Chapter Eight

Iris left the omega's nest, and they programmed the doors to lock open. Ymer explained, "The movers are bringing in the materials and arranging them this afternoon. I can hear the boys downstairs, so we had better go down and let them choose their rooms up here."

"Uh, how soundproofed are those walls?"

"Very. Why?"

"Because if the kids know the adults are occupied, things can invariably happen."

"We have apps that will allow us to check on the house. If any shouting or screaming occurs, an alert will sound." Ymer smiled. "They won't be unattended."

"Right."

Oren put his arm around her, and they headed toward the excited tween chattering. Iris sent a message to Tonlya, but she got a reply. Lya is asleep right now. Her recovery has begun. That note was definitely not from Tonlya.

Denel looked at his phone. "Tamara says that her mom is down for a nap. They had to rebreak her arm in hospital."

Iris winced. "Oh, damn. Wait. Mom?"

"That's what it says."

Bennet looked up from his phone. "She says they are working things out. But her mom was in Alphas versus Betas, the mechanic edition."

Brexel nodded. "Yes, that has been discussed in the car. They kept trying to show me the videos that dropped today." He grimaced. "As I drove. Apparently, your friend is a bit of a daredevil."

Iris smiled. "It is probably just the editing, boss."

He turned his phone toward her with Tonlya mid-air in a jump over a chasm. "I do not believe this was editing. Poor Noh."

Oren shook his head. "Poor Allor. He is going to be watching over her."

Brexel smiled. "You think so?"

Ymer cocked his head slightly. "I believe that Noh and Tonlya have a lot in common, surprisingly."

Iris asked, "What about Venka?"

Brexel nodded. "She gets to be a mentor to a young female alpha, which I believe was not a luxury she was offered as a child."

"Well, I think she's going to get more than that. Tonlya is bi."

Brexel smiled. "So, she's a good fit for Noh's group."

Iris shrugged. "If Venka isn't a jerk, then yes."

Ymer said, "Venka is a lawyer, but she has a good heart. She grew up in a family rife with alphas and worshipping their omegas, so caretaking will not be lacking."

"Good, because after seeing Tonlya, I think that caretaking is essential." She shuddered. "I have never seen her like that."

Oren rubbed her back. "She's in good hands."

Brexel asked, "So, Ymer, we can have the boys' birthday party here?"

Ymer nodded. "Of course. That was the point. The pool guy arrives this afternoon to do a check and get it filling."

Denel gasped. "A pool party?"

Brexel nodded. "A pool party. We will start the day with paintball and work here for the pool party."

Iris smiled at the boys' excitement. "I will wait here and coordinate things."

Oren's hand tightened on her waist. "Oh, no. You are coming with us."

Bennet smiled. "Can Tamara come?"

"Of course." Brexel smiled.

"Can her mom come?"

"If their pack agrees. She's pretty badly hurt, bud." He ruffled his son's hair. "Now, go and choose rooms. We will transfer your stuff in, and everybody can sleep here... tonight?"

Ymer nodded. "The cleaning crews have taken care of most of the rooms. The main thing to populate is the nest, and that will be later this afternoon. Iris, did you want to go for a walk to see the wilderness we have dropped you into?"

"Sure. I don't want to be underfoot with the cleaner swarm happening."

He nodded. "Of course. This way." He took her hand and led her out with the others following.

She stepped along with him, and he showed the kitchen on the way out. "We are hiring a housekeeper. Our schedules are all very different."

"Cool, so I can go back to work?"

"Hah. Funny. Now that the Stronghold knows you exist, they are not going to stop hunting you."

"Delightful. Hey, I could go to my dad's place in the islands. Trust me. Anyone that white would be spotted a mile away." She smirked. "And eaten by a shark."

"Your dad?"

"Yeah, when my mom was single, she met a very nice man who took her on and introduced her to his enormous family. When I was six, I joined the Killingtons. My dad is on my new birth certificate. He adopted his little snowflake, and his family wrapped around me." Iris smiled. "I grew up surrounded by love. I know it when I see it, and I saw it with Brexel and the boys."

"That is why you worked for him."

"Correct. They were all so lost. It was an ego boost to be there for them."

They left the house, and she inhaled the scent of the green outdoors. "You know, we are going to have to visit my family on the island and introduce you guys. My brother will be freaked out and delighted all in one."

"You haven't told them yet?"

"No. Not until things have been... uh... formalized."

"Ah, yes. Formalities. I do love the formalities." He chuckled. "So, there is the pool, the hot tub, down the hill are the gardens. The foothills are part of our property and will be fun for the boys to run around on, as will the trees." He pointed. "Archery range is over there. Golf course is over there. It is only nine holes but fun if you like that sort of thing."

"Wow. So, aside from groceries, you would never have to leave if you had the money to pay the bills."

"Well, then, it is a good thing that money is attracted to me." He smiled.

The dogs barking got her attention, and she turned to see Juno and Jupiter bearing down on them.

She held out her hand and said, "Easy. I am not going anywhere this time."

They slowed their gallop and fell in step next to her, Jupiter pressing his head against her thigh.

Ymer chuckled. "They love you."

"I raised them. The first two years for a puppy are like the first decade for a baby. The boys were at school, and Brexel was at work. I was the only one left for them to bond to."

"But you got everyone on the same track."

"It took my entire two years, but the communication was finally set, and the boys felt stable. I was offered that job, and then it all went to hell."

"So, what are you going to do with a master's in sociology?"

"I have no idea. Maybe follow what my great-grandmother wanted me to do and use it to catch myself a man."

"Another one? Greedy."

She chuckled. "Maybe I will embrace not having a job until I become restless."

"We can find something for you to do."

"Fucking around the clock sounds fun until you realize the practicalities of getting two kids to school."

"I do like the sound of the first part."

"Grigory would pitch a fit if you missed your schedule."

"He won't care. He cut back on his own time at the club when he gained a mate. I can do my job from home; I just need to collect the receipts."

"Why do your people head for money?"

"Money is power. We like power and are vastly outnumbered, so we are amassing as much power as we can."

"And you are outnumbered, so you are trying to make more of you?"

"Yes."

"Wouldn't it be more efficient in a one-to-one situation?"

"We can't protect you one-to-one." Ymer kept walking slowly. "So, we form packs, give you all the power you need to keep you healthy and strong, and ease you into motherhood at the earliest opportunity."

"Uh-huh. Easing isn't the word for what I read in Oren's mind."

He nearly stumbled. "You are reading Oren's mind?"

"Just when he is particularly heated, so whenever I bend over. I am guessing our link flows both ways. Funny."

"You know there is a link?"

"I know that you all got yourselves into me in very different ways."

"I thought we were being clever."

"No one fingers a sleeping partner that long without an ulterior motive."

He chuckled. "Just making room. You are quite tight. Well, were."

"Yeah, I thought there was something different. I feel a bit hollow."

"We will fix that soon, Pet."

She shivered and squeezed his hand. He chuckled, and they continued their walk.

The small castle in the woods took her breath away, and she followed Ymer inside to the small room which led to a staircase that barely fit him, and from there, a bedroom that had the feeling of deadened sound to it.

Ymer smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Now, Pet, let's see if we can't manage something with that extra space."

"I also know that it is just the possibility of space. If you don't need it, it doesn't exist. So, it's Schoedinger's pussy."

He was smirking. "So, I won't know what's inside until I am in your box?"

She shrugged. "You said it."

He pulled her to him with a hand to the back of her neck and kissed her. The next thirty minutes were spent fitting him to her and Iris clutching at him and finally biting his bicep as he sank in.

He had a knot, and it took quite a bit of effort to work the edge of it into her. She bit down harder.

He tutted and paused, sweat slicking them where they were touching, which was most of her and half of him.

"Easy, Pet." He crooned softly. He shifted, and she growled.

He moved a hand between them, and the tension in her made her hips jerk. He came and rolled to his back. She released his arm with a gasp.

Iris was pinned to him and panting. His fingers slipped and slid over her clit, and eventually, an orgasm swept through her.

She closed her eyes, and he pulled her down as she shuddered and twitched.

It took her a few attempts to speak, and she muttered, "You have a doll castle in the woods?"

He chuckled. "I had it built when I bought the place a few years ago. If I ever had a pack, I needed a place to hide."

She flexed her hips, and he was still stuck. "I can't imagine why?"

"It was because I couldn't imagine you."

She looked at him. "That's cheezy."

"I am very affectionate right now."

"Great. Just glad you aren't in battle mode, or things could have very strange optics."

He grinned. "I would protect you."

"If you ever get in a fight while knotted to me, I am going to rip your dick off and make a run for it."

He stroked a hand down her back. "I don't think it will grow back, but if it keeps you safe, you can have it."

She grinned. "Why does my mind imagine a collection, and why is Oren freaking out?"

"They can't find you. He can feel you, but they can't find this hideaway."

"Oh, that's a little rude."

He laughed. "It lets me stay here with you until nature allows us to uncouple."

"My own body weight is making that difficult."

Ymer chuckled. "I know."

"Jerk."

He laughed, and she slipped slightly around him. He went deeper, and a grunt came from her throat.

She heard a familiar sound and said, "Uh-oh."

He looked at her with heavy-lidded eyes. "What?"

"The dogs are coming."

"Well, then, Pet, you had better get off."

She muttered, "I can't feel my legs."

He gripped her thighs and lifted her off him, sending a slurry onto his lap.

"I don't suppose you have a shower here?"

"Of course. What hideyhole wouldn't be complete without a shower?"

He got to his feet and took her with him. She felt the dripping and looked at him. "Were you saving up for something?"

He glanced down at her. "When we have all had our fill, I am going to take you over my knee. You are far too chatty during sex."

"Sure, sure." She looked around at the bathroom and the waterfall shower that was already cascading. He swung her under the spray, and she spluttered. "Won't be a next time if you drown me."

He pulled her back and steadied her as he cleaned them both up.

When they were drying off, she could hear barking outside.

He sighed as he towelled her hair. "How did they find us?"

"Uh. When the knot got stuck, I may have quietly called for help." She peeped at him.

He smirked. "Who all heard?"

"The dogs and probably Oren."

"Ah, that changes things. Oren can get in here." He smiled.

She was embarrassed. "Are you sure?"

Oren's voice came from the doorway. "He's pretty sure."

"Oops. Sorry for the distress call."

"Mhm. Come here, Iris."

Ymer wrapped his arms around her. "You can have her back when she's dressed. This naked Pet is still mine."

"You can use her name."

"Soon. When I can control myself. Pet adds a certain distance." Ymer continued drying her. She moved when he stroked her, and soon, she was dry from head to toe, with only her hair remaining slightly damp. The dogs were quiet, and she kept her light panic to herself.

Ymer asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Comfortably achy? Is that a thing?"

He leaned in and kissed her throat. "It definitely is."

She shivered. "I think fun time is over for now."

He sighed. "I know. We are going to have to work out a timeshare. I am eldest; I get her the most."

Iris looked at him. "We can all discuss this once I figure the other two out."

He smiled. "That won't take long."

She smirked. "You try and distract two tweens and hold down a day job. By the time Brexel has a moment, I will be in my thirties."

Oren smiled. "He says not to count him out."

"Oh, shoot. You are chatting?"

"Letting him see through my eyes. I do it with animals to determine the point of injury. I think he is beating the hell out of that archery range right now. The boys are doing sprints to the lake, so Brexel is working out his frustration."

Iris sighed. "Right. This isn't a simple thing."

"No, but after he proposes, we can all go out for a nice evening out as a family."

"But... I'm an omega. I can't get married."

Ymer asked, "Who knows that?"

"I... oh. Yeah, I guess I am a legal beta."

Oren smiled. "We do love this system. You have the right to inherit, whereas your friend Tonlya does not. She's a known omega. Amazing technicalities."

"Oh. I should call her."

Oren smiled. "Wait until tomorrow. They will probably try and give her what they can considering her injured state. It isn't as effective, but it will give a diminished result. Still, a result is a result."

She grabbed her clothes and pulled them on, piece by piece. When she had her shoes on, she looked at Ymer. "So, should one of us leave some money on the table?"

He narrowed his eyes. "I might not bother taking you over my knee. A light swat is all it would take, I think."

"Naw. Pain isn't my thing. You will just have to make sure your tongue keeps up."

Delight lit his eyes. "Ah, that I can do."

"Balls."

"Sixty-nine it is." He winked, and they left with Oren laughing and the two dogs getting snuggles and pets for leading the dark elf right to her.

Brexel was going to be upset, but then, she was a little upset. It had been far too easy to fall into Ymer's arms, and she was feeling a bit of guilt for it. She wanted Brexel but didn't think she would have to assert herself soon. She didn't want to offend Oren, but Brexel was the one she had been idly fantasizing about, going back to when she was the nanny. It was hard not to. He was beautiful, and now, he was hers.