Chapter 1

Chapter

One

"Dammit. This place is a sty."

Triton tried not to be critical. Gods knew he was not good at keeping house. And he did not expect Cerran to be well-versed in it either. They had grown up in a keep where all the alpha warriors had barracks, and those barracks had been cleaned by servants.

So when they found themselves in a small apartment together while they were waiting for their new quarters to be renovated and finished, and with a baby with them at that…well.

They had a mess.

"Maybe we should speak to Cain about a housekeeper," Cerran suggested.

Triton snorted. "I am not accustomed to being bad at anything." That was the barest truth. In fact, Triton was used to excelling at things. And he had always prided himself on his neatness, because in the barracks, an alpha only had so much personal space.

But with a baby, there was all this…detritus. Tiny socks. Diapers. Bottles and nipples. Blankets. Seemingly dozens of them. How many blankets did one child need?"

"Accustomed or not, we're terrible at this. When was the last time we changed our sheets?" Cerran raised his eyebrows.

"Mmmm." He left that noncommittal, but Cerran had a point. The baby came to the bed with them in the early mornings when she needed another feeding, and that couldn't be sanitary for her.

"Surely there is someone we can hire in for help. Just until we can move into our new quarters."

"Our new quarters are at least five times this size. How are we to keep that clean? Especially when Leilani starts crawling?" Triton didn't even want to think about floors. "I suppose I could take lessons from the cleaning crew, let them show me a routine."

"Uh-huh. Or we could hire someone. We don't have to treat them badly, like servants were treated at the old keep. We don't?—"

A knock came to their door, and they both stiffened.

Triton tried not to act as though everyone who came to see them was potentially an enemy, but it had been that way for so long at their old keep. He'd been hiding things for decades.

He strode to the door to peer through the viewfinder.

Durango Perola stood there, holding a huge basket, and next to Durango ranged a lean young dragon with curls the color of a dragon's blood ruby and a smattering of deep red scales at his hairline. The young man caught his attention, and he opened the door to his fellow warrior Durango with a smile and a slight bow.

"My friend. Well met."

"You too, Triton. I brought you some gifts. Can we come in?"

"Of course." Triton scented the red dragon, making sure he was no danger. His senses all pricked, that smell…calling to him somehow. As if he knew it deep inside him, but it was all new as well.

"This is Elowyn. He is our midwife Rowan's brother, and he came to the keep to help with things like childcare and housekeeping. Is it okay for him to come in to meet you both?"

"Of course. Please, come in." Triton stepped back. "I am Triton, and this is my grak'gra, my shield mate, Cerran. Pleased to meet you."

"I brought gifts." Elowyn held out a little bag to them. "Teething rings. They'll be necessary soon from what I'm told of your child's age."

Cerran beamed at Elowyn. "Oh, that's very thoughtful."

"Thank you. Please, I'm sorry about the state of the house." Triton actually felt his cheeks heat. He was unused to being ashamed to have guests. Really, he needed to make some sort of cleaning schedule, but he and Cerran had spent a great amount of time with Niko, their friend who had been so injured during the raid that had freed them and their sweet baby.

"Nonsense. It's not a problem." The little dragon glanced around, then smiled. "Should I unpack the food, Durango?"

"Please. I'd appreciate it." Durango clapped the young omega on the back.

The little one disappeared into the kitchen.

Cerran looked after him, eyebrows raised. Then they both turned back to Durango. "How are you, Durango?"

"Exceptional. I have been home helping with Serenity for a few weeks." Durango's face softened. "She's beautiful. Would you like to see pictures?"

"It's good to have a place where we can be with the little ones, no?" Their keep had been so strict about children and class, heartstones and rank. They had moved children early to be with their schools, such as seers or warriors.

"It is." Durango showed him several pictures on his phone. Serenity was a gorgeous child, with Durango's blue eyes and a mix of Durango's coloring and Eyv's.

"She's amazing." Almost as beautiful as our baby, Triton, Cerran told him mentally.

Yes. But Leilani is ours.

Cerran chuckled, and Durango gave them a bright grin, as if he knew what they were thinking. Rustling sounds came from the kitchen, which made him frown a little. What on earth was that pretty omega, because his scent was clearly omega, doing in their kitchen? It sounded as if he were riffling through the trash.

"So, are you settling? The rumor is that your new quarters are coming along well." Durango knew something was up. Triton had no doubt.

"Yes. Yes, they should be done soon. We are very grateful to Cain for giving us a place to be…private." In these small apartments, sound carried, so even if they didn't have to sneak off to be together as they had in their first keep, they had to be quiet.

"You have earned it, my friend." Durango grasped his arm in a warrior's handshake.

The little omega came out with a platter of cheeses and preserved meats, crackers, olives, and a pot of mustard. It was absolutely lovely. His nose quivered, and Cerran moved closer to the wee redhead like he was being pulled on a string. Food was amazing the way that the right recipe brightened the room.

"I thought everyone could use a snack," Elowyn smiled brightly. "I hope that's acceptable."

"It's beautiful." Cerran beamed down at the little one. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"May I get you a drink?" Cerran asked.

"I would take an ale," Triton said.

Cerran rolled his eyes. "Of course you would. Durango? Elowyn?"

Elowyn shook his head. "I'm fine, thank you. Would you like me to grab drinks? I don't mind."

"No, no, sit, please."

"I would like some ale as well," Durango said. "If it's no trouble."

Cerran nodded and moved to the kitchen. Then Triton heard his mate in his head. Mate? The kitchen is spotless. The little omega did all this in just those few minutes. It's…it's so clean.

What? How? He—Why? Triton didn't love surprises, and he didn't love people messing in his business.

I don't know. I suppose he just wanted to make food? It was probably easier to have a clean counter.

Triton squinted at Elowyn, trying to see him, see his intention.

Elowyn met his eyes, calm and accepting, his gaze like a deep pool.

Triton took a deep breath and summoned up a smile. It probably looked like a baring of teeth, but he tried.

Elowyn returned his smile, then stood and turned toward the kitchen. "I'll go help."

He looked at Durango when Elowyn disappeared. "What have you done?"

"That's Rowan's brother. He wanted to come up from the Gulf Coast, and when he heard that we had a bunch of warriors in, he thought he'd offer his help." Durango shrugged and grinned. "He was a caretaker for a family who moved overseas, and he didn't want to be so far from Rowan anymore."

"Ah." He looked toward the kitchen, where he heard Cerran's laughter, low and pleased. "And you think we need his help?"

Durango looked about the front room. "I do. You need someone happy to help make things easier for you. We have a group—teenagers, babies, brothers, omegas. You need someone to care for you both."

He looked at the kitchen again, where Cerran finally came out with Elowyn, beaming. "He made a bottle up for Leilani. Let me go get her."

Mate? Durango brought him here to help us. Triton wasn't at all certain he approved.

Good. He's amazing. He's quiet, but kind. I like him.

He'll be in our house all the time.

Grumpy old dragon, Cerran teased. It might be good for you.

Cerran reappeared from the bedroom area carrying the baby, her bright pink onesie and purple blanket with rainbow unicorns both a stark contrast to Cerran's muscular form.

"Oh, hello, beauty." Elowyn beamed at the baby. "Can I feed her? She's perfect."

"Of course," Cerran said it before he could protest and handed their baby right over to Elowyn as if they'd known him and his family for generations.

Elowyn smiled down at little Lei, his expression sweet. "Hello, little one. Are you hungry? Hmm? Let's see." He put the bottle nipple to her lips, and she latched on hard. She had been so hungry when they'd stolen her and worked so desperately to keep her alive, and now she was catching up every day. Every bottle was a chance to grow, he supposed.

She didn't hesitate. She cuddled in with a grunt like she knew Elowyn.

It was a little aggravating.

Cerran came to stand beside him, fingers grazing the back of his hand. We were just saying we needed help.

I don't trust him. He's an outsider. His brain told him that, even if his body disagreed.

We're the outsiders, mate, Cerran pointed out.

Yes, but he came here on purpose.

To help. The midwife has a great reputation here. Many alphas trust him.

Durango watched them with a knowing gaze, staying relaxed. Easy.

"I would love to help. I can come in the morning and stay until after supper. I am experienced in housekeeping, childcare, and food preparation." Elowyn swayed back and forth, almost dancing while Leilani ate.

"I think that is a grand idea," Cerran said.

Triton grunted, trying not to sound utterly negative. He was sure he was not fooling anyone, but Cerran liked the young male, and that would override him in no time.

"Of course. I will be able to start work in the morning. Do you have a breakfast you prefer?"

"Triton likes a hearty breakfast. We both like a little kelp in there somewhere, even if it's in a smoothie." Cerran's cheerful voice made him grit his teeth.

"Cerran has a sweet tooth," Triton admitted grudgingly. "Pastry and such."

"Of course. I'll be in early. Just give me a door code." Elowyn bowed slightly, which made Leilani giggle.

Durango applauded. "Perfect. I'm so happy you decided that Elowyn might be of help."

"He will be a great help," Cerran said. "We were drowning in baby things."

Triton sighed. It was a lost cause. Cerran had decided that this omega was the solution to their problems.

"I will not interfere with your lives, alpha. You have my word. In a few days, you'll never even notice me."

"Mmm." He had a feeling that wasn't true. There was something about Elowyn that…itched. Deep under his skin where he couldn't scratch it.

"We appreciate the help. Seriously." Cerran beamed at Elowyn. "We needed this."

"You are very welcome. I will sit with Leilani while you visit with Durango." Elowyn nodded to the food. "Please. Eat. It is created to nourish alphas."

"Thank you." He wasn't an ass. He knew how to show gratitude. He just wasn't sure about this at all.

Triton glanced sideways at his grak'gra. He supposed Cerran was certain enough for both of them.

It will be fine. He needs a job. We need help. He's innocent. It will be a perfect match.

Hopefully Cerran knew what he was talking about.