He inhaled deeply as sleep left him. Sunshine, honey, and... him. He nuzzled his nose into Skylar's hair to inhale her scent and she shifted slightly in her sleep, leaning back into him. A sleepy grin spread across his face as he looked down at her. He was curled around her, his front to her back, and he loved sleeping with her so close. The last few nights with her... he didn't remember ever sleeping so well. She was just as happy as he was, he could sense that through their fragile connection. But, although it was fragile, it grew stronger everyday.

Sunlight peaked through the edges of the curtains, but that didn't surprise Orion. Last night was the Full Moon and they'd only all gone to bed just before dawn. As soon as everyone in the Big House retired to their rooms, Orion had snuck down the hall into Skylar's room, just like he'd done since they'd bonded. He didn't know if he'd ever be able to sleep away from her again.

He stared down at his mate, so calm and relaxed in her sleep. His dragon hummed happily, completely content for the first time in his life. Last night during the Full Moon was the first time their dragons had had time alone together since they bonded, and they'd broken off from the clan almost as soon as they'd shifted, flying together under the silver of the moon and blanket of stars. Orion was amazed they'd made it back to the clan at all. The two dragons were oblivious to anything other than the two of them, not that Orion blamed him. The world around him could explode and he didn't know if he would notice while he stared down at Skylar wrapped in his arms.

He grinned and kissed the soft spot beneath her ear, very gently, and she moaned softly, wiggling back against him in her sleep. He chuckled and squeezed her tighter, if only to control himself. She'd figured out that she liked the new physical side to their relationship and he had to work to keep up with her, but he was up to the challenge.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear. She smiled in her sleep, but he could sense that she wasn't awake yet. He didn't want to wake her, and he knew he would if he stayed tucked against her for much longer. After dipping his head to kiss the mark he'd left on the creamy skin of her shoulder, he slipped out of bed and into his trousers and light shirt. As he buckled his belt and slipped his feet into his boots, he gave her one more longing look, admiring the curves of her body beneath the quilt. Before he tip-toed out of the room,he snatched his necklace off the vanity and put it on over his head, tucking it safely beneath his shirt. He sensed it was almost midday, but most of the clan would just be waking up if not still in bed. The morning after the Full Moon was the one day the clan was slow to get started.

As he pulled the door closed, a floorboard creaked behind him. He spun on his heel to find Olly emerging from his bedroom as well, a huge grin plastered on his face. His little brother raised an eyebrow with a pointed look at the door and Orion just rolled his eyes.

"Better not let her parents know what you're up to," he chuckled softly.

"We're bonded," Orion shrugged. "There's nothing they can do."

"If you weren't worried about it," Olly said slowly as the pair began walking downstairs, "then you wouldn't be sneaking around."

Orion turned to glare at his smug brother, but the harmless mirth in his orange eyes quickly cooled his temper. Olly wouldn't tell anyone, and he was genuinely happy for his brother.

Orion was prepared to respond with a sharp quip, but the sound of someone in the kitchen quickly shut him up. They rounded the corner expecting to find Nana, but Victoria was busy starting breakfast. Benny was squawking in his cradle in the corner, upset about something, and their step-mother looked completely exhausted. She'd shifted with the clan for the first time in nine months, little Benny staying with one of the other pregnant females as was custom, and Victoria had gone to pick him up right when they returned. Orion doubted she'd gone to bed since then, especially since Benny was usually awake before even Orion on a normal day.

Orion walked over to scoop his brother out of his cradle, resting him against his shoulder and the infant immediately calmed down, burying his face into the soft fabric of Orion's shirt. At the sound, or lack thereof, Victoria spun around and jumped slightly at the sight of the boys.

"Oh my," she put a hand to her chest, "you startled me."

"Because you're tired," Orion raised an eyebrow at her. "Go to bed, Victoria."

"I'm fine," she insisted, waving a pan and nearly losing her grip on it and sending it through the front window. Olly quickly stepped forward to take it from her.

"No, I don't think you are," he chuckled. "We can make our own breakfast. You go rest."

"But Benny-"

"Is safe with me," Orion interrupted, rocking the baby and patting his back through the swaddle. "I've got him while you sleep as long as you need."

Victoria looked so relieved she wanted to cry. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" they said in unison.

A huge breath escaped her. "You boys are so sweet. I love you so much."

"Yes, yes, we know," he leaned down to kiss her cheek as she walked by him. "We love you, too."

"Be good for your brother, Benny," she whispered, kissing her baby's head before touching Orion's back thankfully.

He grinned down at her and then watched her go upstairs to make sure she actually went up to bed. He assumed Leo was still sleeping as well, and it irritated him that he hadn't gotten up to relieve Victoria of her motherly duties for a while. He was still mad at Leo in general, though, after the incident with Skylar. He knew she'd forgiven him, but Orion couldn't fathom how his father had gotten so out of control.

"She's overworking herself," Olly sighed as he began to rummage through the pantry for something to eat. His dark hair was still wild from sleep, but Orion was sure that his didn't look any better. He quickly ran a hand through it before deciding he didn't care too much.

He shifted Benny so he was cradled in the crook of his arm and looked down at his pink little face. He wore a cap Victoria had knitted that matched his blanket, and Orion smiled at the wisps of dark hair the stuck out from underneath it. Classic Nogard hair. There would be no confusion about what family this boy belonged to, that was for sure.

Benny blinked up at him with bright green eyes. Orion began to examine his tiny fingers before realizing what he had just seen. His gaze flew back to the infant's bright eyes and a huge smile broke out on his face.

"Look at you!" he exclaimed. Benny blinked in confusion but then smiled in return. "Wow, look at you, little man."

"What?" Olly emerged from the pantry, speaking around a mouthful of bread, the rest of the loaf cradled in his arm along with a jar of jam. "Everything alright."

"His eyes changed color," Orion grinned, speaking in the most undignified falsetto voice at his youngest brother. He didn't care if he sounded foolish, not one bit. His brother's eye color had come in, and that was the first milestone of being a dragon. He wouldn't remember it, not even close, but everyone else would.

Olly raced over and was at Orion's elbow in second. "They did?" He peered down at their brother and let out an ecstatic laugh. "Look at that! Another greenie in the family, huh." He reached forward to gently shake Benny's clenched fist.

"They're the same color as Victoria's," Orion pointed out.

Olly shook his head in disagreement. "No, they're definitely darker. Not as dark as Jed, but not as light as Victoria."

Orion snorted. "That doesn't really narrow it down that much. Jed is forest green and Victoria is spring green. They couldn't be further apart in shades."

"Either way," Olly cooed, "you'll be a green dragon and that's awesome, little buddy."

"Do you think Victoria noticed?"

"And wasn't running around to tell everyone? I don't think so. She's been so exhausted lately, I doubt she's had time to think about his eye color coming in."

Orion nodded sadly in agreement. Guilt washed over him. Victoria should be enjoying motherhood, but instead she had been focused on hosting an army and the impending battle. He looked down at the defenseless Benny and was immensely glad Victoria and the baby, along with the other females of the clan, would be far away from the fighting. He wished Skylar would stay back as well, but he knew that was an argument he would lose. She would insist on fighting by his side, fighting for their clan, their people. He wished she had more time to train. He wasn't worried about her flying abilities, those had come as second nature to her, but he was worried about if she got caught on the ground. The last time she'd been face to face with bloodthirsty soldiers she had almost died. He knew these circumstances would be entirely different. She would be free to use her teeth to her full advantage, and she would be prepared, but it still didn't sit right with him. This was his mate he was talking about. The person he cared for most in the world. His only consolation was that with their connection, he sensed where she was and how she fared. If she was hurt in anyway, he could find her.

He sat down at the table next to Olly, still keeping a tight hold on Benny, as they ate bread with jam and cheese. He idly wondered if Skylar knew how to cook, but was distracted by a knock on the front door. He wasn't surprised when it swung open, most people felt comfortable walking right into the Alpha house, but he was surprised at the sight of Fiona as she closed the door. He hadn't seen a lot of her lately, which he only realized just now. Not since he and Skylar left for the castle and Olly showed up shortly after. Interesting.

Olly also appeared incredibly surprised by her appearance, his ears turning red and he quickly looked away from her. Fiona pushed a piece of hair that had escaped her braid behind her ear.

"Good morning," she said softly, but she seemed determined about something. Olly grunted and didn't look up. Orion glanced between the two of them before taking pity on Laura's younger sister and offering her an uncharacteristically bright smile.

"Good morning, Fiona," he greeted her. She looked up at him, taken aback by his cheerful greeting, but quickly composed herself with a smile.

She stepped forward to smile down at Benny, bringing her only a few feet from Olly who had stiffened the closer she got. He'd even stopped eating, which is what really caught Orion's attention. Nothing kept Olly from eating.

"Hello, baby," she greeted the infant, reaching forward to gently touch his tiny fingers. Benny gave her a toothless smile, which seemed to boost her confidence. As Fiona was distracted by their brother, Orion gave Olly a subtle kick beneath the table to draw his attention. The burnt orange eyes flew up to look at him and Orion gave his brother a bemused look.

Olly gave the most imperceptible shake of his head, and looked back down at his food. The coolness between them bothered Orion greatly. They'd been the best of friends for years, almost inseparable, and Orion couldn't help but wonder what happened between the two of them.

"Is there something we can do for you, Fiona?" he asked. He didn't mean to sound rude, but her visit was unexpected, especially since there appeared to be a lot of tension between her and his brother.

Fiona nodded, steeling herself and looking squarely at Olly. "I came to ask if Olly wanted to run patrol with me this morning."

Olly hesitated before glancing up at her, shocking Orion even further by looking sheepish. Olly never looked anything but smug and confident, and maybe angry every once in while. But there hadn't been a time since he'd turned fourteen that Olly had looked unsure of himself, or even embarrassed. He usually took everything in stride. What had happened?

When Olly didn't answer, anger took over Fiona . "Oh, so it's going to be like that is it? I told you it didn't matter, that I'm not angry, and you're still avoiding me."

Olly still didn't answer.

"Fine!" Fiona snarled. "I'll go alone." With that, she stormed toward the door, but seemed to remember she had just turned her back on her future Alpha, whether she'd been addressing him or not. "Excuse me, Orion."

Orion nodded his head, more confused than every. Fiona wiped beneath her eye and nodded in return, rushing out the front door and closing it softly behind her. The house was silent for a moment, as if everything in it was holding its breath, until Olly let out an explosive sigh and buried his head in his arms.

Orion turned to stare at him. "Alright, what the hell?"

Olly shook his head, refusing to look up at him.

"Oliver," Orion snapped. "Why did you treat her like that?"

That got his brother's attention. Orion never, ever called him by his full name. That's how he knew he was serious.

Olly shrugged and turned beet red, refusing to meet Orion's eye. "I... um... I made a pass at her when we were running patrol, after you and Skylar left for the castle."

Orion waited for the rest of the story, although he could guess how it went.

"She didn't... she didn't reciprocate."

Ah... No wonder Olly was ashamed and embarrassed. Although that didn't explain why he was acting like a jackass to her.

"So, you're treating her like she did something wrong because...?"

"I made an ass of myself, Orion! How are things supposed to go back to normal with her? I completely ruined it, and now I can't even be around her."

"She didn't seem to be upset with you. She obviously misses you, Olly, and you're avoiding her, I take it?"

Olly ran his hands over his face. "It's hard being around her knowing that she doesn't feel the same. I can't look her in the eye, knowing that she knows."

Orion drummed his fingers on the table, staring at his brother. He wasn't sure how to help, what advice to give. His mating had been arranged from before he was even interested in females, and then he'd found Skylar. Sure things with Skylar hadn't been easy at first, but now he was completely content and knew that she loved him as much as he loved her. It had never occurred to him that Olly would have far more freedom in who he chose for a mate, and how much more complicated that would be for him. Especially when the female he wanted had rejected his advances.

"How did you do it?" he finally asked.

Olly narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean how did I do it?"

"How did you let her know you liked her?"

"Oh," Olly hesitated, going red again. "We were just sitting on a cliff along the edge of the territory talking, and she looked so pretty, I just... I just leaned over to kiss her and she leaned away. She was completely shocked."

Orion rolled his eyes. "Well that explains it."

"What?"

"You took her by surprise! You didn't lead up to it or anything, you just did it. Did you talk about it?"

Olly looked horrified. "No! I was too embarrassed, so I left, and I haven't talked to her since. She cornered me the other day to tell me she didn't care, that it wasn't a big deal, but I managed to escape."

"Go."

Confusion contorted his slow brother's face and Orion sighed, tilting his head toward the door. "Go after her and stop making an ass of yourself. You like her, she doesn't like you. Percy lived with it for years and now look at him. Either way, she's your best friend; don't ruin it because you're embarrassed."

"Says the man who didn't have to work at all for his perfect mate," Olly muttered, but the was already rising from his seat.

"You'd be amazed," he replied. "Now go after her and show her that you value her even if she doesn't want you like that."

"I'm going, I'm going," Olly conceded. "But if I don't come back, just know that I died of shame."

Orion just laughed as he watched him follow Fiona out the front door. He looked down at Benny, who had apparently grown bored of their conversation because he was dozing from his spot in Orion's arms.

"Olly will be alright," he said softly down to the nappy bundle. "He's a Nogard, he's tough."

Benny's eyelids didn't even flutter in response.

"Let's go for a walk, shall we then?" he rose from the chair, put away what was left of breakfast, and took off into the bright day. There was nothing but blue for miles around, a blue that matched Skylar so perfectly. He grinned at the perfect day. Once the clan got going, which would be soon, training would be a breeze. It was perfect conditions to practice archery from a dragon's back, which the soldiers had been excelling at. He shouldn't have been surprised they were good shots to start out with; they were the king's archers after all.

There were a few riders who weren't archers and they had been practicing aerial acrobatics with the dragons. Orion was pleased that all of his saddles had held together beautifully, and it wasn't because the dragons were taking it easy. No, not in the slightest. He'd watched them the other day and even he was surprised at how hard Kellan was pushing them. Kellan was similar to Skylar in that he was sleeker and a more versatile flyer, so he'd been working on the flying abilities of the soldiers with them. Skylar had helped him a few times, and even practiced with him, even though she wouldn't have a rider herself. She'd also been working with the archers, because those dragons had also been practicing aiming their fire into precise locations.

It bothered him a little that Skylar couldn't breathe fire yet, although she'd been trying. She'd asked him about it the other day and he didn't have a straight answer. It was one of those things that developed differently in every dragon, he'd started breathing fire when he was sixteen, but Skylar was twenty-one. Her dragon was mature enough that she should have been breathing fire by now. It could have something to with her suppression of the beast for so long, but that hadn't affected her flying ability at all. All he'd been able to tell her was not to worry about it, it would happen in time. When practicing with the archer's, under Percy's guidance, she'd been working on getting low enough to attack but also being fast about getting back out of range of Draco's soldiers. She was getting better, much better, but Orion worried she still wasn't fast enough.

He walked with Benny toward the practice fields where he heard men moving around and the sound of metal on metal. Good, he liked to know they were training even though the dragons weren't working with them yet.

A familiar frame caught his eye and he turned to glare at Jonathan. The knight lunged at the man before him, his sword flashing in the bright sun. The other man hastily stepped aside with a parry, but Jonathan went after him again. He was light on his feet, never giving the man a second to breath. He was completely focused on his task. As much as Orion hated the man, he had to respect his fighting style. He was good.

Orion hadn't spoken to him since Skylar's big reveal about their new bond. The look of pure shock and hurt on Jonathan's face was the second best thing Orion had seen that day. The first best thing was Skylar's look of pure bliss as she moved beneath him, but that was too distracting a thought for the moment.

He shook his head to clear it and stepped closer to the training men, glancing down at Benny to make sure he wasn't bothered by the noise. Victoria wouldn't like that he'd brought her son so close to weapons, but he would be fine. He'd die before he let anything happen to the child.

"Finally showed up then?" a sharp voice snapped from behind him. Orion sighed and turned to look at Hal.

"Good morning, Hal," he stated blandly. The king was less pleased with him than ever. Orion had a hunch that what bothered him the most was not that he and Skylar had bonded, but that Skylar had chosen a dragon over the humans.

"It's hardly morning anymore." Hal moved to stand next to him, joining in the observation of the training soldiers.

"We didn't get back in until dawn. I don't blame my people for sleeping late," he stated. The humans had watched the short Full Moon ceremony curiously. It had been far less extensive than last months, since no new dragons would be shifting for another year, so it didn't require the same amount of ceremony. The Alphas and Betas hadn't painted themselves with flames, nor did Orion wear the dragon scale chest piece. They simply ate, drank, and forgot about Draco for a few hours before flying as a clan. But, even though it wasn't as ceremonious as before, it was still the first time any human had witnessed their sacred night.

"I see. Is it required that you stay out until dawn?" Hal asked. Surprisingly, his tone wasn't malicious.

"Um, no. Not it's not," he answered slowly. "We just can't shift back until then, so it doesn't make sense to come back earlier."

"You watched out for my daughter?"

Orion turned to him in shock. His voice was filled with sorrow and worry, and that was when Orion realized that Hal still loved his daughter with his whole heart, whether she was a dragon or not.

"I always do, Your Grace." Orion kept his voice quiet, but the sincerity there was plain as day. "She's always safe with me."

Hal hung his head and ran a hand over his face. "Every bone in my body tells me not to trust you, Orion, because you're a dragon, and you've taken my daughter from me, but I know that you mean it."

"I haven't taken her from you."

"Haven't you? This is all she wants now. She couldn't care less about what either I or her mother have to say. She rejected Jonathan even though he loves her dearly and she used to love him as well. That sounds like you've taken her away."

Somehow Orion managed to hold his tongue at the Jonathan comment. He needed to take advantage of this frankness Hal was offering him.

"I've simply shown her what she can have and what she is capable of," Orion answered calmly. "I didn't force her into anything. She chose me, because she's my True Mate."

Hal snorted and Orion just rolled his eyes, sensing the king was done listening. That hadn't lasted nearly as long as he'd hoped, but it was something. Benny began to fuss in his arms, squawking and batting his fists against his blanket. Orion lifted him so that his face rested against his shoulder again and reached up to adjust his little cap. Benny was having none of this and began to cry harder.

"Hush, hush now, little one," Orion said softly, rocking back and forth and patting the baby on the back. "You're alright, you're alright."

Benny apparently didn't believe him because he buried his face in Orion's shoulder and began to wail. Soldiers began to pause and look over at Orion, including Jonathan who stared on with a sneer. Orion wanted to smack it off him. His dragon wanted to crush him beneath his paw.

"That's what you get for bringing a baby to a training field," Hal scoffed. "Now give him here."

It was Orion's turn to scoff. "I've got him."

"No, you don't, now give him to me." Hal reached out insistently and Orion had no choice but to transfer the crying Benny over to him. Hal's demeanor instantly changed upon taking the infant into his arms. "There, there, lad. Now what has you so upset?"

Hal began to unwrap Benny from his blanket and flipped him onto his stomach, so his head and torso rested on Hal's forearm while his arms and legs hung freely. He rubbed circles on the baby's back, whispering to him softly and Benny quieted almost immediately.

Orion raised his eyebrows in awe.

Hal looked up at the young Alpha's expression and sighed. "This was Skylar's favorite way to be held when she was a baby. I'm not sure why, but it always settled her down. This little lad apparently isn't so different."

"I guess not," Orion said in a low voice.

"This was the age she was when she came to us," he whispered, staring down at Benny. "Only a few weeks old. We thought no one wanted her, that she was an orphan."

Orion didn't respond. He didn't know what to say.

"Obviously, that was incorrect. Kellan and Penelope obviously wanted her and loved her very much. Do love her very much."

"You know?"

Hal let out a dry laugh. "Of course we know. I'm not a stupid man, Orion, despite what you might think of me. I know my daughter, and one look at her next to those two was all it took. I was hoping she would tell us herself, but she didn't."

"I'm sure she wanted to."

"I'm not."

Orion looked away, once again unsure of what to say, to watch the men sparring. Once Benny had settled down, they got back to work. They were interesting to watch, and it was reassuring to see how good most of them were at swordplay. They were trained well. He focused on Jonathan again, willing the sword of his opponent just a little closer to his neck. He almost got his wish. Something distracted the knight enough that he missed the swing of his opponent and it flew toward his shoulder. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the other soldier was able to pull back in time before he harmed his superior. Orion turned to see what had distracted the normally focused knight and was rewarded with the sight of his lovely mate. Although, anger rose in him that Jonathan even dared to look at her.

Skylar jogged toward them, her face lit up at he sight of Orion, and he grinned at her. She slowed her jog as she approached, her hips swaying tantalizingly, and his swallowed his desire. Now as not the time or place.

"Good morning," he greeted her.

"Good morning," she replied with a bright smile, walking right up to him and pulling him down for a kiss, right in front of everyone. "I missed you this morning," she whispered against his lips.

"I had to leave before did something ungentlemanly," he replied with a chuckle.

"I don't mind ungentlemanly," she said softly, her eyes darkening with desire. This woman would be the end of him, of that he was sure. Before he dragged her back to the Big House, he straightened up and cleared his throat. Skylar looked a little too smug at having knocked him off kilter.

She turned to Hal, who still held Benny. She'd been cold toward him, not that Orion blamed her. "Good morning, Father."

He nodded to her. "Good morning, Skylar."

"How's training going?"

"Well. I'm assuming the dragons will be ready to continue after lunch?"

Orion nodded. "The clan will be awake and ready to go soon."

"Good."

"Where's Mother?" Skylar asked.

"I believe she said she and Greta were at the infirmary to help Ruby June with the medicines for the battle."

Orion was pleased that at least the women were getting along, even if the men weren't. It made his life easier, and weighed less on Skylar's mind. He reached out to squeeze her hand, incapable of stopping himself from touching her.

Skylar smiled up at him, but then her blue eyes focused on something over his shoulder and her smile was replaced with confusion. "Is that Olly?"

He turned to look to see the orange dragon flying with all of his might toward them, the lavender dragon close on his tail. He didn't like the look of his brother, not one bit. He looked desperate, worried, and that could only mean one thing.

Olly and Fiona very nearly crash landed only a few yards away. The ground shook upon their impact, and they had the attention of everyone present. They shifted quickly, inhaling desperate breaths as Olly stumbled over to Orion. He looked up at him, his eyes filled with worry and fear.

"Draco," his brother gasped through his exhaustion. "Draco's here."