinned at Feng and Taio, raised her brow at Olly, and looked at Benjiro in a daze.

Feng laughed, and they were led into the restaurant, past the regular clients, and into a back room that had a large table with a lazy susan on it, and it was covered with dishes.

Olly kept her head up and walked into the room behind Feng.

The old woman got to her feet. By her skin and jewellery, she was an omega. She was also tiny.

“Taio. Come here, my boy. Has he been feeding you?” The woman patted Taio’s hands.

“Yes, Zumu Fen. I am fed very well, but the food smells amazing.”

“I think I need a hug from a handsome young man.” The woman smiled.

Taio hugged her, and her nose twitched. She glared at Olly. “Why are you all over him?”

“He was helping me dress.”

“Why did you need help? Can’t you manage?”

Olly looked at her calmly. “No. I couldn’t. The clothing chosen for me isn’t familiar.”

“Feng, I can find you a better beta. One with more grace and manners.”

Two alphas were suddenly growling at the older woman, and she looked shocked. “Feng, you do not growl at your grandmother.”

“Zumu Fen, I will not put up with another of my relatives picking on Olly because she was born a beta.”

The woman snorted. “Here, girl. Take my hand.”

Olly took her hand in hers and felt omega skin. The older woman felt the same, and her shock showed in her eyes.

“I am Zumu Fen.”

“Thank you, Madame Fen, but I do not want a relationship I do not have.” She inclined her head and released Madame Fen’s hand. Her face was held, and she looked into the smaller woman’s eyes.

“Electric blue and lightning. Lovely black hair. A face for the ages. You and Feng will make lovely children.”

She remained quiet and knew what would happen if she said she was already pregnant. She kept her mouth shut.

Feng was an idiot. “We already have.”

Madame Fen escorted her to the table and showed her where to sit.

She was thankful that she was allowed to start eating.

His grandmother said what she hoped she wouldn’t. “So, do you know when it happened?”

Feng nodded. “She was in heat nearly a month ago.”

His grandmother’s eyes grew dreamy. “Was it wonderful? It is always good for a child to begin well.”

Feng grew quiet. Olly was silent.

“Well?”

“I was in room eight-oh-eight. So that was auspicious. The rest was efficient.” She smiled slightly and kept eating.

“I didn’t know it was her first time. She wasn’t ready, and I wasn’t truly focused on her. There was a lot of blood, and she left as soon as her heat subsided.”

She got more stir fry. “I bled for four days. So. It is an interesting conception story. I don’t think it will be shared with the child.”

Madame Fen was pale. “If you left, why are you together now?”

“I called him. I promised I would, so I did. He gave me his manager’s number.” She paused. “My brother-in-law met with him and Benjiro. They agreed to take me on.”

Benjiro smiled. “It was an honour, and Minoru thought she should have one mate that looked at her with affection.”

Feng nodded. “He’s right. I am also snapping out of the egotism fostered at the arena.”

“If you had taken on the omega I found for you, there would have been no bleeding.”

“Olly had managed to meditate through her heat. I didn’t realize she had controlled it to a low simmer. I gave her no kissing, touching, or any sweet words. Even an omega would have had issues with that.”

Taio grimaced. “Zumu Fen, his attitude is my fault.”

Olly sat there as the details came out and continued to eat. She snagged a bao bun and covered it with hot sauce. Taio chuckled as she segmented it and popped it into her mouth.

When Feng asked, he passed his phone to Zumu Fen. Taio was so busy watching her that when Fen said, “And what is this?” He jerked in surprise. “Oh, Zumu Fen. Sorry. I was taking some pictures this morning.”

Olly paused with a bite halfway to her mouth. “You didn’t.”

Fen nodded. “Oh, he did. Feng should buy him a better phone. These pictures could have been displaying quality if they had more pixels.”

Feng looked at Taio and shook his head. “She’s right. You need a better phone if you are going to be doing that in the small hours.”

Benjiro asked, “May I see?”

Olly kept stuffing her face.

Benjiro smiled. “It is a lovely picture and a discrete angle. Would you like to see, Olly?”

She paused and put her food down. She chewed and swallowed before she took the phone handed to her. She saw what she had been afraid of. She was holding Benjiro’s hands. He was kissing her, and Feng had his arm wrapped around her, his hand against her belly. It was obvious they were having sex, but nothing was visible. Sheets and arms obscured everything.

“Oh, great.” She handed the phone back, and Madame Fen looked at it.

She rang a bell, and a young woman came in with a smile. “Yes, Zumu?”

“Get one of those new smartphones designed for photography. If Taio is going to take them, they should be good.”

“I will be back in a few. Oh, did you just want the phone or a new SIM card?”

Taio said, “I will use the old card.”

“Very good.”

The young woman nodded and left the room.

Fen smiled. “Another one of my granddaughters. They are all lovely. All betas and alphas.”

“Oh.” Olly smiled. “Good for you.”

“But the only omega so far has been Delun’s new baby and daughter Hailey.” Fen smiled. “If you are the kind of beta that Nora is, I look forward to seeing what you throw.”

“Oh, nothing I enjoy more than being compared to livestock, Madame Fen.” She finished her food and set her implements aside.

“Well, dear, what else are you useful for? You have no education, have retired from a promising career, and have no real savings to support yourself. They are alphas, you are a beta, and you are a pet for them. Nothing else.” Madame Fen had a polite expression. “Do remember that.”

“Yup. Got it. Do excuse me.” She walked out of the dining room and found the ladies’ room. She threw up everything she had been holding down. It was a pity. The food had been good. Shaking, she wet a towel and washed her face. She breathed calmly, made sure her hair was clean, and left the ladies’ room.

Feng was waiting. “She didn’t mean that.”

“No, she absolutely did. Omegas state things like that for their families. They know what they want, and I am not it. I have no place around her unless I birth an omega. Even then, she might try to take it from me.” She smiled. “Unlike Minoru’s family, Fen has no desire for a freaky beta in their midst.”

“Minoru’s family?”

“Yeah, they have been sending Polly kimonos for months. She has an astonishing collection. They provided her with her dowry. Apparently, Minoru was a hard mate to match, so when he found one, they made sure she was welcome. I know you don’t have that problem, so Madame Fen will be waiting for someone who is her idea of a perfect match for you. Then, she will probably have me driven off to a farm with the rest of the beasts.”

Feng stroked her cheek. “I won’t let her.”

“You? Go against the head of your family? Yeah, right. I just need to have a word with Madame Fen before we go.”

“Taio has his new phone. I will say my goodbyes.”

When they left her in the room with Fen, Olly stepped toward her. She had the voice recording started, and she was polite but firm. Fen was crying when she left, crystal-perfect drops of tears.

Olly was quiet in the car, and Benjiro put his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder.

“Where are we going now? Someone going to flay my skin off?”

Feng spoke softly. “I hadn’t appreciated how hard this is for you.”

“I am a beta clinging to the great Feng Zhang and his apprentice Taio. I am either a whore or an opportunist. At least Benjiro was chosen for me by someone who knows me.” She sighed. “But she was right. I only have manual job skills. I didn’t finish high school, I have no secondary education. If I weren’t strong, I wouldn’t be able to work around animals the way I do, and another few months and I won’t be able to do that.”

Benjiro sighed. “Life has changed, and we can help you change your path. Our marks doomed you. It is only right that we help you find a new direction with us.”

“I would hardly call it doomed.”

He kissed her forehead. “That is kind.”

Feng frowned, and he started texting. He continued texting, and he got angry.

The driver took them to a rural property, and Olly smiled at the Japanese-style architecture. It was a whole collection of buildings, including a stable with fenced-in fields and exercise posts with horses prancing and plodding around. Benjiro’s and Feng’s cars were parked out front. Her bike was nowhere to be seen.

There was another building, and when the door opened, she heard unmistakable shouts. She turned to Benjiro and stared at him. She looked him up and down. “Why did you get skinny?”

He laughed. “I can bulk out when needed. It is part of the thunder beast.”

“How many wrestlers do you have on site?”

“Three professionals and nine apprentices.”

“Wow.”

Benjiro put an arm around her and led her toward the house. “Let’s show you where you are going to be living.”

She smiled and then had a pang of regret. Here, she felt wanted. With Feng and Taio, not so much. Benjiro was making room for her.

She kicked off her heels by the door and turned them around. Benjiro smiled.

The other two followed them. They walked down the long hall, and he showed her the room with the futons lined up neatly on the floor. She was shown extra bedrooms, and then Benjiro said something she didn’t think she would hear. “If you need to be alone, you take the time you need.”

Well, the sumo training explained a lot about how he treated her. He had patience. Patience and focus were key components of the art of sumo.

Feng touched her back, and she looked at him. She couldn’t read his expression, but a wave of remorse ran through her suddenly.

She swayed, and he caught her. It had been a heavy hit of emotion, and she now had an empty stomach.

Feng looked at her, and she sent him calm understanding.

He sighed. “I don’t want you to be calm. I want you to be mad. Upset, furious, anything.”

She asked Benjiro, “Is there somewhere I can get something to eat?”

Taio said, “You ate a ton of food.”

“I barfed. I got upset, and I hurled. It might happen a lot.” She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Taio frowned. “You didn’t say anything.”

“I didn’t want Madame Fen to have the satisfaction.” She pinched her nose. “Feng’s grandmother doesn’t want me to take your place in Feng’s affections. That is why she was being a bully. She likes you and thinks you are good for him.”

Taio said, “What does she think about you?”

“She thinks... never mind what she thinks.” She looked at Benjiro. “Can I take a nap somewhere? This is a bit much.”

He nodded and headed back to the room with the huge futon. She gripped his wrist. “Not there. I am taking you up on your offer of alone time.”

He paused and nodded. “Just a moment.”

He went into his room and got her a sleeping robe. He handed it to her and led her to a room across the hall. “Here you are. I will show the others around and where the obstacle course is being set up for you three. Then take them to the stable.”

She nodded. “I can’t go there anyway, so that’s fine. I will probably feel better after a nap. My body has felt unbalanced lately. Probably since no one has let me fight to get my muscles working.”

Olly retreated into the room, closed the door on her mates, and removed her dress and underthings, setting them aside. If any clothing felt like it didn’t belong to her, it was the stuff she had gotten that morning.

She smiled slightly. Maybe if she needed to hit someone, she could visit Molly and her pack. They were always good for a workout.

She wrapped herself in the robe and crawled onto the bed, laying her head down and falling asleep while she grappled with being dismissed by the omega. She just wanted to go back to Polly’s and be with her sister.

She woke up after dark. A blanket had been pulled up to her shoulder, and her hair was in a loose ponytail. That wasn’t creepy.

She sat up, walked to the hall, and then went in search of something to drink. She took her phone to the empty kitchen and got a glass of water. Her stomach was twinging, and she rubbed her abdomen. The flicks of pain got faster, and she tried to remember how to reach through the links. When heavy footfalls came to her side, she clutched her belly and whispered, “Ow.”

Hands lifted her, there was a kiss on her temple, and she focused on staying calm as she was put in a car, and in a few minutes of focus, which was probably half an hour, they were at an emergency room, and Feng was holding her hand while Benjiro spoke with the admitting staff.

She kept breathing calmly during the exam, and a nurse gave her some mild tranquillizers. The doctor said, “There is some spotting, but the baby is still intact. Have you been engaged in gentle exercise?”

“Not much. No. There was an injury early in the pregnancy, and it was hard to keep motivated after that.”

“You suddenly resumed your normal activities?”

“I ran ten kilometres this morning and not much activity before that.” She swayed as the drugs kicked in.

The doctor sighed. “So, you overdid it. Begin by increasing your exercise day after day, and if you don’t do it already, take it easy on the yoga.”

“Um, okay. So, what do I have to do otherwise?”

“Just relax, listen to your alphas, and avoid stress. You seem really tense.”

Feng asked, “Could stress be causing this?”

“Oh, absolutely. Why? Are you stressing out your beta? That’s a little unusual.”

Feng rubbed his forehead. “No, my grandmother was chewing on her and informing her that she was an unsuitable partner. For about half an hour.”

The doctor sighed. “Depending on how emotional your beta is, it could definitely have caused it.”

The door flew open, and Polly and Minoru appeared. Polly rushed up and took her hand. “Oh, Olly. I am not letting that omega bitch near you again. I will punch her out myself if she talks to you.”

The doctor blinked. “Omega?”

“My grandmother.” Feng groaned. “Olly must have been more upset than she let on.”

Polly hugged her and muttered, “Our other twin is an omega, and she is a cruel bitch. She got our parents onto her side every time there was a disagreement. She even put Olly in the situation that made her run away. I don’t particularly like omegas, except for Ulric and Ford.”

Olly chuckled. “I haven’t met them yet. Not properly.”

Polly smiled. “Ford was the one who wanted to know if you wanted to walk around mostly naked in a music video.”

“Oh. Right. Oh. Alita. I got on well with Alita. She’s a good omega. Sensible alpha and fun beta.” She blinked. “Did you get photos from the wedding?”

Polly smiled. “I did. We came out great.”

Polly stayed in contact with her and showed her proofs on the phone. They had looked cute and cheerful. Polly had looked stunning in all her outfits, and the image of Minoru as an ogre kissing Polly carefully. “Aw. His tusks didn’t even get in the way.”

Polly smirked. “They don’t.”

Olly caught on and snickered. Her head spun, and she drooped against her sister.

Polly caught her. “Hey, sis. What did they give you?”

“Calm in a pill.”

“But you are always calm.”

“My blood pressure begs to differ.” She rolled her head back. “Thanks for coming. I was really scared.”

“Have you had a physical yet?” Polly stroked her head.

“No. Had to do stupid shopping and meet a snotty omega.”

“Oh, okay.” Polly looked at Benjiro and Feng. “Do either of you have time to take her in for a medical check?”

Minoru stood near Polly. “Have either of you registered her as a dependent?”

Benjiro winced. “No. We haven’t done either. We prioritize wardrobe.”

Olly mumbled, “That I don’t wanna wear.”

Feng sighed. “You look lovely in all of it.”

“I don’t fucking care if I look lovely. I am not an omega. It isn’t part of the beta job description to be pretty.” She looked at Polly. “Can I go home with you?”

Polly stroked her cheek. “No, sweetie, but I will be here if you need me, and I am very glad you called.”

Feng asked, “How did she call you?”

Olly looked at him dizzily. “How did I call you, dumbass? Polly and I used to be the same person. I can call her. She can call me, and if I can’t get there, I can take action.”

Minoru rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I can confirm that.”

Benjiro blinked. “You hear each other all the time?”

Polly smiled. “No. When I reach or feel panic, or she reaches or feels panic, we get the idea, and we help if we can. She’s been under stress for a decade. She reaches out infrequently.”

Olly drooped, and to her surprise, it was Taio who caught her. He caught her with a rapid move and pulled her tight to his chest.

Polly smiled at them. “I thought you didn’t like her.”

“I always had a crush on her, but she turned me down, and that got my ego in a twist. I know better now, but I am hurt that my education came at her expense.”

The doctor came in with a sheaf of pamphlets that he handed to Feng. “The bill is at the desk. If the cramping continues, come back in, but she should be seeing a prenatal specialist as soon as possible.”

Feng nodded and went to take care of the bill.

Benjiro asked Taio, “Should I take her?”

“No, I have her. She’s surprisingly light.”

He smiled, and Olly didn’t care as long as she was still pregnant and a little bit stoned. That pill had quite the kick.

Chapter Six

Benjiro had her on his lap while they watched some of her bouts from her first few days to the last. “You are quite vicious in a fight, little one.”

She clutched his shirt and shrugged. “If I win, I get paid. I liked to get paid, so I won a lot.”

She recognized the end of her championship bout by the announcer’s astonishment.

Benjiro stroked her thigh. “You were a champion.”

“Two years in a row. Then bleah.”

“Ah, that is when you went to speak with them.”

“Yup.” She sighed and was surprised when there wasn’t a flare of anger. She guessed talking about it had drawn out some of the venom that had poisoned her soul.

Feng moved to the couch and snagged her. “You drop your right when you use an uppercut.”

She settled on his lap and leaned against him. “Of course I do.”

“Why of course?”

“Boobs, Feng. They change the angle that I hit with.”

Taio and Benjiro chuckled.

She looked at Taio. “What is the situation with Taio?” He grinned at her.

Feng nuzzled her neck. “What situation?”

Taio chuckled. “I believe she is referring to my increasingly frequent contact.”

She nodded. “That.”

Feng licked her neck and stroked her breast with the back of his thumb. “Same rules as us. No means no, and you can back it up with your fists.”

She remembered the clear request for consent and the wait until she gave it. “Ah, well, that is something. I don’t suppose you can age him five years in the meantime.”

Feng chuckled, Benjiro laughed, and Taio grinned.

She yawned and asked Taio, “Why are you smiling?”

“So far, you haven’t said no.”

“Aw, fuck.”

Feng’s body shook under her, and he ran his tongue up her neck. She sighed and leaned against him. Taio came forward with the sports bottle full of water. “Drink. No napping until you flush most of the relaxant out of your body.”

“It was a valium.” She leaned forward and took the bottle. She slugged back a litre and shivered. “Oh, that was cold.”

Feng pulled her close and wrapped himself around her. Taio left for a moment and returned with a throw. He wrapped it around her, and she nodded her thanks.

Feng sighed. “We have to start training hard tomorrow.”

“Fight coming up?”

“Yes. We have two weeks to refresh ourselves.”

“Geez. I will crawl over to Benjiro, and you two can get to it.”

Feng bit her neck and held her. He growled. She held still, and her heart sped up. Feng dragged a hand up her thigh, parted her robe, and slid his fingers to her sex. The growling turned to a purr when he found the slick heat waiting for him. His fingers slipped and slid until they eased into her. She let out a soft cry, and he released her neck, nuzzling her ear as his fingers slowly moved inside her. Olly widened her legs and arched upward. His hand slid deeper, and he added a third and then a fourth finger. She was nearly to the edge when he pulled his finger out of her.

She gasped, “Oh, come on!”

He chuckled. “My beast needs to speak with you.”

She swallowed. “Oh. It talks?”

He laughed. “It can.”

He got up and carried her to the large bedroom. He set her on the futon and stripped efficiently.

She watched the muscle bunching and shifting under his skin. When he was naked and extremely interested in continuing what they had started, he shifted to blue and silver.

She felt the needle-like claws open her sash, and the almost lion-like head nuzzled her robe open. It looked at her and said in a soft, deep voice, “We have waited for you, dear one.”

She cleared her throat. “I am here.”

He purred and nuzzled at her breasts as he eased her back to the futon. There was a curious noise when he reached the junction of her thighs. The clawed hands were careful as he held her thighs apart and lapped at her. He was making sounds of enjoyment, and she eventually relaxed enough to enjoy it. Each scrape of his tongue made her twist and whine, and when she came, he lapped up most of her slick. She panted, and the creature flipped her to her belly. He slid into her, and she recognized the segmented pressure of his cock.

She braced herself as he undulated against her until he caged her and bit down on Feng’s mark. Rapid pulses of heat moved through her, head to toe and back again. She whined, and he purred again. When she came and gripped him tight, his cock began to move inside her with the slow beat of his tail on her calves.

He stayed inside her, slowly rocking back and forth. He let her neck go, and she yelped as fire surrounded her and cascaded across the futon. When he withdrew, his head returned to her opening, and more fire happened next.

She sat up when he left her alone, and while she felt delicate and parts were rubbed, she was fine. She pulled the robe on and asked, “That was for a purpose.”

He chuckled and flew around her, wrapping himself around her. “It was. Your body and mind have been stressed. I can help the one, and you are working on the other. It’s my little girl you are carrying, after all.”

“Little... girl?”

He purred and rolled a little. “You are having a little omega baby. My baby. Feng can go next time. Well, he will have to deal with the other beast. Perhaps then the warriors can have their little ones.”

She blinked and stroked his head. “Right. So, my next few years are spoken for.”

“Yes.” He looked at her with golden eyes. “If you have twins, you can free up some time.”

“I don’t have control over that. And with my luck, it would just give one set of twins to someone.”

“Would that be bad?”

“Well, it would mean I would not be able to get into training in between.”

He chuckled and rolled toward her. “I can bring you back to health in minutes after birth.”

She absently stroked his belly, and he wiggled closer to her. Benjiro came into the room and froze in amazement.

Olly said the only thing that came to mind. “It isn’t what it looks like.”

Benjiro chuckled, and it turned into a heavy laugh. Taio came in behind him and blinked. “Oh, wow.”

Olly blushed, and the dragon flew around her, dragging his tail across her breasts before he became Feng again. She slipped her robe back on, and it was pristine. She glanced at Feng. “He’s doing all the laundry from now on. Does he iron stuff?”

Feng shook his head. “No, this is the first time he has ever shut me down while he has taken the body.”

She blinked. “He was chatty.”

Feng frowned. “Did he say something that offended you?”

“No. It’s fine. He said, well... never mind.”

Benjiro knelt in front of her. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah. He also removed the sedative.” She was holding her robe closed.

Taio moved close to her and stroked her hair. “He was okay?”

“He was fine. It was fine.”

Feng’s eyes flashed gold. “I was careful with you, pretty one. You had pleasure.”

She swallowed. “I never said I didn’t. And you were very careful.”

He nodded. “Tell them.”

Benjiro frowned. “What?”

She put her hand on her belly. “Girl. Omega.”

The alphas beamed.

Taio asked, “He knows so soon?”

She chuckled. “He probably hand-picked the sperm.”

Taio laughed, and the other two still looked dazed and happy.

She looked to Feng. “But we are not telling your grandmother. Ever. She has her omega granddaughters. She doesn’t need another.”

Feng sighed, “Olly...”

“Fine. Don’t tell her before you go off for your fights, and then just... don’t tell her when you get back.”

He moved to her and hugged her.

Benjiro stripped and moved into the bed. He pulled her away from Feng and pushed her robe off her shoulders. “You have had a stressful evening. Rest.”

“You aren’t the boss of me.” She looked up at him.

He chuckled. “If you say so, sweet beta.”

“So, your beast is going to knock me up eventually, too, huh?”

Taio made a surprised sound. “He has a beast?”

“Oh, yes. I can feel it when he touches me, but it is quiet because what it wants, it will have to wait for.” She looked at Benjiro while she spoke.

He smiled. “You may not have finished school, but you are very smart.”

“I still want to do that one day.”

“What?”

“Finish high school. Take some courses. Maybe spend a few years just trying to learn things I am interested in.”

“Like what?” He stroked her back, and she snuggled toward him.

She mumbled against his chest.

“You want to be a large animal vet?”

She nodded. “Over the years, most of the jobs I could do well were at farms and stables. The big animals don’t bother me.”

He made a wise sound. “There is a good vet program at the university half an hour away.”

“I will look into it.”

“We have the students up here frequently. You can definitely sit in on some of the exams.”

“Oh, like preg checks? I am good at those.”

He chuckled. “I will keep that in mind.”

She squirmed against him and draped her knee on the outside of his thigh.

“Olly, what are you doing?”

“I don’t know. But it feels like something I should be doing. Tell me if it’s wrong.”

“I absolutely will not.” He grinned.

She slid her sex along his erection until his tip snagged in her opening. Then, she slid onto him slowly, and he groaned.

He shuddered, gripping her hips. They started to move together, and after a few false starts, she shifted and rocked her hips with him, closing her eyes as her body tingled and sweat gleamed on her skin. Benjiro kissed her, sliding his tongue with the rhythm of their hips, and she moaned. They moved slowly, and then he grunted and rolled her to her back so he could move fast.

She heard thunder and felt cool swirls across her body. She felt lightning in her body and watched Benjiro’s eyes stare into hers. She pressed her forehead to his chest and hung on as bright bursts of joy went off throughout her body. His grunt became a shout, and the aching pressure of his knot locked them together.

She gasped and muttered, “I am not going to get used to that.”

Benjiro nuzzled her. “Yes, you will.”

“What if I don’t?”

“You can play with Taio for a while until you want to come back.” He chuckled.

“Jerk. No one here is second place.”

“No, but he doesn’t have a knot.”

She smiled. “True. But I don’t want him to think I am using him.”

From behind her head, a voice said, “Use me. I can take it.”

She chuckled. Benjiro wrapped an arm around her hips and rolled to his back. She settled to wait, and hands pulled her hair away from her back to drape to one side. A tongue licked up her back, and she arched against her lover, grinding her hips against him.

Benjiro gasped.

Hands caressed her waist and hips, massaged her shoulders, and lips nuzzled her neck.

She exhaled in short puffs and whined.

Her lover chuckled. “He has been paying attention.”

Taio. He ran his hands over the design on her back and pressed kisses along her spine. His hands reached under her and caressed her breasts while he licked his way across her shoulders.

Olly twisted her hips on Benjiro, and he purred as Taio’s caresses aroused her into rocking against him and tilting her hips so that her clit tugged with every move. She gasped and could hear her voice crying out when she wailed softly as her clit triggered her orgasm.

Someone took her hand and kissed her palm, licking between her knuckles and fingers. An aftershock made her twitch.

She sighed at Benjiro. “Still?”

“Stop gripping me like a soft fist, and the knot will fade.” He stroked her hair.

She shivered and focused, stopping her clasping and cooling her body.

Feng said, “That is what she did during her heat.”

She ignored him and calmed her body. Benjiro’s knot released, and she was free.

She awkwardly pushed herself to her feet and staggered to the bathroom. She got a wet cloth and cleaned up. She looked around and saw another glass-enclosed room. She took a few steps toward it and realized it was a pack shower. Benjiro must have made it with the hope that one day he would have a proper pack. Her jaw wobbled when she realized she was far from proper.

Six minutes after she entered the bathroom, she came back to them wearing a towel and drying her hair with a second.

Taio frowned. “Are you okay?”

“If you are going to play with me, make sure for the first few times that you are carrying one of the alpha’s scent. I got stuck in beta rage, but I figured out what it was.”

Taio blinked. “Oh. Right. Thanks for holding back.”

Benjiro frowned. “What?”

“He doesn’t smell like either of her mates, so her body was irritated. We would have seen it more if she hadn’t been knotted.” Feng walked up to her and exhaled slowly, drying her off. “Taio, let’s start this now. Come here.”

The next half hour was spent transferring Feng’s scent to Taio and getting Olly to accept his touch. By the time they were settled out on the deck, Olly was cuddled with Taio and only flinching a little. Both of the alphas had gotten their scent on him, so she was more at ease than she was before.

She curled up against him and pressed her nose to his neck. She whispered, “I hope you guys do really well in the match.”

He smiled. “We will. We don’t want to embarrass our beta.”

She sighed and looked up at the stars until she nodded off.

Late at night, she heard her phone. She followed the sound and answered. “Yes?”

Caber’s voice came to her. “Olly? One of my clients has a foaling mare in distress. Can you go and help her out?”

“Sure. When?”

“Now. Minoru redirected them, and the helicopter will be there in a few minutes.”

“Shit. Right. Okay. Pants.” She added, “I will keep you posted.” She hung up and turned to her three naked and sleepy bed buddies. “So, who is coming with me, and where is my backpack?”

Benjiro helped her find her backpack, but her clothing was in storage somewhere.

“Fine. I owe Feng for this because this dress is gonna be trashed by the end of the morning.” She grabbed a silk dress and heard the helicopter approaching. Benjiro came with her, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. They ran for the helicopter, and she grinned into the passenger door. “Are you my ride?”

A man with black hair and black eyes nodded. “Niko. You are Olly?”

“Yes. This is Benjiro. I am not allowed out on my own.” She clambered into the aircraft, and Benjiro climbed in behind her.

They were buckled in and took off a moment later. Through the headset, she was given the situation. It was one of the horses bought from Caber’s stable and her first foaling. She wasn’t doing well.

Alita was experienced with horses but not the delivery portion of it, and they couldn’t get a hold of any large animal vets. There weren’t a lot that close to the city.

By the time they arrived, he had finished his explanation, and Olly pinpointed the barn and the lights.

She jumped out of the landed helicopter and ran across the field to the barn. The mare in distress was in there.

A young man looked at her and said, “You are Olly?”

“Yes, this will be a very formal delivery, and if they didn’t want me wrecking clothing, they should have thought about who I was, not what they wanted.” She said it while striding to the stall.

“I am Erik.”

“Pleased to meet you. Do you have a bucket I can scrub in?”

“I can do better once you are there.”

They got to the stall where the dark mare was pacing with her owner in front of her. “You are Alita?”

“Are you the vet?”

“Absolutely not, but I can help her get her baby out alive and well.”

“There are twins.”

She froze. “Oh. That is trickier, but I am here to try. Allow me to introduce myself to the patient, and then you can use dragon fire on my arms.”

His eyes went wide. “I thought I smelled dragon on you.”

“Not your kind, but yeah.”

She met the horse named Mirabel, got sterilized, and then went looking for hooves. She kept her voice calm and her hands gentle, but fifteen minutes later, she had the first filly and left it for Alita to clean up and get breathing. She gave her calm instructions, too. The second filly had to be carefully turned at the end of her reach, but she slid into the world, and her little lungs got to work. The mare came over and nuzzled them, so everyone stepped away. Erik cleared the blood from her, and he blinked. “Do you often dress like that?”

Olly looked at the dress tied around her waist. “No. Today is a first. I need to get some practical stuff, but one of my alphas wants me to look like a model and congratulate me publicly after a win. If I congratulate the other one, it will be a high five. When he fights, he’s bigger.”

She tried to unpick the knot and managed to get her wrinkled dress on her shoulders.

Alita asked, “Did your alphas let you get a tattoo?”

“Oh, it’s not a tattoo. It’s a mark to draw my specific alphas to me in case they are stupid and can’t believe their mate is a beta.”

Erik smiled. “So, one of your mates is the dragon?”

“Yes, and the other is the storm.”

“Wait. You are a beta? I thought you were just a tall omega. You feel like an omega, have a scent pack like an omega.”

“Nope. Just a beta with a mark. There are betas that aren’t marked, but they are living or working at close quarters to their alphas.”

Alita nodded. “Like Nora.”

Erik chuckled. “And my mom.”

Alita blinked. “Right. She turned.”

Olly nodded. “It is localized to this city and surrounding area, by the way. It also seems to be alphas who have a second form. They are moving here in a steady stream, but many are local.”

She brought up an image on her phone. “This is my sister’s mark.”

Minoru had sent her the image of the advertisement because she and Polly shared a face.

Alita laughed. “Oh, my god. I didn’t actually look. You are Polly’s sister! I was at her wedding, and our beta was the photographer.”

Olly smiled. “He’s very kind.”

“He’s a bully when chasing the right lighting.” Alita grinned. “Well, it is nice to meet another practical female mated to a dragon. Did he do that thing where he barfed fire down your throat?”

“Yeah. He buffed up a lot of scarring, but it took care of some morning sickness.”

Alita suddenly hugged her. Erik looked surprised.

Olly held her and stroked the omega’s hair.

“You came for my horse.” Alita kept hugging her.

“Of course. Caber and Jess and Melbourne took me in. Jess is another beta who became an omega for her mates.”

Alita looked at her with wide eyes. “She is?”

“She is. She’s their match.”

Alita snickered. “Olyna is going to lose her shit. Omegas are everything to her.”

“Yeah, Feng’s grandmother as well. I am a lowly beta. I don’t deserve her precious grandson.”

Benjiro growled. “That isn’t what she said.”

Olly snorted. “Not while you were there.” She lifted her phone and played the recording.

They stood there, and Alita looked appalled. Benjiro looked furious, and Erik blinked. “Wait, is that Zumu Fen?”

Olly turned off the recording and nodded. “Yeah. She really doesn’t like uppity betas.”

Benjiro wrapped his arms around her. “Now not telling Fen makes more sense.”

“She can have her omega great-granddaughter when she is old enough to vote. Until then, she belongs to the world.”

Alita nodded. “You already know?”

“The dragon told me, and he was super proud of himself. I don’t think he was lying.”

Erik chuckled. “That is how I came into the world. My father’s beast got my mom pregnant. Those are hard pregnancies, so keep your mate near you. You will need fire regularly.”

“Oh. Good to know. Thank you.”

Alita nodded. “My baby needed that as well, right up until delivery. Pregnancy was the same. If it’s the dragon’s baby, there is more attention required.”

Olly nodded. “Thanks. That’s excellent information. Feng is planning on going out of town. I guess I will have to visit him. Shoot.”

“I can keep up the fire if necessary, but it isn’t a precise match.” Benjiro stroked her hair.

The foals had tottered to their feet, and their mother had cleaned out. They walked to her and started nursing, and she nuzzled each of them.

Olly sighed. “Well, I guess that I have to get going. Keep milk replacer on hand and get their regular vet in here to check them over. Caber is the best authority on these lovely creatures. It has been fun and nice to meet you, Alita, Erik.”

Alita smiled. “I don’t suppose you have any time for coffee or tea or herbal tea one day?”

“Um, I don’t know. I am stuck right now, have impractical clothing, and my normal stuff has gone missing. I can’t even find my wallet.”

“How long have you been with them?”

“Three days?”

Benjiro confirmed. “Three days.”

“Bleah. All I want is a sports bra and some spandex. And sneakers.”

Alita laughed. “Give me your sizes. I will see what I can send you as a thank you.”

Olly rattled them off, and Alita gave her a thumbs-up.

Benjiro lifted her, and she shivered against him. “Fine. I am tired.” She shivered again and leaned against him. “The baby horses were good.”

“I know. I watched you. You are good at that.”

The helicopter blades started to whir, and they were taken up in the air and brought home a few minutes later.

Niko looked at her and said, “May I speak with your alpha, dearest?”

She flipped him off. “Talk to a mirror. It seems your speed.”

He grinned. “Alita likes you. I can see why.”

“You can tell?”

Benjiro smiled. “He can smell. Feng is coming this way, so please calm him down.”

“Why do I have to calm him down?”

“Because I offered to go, he said he would, and I body-slammed him into a wall and followed you.” He kissed her fingers.

She blinked and looked at the blue flame wreathing Feng, sprinted to him, and launched herself into the air. He caught her, fell with her, and they tumbled to a halt. Olly looked at him. “Are you distracted?”

He sighed and slowly shook his head. “Not yet.”

She wrapped her legs around him and bucked upward. She pinned him, and he was shocked. She grinned. “I used to be good at this. It works best if your opponent doesn’t know it’s coming.” She gave him a quick kiss.

His eyes widened and then narrowed. “I am redirecting my irritation to my very presumptuous mate.” He switched their grips and rolled her to her back with her arms pinned over her head in one of his hands. He dragged her dress up and stroked between her thighs.

She grumped. “I surprised you enough for a technical.”

He laughed. “Yes, but you neglected that we are in different weight classes, precious.”

She huffed, and he kissed her, then lifted her to his shoulder to carry her inside. She suspected that she was going to be pinned again.

Chapter Seven

The weeks flew by. Olly got her doctor, the wardrobe from the kimono shop, and a few surprises from Alita. Also, there were a few surprises from a fan club she didn’t know she had.

Olly spent a lot of time online, and when Ford came to the door, she was sweating and in her favourite workout gear.

“Oh, hey. Polly said you would be stopping by.” She smiled. “Come in.”

Ford came in with one of his alphas, who was looking her over. They took off their shoes and entered the living room. She got a tea tray and brought it out to them. “So, what can I do for you?”

Ford smiled. “Is your alpha here?”

“Benjiro is crushing smaller people out in the stable. The security camera in here will let him be included later.”

“Oh, okay. Well, there are some female fight sequences—I think you call them patterns—that I want depicted by an actual fighter. I know you are pregnant, so they are all non-contact. But given that you aren’t showing yet, I thought now would be a good time.”

She frowned. “I need details of what you want and how you want it presented.”

The alpha opened a tablet and played what had to be outtakes. A normally built woman was trying to do handstands, combat poses, and rapid spins. “So, this is a practice run, right?”

She stopped the video and sighed. “That is awkward, but she could get it if she practiced.”

“We don’t have time. I need a video to play behind an award show.” Ford sighed. “You are in amazing shape. Your look is perfect, and your face is stunning. So, will you?”

“Uh, I think so. I just have to run it past Benjiro. How long would it take? I can only do two days on and one day off, then two on again.”

“If I give you the choreography, we can probably get it all in one day.”

She beamed. “Sure. Send me clips or diagrams or a list or whatever. Even some stick figures are good.”

Ford smiled. “If you can execute the moves that were fumbled, we are good. Yemeen is here to confirm your size for your wardrobe.”

“Okay, when did you want to do this?”

Ford nodded. “Thursday.”

“Oh. Okay. Sure.” She felt something and smiled. “Benjiro is on his way in.”

Yemeen frowned. “The sumo wrestler?”

Benjiro walked around the corner in a kimono in his mountain form. “Olly, we have guests?”

“Ford and Yemeen. Ford’s about five months along, and be nice to him.” Olly walked up to him, and he put his arm around her. She leaned against him, and there was a lot of him to lean against. “Do you have to go out and play with the guys again tonight?”

He chuckled. “No. They are off to have their meal.”

She poked him. “Deflate.”

He tapped his lips. “Pay the toll.”

She grunted and climbed him without help, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. He started to glow and shrink. She wrapped her legs around his waist until his hands gripped her ass.

Ford muttered, “She has done that before.”

Olly leaned back and grinned. “There, now I can mostly get my legs around you. Who’s my big boy?” She gave him a smacking kiss and then dropped and stepped back.

He sighed and gathered her back to his side. “So, they want you to flex and flip?”

“Yeah.”

“I can accompany you?”

Ford nodded. “Of course.”

“I can stop this if she feels a strain?”

Ford nodded. “Of course. I have no problem stopping it, but I have based all moves on ones she has done frequently in her fights.”

Olly thought about it. “Oh, yeah. Those are some of mine. I can probably manage them with a day or two of practice.”

Ford nodded. “Great. We will send a car for you two.” Ford looked at Benjiro. “A large car.”

Yemeen laughed. “Even Grigori would have to look up.”

Ford cocked his head. “You haven’t been to the family parties.”

“No. we haven’t.” Benjiro smiled. “Feng has been in training, and we would not attend without him.”

Ford paused. “Family drama?”

“Yup. Me and Madame Fen don’t see eye-to-eye. I know what I am worth. She assumes I just want to be a pet.” She grimaced. “If I wanted to be a pet, I could have been one years ago. I had offers.”

“That wouldn’t have gone over well when you finally met Feng.” Benjiro hugged her.

“I know, but I might never have met him.” She looked up at Ben. “I could have been a vapid little sex toy and never met either of you. Oh, that’s a twist.”

Ben’s face got dark, and a cloud formed over his head.

Ford blinked. “Right. Well, Thursday morning at six, a car will be here for you.”

Olly nodded. “Cool. Thanks. I look forward to seeing you there. Can I hang onto the tablet?”

“Certainly. Keep it until we are done. Take it out with you for reference when you practice.”

She smiled. “Okay. I will return it when this is done.”

He nodded, and she nodded to Yemeen. He paused, “If I need specific measurements, can you send them?”

“Sure. Can I get your number?”

Yemeen took her phone and added it. She nodded. “Thanks. It should speed things up instead of going from you to Ford to Ben to me.”

He nodded. “I look forward to working with you. I think this will be enjoyable.”

They left, and when they were gone and down the drive, Ben turned to her. “Are you insisting on calling me Ben?”

“If you really hate it, I will resume Benjiro.”

He snorted. “Have you eaten?”

“No, I was just going to make something.”

“We have been invited to Minoru’s.”

“Shit. I need to shower and change.”

“You have twenty minutes.”

She sprinted to the bedroom, practiced a handstand in the hallway, thudded back onto her feet, and bounced. Well, that was one move down. Seventeen to go.

Polly looked at her. “That’s different from the light silks that they picked.”

Olly smiled. She loved the long tunics and leggings. “This was a gift from Alita. She’s the nicest omega I have met. We have even met for tea a few times, and I met her sister-in-law. Nora is a beta like us and has the cutest baby.”

Polly smiled. “You look happy.”

“Benjiro got me a study prep book for my GED. I am kind of excited by it.”

Polly looked at her and burst into tears. Minoru glanced over and came to rub Polly’s back. “She’s been emotional and just letting everything out. It’s good. She shouldn’t bottle things up. She’s also happy for you.”

Olly smiled. “I know.”

She hugged Polly, and Polly cried again. She distracted her sister with news of the fighting in the video, and they chatted for an hour, covering Feng and Taio starting their path toward the championship. It would all be over in a few weeks, and then they would be home again.

Benjiro drove them home in the evening, and she was smiling. He looked at her. “You are always better after seeing Polly.”

“We used to be one person. We are going to be close.”

He smiled. “How many more positions do you need to get yourself into?”

She snickered. “Six, and I can do those in the bedroom.”

“I look forward to seeing them.”

“Yeah, I bet.”

Olly giggled and leaned back in her seat. Her future was starting to take shape, but tomorrow, she had to go collect dragon fire. He was only an hour and a half away, so she needed to do it in person. That was going to be a pain in the ass.

“You need to see Feng and Taio. Right. You and every beta in the area. If you want to join the line, it starts over there.”

She nodded. “I thought as much. Right. Benjiro, please, step over here.”

He frowned and looked like he wanted to flatten the guard.

She whispered to Benjiro what she needed, and he widened his eyes. Then, he kissed her, pressed her to the post behind her, and leaned on her just enough that she felt a physical ache bordering on pain.

They made out for three minutes before she felt the pressure of Feng on their link. “He’s coming,” she whispered.

“I am not too far off myself.” He chuckled.

The doors flew open, the betas in miniskirts shrieked, and Feng barrelled straight for her, prying her away from Benjiro and holding her. She held his head and kissed him. He lifted her and carried her inside, Taio laughing and getting clearance for Benjiro behind them. She wrapped her legs around him and kissed him as he walked to the apartment set aside for him. There was a lot of laughter that gradually stilled as they continued on, and their savagery was undeniable.

He opened the door and pushed inside. He clawed at her dress, shoving it up over her hips, and then he released his cock and lifted her to press into her. She arched her back, and he thrust into her rapidly until he groaned and locked into her. His kiss heated, and fire filled her. It was the fire that made her cum, and she shrieked into his mouth as sparks flew behind her eyes.

She heard his harsh breathing and opened her eyes. “You need to work on your cardio.”

He chuckled and kissed her softly. “Hello, pretty one. Thanks for calling me.”

“I suppose I could have used my phone.” Her chest was moving fast, and she stroked his hair.

“I would not be there nearly as fast.” He kissed her neck and ran his tongue along her mark. “They saw us coming here.”

“You think? Most won’t know who I am. My eyes and hair are different, and I definitely wasn’t wrapped around you while I was here.”

“True. I kick myself every day.”

“Don’t do that. There are folks out there lining up to kick you.” She giggled and then sobered. “And a line of twenty groupies.”

“I don’t care about that. I have you now, and they will go on to someone else soon enough.”

She stroked his neck and shoulders. “Shirtless?”

He chuckled. “Shorts only.”

“That must have been exciting for the ladies.”

“I am sure that I am trending, but you are right there with me.”

She huffed, and the door opened, letting Taio and Benjiro in.

Taio was laughing. “There’s a crowd forming outside the door. Benjiro, throw the lock.”

She snorted. “What is the big deal? Feng used to have ladies in his quarters all the time.” She looked at Feng, and he had an arched brow. “Didn’t you?”

“I, also, was the victim of the little rumour pixie.”

Taio smiled. “I never said anything overtly, but I did hint.”

“Thank goodness I never asked Feng to sign my tits.” She looked at Taio.

He grinned. “You still can.”

Feng shook his head. “No, I would never mark them. Not with ink anyway.”

“Perv.”

He asked Taio for a damp washcloth, and when he returned, he handed it to Feng. He came loose, and she clenched to hold it in, but the cum seeped out steadily.

Benjiro held her while Feng cleared things up, and Olly put her legs together to stand up. She was standing a moment later. “Well, I ruined Feng’s training schedule and got the fire for the baby. My to-do list has been ticked off.”

Taio lifted her for a kiss, so she wrapped her arms around him and got him to a nice level of frustration. He made a shocked sound and said, “More.”

“No. You are in training, too. I have already thrown Feng off, but I can reset him immediately.”

Feng raised his brows. “How so?”

“Don’t embarrass our little girl.”

He blinked, and his body squared up. “You are right. That is effective.”

She smiled and stroked his chest. “Now, be a big boy and make some people hurt.”

His eyes gleamed. “Call me that again, and I will take you over my knee.”

She gasped and put a hand to her chest. “Really? While I am pregnant?”

“I will be careful.” He tapped her nose. “Now, if you don’t want to go for a second round, you had best be on your way. Benjiro, pick her up. You will need to move fast.”

She frowned. “I can walk.”

“Do you want your face on every sports-related website?”

Olly jumped into Benjiro’s arms and turned her face into his chest.

Taio laughed. “I will see you two out.”

Feng kissed her cheek and said, “See you in a few days, pretty one.”

“See you, fire breather.”

Taio did a countdown, and Benjiro carried her at astonishing speed through the arena, and they burst out the same door they went in. The security guard stared.

She lifted her head and said, “See you in a few days.”

Benjiro laughed as they passed the whining line of betas who were demanding to know how she knew Feng.

In two days, she went to the video shoot, and the day after, she would be back with Feng. This was a new schedule, and she would get used to it. Studying was going well, and her new normal was busy but not horribly so. Having a few new friends was enjoyable as well.

Two weeks after the visit to the arena, they were brought in via hired car. The place was lit up for the grand champion finals, and Olly and Benjiro had their passes for the box seats.

She wore a swirling blue and silver silk slip dress that showed her mark. All of her marks were visible. Her hair was up in a crest that exposed her neck and lifted her hair.

They walked to the door and showed the passes. The familiar guard stood straight as he waved them in, and once inside, a runner led them to the box where they would watch the fight.

Benjiro helped her to her seat and settled in next to her. “You are already on the screens.”

She smiled. “I know. That is why I am up here.”

They were offered champagne, but she asked for orange juice, nothing else.

When her beverage arrived, she sipped. It had been spiked. She looked at the runner. “I am pregnant. No alcohol.”

The young man nodded. “Right. I will get you a clean one.”

She waited for the orange juice, and the next one was fine.

Benjiro murmured, “Did you want to out yourself?”

“I wanted to get some orange juice. The information that I just spread is running through the arena. It will hit the opponent, and that is an advantage.”

Taio joined them, and then the wait was on.

The family of the opponent was seated at the opposite edge of the box.

When the announcer went off, he introduced the opponent and then the defending champion, Feng Zhang.

Feng turned as everyone cheered, and when he looked at her, she blew him a kiss. His eyes glowed, and his opponent was staring at her.

They put in their bite guards, alpha to alpha, and the fight began.

She had forgotten how brutal the heavyweight class was. The thudding of flesh on flesh echoed in the space over the screaming of the crowd.

Olly watched Feng press his advantage, and the screaming rose to a crescendo as Feng pounded his opponent into the floor.

He was pulled off, and the ref looked to the judges. Feng’s arm was pulled into the air, and everyone screamed.

Olly got to her feet and applauded where Feng’s bleary gaze could see her.

“Miss? They need you in the ring.” The runner looked scared and excited.

She followed him down, and the crowd parted for her as she walked toward the steps and then into the ring. Feng walked up to her and grabbed her, spinning her around. She tapped his bite guard, and he spit it out, causing a wave of laughter as she kissed him softly.

“Champion Zhang has a special presentation for tonight.”

Taio appeared next to him, and Benjiro on the other side.

He knelt, and the women in the audience gasped. “Olly Thorn, will you marry me?”

She smiled. “Do I have to spend much time with your grandmother?”

“Absolutely not. You are the most beautiful, patient, and gracious woman I have ever met. I let you get away the first time, but now, I want to keep you at my side forever and always.”

She stared. “Uh, yes?”

Taio handed Feng a ring, and he put it on her finger. He kissed it, and then she kissed him softly, and when she raised her head, he said, “One more thing.”

The announcer asked everyone to watch the screens, and music that had played for one entire day of her life played as snippets of her fight career were interspersed with her punching, kicking, and balancing in her designer outfit.

Then, she saw photos of her with Taio, Benjiro balancing her on his shoulders, and her holding Feng down with his arms above his head.

It finished with an early promo image of her with her hands wrapped next to a picture of her wearing the silk dress with her hair high. Ford had to be around here somewhere.

When the video was over, the words flared on the screen, Congratulations to Feng Zhang and Olly Thorn, members of the Thorn Thunder.

Feng was standing with his arm around her. “If anyone wonders how proud I am to be with you, that should settle it.”

She looked at him. “The Thorn Thunder?”

“We registered a pack name. Dragons group in thunders.” He grinned. Benjiro grinned. Taio looked like he was going to explode, he was so excited. Frankly, so was she.

Chapter Eight

“One small engagement party, and then we can ease away from my family if you want to. I swear.” Feng kissed the ring on her hand.

“There is something in your expression that says this won’t be small.”

He blushed. “Call on any of us if my grandmother comes near you.”

“Alita said she will help, and Nora said the same. Nora had a problem with her mate’s family, and she understands this.”

They walked around the house of the Rose Sloth, and Olly stared at the sea of faces. “Oh, shit.”

Smiling and cheering began as their group walked into the party. Hands were shaken, and music started. Olly was introduced to the aunts and Feng’s mother first, and they all grinned and hugged her. She smiled and tried to remember names.

Alita brought her to Lexa and said, “This is your Auntie Lexa. These are her new babies, and that is your cousin Hailey.”

Hailey looked from her mother to Olly, then she asked, “Are you an omega?”

“No, Hailey, I am not, and I am very proud of that.”

“Why? Omegas are the best. Everyone knows it.” She lifted her chin. “I am an omega.”

“Hailey! We have been through this.” Lexa sighed. “I am sorry. The cousins spoil her.”

Olly crouched to Hailey’s side. “Well, Hailey. When I grew up, there were three sisters, and only one of them was an omega. Her parents loved her and spoiled her.”

Hailey smiled.

“And then the omega found that her twin sisters were prettier than she was, so she asked people to hurt them, to scar them, and make them ugly. It didn’t work, but it did mean that my sister and I don’t like people just because they say they’re an omega. All that pretty can hide an ugly heart, so now, I wait to see how people treat me. To me, that shows whether they are pretty inside or not. Using something you are born to and didn’t earn to be a bully isn’t pretty.”

Hailey’s blue eyes welled up, and she ran to put her face into Lexa’s shoulder. Lexa stopped her. “This is just like when you talked to Nora. Being an omega is just like being born with freckles. It just happens. It isn’t something to be proud of, just aware of, baby. Torin isn’t an omega, and he’s still special.”

Hailey sniffled. “Yeah. He is pretty and smart and good.”

“And he isn’t an omega.”

Olly stuck her hand out. “It has been nice meeting you, Auntie Lexa.”

Lexa sighed. “She’s a kid.”

“She’s a kid with a rough start. She clung to anything that gave her security. Here, her worth as an omega is worshipped, so that is the most important thing.” She smiled. “I have seen it before.”

Lexa nodded. “I know. I need to step in, but they override me and spoil her behind my back.”

Hailey stood up. “They do?”

“Yes, you know how when I tell you not to do something, and Illyana lets you because you are an omega? That is spoiling you. You have to stop them from giving you things you didn’t earn. You know what earning is.”

“Oh.”

Olly watched the little girl grapple with not being worshipped versus getting everything she wanted.

Hailey took a deep breath. “Are you happy with Feng, cousin Olly?”

Olly smiled. “Most of the time.”

“How did you know that he was your alpha?”

“Oh. Somewhere in this city, magic is working to change betas to be more like omegas for special alphas who have trouble finding a match. So, I got a mark on my back that let him know I was the beta for him.”

“Zumu Fen said it was a tattoo.”

Olly turned and showed her back to the little girl. “Tattoos can’t move.”

The halter dress bared her entire back, and Hailey gasped and trailed her fingers over it. The dragon was flying.

Olly said, “The dragon is Fen, and the storm clouds are Benjiro.”

“You have two mates?” That impressed Hailey.

“Well, three, but one is in training.”

Lexa snorted.

Hailey giggled. “I can feel the lightning.”

“Uh-oh.” Olly looked up, and Benjiro was on his way to her. “Hailey, that’s enough playtime.” She straightened.

Lexa stared and muttered, “I thought Grigory was big.”

Benjiro walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. “You are frustrated.”

She nodded. “We are going to do holidays with your family or Minoru and Polly.”

Lexa got up and smiled. “Hello. You are the other mate?”

“Oh, Lexa, this is Benjiro. Benjiro, this is Feng’s aunt. Lexa.”

He reached out with one hand and shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

Hailey frowned. “You are supposed to smile and tell her she’s cute.”

Olly smiled. “Not everyone has to think your mother is the best. Benjiro thinks I am the best. That is how it is supposed to be.”

“And Feng thinks she’s the best.” Benjiro stroked her cheek. “And Taio just wants the chance to be her mate as well. And none of us have an interest in your mother, but that makes her valuable to your family just as Olly is to ours.”

She was picked up.

“And now, Feng wishes to have his fiancée at his side. Do excuse us.”

“What, what does he want? He isn’t calling.”

“Alexi wants a family photo.”

He walked her past Madame Fen, and she understood. “Sneaky buggers for such big guys.”

She was carried into a thick cloud of alphas, and they parted for Benjiro.

Feng was wrestling with a younger cousin, and when he saw her, he flipped the young man and walked over to her. “Pretty one. I have been told by my cousins that you can’t stand up to your mates. So, do you wish to prove them wrong?”

“I would say hold my purse, but I don’t have one.”

Benjiro grinned. “Good. You are pushing against me.”

“You you? Or fluffy you?”

He chuckled. “Me.”

“Oh, good. Somebody hold my shoes.”

A ring was drawn in chalk, and she faced off against Benjiro to the snickers of Feng’s family and the Russians.

She squatted and grinned. “Consider the salt thrown.”

He nodded, and when the flag was lifted between the two of them, they hit with a thunderclap. There was no way she could win, but she could slow him down. She dug her feet in and pushed, pulling power from the mark on her back.

She counted to eight and then started to struggle. He slowly pushed her out of the ring, and she stumbled as she went over the edge. He jumped and wrapped around her, holding her safe as she fell.

She lay on top of him. “That is not going to replace foreplay.”

He grinned and kissed her.

Olly smiled and returned the kiss when Madame Fen’s voice rang out. “Easy to do when it’s her mate. How do you know what she was actually doing?”

Benjiro smiled. “Pick a champion.”

Madame Fen frowned. “Delun.”

Delun crossed his arms. “No. She’s an athlete, and her skills demand respect. What are you doing?”

“She’s an attention-seeking beta. That child she bears will be the same.”

Feng stepped forward, wreathed in silver flame. “My daughter will be an omega with the strength of her mother. Do you doubt me, Fen?”

Madame Fen backed up and paled. “You...”

“It is my daughter and not Feng’s this time around. No dragon has ever not spawned an omega when they so choose.” He snorted. “You, like many others, prayed for your sons to find women who were worthy of them. Did you think the only answer was an omega? Foolishness.”

Olly got to her feet. “Feng. Stop.” She touched his flaming shoulder and turned him toward her. She smiled. “Fen will not be allowed near our daughter. It’s fine. She can convince the others of whatever she wants. I have you, I have Benjiro, and I will have Taio when he finishes his growth spurt.”

Taio yelled, “Hah!”

Feng turned into his dragon and kissed her. He had only done it once before, so it was surprising. She recognized the tongue though. It had a fondness for the middle of the night.

He slowly returned to himself and lifted his head. “Dragon tamer.”

She laughed. “Feeling less irritated?”

“Certainly. More like wearing you in public, but it is time for the party to start.”

“I thought this was it.”

“Oh, no. This is the gathering. The party starts now.”

Screens lit up, music started, and the party was underway.

* * * *

Fen watched Nora approach and grimaced when she heard, “Well, it seems you have decided to ignore the lessons of Olyna.”

Madame Fen muttered, “She is nothing.”

“She is a twin, born as a set of triplets with the non-identical one being the omega. She has been tormented, teased, tortured, and even sold for a designer purse just to make the omega in the family happy. She fought her way out of everything her sibling did to her, but at last, she had to run. The males who had bought her were seniors in their school.”

Nora looked at her. “Everything Olly is, she made herself. No one has handed anything to her, and as someone who was abused by an omega, I applaud her ability to stand proud and not let people take her under. She would have respected you as an elder if you hadn’t been so petty.”

“Feng deserves an omega.”

“There is one dragon omega in the area, and she is taken. Feng made his own.” Nora smiled. “He is a special alpha; he needs a special mate. He needs a fighter, so his beast made one. If you want to argue with the dragon about who is suitable, you might not come out on top. He doesn’t care about family ties and protocol. He just wants his partner, and he has her. Give up your dream of an omega for him. Look at him and his partners and see how happy they are together. Think of you with your mates and try to remember when you were that happy.” Nora smiled. “I get to be that happy every day, and I was never born an omega.”

Fen’s mouth opened, then closed, and she stared toward her grandson and his fiancée. They were dancing slowly, and Feng was caressing Olly’s back. The dragon on her back writhed and undulated. It was pleased. The clouds rumbled and twisted around the dragon. She looked at the video playing again and saw the images of her and her mates. They were happy. They laughed together. Their hands and bodies touched easily, no matter where they were. The sweet image of Feng holding her back against him with his palm on her belly spoke volumes. His expression was that of a man fully in love... and she had tried to get him to interview an omega that he wanted nothing to do with. Her obedient little grandson was gone. The boy had turned into a man who was ready to become a father, and his pack was there for support.

She stalked to the area where her mates and children were and sat down. “I want to keep Feng in the family.”

His mother nodded, “Yes, Lady Fen.”

“What do you think of his mate?”

Fang smiled. “I think she is wonderful. She is strong but respectful and has a strong sense of attachment to family. She will be a good daughter-in-law.”

“What did she bring you when she was introduced?”

“Fruit, a necklace, and Chao’s favourite tea.”

Fen blinked. “She did?”

“She did. It was very good fruit and chosen carefully, arranged in a lovely box.” Fang smiled. “You did not experience this?”

“No. She was out shopping with Feng and the others, so I ordered them to visit me.”

Fang smiled. “Then that is the reason. If you had asked to see her as Feng’s grandmother, she would have responded differently to you than receiving an order from an omega.”

“So, you are on her side.” Fen looked at her daughter-in-law.

Chao nodded. “Yes, Mother, we are. Her side is Feng’s side.”

She was surprised. “So, I am being rigid.”

Chao said, “Mother, be less of an omega and more of a grandmother. It will be easier for everyone. Feng’s happy. He’s calm. Taio is beginning to show signs of being a late-blooming alpha. Benjiro is a wonderful addition to their unit. Olly is passionate and has steady links to the community. Her brother-in-law is incredibly wealthy and powerful. She does not need Feng to be secure. Minoru has offered her a place to live if she needs it. Benjiro is also very financially secure. The sumo school and his other interests are successful. Taio will eventually work his way up the fight roster.” Chao smiled. “They are a solid grouping and not one I would want to pick a fight with.”

Fen sighed and rubbed her forehead. “They are a good match, but it is too late to do anything about it tonight.”

Chao nodded. “Yes, but not too late to bring the expectant mother a present for growing your great-grandchild with such care.”

She smiled slightly. “That’s right. She’s growing a new omega.”

Fang said, “Yes, but the mother is the important part here. The omega will not manifest for years. Olly is here now.”

Fen nodded. “You are right. She is the one graciously presenting me with a great-grandchild, and I should treat her with respect.”

Her family nodded, but she knew they were watching her warily. She would just need to prove that Olly was safe around her. She really had to start trusting this recent batch of alphas. It seemed that they could pick their own mates and choose good ones. Now she just had to backtrack her arrogance and the horrible things she had said while she was irritated. Her relationship with her grandson was at stake.

* * * *

Olly stretched and was pulled back against Feng. He murmured at her neck, “You survived.”

She chuckled. “The party or the three of you?”

Taio pressed his face between her breasts. “Best. Night. Ever.”

Olly sighed. “Who gave you permission for a growth spurt?”

He looked up at her. “You really thought I was a beta?”

“That is what the press releases said.” She frowned. “Don’t tell me that they lied.”

Taio licked at one nipple, then the other. “I got the genotyping after I joined the arena. Slow grower.”

“You couldn’t have told me before?”

He grinned and slid his thigh between hers. “This was more fun.”

“You are just saying that because you got to use your knot last night.”

He leaned and caught her lips for a kiss. “You guessed my secret.”

Feng laughed and ran his hand down her body. “He asked me to take him on as my apprentice and explained his situation a few years ago. When he wanted to tell you, he did.”

“Where’s Benjiro?”

“He had to get the trainees up today. They will be travelling for a bout this weekend.”

“Wow. That must be some vehicle.” She moaned. “Taio, stop playing.”

“But, I would prefer to continue.”

She whined. “I am hungry.”

Feng tutted. “I told you to have more last night.”

“Every time you said that, someone hauled me to the dance floor, and I couldn’t say no.” The sheer amount of alphas that had danced with her had made her head spin, but everyone in the family now knew what her scent was.

Taio chuckled. “Why didn’t you say no?”

“Because they picked me up and set me down on the dance space. You guys are bullies when you want to get your groove on.”

Feng chuckled. “Our family was delighted that we had more representation than Grigory’s. We made the most of it. Also, they were celebrating an engagement. They are looking forward to the wedding.”

She paused. “Oh, shit.”

He laughed under her. “You forgot there would be a wedding?”

“Kinda.” She held up her hand. “It’s pretty. I thought this was it.”

“There is more. Minoru is offering his hotel and the gardens for it. There is an opening in six weeks.”

“I can’t get a wedding dress in six weeks. Well, I guess I can, but it will be tricky.”

Taio smiled. “The Russians have offered their services.”

“When? Who the fuck was talking to them?”

“Well, Grigory bet a lot of money on Feng. So, he won a lot of money. A wedding dress barely touches it.”

She suspected that Delun was contributing.

Feng stroked her belly. Her stomach rumbled angrily.

Taio laughed. “You weren’t kidding.”

“I was not.”

He leaned down and kissed her breasts again before he levered himself away from her.

She looked up at Feng. “Now you.”

He chuckled and stood up with her in his arms.

She took stock and chuckled. “I need a shower.”

“We will take a quick one and then fortify you. We have plans to make.”

She laughed, showered, then got dressed in one of the outfits Benjiro had selected. Loose trousers and a wrap top in a pretty periwinkle made for a comfortable breakfast.

Olly smiled and ate her breakfast.

Feng smiled, “Did you have fun last night?”

“Yes, it was a lot of fun. Your grandma kept her distance, so things were good.”

“Things will get better. She will come around.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, my grandmother has always been close to me. She had a plan that never panned out. I am delighted with the result.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

She smiled and finished her fruit salad and scrambled eggs. The decaf coffee was her favourite thing.

Once she finished, Taio did the dishes, and she went for a walk to check on the progress of the confidence course. After that, she walked to the horse stables and watched the graceful beasts exercised and put through their paces.

It was a soothing way to spend the morning and let her walk out the ache in her thighs from the night before.

Chapter Nine

Olly had just finished brushing down one of the pregnant mares when she saw a familiar silhouette. She tensed and washed up before heading into daylight, ignoring the small female and two males.

She was halfway to the house when she heard the demanding voice. “Olly! I need to talk to you.”

Olly turned and looked at the elegantly attired creature with her debonair mates. “Molly. Fuck off and die.”

Molly put her hands on her hips. “Olly, I need your help.”

Olly saw Feng approach, and Taio followed.

“You can’t have it.”

“But... I need your help to have a baby.” Molly put a desperate sob into her throat.

Olly smiled and walked toward her. “I am already having a baby. It isn’t for you. My mates chose me, and they got a fertile mate who likes kids.”

“Kill that brat and have one for me.” There were hands on her hips and a foot stomp.

Feng started growling.

Olly looked to the men. “You are her mates, right?”

The darker-haired of the two nodded. “We are. I am the pack master.”

“Great. And she has told you she can’t conceive?”

He grimaced. “That is correct.”

Olly looked at Molly. “Well, not only did she get a simple tubal ligation, but she could have children with just a little medical intervention. She still has ovaries, and the eggs can be harvested with fertility treatments, then fertilized in a petri dish, and those little suckers can be put into her uterus. She still has one. She’s probably bribed or sucked off a doctor to lie for that situation.”

Molly got paler and paler as she spoke. Her voice whispered, “No.”

“Of course, she hates the idea of anything growing in her, so that would be reproductive coercion, but her refusal would be grounds to sue her for breach of mating contract, and you would go to the head of the line for available omegas. Take that information and do with it what you will, but get her out of here. She is not welcome in my mates’ home.”

Feng walked up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Leave. Now, or I will encourage her to tear you apart, and I will deal with whatever is left.”

The men looked at each other. “The pack will need to vote on this and split if need be.”

Olly smiled. “Not my problem. Shoo.”

She turned to Feng and pulled herself up to kiss him. Benjiro sent her a query through the link, and she sent him calm reassurance.

She turned and glanced at Molly as she walked, sniffling with her head down. Her mates loaded her into the car, and when she glanced back at Olly, there was hate in her eyes. Olly flipped her off. The car drove away.

Feng nuzzled her neck. “Well done, pretty one.”

She drooped in his arms as he hit her weak spot. “Thanks. I really wanted to break her nose, but I was pretty sure I would hit too hard and kill her. That would be added stress for the baby.” Her voice was soft and slurring. The things he did to his mark should be illegal.

Taio stroked her back and whispered, “Very well done, Olly.”

She smiled. “Be quiet, scooter.”

He growled.

She felt the shimmy in her belly that happened when one of her alphas growled at her. She should have been petrified, but it was kinda hot, and she was still in the phase of thinking everything they did had a sexual connotation.

She yawned and patted his head over her shoulder. “Nice puppy.”

Feng snorted, and Taio snatched her, carrying her inside before she could stop giggling.

He brought her into one of the spare rooms and kissed her with more enthusiasm than grace. She held his head and slowed him down, teaching him how to make the most of every motion.

He slowed and loosened her clothing, sending it to the floor in a whoosh. When she was naked, he knelt in front of her, his head even with her shoulder.

“All this just to lock your knot?”

He smiled. “There is nothing like that feeling. It is the feeling that one day that process might put my child inside you.”

She glanced down at his erection. It looked normal, aside from the knot. “Are you a weird kind of alpha?”

He chuckled. “That would be telling.”

“How long until I know?”

“Three, maybe four years.”

“What is your family like?”

“Betas, middle class. They own a small accounting company and have a loyal clientele.”

“Were they surprised you were an alpha?”

He smiled. “I don’t think they know yet.”

“You haven’t told them?”

“No. They have been warning me about women like you being very expensive. I will wait before I tell them you are my favourite option for my life savings.”

She frowned at him and ran her fingers through his hair. “I don’t think I am that demanding. I mean, the guys have bought clothes for me, but they are just things they like. I haven’t asked for anything.”

He smiled. “I know. I was surprised that none of the partygoers yesterday had gifts. That was very odd.”

She frowned. “I guess there are my medical checks. I could use my savings for that.”

Taio’s eyes widened. “That isn’t what I meant. You are fine. I was just talking about my family.”

“I know, but I feel like I am not pulling my weight.”

“You definitely are. Everybody has noticed a change in their work focuses for the better.” He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her before settling her on her back.

She put her hand on his chest. “I am going to throw up.”

Olly scrambled to the bathroom and lost her breakfast. Hands held her hair, and a cold compress was put on the back of her neck.

Feng murmured, “The baby?”

“Dealing with Molly. I have wanted to strangle her with my bare hands for a decade, and that much rage doesn’t just fade with a few sentences. I still want to hurt her physically.”

Taio helped her up, and she brushed her teeth.

Taio and Feng cuddled her after she got a blast of cooling fire.

She fell asleep pressing her head to Feng and holding Taio’s hand. Sucked for them. They were stuck. She smiled.

Six weeks later, she was seated at the head of the banquet hall with Feng next to her. Benjiro was wearing formal kimono on her left, and Taio was wearing a dark red on Feng’s right. The rituals before the wedding had been fun. Polly and Minoru took the place of her parents for the tea ceremony. Feng’s parents and Lady Fen had been his side. That tea ceremony had been more important than the marriage certificate. Lady Fen had teared up.

They had made peace when Fen had come to Benjiro’s and had presented Olly with bridal presents. She stopped trying to make her a beta trying to be an omega and simply accepted her as Feng’s choice. To Olly’s shock, they had hugged it out.

After the final announcement, Feng helped her to her feet and lifted the red veil that obscured her face. “There you are, pretty one.”

She tilted her head. “Husband.”

He lit up. “Hello, wife. Time for a quick change before the party starts.”

She nodded. Polly came to get her, and she and Fang got Olly out of the formal dress and into something a little more contemporary that still concealed the slight bump that had started to make itself visible.

Her scent had changed in the last few weeks. Instead of spice, she now had a vanilla undertone.

Polly smiled. “You look happy, Olly.”

Olly looked at the more advanced curve under her twin’s dress. “You look like the triplets want to be seen.”

Polly chuckled. “I don’t know how long I will have before a lift system is put into action.”

“They have belly supports.”

“Scaffolding. Love it.” Polly smiled. “I am already looking into it.”

Olly smiled. “Lady Fen is either threatening or promising to come and supervise my mother-in-law wrapping me after the baby is born. It sounds like torture.”

“I have heard it is helpful.” Polly smiled.

“Who did you hear that from?”

“Minoru’s mom.”

They giggled and returned to the party. The reception was underway.

Olly danced with Benjiro, and he smiled. “If Feng had not stated he would propose, this would be our wedding.”

She smiled. “I know. You are still here, they are still here, and we are still together.”

He smoothed his hand on her cheek. “We are and always will be.”

“I haven’t asked, but how mentally scarred were your students when they caught us last week?”

He grinned. “They will get over it. I was covering most of you anyway.”

She giggled, and Taio tapped Benjiro’s shoulder. “May I cut in it?”

Benjiro grinned. “I am going to use that later.”

He let Taio take over, and Olly danced with her younger mate. She sighed. “I think I finally figured it out.”

Taio smiled. “What?”

“What kind of beast you are.” She shook her head. “I just don’t know why you want me. I thought your kind was possessive.”

He smiled. “We are. We all belong to you, so it is you who are generous. Would you part with us?”

“No.”

He leaned in close. “Then you are possessive, keeping all these dragons to yourself.”

She blushed. “Shut up and keep dancing.”

He chuckled, kissed her, and they kept dancing.

Feng’s family was laughing, drinking, and dancing.

Olly finally got a chance to rest, and she patted her belly as she felt something weird. Polly came over. “What is it?”

“Something feels a little weird. I am going to have to ask Benjiro about the last scan. I had to go to the bathroom. He was all charged up and happy. I thought it was just because everything was good.”

Polly patted her and walked off to find Benjiro. He bent his head down to her, and she spoke in his ear. He paused, smiled, and whispered back. Polly put her hand over her mouth and laughed. She then appeared to pinky swear with Benjiro. Soothing reassurance came at her from Polly and Benjiro, along with a heavy giggle. At least there was nothing to worry about.

Olly sipped at the pineapple juice that Taio brought her, and Lady Fen walked up to sit next to her. “Hello, granddaughter?”

“Lady Fen.”

“Call me Zumu, please.” Fen stroked her hair away from her face. “You make a lovely bride. Thank you for adhering to our traditions.”

“It’s fine. I don’t have any. I ditched all of my family except for Polly a decade ago.” She looked to the area where the guys were talking with other family members. “The Thorn Thunder is all I have left.”

She smiled and watched her party.

“I thought your friends would be with you,” Fen said.

“They are dancing with their mates. They have been buzzing around all day. They need to enjoy the party, too. I have already been fussed over enough today. The only fussing I want today is from my mates.”

Olly sighed as Fen stroked her cheek.

Fen smiled. “You don’t seem very interested in the presents.”

“They are all addressed to Feng. It’s fine; I have what I need. I am just glad that my GED is done. Now I can make a little more money for a college fund for the baby.”

“What? You want to work?”

“Well, yeah. Being dependent on the guys doesn’t sit right with me.” She grimaced. “And I want to pick my own clothes. I have destroyed more silk than I can count. I mean, I know that skirts will be more convenient as I get rounder, but I miss jeans and cargo pants.”

Fen chuckled. “You miss cotton.”

“Yeah, absolutely. I can still move pretty well, and I have to keep rescuing my workout gear from the corners of Benjiro’s closet. I am pretty sure that Feng puts it there.”

“He’s a fan of your legs.” Fen chuckled. “And the rest of you. He was a brash young man, and women came easy, but when he collided with you, he stopped catching the betas who jumped on his lap.”

Olly chuckled. “He collided with me eleven years ago. That’s when the mark showed up. My parents beat the hell out of me for getting the tattoo, but it didn’t go.” She paused. “Lady Fen, are you pushing my brain around?”

“Um, a little bit, child. I just needed to understand a little more about how this has worked. I have other unusual grandchildren, and I want to know how it works.”

“Well, as far as we can tell, we are betas who can be activated by a specific alpha. The mark appears after that as a way to get us back together.”

Fen paused in her stroking of Olly’s cheek. “So, you became a fighter to get close to him.”

Olly nodded. “I just wanted to stay close. I approached him two years ago and then had to deal with the consequences.”

In three minutes, Fen had gotten the details about the aftermath of the moment with Feng, and she had gone very quiet. “You still accepted him after all that?”

“I had no choice. The dragon was across my back. It was taking up all the real estate. It wasn’t an option or an obsession for me. He was just my mate. Asshole or not, I was going to be attached to him eventually. Even if you objected.”

Fen sighed. “I am so sorry for that. It was a situation beyond my understanding.”

“I know. I also know that Feng had been willing to cut you out of his life if you had persisted, so that was comforting.”

“I am very glad I came to my senses.” Fen chuckled and stroked her cheek again.

Olly turned toward her. “So am I. I can hold a grudge forever. Six months from now, you will meet your great-grandchild. It is good that it can happen.”

Fen hugged her. “Thank you. If another marked beta comes to the family, I will behave better.”

“Don’t hurt yourself; just treat them as a possible source of more grandbabies and great-grandbabies.” Olly smiled. “That is an inducement to be pleasant.”

Fen laughed. “I will keep that in mind.”

The truce was cemented in a hug, and the party continued with live music and a lot of dancing.

Feng whispered in her ear, and she smiled. They hugged their way out of the party and made their way to the elevators. He drew her to him as they rose to the twentieth floor.

“I was going to go back to the room you had during your heat, but I think I will save that for your sister’s anniversary. Now we have a start that is more hopeful and more private. I trust Taio to watch my back, but I think having him staring at you that first time might not have helped matters.”

Olly pressed her fingers to his lips. “New starts. No mention of that night until I tell you it’s safe. It still irritates me.”

He smiled and nodded.

The honeymoon suite was opened with a key in his pocket, and he carried her over the threshold.

There were chocolate-covered strawberries, towels in the shape of swans, and a spectacular view of the city with a huge tub filled with water and covered by rose petals.

“Wow, so much distracting shit. How do they expect people to fuck?” She wandered to the chocolate-covered strawberries.

She heard the slide of silk, and before she could snag the fruit, he had her hands behind her back, carefully restrained with his tie. “Hey!”

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “If you touch me, I am going to go off, and I really want to play with you for a very long time.”

She blinked. “You are going to do it over my clothing?”

“Around and under, but your dress can be removed with a few small modifications.” He chuckled.

Feng lifted her, and she squeaked as he settled her on the bed. He removed her shoes and slid a hand between her thighs. He hissed. “Tie you up a little, and you are hot and slick. Why haven’t we been capitalizing on this?”

She chuckled. “Everybody is in a hurry just to keep me hot. No time for fun and games.”

He tutted and flipped her skirt back. “It seems you were in a hurry to change. You forgot your underwear.”

She blushed. “Benjiro might have it in his pocket.”

He chuckled and stripped off his jacket and shirt. “I am preparing to be in the splash zone.”

She closed her eyes. “I don’t splash. You know that.”

“I am not sure that we have been trying hard enough. I am willing to put a lot of research into this.” He settled on his stomach between her thighs, and the dragon’s tongue flicked out. He began his research, and it only took two minutes before she shrieked and felt her channel contract around his tongue.

He kept moving until she had stopped twitching. He pulled his tongue in, and it changed to human on the way. “I have never gotten to do that with someone before.”

She was still gasping, her thighs quivering. “Good. That is nearly deadly. I think you licked the baby.”

He chuckled and stretched. Olly swallowed as his muscles rippled with the motion. “Damn.”

He grinned. “So, you think I am pretty?”

“Yes, you conceited twit.” She wiggled around on her back. “Now untie me.”

“Not yet. You get wet very fast with your wrists tied.”

She whined. “Feng.”

“Ah, ah, Mrs. Zhang. I get one night with you, and then the others are going to blunder in.”

“Oh, geez. I am going to have to change my driver’s license.”

He kissed her. “I will run around with you to make all the legal changes so that you become a member of my family on your identification.”

“And I have the thunder registry that I have to add to my passport and also my driver’s license. At least Taio is already on the paperwork; it will save time.”

He got up, removed his clothing, and then reached over her and pulled at some strategic points. The shoulders of the dress opened, and he was able to slip it down and off her hips.

“Those sneaky cows,” she muttered in astonishment. “Wait, does that mean you have been thinking about tying me up the whole time?”

He supported himself on his hands above her and did a slow push-up that brushed his chest against hers. He grinned. “Of course. Once it was noted that you went hot in a flash when your hands were restrained, it was all I could think of, so I mentioned it to the seamstresses.”

She groaned, but he was sliding into her at the time, so she was rather distracted. She would deal with the dress later. For now, she had a husband to deal with.

Chapter Ten

Breakfast at home was what Olly wanted, so Feng got a car and had them taken back to Benjiro’s place.

The guys were waiting for them on the deck, and Feng carried her up and into the house.

“There. Over two thresholds just to make it official.” Feng smiled.

She kicked her feet. “You can put me down then.”

He nodded. “Could, but not going to, Mrs. Zhang.”

“Put that on a t-shirt, so you can stop saying it. And then let me wear the tee.”

He nodded. “Zumu Fen has already told me to start letting you pick your casual clothes and let you get more exercise gear. Your lifestyle has always been more active, and we should respect that.”

“Wow. She is getting something nice on Mother’s Day.” She smiled. “As long as I get my ass in jeans again.”

Feng grinned. “Speaking of your ass—” She slammed her hand over his mouth.

She muttered, “I was dopey, I said yes, and it was fine. No repeatsies.”

Taio grinned. “Did you—” Olly slammed her hand over his mouth.

Benjiro laughed. “You are out of hands, dearest.”

“Grrr.” She made a face. “To think I thought going home would be peaceful.”

Taio laughed, and Feng kissed her palm. She pulled her hands back. She pointed fingers at both of them. “I am not discussing anal before breakfast.”

Taio nodded. “That goes on a t-shirt. Bring her into the kitchen, Feng. We set up breakfast for you.”

They went into the kitchen, and the spread was huge.

Benjiro snorted. “Taio thought you might have worked up an appetite.”

Taio laughed. “Don’t let him appear all calm and stoic. He was shaking and twitching all night.”

Olly blushed. “I was leaking a little.”

Feng opened his mouth, and she covered it with her hand again while she put fruit into her mouth with her free hand.

Taio laughed. “You are going to spend half your life doing that.”

Benjiro shook his head. “No, after she has the twins, those are two other mouths to keep control of.”

Olly paused and pulled her hand away from Feng. “What?”

Benjiro smiled. “Because your first check was for general health and confirmation of the pregnancy, your scan wasn’t done until the second visit. This is the photo. There were two specs now very close together. It seems your twin factor has kicked in again.”

Feng smiled and pulled her onto his lap. “Zumu Fen will explode with excitement. Twin omegas are exceptionally rare.”

“I know that.” She stared at the picture of the grainy grey blobs against the black background. “Oh, boy. Polly will be excited. Two cousins for her triplets.”

Benjiro nodded. “Your next appointment for a development check is in two weeks. So, two little girls to start the family.”

Olly muttered, “Multiples are considered a high-risk pregnancy, and I probably won’t get to term.”

Feng kissed her neck. “We will get you as far as we can and carry you the rest of the way if we have to.”

She sighed, but there was always the worry that he wouldn’t be home when she went into labour, but she kept the worry from him.

* * * *

Five months later, Feng was preparing for a bout when the arena screens went blank and then filled by a sweaty Olly, who was in a hospital gown and grimacing.

“Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Feng won’t be fighting today, and if he does, he is never going to see his babies because I warned the twit they were going to come early.” She paused and grimaced. “Right. Feng, Niko sent transport, and it will be in the parking lot in six minutes. Also, your manager wouldn’t notify you that I was in labour, but fortunately, the arena management thought this would be hilarious.”

Feng unwrapped his wrist tape and headed for the exit at top speed. The crowd cheered wildly. Behind him, he heard, “And for the poor sap that Feng was about to beat into the floor, if you try mocking him or trash-talking him for this, I will come there the moment that my stitches heal and pound your face into the posts.” She groaned and breathed through her nose. “Olly Thorn Zhang signing off.”

* * * *

Benjiro saw him and grinned. “We brought you a change of clothes.”

The pack delivery room was large, and Feng slid to a stop beside Olly. “Effective message, love.”

She nodded and grunted. “Can I have some mate fire, please?”

He covered her mouth with his and exhaled fire into her. The white-haired Luna walked up and gloved up. “All right. You keep that up, and I will catch the little ones. Nora, you have the towels?”

“Ready to go.”

Benjiro took a deep breath and held Olly’s hand.

“Okay, Olly. When you feel a contraction, start pushing.”

Olly dragged in the fire and started pushing. Apparently, this part took a village.

Benjiro’s hand was healed, and Olly was clean and dressed with her twins in her arms. Feng was staring at his daughters and grinning. Olly had recorded a video with them, and it was going to be forwarded to the PR team at the arena. The call she had made was already going viral.

Feng smiled. “Two and perfect.”

Taio came back on his run for takeout. “Lady Fen is here, and she will not take Ah! My foot! For an answer.”

The great-grandmother swept in with the grandparents behind her.

“Twins! You never said twins, Olly!” She was excited and walked up to the bed. Her hands were flexing.

Feng smiled. “Olly, may Zumu Fen hold them?”

Olly handed the first baby to Fen, and she said, “This is Anastasia, and this is Drisella.”

Fen paused. “I have seen that movie, Olly.”

Olly smiled. “We actually thought we would have the most fortunate names selected for them.”

Fen smiled. “Really? I know just the person.”

“Really.”

“I will make the arrangements.” She looked down. “They are beautiful. Perfect. They need fortunate names.”

Feng took the babies back and returned them to Olly. “They are already the most fortunate little omegas that ever were.”

Fen blinked. “Twins? Both omegas? You are sure?”

Olly smiled down at them. “Made from the same egg. Just like Polly and me.”

Feng looked toward the door. “And there she is.”

Polly came in, and her grin was huge. Her triplets had made it into the world a month earlier. “I saw the video. It is hilarious. Feng, you are respectfully offered a rematch as long as you bring your family with you.”

Feng chuckled. “I am also going to be looking for a new manager who knows how much family means to me.”

Polly smiled. “What does it mean?”

Olly looked at Feng and then Benjiro and Taio. They all said together, “Everything.”

Author’s Note

Well, there are other ladies to pair up. I am spoiled for choice. I have been enjoying these markings and have a few more betas in mind, including the ones who do the party planning and flowers. And more.

Thanks for reading,

Viola Grace

About the Author

Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.

An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it; she always goes for the cheap laugh.

In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.