by Joyee Flynn
“No, it was just right. You both were perfect,” I answered before kissing him. It was true. It was enough to be a great distraction and something my body needed but not too much where I felt uncomfortable. I just wished we had taped it for Taggart for when he got better.
He would have enjoyed the show.
Chapter 6
A few days later I was having the best dream. It wasn’t that I woke up, so it had to be a dream since Taggart was there with me.
“I’ve missed you,” I whispered as I snuggled against him. “If you die you’ll take me with you, right? I don’t want to live in a world where you’re not there.”
“No more talk like that,” he chastised gently as he held me close. “I’m going to be just fine. We’re going to be just fine, my love.”
“Good.” I kissed his chest, unable to get over how real he felt in even a dream. But at the same time, it made sense. I knew every inch of Tag as well as I did my own body. “Make love to me?”
“We can’t right now. Azyle and Percy are waiting for us.” He paused and then his voice went lower as if worried someone else would hear us. “Have they been good to you, baby? Did they keep their promises and treat you right?”
“Oh yeah,” I giggled as I opened my eyes and looked into his deep-blue ones. “They’ve been taking real good care of me. We have tapes for you to watch. I wanted you to see what you missed. I let them take me with the dildo you got me, so they never breached me but only the toy did. And they’ve been fucking me with it all over the place. I think they really like me. They’re both very kind and good men.”
“So you like them?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes, but I love you.” I frowned. My dreams of Taggart shouldn’t have insecurities in them. “Do you think I’d want them instead of you? Please don’t think that, Tag. I like this dream.”
“No, I’m not jealous and this isn’t a dream, Dewey.” He chuckled as I stared at him in confusion. “I simply want to make sure they’re a good fit with us before we move on to what’s next.”
“Wait!” I gasped as I sat up, moving so I was straddling his hips. “You’re really here? How are you out of the hospital? They said I couldn’t see you until today.”
“And now you’re seeing me.” He gave me a wicked grin as he spread his arms wide. “Like what you see?”
“Are you better?” I moved my hands over his body as if that would prove this was real to me. “I’m not still asleep?”
“No, pint size,” Tristan chuckled from the doorway. “You’re awake.”
“Tag!” I exclaimed and wrapped myself around him. “I missed you!”
“You said that when you thought you were dreaming.” He held me tightly, burying his face into my neck. “I’m so sorry about what I said to you, Dewey. I was all over the place and I can’t explain what was going on in my mind. You know I love you, yeah?”
“I know. So are you all better? What did the doctor say?” I didn’t want to focus on Tag’s guilt. Even if the wolfsbane hadn’t been screwing with him, everyone’s allowed to have an off day where they blow up over something.
“I’ll tell my little redneck on one condition.” He waited until I rolled my eyes and nodded, my chin resting on his chest. “Will you wear that outfit for me again? I want to see it now that I’m in my right mind.”
“Are you sure?” I believed him but I wasn’t sure my ego could take another hit if he ended up not liking it.
“Oh yeah,” he moaned, grabbing my hips and moving my ass over his jeans-covered erection.
“Deal.”
“The doc says I’m fine. He’s set up a system to wean me off the wolfsbane. I take a small-dose injection of it every day for another week before we keep lowering every week. In six weeks it will be out of my body and I’ll be fine. I feel great actually, better than I have in years.”
“That’s awesome,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. Tag was okay.
“Hey, none of that.” He cupped my cheek and pulled my head down to his. He kissed me gently but I could feel his passion and desire to do more. Instead he pulled back. “Tristan heard from the High Council. They have a ruling on whether I can lead the dire wolf pack and keep you as my Omega. As long as you sign the contract and I can beat both Betas in a fair fight then I’m in.”
“Fight them?” I pushed myself off of him and crawled out of the bed. I found the clothes he wanted me to wear, yanking them on and ignoring Tristan’s presence. “Yeah, this dominance shit drives me insane. When is the High Council going to learn that the strongest physically isn’t necessarily the best leader? They want a fight? Fine, we’ll give them a fight.”
I stormed out of the room in my tiny shorts, boots, shirt tied in front, and my cowboy hat. Both men had their jaws hanging open in shock and it wasn’t until I got to the top of the stairs that I heard either of them moving.
“Dewey, wait!” Tag called out. I ignored him and raced down the stairs, through the kitchen, and out the back door.
“Hey, baby,” Azyle said with a smile as he finished setting up a webcam and laptop. I knew what both things were now, thanks to him. “You come to watch the fight? The High Council’s representative just came on.”
“Councilman Stratts,” the man on the screen introduced himself. “Nice to meet you, Omega Seymour.”
“You too, sir.” I gave him a nod just as Tristan and Taggart came racing out the back door. “I have something to say and you’re not going to like it, but I also find a visual is always best.”
“Okay then,” he drawled, looking curious as to what I meant.
“Percy, Azyle, can you please move into his view and get into fighting stances?” They both nodded and did as I asked as Tristan groaned.
“Dewey, please don’t blow our shot to be together,” Tag pleaded.
“If I show you my point for the record, hoping that it may help our race move into the current age, will you hold it against me and Tag?” I asked him, raising an eyebrow.
“No, Omega Seymour. You have me intrigued and being one of the few Councilmen who is in love with his Omega, I’ve always been appalled at how they’ve been treated. I welcome potential proof of why things should be changed.”
“Good deal,” I said brightly as I rubbed my hands together. “Attack me.”
“What?” Percy and Azyle gasped together, their eyes going wide.
“Humor me and trust the man you want to be your Omega and attack me,” I ordered, giving them a frown. They both nodded and readied themselves. Right before they were going to leap at me, I simply waved my hand and both of them were out like a light, falling to the ground with a thump. “I win. I get to be Alpha now because I won the fight.”
I turned to face the Councilman on the screen. He smiled as he wrote down some notes. “Point proven, Omega Seymour. You’ve made your point, son.”
“Good. Now I understand that an Alpha needs to be strong, but that doesn’t mean only physically. There are other ways to be a good leader. That’s why an Alpha has two Betas, enforcers to keep him safe. I would appreciate you passing along my point and thoughts, Councilman Stratts. We wouldn’t be in this predicament with so many abused Omegas if physical strength wasn’t equated to leadership material.”
“Agreed. In this instance though, I do need to see that Taggart Becket can handle himself. An Alpha does have to be able to hold his own. He’s already taken our other tests and passed with flying colors.”
“Other tests? There are other tests besides the leadership and IQ test?” I felt my face pale as I turned to Taggart and Tristan. “You didn’t say you took other tests. You said you had to beat Percy and Azyle in a fight to prove you could be Alpha. I didn’t want you guys to fight, thinking there was another way and—”
“Breathe, my love,” Tag interrupted me as he knelt in front of me and cradled my face in his hands. “Yes, there is more than a physical fighting abilities test to be an Alpha. I didn’t have time to explain that because you wigged when y
ou heard I’d be fighting Percy and Azyle.”
“I don’t want any of you to fight or get hurt,” I panted, feeling as if I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. “We’ve seen dominance battles, Tag. They’re bloody and people die sometimes. I can’t lose you.
“Omega Seymour, if I may?” Councilman Stratts asked and I turned to face him. “That’s not how they are supposed to be, son. My understanding is that you’ve witnessed some MMA fights as well?”
“No, why would I know anything about that?” I replied in a panic.
“It’s okay, I told the High Council everything.” Tag rubbed my back and I sighed in relief. “No, I didn’t want Dewey to find out how I was getting money for our escape.”
“I understand, but I meant that your old Alpha made the pack fight for bets?”
“Yeah. I understand what your point is, Councilman. But those fights are not a good example either. They were no-bars, brutal, winner-take-all kind of fights.” Tag rubbed his chin for a moment in thought and I knew something was going on here. What it was? I had no clue. “Dewey, do you remember when we were watching that movie where the students were training to be in the Navy? The one with the boxing fights?”
“And the really hot guy we were both drooling over?” I chuckled, nodding. Then just like that the lightbulb went off over my head. “You’re saying dominance fights are supposed to be more like that with rules and a referee?”
“Yes,” they both answered.
“Oh, well now I feel silly,” I mumbled. “It’s still violent but I can understand it. There was structure and points to determine the winner. Sometimes it was who was left standing, but they still got hurt.”
“Nothing major that won’t heal in an hour or so, Omega Seymour,” the Councilman said gently. “We need proof that Taggart can protect you and the pack if necessary.”
“Okay, then I’ll stop being a brat.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Omega Seymour. Give yourself a chance to adjust to the fast-coming changes. It’s understandable when certain things worry you after the pack you’ve been exposed to.”
“Thank you, Councilman.” I gave Tag a quick kiss and mentally released Azyle and Percy.
“Can we not do that again?” Percy groaned as he came around, rubbing his head. “This wasn’t our idea, baby. We just want to show the Council that Taggart can lead and get you guys home with us. Our pack needs a lot of help healing and Azyle and I feel you are the right people to do it.”
“I’m sorry.” I knelt in front of him and gave him a kiss.
“You’re forgiven but only because you’re wearing my favorite outfit,” he mumbled against my lips. “I still require some TLC when we’re done.”
“Deal,” I giggled. I did the same to Azyle before moving out of the way with him. Percy and Taggart were up first. They both stripped off their shirts and kicked off their shoes for better mobility. I didn’t know how they could fight in jeans but it wasn’t me out there so whatever they wanted. Azyle wrapped an arm around me as I chewed on my nails, not wanting to watch but unable to look away.
“Go!” Tristan called out, obviously being the referee for the fight. Tag and Percy circled each other for a moment, looking for an opening. Tag was the first to strike, blocking a punch of Percy’s when the man saw Taggart was coming in. He clocked the Beta in the face and then swiped Percy’s feet out from under him.
“You still have wolfsbane in your system,” Percy grumbled as he jumped back up onto his feet. “You shouldn’t be this fast.”
“Oh, but I am,” Taggart chuckled before hitting Percy in the solar plexus with the heel of his hand. The fight went on for at least ten more minutes. Tag blocked most of Percy’s attempts, moving with the grace of a dancer. Percy, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have much experience with someone who really knew how to fight instead of just someone using anger and their fists.
“I yield,” Percy panted from the ground where he was on all fours. “Yeah, I’m so done.” He shook his head and glanced up at the Councilman on the screen. “I can yield, right? Taggart’s totally kicking my ass and well, I hurt.”
“Yes, Beta Ryan,” Councilman Stratts chuckled. “You may yield as long as you put forth true effort as you obviously did.”
“Okay, good.” Percy flopped to the ground and lay on his back. “Your turn, Azyle. Good luck, babe. You’re going to need it.”
“I saw that,” Azyle mumbled as he pulled off his shirt and toed off his shoes. “Make sure Percy’s still alive, Dewey. Taggart gave him quite a beating.”
“I did not,” Tag snickered. “A beating is throwing punches after the other person can’t fight back. Percy was holding his own.”
“Hot and kind,” Percy groaned in pain. “And a liar!”
“Hush now,” I whispered as I moved under his head so it was lying in my lap. “I can’t play nursemaid to you if you’re not going to behave.”
“Will you be my naked nursemaid after this is done?” Percy teased. I rolled my eyes at him and leaned over to give him a quick kiss. His eyes stayed closed as he rested, but I couldn’t miss the big grin on his face. “The beating was worth it just for that.”
“Charmer.” I focused on Tag and Azyle, who had already started. “Is it fair that Tag has back-to-back fights like this?”
“Baby, he kicked my ass with wolfsbane in his system. I think he’ll be just fine,” Percy bitched.
“You’re a whiney little thing when you lose,” I teased.
“Yeah, well, you already love Taggart and you’re his. We’re still trying to woo you and getting my ass handed to me in front of you isn’t the type of manly prowess I was hoping to show off.”
“Remember I was the one against this whole fighting for dominance from the beginning. This ain’t the way to turn me on. Go bench-press a car. That would get me hot,” I countered with a wink.
“Shit!” Tag growled and my head snapped up. I was just in time to see Azyle hit the ground, unconscious. “I’m sorry, my love. I was holding back so I didn’t hurt them. The punch just got away from me though when he moved.”
“You were holding back?” Percy and Councilman Stratts yelled at the same time. The Councilman sounded shocked but Percy was more along the lines of pissed.
“Well, yeah,” Tag answered sheepishly as the tips of his ears turned red. “You said I had to beat them in a fight, not wipe the ground with them. I want them to be my Betas and work as an inner circle should. Not have them resent me for life because I embarrassed them in front of a Councilman by whooping them.”
“It’s official. I have no ego left,” Percy grumbled, always the sarcastic smart-ass of the group. “Should I resign as Beta?”
“No, you had great form and were a competent fighter,” Tag praised with a smile. “I think you’d be a great Beta and enforcer. We’ll work on how you can get a little faster so you have the drop on a potential opponent.”
“And on that note,” Councilman Stratts drawled. “Tristan, the contracts should be in your e-mail. We’re going to forgo the normal claiming ceremony as previously discussed. There’s too much anger and worry in the pack for them not to return as a united front.”
“Agreed, Councilman. Thank you so much for your time and help with all of this. I think the dire pack will be much better off with their new Alpha. We’ll be here to help them in any way we can.”
“You’re definitely big enough now to fit in with them,” he replied with a wink. I stood there like a moron, completely clueless. They traded a few more witty comments before ending the conversation and Tristan closed the laptop.
“Umm, anyone else know what they were talking about?” I asked when everyone simply sat there.
“Oh, right, sorry,” Tristan answered as he leaned over and ruffled my hair. “I was basking in the glow of my great negotiation skills. I think they really have improved. I mean, I impressed myself this time.”
“That’s not easy to do,” Jared said as he, Cameron, and Rhyce joined us
in the backyard. “What did you pull off now, our little magician?”
“Bite your tongue, shorty,” Tristan threw right back with a wink. “Taggart’s the new Alpha of the dire wolf pack now that he’s proven he can handle himself in a fight by kicking his Betas’ asses. Oh, and he admitted he was even holding back. That was impressive in my book as well. The contracts for the new inner circle are in my e-mail, with a bunch of perks for our new Omega friend, including but not limited to his stipend being transferred into an account of his own.
“Also, given the stress to Dewey and Taggart, along with the trauma the dire wolf pack has undergone because of crazy ass old Alpha with the boy-toy harem, I got the High Council to forgo the normal claiming ceremony. They all sign, and take as much time as they want to consummate with their new Omega however they want. The only rule is that Dewey have all three of their mating bites by the time they move to Wichita. So go me, give me a medal.”
“Wait, whoa, huh?” I gasped as I moved out from under Percy’s head. I got to my feet but it seemed all that news was a little much for me in new shoes because I started to go right back down. Tag had to have moved faster than a speeding bullet because he had been at least twenty feet away and suddenly he was there catching me.
“Dewey? Are you okay?” he asked in a worried tone.
“Yes? No, not really,” I admitted as my legs gave out. Tag lifted me into his arms as I clung to him as if he was the only solid thing in my world. I looked over at Tristan, whose good mood had faded. “I’m so sorry. I know you did this for me, for us but it’s just too much too soon. I need a moment to breathe.”
“You take all the time you need, pint size,” Tristan said, giving me a wink and a smile. “I shouldn’t have thrown it all on you like that. I just got excited that you didn’t have to go through another claiming ceremony.”
“I will be too, when I catch up.” I reached out for him and Tag got the idea and walked over to Tristan. The moment he was within reach I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re a good friend. I appreciate everything you’ve done. I’ll thank you for real later though.”