Chapter Twelve

After the shopping trip, Tamara was in shock. Lya had giggled and cooed to the alphas and Allor. Tamara had gotten everything on her list, but she was quiet.

Allor kissed Lya's cheek. "Did you want dessert?"

"Yes, please. Keep it above the equator."

Venka laughed.

Noh smiled. "I think you can drop the act."

She pouted, "Not until I get dessert."

Allor laughed and soon brought her an ice cream sundae covered with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. She was seated at the kitchen counter while Venka sorted the clothing haul on the kitchen table.

Lya sat with her treat and rolled her shoulders, carefully using her right hand in the golden cage of its scaled cast. Extras were being printed for her here at the house. Allor had gotten the specs from the tech at the clinic.

She kicked her legs and said, "So, Tamara, how did you like shopping with a new omega?"

Tamara swallowed. "Can they really just take me?"

Lya paused and looked at her. "Yes, but I won't let that happen. I have told you that before."

"But, you are an omega. You don't have power."

Lya slid her hand through Tamara's hair. "If you think I wouldn't take a beating, get up, and move to stand between you and harm's way, you haven't been paying attention. Now, I don't have to be the first line of defense anymore; I am the last. Around here, the defensive line is Allor because he has a chance to defuse the situation, then Noh because he has the best chance to take down another attacker, then Venka because she has heart, and then me. By the time they get to me, I am heavily armed and waiting. If I can't save you, I will be a cautionary tale to those who try."

Tamara blinked and lunged forward in a hug. "I'm sorry, Mom."

"It's been a lot of change, and if someone will present me with a fucking contract, we can ease some of this uncertainty. Ahem, Venka?"

Venka paused, nodded, and left the room, bringing her laptop to the table and pushing some of the designer clothing aside. "I have the mockup here, but what do we want to add."

Lya kissed Tamara's forehead, "Why don't you list everything you think we need? I have to get some traction on this ice cream before it melts."

Tamara smiled. "Okay. Can we talk again later?"

"Yes, and you are going to let our den go through your phone to find those websites. I am guessing that the article was written by an angry beta."

Tamara ducked her head. "He's a beta. Yeah."

"So, they will go through your phone and find any suspect content. You can ask them, or ask Venka's father or her uncles or her mother, or when you meet Ford properly, you can ask him about his family, his pride, and his omega."

"Omegas don't have omegas."

"Sure, they do. I know of two." She smiled. "Ford's omega is named Olivia. She wrote that book that I am not going to let you read until you are a grownup. No Reservations."

"Oh. The one about an omega surviving religious persecution and torture."

Lya sighed. "Yes. That one."

"I got it from the library. Wait. That is about a real person?"

"Yes. Ford's mate, Olivia. They have four or five alphas together but one giant household and two kids so far. Olivia is an author, and her alphas have signed off on her income remaining hers. Ford's, too. His baby will want for nothing." She chuckled. "He does say that it will be an only child on his part."

Tamara frowned. "It has to be a c-section for the males, right?"

"Correct."

"So, it's painful?"

"Yes. It takes longer to recover from that than a vaginal delivery."

"Oh. But I am not going to have to worry about that?"

"No. It is super rare for a female alpha even to attempt to have a child. Your body won't let it grow. It's why there are now ways to go around that."

"How?"

"Surrogates. More to the point, if a female alpha has a beta or omega linked to her, there is a possibility of the alpha donating eggs to try and get her an heir." Lya pouted. "My ice cream is melting."

Tamara blinked. "Eat, Mom. You got way too skinny."

Allor walked up to Tamara and extended his hand. "Phone."

Allor and Tamara sat at one end of the table, Venka typed at the other, and Noh came over to help her get the ice cream in.

When Lya got brain freeze, he leaned in and kissed her, stroking the roof of her mouth with his tongue. It warmed her up in many ways. She licked her lips when he leaned back.

Noh smiled and asked, "Why did you change your name?"

"Because it was pretty. I didn't deserve pretty after what happened. The name was used to haul my mother to court and force me for medical checks. It was used to threaten me, berate me, and punish me." She sighed. "Tonlya was my joke, ton reversed is not, and Lya was what everyone called me."

"So, you were not Lya and not Lemara."

"Correct. They shouldn't let teens make those choices, but I did, and now, I am Lya until I get bored of this one. Then, it changes again."

Tamara suddenly had a thought and left the room. Lya finished her ice cream when Tamara came back with a huge photo album.

"This is my first ten years."

Lya looked at her and smiled. "Mom was so good about that."

Tamara bit her lip. "When can we show you guys?"

Venka smiled and kept her focus. "Just a minute. Lya, what name do you want on the contract?"

"My legal name is still Lemara. I never had enough money to get it changed." She shrugged. "I just don't like it."

Noh asked, "Did you want to change it?"

"No point. This is the last document where my signature means anything."

The alphas stared at her, and Allor looked up from the phone he was working with.

Tamara frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Once I sign that agreement, I am protected, but I am also no longer an independent person. I am the omega of the den. By whatever name they choose for it. I don't mind, but there are practicalities for me to keep in mind. I can no longer sign any contract without at least one of my den mates with signing authority with me. Credit cards, debit cards, identification, all have to reference the others that I am attached to. Tamara, when the paperwork is signed, you are a child of the den. I am still your mom, but I am not legally allowed to enrol you, withdraw you from school for a cheat day, or take you to a doctor's appointment without one of them with us."

Allor winced. "I was getting to that when she went to get the album."

Tamara swallowed. "And if Grandma was alive?"

"She would be my guardian, and she would sign me over. The end result would be the same." Lya smiled. "It would always be the same, but I just wanted to make sure it was out in the open so that no one, including myself, would be butt hurt when these issues arise and bite me in the ass."

Tamara paused and said, "What does Ford do?"

"He gets an alpha to sign with him."

She smiled. "Then, suck it up, buttercup, and sign what's in front of you when it is."

Lya walked over and hugged her. "There you are. I missed you."

"I'm sorry I have been grouchy. It's a lot. You aren't my sister; you are my mom."

"Yeah, I know. Makes all those times you yelled that I wasn't your mom kind of funny in retrospect."

Tamara snorted.

Venka looked up and smiled. "Right. Brass tacks. Lya, go for a walk or a swim or something."

"Yes, ma'am." Lya smiled and headed for the patio doors before she remembered something and headed for the solarium.

She was stuck wearing her boots and grimaced as she sat down and tried to get them off. She unzipped the boot but couldn't get enough power in her right arm to pry it off. Allor appeared at her side and knelt to get her boots off. "It isn't going to be terrible."

"I know. Nohehl and Venka are good people. You, too."

He grinned. "Thanks. I have your old phone and your new one. Why did you come in here?"

"Smudge is going to lay soon, and I just wanted to check on her eggs." She smiled. "Snowflake already did his part."

"The incubator is ready."

"You use an incubator?"

"It is easier on the female not to starve herself by tending to the eggs, so once she lays, we rinse her off, soak her in warm water, and give her a thawed frozen mouse dusted in calcium."

"She likes those."

"We know. She's voracious."

"Well, she's eating for a lot."

He helped her to her feet, and they walked to the enclosure, where she gasped and clutched at Allor. "She's started to lay. I can see them under that log."

He chuckled. "You really care for her."

"She's like a little sister. Snowflake is her boyfriend."

He smiled. "How long will you give her?"

"I will check on her in twelve hours."

"You will pry yourself out from under Noh?"

"Naw, he lets me use him like a hot rock." She smiled. "I will just get up and go."

Allor must have thought that was the funniest thing ever. When he calmed down, he looked at her. "You are really okay with the contract?"

"Yeah. I have known I was headed for this for just under thirteen years. It wasn't official, but my recovery was astonishing. There weren't a lot of changing betas back then, so keeping up the hair colour was my biggest concern. Tamara happened, my body changed, my hair changed, and I started seeing things."

"Like what?"

She looked around the room. "This. I saw this. I saw our den all piled together and pasty bits of white poking out. That's me. I am the pasty one."

"I guessed as much. You have no idea how relieved Venka was when you accepted her. I think she is more nervous than Noh."

"After what I experienced, experimenting with partners to find those I am comfortable with was important. They gave me the confidence to learn what my body could do by its own instinct." She shrugged. "I have been embarrassed, exhausted, timid, and uncomfortable, but I have figured myself out and expunged the memory of helplessness and pain, but I don't go for bondage."

"Understandable." Allor nodded. "You don't mind my inclusion?"

"Nope. It's a nice balance. Two boys, two girls."

He cocked his head. "You do know that it will be two guys and one female alpha focused on one omega, right? You will have more attention than you can handle."

"I thought you and Venka had sex."

"It's more like naked wrestling to take the edge off. It isn't emotionally satisfying."

Lya blinked in surprise. "Oh."

Venka walked in. "He's not wrong. It's a reason that it is imperative that an omega be involved. It calms the alphas down so they can all play together. The contract is ready, and copies have been printed. Ready?"

She looked at Smudge's coil protruding from under the wood and shifted from foot to foot.

She looked at Venka. "Fine."

Allor grinned. "Smudge is laying her eggs, and Lya is a bit of a mother hen."

Venka nodded. "I understand. Let's go and bind ourselves, and then we can work on dinner."

The prosaic nature of the comment made Lya sigh. "Let's go sign our lives away."

Venka offered her arm, and Allor walked up next to her other side. Between the alpha and the delta, she headed back to the contract that would seal her fate and protect her daughter.

The man on video call was an unusual addition, and he asked, "Lemera, do you give your consent to the assembled alphas?"

"Yes."

"Do you authorize the name change to Lya of the Serpens Den?"

"Yes."

"Sign away." He smiled.

She looked at the contract and skimmed over the details. It was fairly standard until she got to the monthly unsupervised stipend.

She cocked her head. "Is that a typo?"

Noh shook his head. "Nope. It's what we calculated you are worth, and this way, you can engage in your dream hobby."

Lya looked at him. "You can't be serious."

Venka said, "Ford confirmed that you are an extremely talented mechanic and sent us clips of you in action. The allowance should keep you busy and let you purchase what you need for your hobby."

"What will I do with the cars after I fix them?"

Venka chuckled. "My cousins and siblings are gearheads. There will be outlets."

"Okay." She read on to the incidental expenses, which included formalwear, which was to be purchased by the den member who needed her as an escort for their event.

There was a pocket money clause, which was not quite as ridiculous as the hobby, and a notation for credit and debit cards to be issued in her new name.

All healthcare was to be provided by the den, including pre- and post-natal as well as regular checkups.

Tamara was accounted for, and a staggering college fund was available, as well as all private school fees until then. A clothing, food, and school event allowance was also in place.

Lya looked around. "Is everybody sure?"

Heads nodded. Lya held the pen and signed carefully. She initialled where there were little tabs, and her initials were next to three sets of alpha scribbles. When it was done, she signed the second set, and Venka took the pen from her. "Well done, Lya."

Lya looked up toward her and received a kiss. The man viewing chuckled. "Bring me the paperwork, and I will witness it and file it at dawn."

Venka nodded. "Thanks, Delun. I am on my way."

Tamara blinked. "You are going somewhere?"

"Delun is in the Rose Sloth with my brother Grigory. Their omega is Lexa. She just had twins." Venka smiled. "I will be back in twenty minutes."

Tamara cleared her throat. "Can I go, too? I would like to meet your family."

Venka paused. "Of course."

Lya smiled. "Off you go. We will be here when you get back. Promise."

There was a chirp, and Allor smiled. "Time for your meds."

By the time Lya had taken the pills, Tamara and Venka were off in Venka's muscle car. It seemed her brothers weren't the only ones who liked fun vehicles.

The display was still on, and Delun was smiling. "You know, it took me over six months to find out Venka was a lawyer. The family just treats her like an absent addition. I am very happy to welcome you and your den to the family. The girl is yours?"

Lya nodded. "Tamara. Yes."

"I would recommend her being adopted by one of your den. It will help her socialization in school to have an alpha."

Lya paused. "I think Venka really wanted to be a parent. I will ask her."

Delun nodded. "I will mention it to them when they get here. We are only a few miles away, so it won't be long."

She was going to say something, but her old phone chirped, and she checked it. She frowned. "I have to call Ford. He says it's urgent."

She got up and used her new phone to dial Ford's number. She put him on speaker. "Hey, Ford. What's up?"

"We need to move the studio night to Thursday. Can you manage that?"

She looked at Noh, and he nodded. "Yes, I can make it. It will be me and my den."

"Oh, excellent. There was a change, and Zelle has been disqualified but will still be at the react filming."

"Wait. What? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Ford sighed. "Out of my hands. She mated with the investor. She's in a relationship with a member of the crew. She's disqualified from winning, but don't worry. He made a cash donation to the burn centre on the off chance that she was the one selected."

She looked at Allor and saw that Delun was listening intently. He said, "We are having a watch party on Friday night. I had no idea you were on the show."

She sighed. "Not a word, Delun."

"I am good at legal privilege. Have a great night." He disconnected the call.

Ford sighed. "I am on speaker?"

"Yeah, we just signed the contract, and they would have to transport me there regardless. On the plus side, I think the clothing issues are mostly taken care of."

"I am not going to mention that. How are you feeling?"

"Good. Better. Copious painkillers and a lot of rest are doing wonders."

He laughed. "Rest while you can. Bound alphas are exhausting."

She smiled. "Venka is heading your way. Well, not yours, but she is bringing documents to Delun."

"Nice. I will call them to send her over here to run Thursday night past her."

"Tamara is with her, so keep the language appropriate for a minor."

Ford chuckled. "Of course. I look forward to meeting the young lady."

"She's an alpha, Ford. Try not to be too cute."

"Right. Thanks for the warning. I am feeling extra cute lately."

Lya yawned, and Noh interjected, "She has to rest again. You can text her at this new number."

"Thank you."

Lya yawned again. "That was Nohehl. My delta is Allor, and you know Venka."

"Yes, I do."

One more yawn and Noh said, "And that is all for today. Send her the information for Thursday. She will be there."

"Yemeen has several outfits for her to try on, and we are doing hair and makeup."

"Great. Bye." Noh hung up and then lifted Lya against him. "Come on. You can nap near Smudge."

"Yay."

The standard procedure commenced. She removed her clothing, and when he sat in the chaise, she draped herself on him. He shuddered and kissed her temple. "Rest, Lya."

"If you insist, my alpha."

He shuddered again and muttered, "Tease."

She wanted to play more, but he wrapped his arms around her, and she slept.

She rose from her nap, felt scales moving over her, and smiled. Finally. She snuggled against the scales and returned to rest.

Smooth hands pushed her hair to the side from her neck, and Venka kissed her shoulder before a light burn happened.

She sighed. "Hi, Venka."

Venka looked at her with serpentine fangs down and visible. She blinked slowly.

The bite was warming Lya, and she smiled. "You got your tasks done?"

Venka paused. "Yes." There was a hiss in her tone.

"Good. Where's Tamara?"

"Swimming with Allor."

"Oh, so we have alone time?"

Noh's heavy coils moved around her, and she tried to guess how big a snake he was and had to guess at about thirty or forty feet.

She chuckled. "Semi-alone time?"

Venka caressed her neck. "Nervous?"

"No. His heartbeat is as familiar to me as mine is to him by now."

Venka removed her clothing, and Noh returned to his human form on the bed.

Lya looked around. "When did we get to your bedroom?"

Noh smiled. "I didn't want to wake you, so coiling around you seemed the best option. Plus, I have been dying to see your response."

"You are lovely, and your scales are very smooth." She smiled.

He smiled, his teeth glaringly white. "You are lovely and smooth as well. A few more days and the cast comes off."

Lya flattened herself over Noh, and she felt Venka move on top of her. It was more hard muscle than Lya had imagined. Or rather, it felt different. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to Noh's chest as the sensation washed through her and left slick in its wake.

Venka chuckled. "Well, that is gratifying."

Noh murmured, "It certainly is. How sleepy are you, Lya?"

"A lot more awake now."

His hand caressed her left side. Venka ran fingers through her hair and pressed soft kisses and occasional nips down her spine.

Lya breathed softly and then heavily as the tiny touches and light caresses sped her reactions up. Venka kneed her thighs apart, and her fingers slipped and slid.

Lya moaned and shook, her whole body sweaty and slick. She tried to grab at Noh, but the cast inhibited her grip.

Venka hissed softly. "Relax, princess."

Lya's sex started pulsing in a steady rhythm, and she slid from side to side on Noh. His erection was trapped between them, and as she moved, he became covered with slick.

She gasped and squirmed around until he was pressed against her slick core. She circled her hips, and Venka's attention moved to her breasts and belly.

She snagged the tip of his erection and circled back a little until there was more of him inside her. Now that she had a clean bill of health, she wasn't holding back. Until today, she had always been worried about having permanent damage when it came to dealing with an alpha. She knew she needed one but hadn't been confident with her ability to manage. Confidence was growing with every millimetre she worked inside her. She must have hit some kind of threshold because his hands stroked her hips, and he eased inward with short, controlled thrusts, and her breathing got fast and shallow.

Venka was murmuring encouragement and telling her how stunning she was.

Lya got high, was on the edge, and then felt something inside her that she hadn't expected. Hemipeen. He was locked and groaned as he jetted into her while remaining still.

She slumped over him, and Venka settled over her again, keeping her from backing away.

The throbbing inside had set her off, and as it continued, she came with every twitch within.

Noh lifted her head, and she looked at him with what she knew was a dazed expression. His own pupils were huge.

He leaned up to kiss her, and they let their bodies do what they wanted to. She gasped and quivered as his light motion inside her continued.

Venka's teeth stung her again, and she moaned at the warmth that moved through her.

They stayed together like that for the fifteen minutes it took Noh to relax enough to let her go. He eased out of her, and Venka ceased the bite. They both kept her between them.

Lya sighed happily. Tamara was safe. She was safe, and her alphas had her back. Literally.

She snuggled in and returned to her nap.