Tamed by His Omega

by Marie Medina

  “I was elected. In the end, at least. Why shouldn’t others have a chance? Instead of forcing one of the current members to step down and then selecting three new ones, I’m going to ask you all to think long and hard about who should serve. On this, I won’t budge. We all need time to see what this new world is going to be like. To think about what we want it to be.”

  “And you think the punishment for murder is a question that can wait until after this campaigning?” Tasia asked.

  Everyone eyed him, including his mate. “The brutality of today can’t go unpunished.” He paused, considering how much depended on what he said next. “He’ll be imprisoned for now, and the day after tomorrow, we’ll meet again.”

  “We?” Tasia asked.

  “The council. Yourself, as the most directly injured party. And anyone who wishes to make an argument for or against Rafe.” He paused, his gaze moving over the crowd. “I can guarantee nothing, but all who wish to speak will be heard.”

  Murmurs went up again, with many people looking at Tasia. She held his gaze a long time before she said, “I can wait until then.”

  “Thank you,” Ryden said before looking down at his mate. In a low whisper, he said, “I understand if you’re upset, but—”

  Owen touched one finger lightly to his lips. “Later. Right now, I’m supporting my mate as he figures out how to do something I’ve unwittingly pushed him into.”

  Ryden wanted to kiss Owen, but just then Jensen cleared his throat.

  “And the taking of mates?” Jensen said. “Is it safe to assume your plans to exchange vows with Owen means the old bans are lifted?”

  “Yes. Starting now.”

  Silence fell again, and then someone began applauding. Others joined in, and soon cheers went up.

  Once the excitement died down, Ryden said, “Am I right in assuming that the usual feast has been prepared?”

  “Roasted meat and lots of ale and wine await everyone,” Mikel said.

  Ryden took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Even if it was almost my funeral banquet, I’m famished. No more politics today. Everyone to the banquet hall!”

  Everyone began talking at once as people began to leave, and Ryden hung back with his mate, Vadik, and Asmund. He watched Jensen and Tasia speaking together. Jensen gave her a warm smile, which she returned before shaking her head. He gave a slight shrug and moved to join the others.

  Ryden let the crowd thin some more before he beckoned her over. “Did you know?” he asked.

  “Not exactly. I was as shocked as anyone else when I saw my father had killed Harald. I thought it far more likely he would try to assassinate you or your mate,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what he said to you out there, but I caught a few words by reading his lips.”

  “I’d rather not discuss what he said,” Ryden said, his stomach churning at the memory.

  “Put it all out of your mind. He hated your parents because he was in love with your father, who rejected him in a very public and humiliating way when they were quite young. Long before we were born.”

  The idea of Fendal loving anyone but himself proved hard to accept, but now some of the things Ryden’s father had said about the other man made more sense. Ryden tilted his head, trying to process everything. “Well … that’s less disturbing than the idea he tried to make you marry your half-brother.”

  Tasia laughed, her eyes wide. “What?”

  “He implied my mother was unfaithful. Said he could be my father as easily as most anyone.”

  She laughed even harder. “He spread rumors about her because he resented her. He didn’t like women at all. He only slept with my mother to get an heir, and he never let her or me forget how disappointed he was I wasn’t male.”

  “Sounds as if you should campaign, like Ryden said,” Vadik said.

  She gazed over at him, actually smiling. “You just said something serious. And it made sense. I’m impressed.”

  “You were impressed the moment you saw me, and you know it,” Vadik said with a grin.

  She eyed the four of them. “I will consider it.” She bowed. “I hope we all part as friends.”

  “Sure. Why not?” Vadik said.

  She shook her head at him before saying, “When the council resumes normal function, I will have many proposals. And my argument the day after tomorrow will be an adamant one.”

  “I’d expect nothing less,” Ryden said.

  Once she was gone, Vadik looked to Ryden. “You trust her?”

  “Not completely,” Ryden said, “but we have to start somewhere. I don’t want anyone to feel like an outsider.”

  As they left the great hall, Owen whispered, “Wish we could start this adventure by going home.”

  Ryden raised Owen’s hand and kissed it. “There’s going to be a lot of this. You’ll have to get used to it.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind going to eat and meeting everyone,” Owen said. “Just can’t wait to get you into bed again.”

  Ryden smiled down at him. “I’m sure no one will care if we sneak out early.”

  “How early?” Owen asked.

  Ryden laughed as they approached the banquet hall. He looked around at the fires where the meats had been roasted, his focus on all of the people talking together as they moved in and around the building. He couldn’t remember one single time he’d ever seen his people this animated.

  A revolution indeed. It may be some time before we all stop spinning.

  ****

  Three Days Later

  Owen woke as Ryden’s arms slid around him. Ryden kissed the back of his neck, and he wished he had the energy to climb on top of his mate again. “Morning,” he said as he turned his head.

  “I think I wore you out last night. It’s after one.”

  Owen blinked and looked over at his clock. He rolled over and found his mate dressed. “How long have you been up?”

  “A few hours. I went over some basic ideas with the elders. I want them sent out to everyone for consideration.”

  Owen yawned and stretched. “What kind of ideas?”

  “How we’re going to do this. How the next leader will be picked. What the new council of elders will be like, how they’ll be appointed. Two years isn’t long, and we need to get started. We can’t just adopt someone else’s system. We need our own, and it needs to be strong.” He reclined on the bed more and pulled Owen closer. “Have you thought about where we’ll live? It’s cozy here, but I think we’ll need more space if we stay here.”

  “You should live among your people,” Owen said. “I thought your home was cold at first, and way too big. But we made love for the first time there.” He smiled. “Maybe we could christen all the other rooms.”

  Ryden caressed Owen’s stomach. “Your scent is a little different. You may be pregnant. I’ll never deny your need, but we should probably be gentler.”

  Owen licked his lips. “You’re already very gentle with me. I may be human, but I am a shifter. I’m not delicate.”

  Ryden stroked Owen’s cheek. “I’m trying to show you that I do love you. They weren’t just words I said because it was a good moment to say them.”

  “I know.” Owen took Ryden’s braid in his hand, playing with the end of it. “Action means more to you than words—I get that. And trust me, your actions are speaking loud and clear. I’m still scared, but we’re going to figure all of this out.”

  Ryden’s expression clouded a little. “We haven’t talked about how you feel about Rafe’s execution. I understand you not attending, but I’ve been waiting for you to say something.” He seemed to chew the inside of his lower lip before he said, “And you haven’t said a word.”

  Owen looked at the end of Ryden’s braid, which he’d trimmed to even it out after Rafe had hacked part of it off during their fight. “I didn’t realize that would worry you. I asked you not to appoint another executioner, and you haven’t.”

  “You also asked me to put an end to executions altogether.” Ryden too
k him by the chin and tipped his head back.

  “Rafe was a horrible person, and he killed the man who seemed to be his closest ally without the slightest hesitation. I made my request before I saw all of that. Tasia volunteered to cut his head off. She was avenging her father, whether he deserved it or not. It’s different.” He gripped Ryden’s hand and kissed the palm. “I love you, and you’re doing a good job. I see now there’s going to have to be compromise from everyone. The good of your people … it’s not all as black and white as I imagined. And I’m fine with that.”

  “Not sure I deserve you, little one.”

  Owen chuckled. “I’ve shaken up your entire world like a toddler with a snowglobe.”

  Ryden laughed and kissed his forehead. “Our life certainly isn’t boring.” He rose and pulled Owen to his feet. “Come on. We can’t have you falling into decadence and sleeping this late every day.”

  Owen laughed. “You’re the one who wore me out.”

  Ryden’s arms went around his waist, and he leaned in until they were almost kissing. “You’re the one who demanded it. Who’s been demanding lots of things since the moment we met.”

  “And you love it,” Owen said.

  “You’re right. I do,” Ryden said before bringing their lips together.

  Epilogue

  Four Months Later

  Ryden rose from the table as soon as the council meeting was over. It had lasted over two hours, and he was ready to get home to his mate, who was pregnant and being very stubborn about getting proper rest every day. The four elders who had served under Harald seemed just as eager to get home, but Tasia and Ran still sat at the other end of the table discussing something. Ryden smiled. They were both so eager to prove themselves, and thus far, they seemed to be doing a fine job.

  Council meetings were now open to anyone, and half a dozen people milled about the chairs that had been set up to the side. Jensen caught up with Ryden and walked at his side. “Tasia’s surprising me. In a good way. She’s still much more conservative than I am, but at least she’s willing to discuss and compromise.”

  “Yes, they’re both doing well,” Ryden said. “Though I do think she’s being so open because Rafe was executed in the end.”

  “I certainly couldn’t imagine dealing with her if he was still sitting in a cell.” Jensen paused before he asked, “How did your omega take that?”

  “He came to terms with it. He seemed conflicted at first, but the fact we no longer have an appointed executioner carrying out the whims of the council pleases him,” Ryden said. “He understands we can’t turn everything topsy-turvy just yet.”

  Jensen nodded absently, and Ryden eyed him. They were almost the same age, yet they’d never really been friends until recently. “You seemed a bit distracted tonight. Are you thinking of presenting an idea soon?”

  “No, I was thinking about my mate,” Jensen said.

  Ryden nearly tripped on the threshold as they made their way outside. “Ah. And when did this happen?”

  “Two nights ago. In Paris.”

  “Sounds romantic.”

  “Not sure I’d call it that. I was using a glamour and having a late-night stroll. He came crashing out of a building with a man pursuing him. I scented him right away and stepped in when the other man tried to grab him. I wasn’t thinking about the fact I was dealing with a human, and I was too rough. Broke his wrist, I think.”

  “Did it escalate?”

  “No. The man cursed at us both and ran away. Left us standing there staring at each other.”

  “Your mate’s human?”

  “No.” Jensen stopped Ryden and glanced around. “He’s a sprite. And while he couldn’t see through my glamour, he recognized that I’m elven, though he didn’t press for more details.”

  “A male sprite? That’s rare.”

  “Yes, he’s quite remarkable. Extremely beautiful. And what he needs right now is a friend, not another lover.”

  “Did you tell him he’s your mate?”

  “No. And he doesn’t know I’m a member of this clan. Or what I really look like.”

  “Things have changed so much. You shouldn’t be worried about telling him.”

  “I will tell him. When I can think of a reason to see him again.”

  “Wanting to see him again is reason enough. He’ll understand once he knows he’s your mate. You must’ve talked for a while.”

  “About five minutes. Then he said he had to go. I let him, but I followed close behind to be sure he was safe.”

  “So you know where he lives at least?”

  Jensen shook his head. “He went to a hotel. And when I came back the next day, he was gone. I’m going to have to use a spell. I don’t even know his name.”

  Ryden frowned. “No name? Are you going to try to track every male sprite? That could take days.”

  Jensen smiled sheepishly. “I touched his shoulder just before he left, asking if he was sure he was all right. And I made sure I pulled a loose hair off his collar.”

  “Sneaky, but it’ll save you time.”

  “Now if only I knew what to say.”

  “You’ll do fine,” Ryden said. He opened a portal. “Now, I have a pregnant mate to get back to.”

  Jensen’s smile widened. “Of course.”

  “Keep us updated. Someone like you finding his mate is just the encouragement our people need.”

  Jensen nodded absentmindedly and turned away.

  Ryden emerged in the kitchen and found Owen stirring a pot of soup.

  “Before you start in,” Owen said, “I’ve been sitting down most of the day.”

  Ryden came up behind him and kissed his cheek, hugging him close. “I was going to start out by saying how good it smells.” He rubbed his mate’s growing stomach. “Stomach still unsettled?”

  “A bit. The baby’s growing so fast.”

  Ryden pressed closer. “As long as everything’s all right.”

  “I’m fine,” Owen said. He turned to look up at Ryden. “Meeting ran pretty long.”

  “Yes, lots to do. I’m fucking exhausted, but it’s worth it.”

  “You have me to come home to,” Owen said with a smile.

  “And collapse on the couch with.” He got two bowls down and set them on the counter. “Jensen has found his mate. They just met.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “I think so.”

  “His mate all over him like I was with you? He is handsome.”

  “No, he’s not so lucky.” He drew Owen close again. “Their meeting was sort of awkward, and—” He paused. “You think Jensen’s handsome?”

  Owen rolled his eyes. “Everyone with functioning eyes thinks Jensen is handsome.”

  Ryden bristled, but then he calmed at the twinkle in his mate’s eye. “If you weren’t pregnant, I’d take you over my knee.”

  “That’s a new one,” Owen whispered against Ryden’s neck.

  “Just you wait until the baby comes.”

  “We’ll be too tired for such things, and you know it,” Owen said.

  “Then we’ll just hold each other, and I’ll try not to snore.”

  “Sounds perfect,” Owen said as he stirred the soup again.

  “It will be,” he said, tipping Owen’s chin back. “In fact, it already is.”

  Ryden kissed his mate softly. He inched back when he felt what had to be a tiny kick from Owen’s abdomen, and his hand went to Owen’s stomach the same time Owen’s did. His mate beamed up at him, and Ryden pulled him into an even deeper embrace.

  The End

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  BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER

  CATCHING HIS FOX

  The Year of Suns, 3

  Marie Medina

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Valladora

  3155, The Year of Suns

  Byron adjusted his bag on his shoulder and hurried toward the stables. As he did so, he glanced around in every direction. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see his parents, but he had stayed away a long time. Telling Vane he was going to pursue his mate was one thing—his brother would keep it a secret, at least for a time. They understood each other, given how Vane had been forced to be without his mate as well for even longer than Byron had. Byron felt too nervous to go into the subject in depth with anyone. He just wanted to get on the road, to start his journey toward Kit and whatever future lay ahead of them. With his mother close to giving birth, he hadn’t expected them to be traveling at all, let alone to actually be at Vane’s castle. He managed to get his bag secured to his favorite black stallion, Saint, and was just about to mount when he heard a throat being cleared behind him.

  “What did you do? Grab a quick bottle of blood and head right back out here?” his mother asked.

  Byron turned to look at Evane, noting her crossed arms and the rhythm of her foot tapping in the dirt. “I changed clothes and drank some blood. Cleaned up a bit. I had a brief chat with Arion and Vane, too.”

  Evane came closer. “And where are you off to in such a hurry? Not back off with His Majesty, I hope. He’ll wear you out.”

  Byron tilted his head to look down into her eyes. “I’m not going back to King Jareth. I only lingered as long as I did because I still had some things to think about.”

  “Things, hmmm?” She arched one dark brow at him.

  “I daresay you already know, given that look in your eyes.”

  She smiled, her expression wistful. “A guess. Seeing Vane and Arion has you thinking about your own mate, I’d wager. If they could work things out, there’s hope for anyone, hmmm?”