Page 30 of Matched By the Dragon

“Yes, but not because you can’t take care of yourself. People can be mean,” he emphasized the word like he wanted to say another, but the kids were around and he was tired of spelling out cuss words. “And while I know this is about omegas helping omegas, I’m still your mate. Plus, if some mean person shows up being mean to any omega in a way that can’t be handled in house, I’ll eat them.”

I smiled because he meant it. Sure, he was vastly underestimating what a room full of omegas who were also carriers could do. He was underestimating how dangerous it was to mess with a pregnant bear and how dragon omegas scared even their own alphas sometimes, but it was still nice to know he had my back.

“Thanks,” I grinned at him.

“They don’t get to mess this up. You worked hard for it,” he said and kissed my temple again.

We snuggled in silence until the alarm on my phone went off, signaling it was time for us to hit the road. I had a grand opening and Durin and the boys had their playdate lunch at the Temple of Frost.

Chapter 10

Durin

The Hemlock Wolf Pack, Star’s Territory

“They’ll be fine,” was the first thing Raziel said to me when I walked into the Temple of Frost with a cub in either arm. “They hired omega dragons for security. Worst case scenario, they have to eat crispy-burnt alpha as part of their celebration. Some of my sisters work there. They’re not letting any --- anyone by. Almost cussed,” he laughed.

Slyvin and Bennie and their little kids were already in the playroom where we’d have a picnic style lunch with them. The room was huge and had several different play areas from a slide and a swing to a climbing section to a bunch of small trampolines and ride around toys. Off in one corner was even a little play kitchen complete with tables and chairs. I kept my side of the mating link open and so did Brad. It felt like he was already having fun and I couldn’t stop smiling because of it.

“Alby is over the moon too,” Bennie said as I set Resin and Oaklan down on the floor. His little sister, Daisy, lounged over his legs in her tiger form. “This one isn’t thrilled that Ryder wouldn’t take her to the other party.”

At the sound of someone talking about her she rolled onto her back and looked up at him. A second later, Daisy shifted back into her human form – a four year old little girl who was about to turn five.

“They’re having cake,” she sighed.

“You had cake last night,” Slyvin said. “And this morning. And we have cake for dessert today. Why do you need their cake?”

“Because it’s like seven layers tall,” she pouted. “I want a tall cake for my birthday and I want to jump down on top of it.”

“That would be a lot of cake for one little tigress,” Slyvin said, pulling his daughter’s foot over so he could tie her shoe.

“I could eat it,” she growled.

“I bet you could. Maybe we can do a two-layer cake and let you jump off the table onto it,” he countered.

“I’ll take it, if that’s the best deal that you’re going to offer me,’ she sighed as if he offered her a cake pop instead a double layer cake.

“It probably is,” Slyvin winked at her. “Now, do you want to go play?”

“I guess,” she sighed, pushing herself upright and bounding off.

We ate and the kids came back and forth eating bites here and there while playing. Mostly, we gathered them together to ensure they wouldn’t miss their carriers too much while they were off on a mission to save the world. Also, it was hard to make friends with other alphas. Either they were too busy with their families or they didn’t have them yet or they did and didn’t take nearly as much interest in their kids as we did in ours. Even Raziel took his responsibility as godfather to Bennie and Alby’s tiger triplets very seriously.

Raziel got a call from his dad, and he had to leave early. He swore up and down before leaving that it wasn’t about Omega Ward. It wasn’t. Star spoke loudly enough for us to know it was to do with something concerning Raziel’s mate.

“Maybe he came in for the party,” Bennie said. “A lot of people came in for the party.”

“He’s your friend, kiddo, but this is one of those times I’d say you should mind your business. How he deals with navigating this situation is his business. We see him as we know him, but no man stays away from his true-mate for this long on purpose without a good reason. So, unless you think he’s dumb, I’d leave it alone,” Slyvin said.

“I dare you to say that to Alby without covering your ears,” Bennie teased.

I wasn’t much interested in Raziel’s love life. So, I wandered over to where Resin and Oaklan were climbing on the indoor playset. They didn’t pay me much mind, but it felt safer to be closer to them as they climbed higher and higher. Eventually, Oaklan came back down and stood next to me in bear cub form as Resin kept climbing from surface to surface. They were waterproofed surfaces with a soft under material made to fall on. I wasn’t as worried as I might’ve been if I hadn’t watched them roll down hills and jump out of their crib. Plus, unless he learned to leap really far while I wasn’t looking, he’d land on the bouncy play mat if he fell.

Eventually, Resin made it to the top and roared. Then he looked down from the very top and stumbled a few steps back. His panic cut through me.

“You’re okay, Res,” I called out, but he was already growling and scrambling to find an easy way down. “Stay here,” I said to Oaklan and started climbing my way up the playset. It wasn’t that much of a climb for me, but my socks slipped and slid on the waterproof fabric. The whole thing was maybe ten foot tall.

“Resin,” I said, my voice serious so he’d look at me. “You’re okay. Sit down. Sit down, because I’m coming to get you.”