Skylar stared at herself in the mirror as Greta stood behind her, braiding Skylar's hair unruly red hair. Skylar had been through this with Greta hundreds, maybe thousands, of times, but that was always back at the castle. Now they were in Skylar's room in the Big House, the house that would be her permanent home after tonight.

She looked mostly the same as she always had. Curly, unruly, red hair, blue eyes, round face, but she was a completely different person than she was when she'd left the castle two months ago. She couldn't believe it had only been two months since Draco threatened her life, and only one month since she'd killed him to save Orion. She hadn't killed him herself, Isabel had done that, but Skylar had been the one to give her the final okay. She'd felt nothing but desperation to save Orion as she looked into Draco's eyes. Draco had been the reason her mate was dead, so it was only fitting that his life was traded to bring him back.

The last month had been relatively quiet compared to her first month with the clan. The week after the battle had been the worst. Bodies, dragon and human, littered the valley outside the clan's territory. They had moved their lost comrades, mostly dragons but a few of her father's soldiers as well, back to the Square to give them a proper burial but the rest of the deceased were gathered together and burned. She had wanted to be there, to help clean up the mess that she had started, but Orion forbade it. Even though he was weak after his bout with death he was as demanding and hard-headed as ever, so she didn't have a chance.

Her mother and father had remained among the clan for the last month, but their soldiers, other than her father's knights, had marched home. Her parents wanted to stay with her as long as they could. Even though they hadn't talked about it, it was clear that Skylar would not be returning with them to the castle. She had found where she belonged, and it was here with the dragons and Orion. Surprisingly, both of her fathers had become very good friends. Hal and Kellan had been mistrusting of one another at first because of their possessiveness of Skylar, but once they'd gotten past that, they realized they could work together to bother Orion. Orion had heard every speech about taking care of her, sometimes given by both fathers at the same time, and sometimes they took turns. Skylar loved that her fathers were friends; she felt she was able to keep calling them both her fathers, and the same went for her mothers.

She'd gotten to know Jed better as well. If Olly and Orion were melded into the same person, that would be Jed. He was serious when he needed to be, but he was always quick with a joke. When Cassie disappeared after the battle, the Eastern Clan's Alpha family had been angry and confused by her betrayal, and now her absence. Other than searching for her for a few days, no one really talked more about her. To talk about her would upset Kellan and Penelope even more, and no one wanted to do that. Skylar couldn't say she would be heartbroken if her sister never came back.

Skylar blamed every death on Cassie. Because she had been upset about Orion's rejection, she had lead Draco straight to them. Victoria and Benny almost died, and Orion did die. If it weren't for Isabel and her dark magic, Orion would be lost to them all.

Skylar had been watching Orion like a hawk for the past month, looking for any sign of negative effects from Isabel's spell. He acted no differently, other than that he was stiffer when he walked, and he smiled a lot more. The former could be attributed to nearly being torn in half and then pulled back together with magic, and the latter was entirely because of her. It was his idea to have their mating ceremony so soon after the battle. He didn't want to wait any longer, and he wanted to stop sneaky to and from her room every night. He'd said it as a joke as she nudged him back to his room one morning, but then decided it was a great idea. She'd argued, insisting they should give everyone a chance to recuperate after so much sorry. Of course, he had immediately answered with the point that they should do something positive for everyone.

"Why shouldn't we have a happy event?" he'd wondered, leaning close and brushing his lips against her neck.

"It just feels... tasteless," she had responded, arching into his touch as his hand slid up her side to cup her cheek.

"Skylar, love," he whispered, staring down into her eyes, transfixing her with liquid gold eyes, "life is so short. I don't want to waste any of it not officially being your mate. I want to marry you, I want to be your mate, your husband, and I want to be able to share your bed without having to hide it."

She sighed, reaching up to trace the four gashes she had left across his torso. Though they were healed, they still pained him, as they likely would for a long time. It was a wound that had been enough to kill him, and she choked up as she remembered what she had done to him. Life was short, and if Isabel hadn't been there, Skylar would have lost him forever. Yet, she couldn't help but feel a wedding was inappropriate.

"I know, but shouldn't we wait just a little longer? Your Alpha ceremony is a happy occasion, and it's much more historical than little old me," she said softly. "That should tide everyone over, shouldn't it?"

He frowned deeply. "Little old you? Skylar, you're the only thing that matters. Have I not made that clear enough to you? Yes, becoming Alpha is what I was born and raised to do, but I was created to be yours, just as you were created to be mine. I won't wait a moment longer for you to be my Alpha female." Then he leaned forward and kissed her deeply, showing her exactly how important she was to him.

And that was that. Two weeks later, Orion officially became Alpha. It was a huge ceremony, with every dragon cheering as Leo transferred the title over to his eldest son. Skylar vividly remembered how strong and capable Orion looked as he stood before his clan, his people. He had looked every bit the king that he was. But, of course, even though this was his night for his clan, he made sure to meet her gaze and hold it there as she stood in the crowd with everyone else. He would not let her forget that she was the only thing on his mind, even on that day, the day he had been preparing for his entire life.

Now, it was time for the ceremony he claimed he truly cared about.

"Are you excited?" Greta asked as she finished wrapping the braid around Skylar's head.

Skylar just grinned. "Of course, I am. It's my mating ceremony."

Greta kissed her cheek and hugged her close. "I'm so happy for you, darling."

"Thank you, Greta. I'm glad you're here."

"I wouldn't miss it for anything! Neither would your parents. You only get married once."

"Even though Mother and Father want to throw me a party at the castle," Skylar sighed, playing with the sleeve of her shift. She hadn't changed into the dress she was borrowing from her mother yet. It was a simple purple gown, although Skylar could hardly have cared what she wore. All that mattered was that she and Orion were there.

"Of course, they do," Greta waved a flippant hand as she began to stain Skylar's lips a deep red. "You're still their daughter, and you grew up in the castle. They want to show off to everyone that you found a good match. And I'm guessing that word has gotten out about the dragons by now, and you know everyone's curiosity will be burning."

Skylar rolled her eyes. "I'm glad I'll be there to put on a show."

"You know that's not what I meant. They'll be curious about how the king and queen will handle the fact that you're a dragon. Of course, no one knows that Hal and Violet already knew about it. Your parents will want to show that it doesn't change how they feel about you. You are their daughter, and you are marrying a man who will give the king a strong alliance."

"That is what Father always wanted."

"And you get to marry the love of your life," Greta smiled.

"Yes, I do." Skylar's heart warmed, and her dragon sighed contentedly. They were both the happiest they had ever been. Yes, she and Orion had claimed one another over a month ago, but now it would be official. Tonight, Orion would officially become her mate, and he would be inducting her into the clan. She would become a true member of the Western Clan, and she would be their Alpha female. Everything was perfect.

There were three knocks at the door and then Victoria peaked her head in. "Can we come in? I have something for the bride."

"Of course!" Skylar waved her in. The other woman smiled and entered, revealing that Penelope and Violet were close behind. Benny was tucked in Violet's arms since Victoria's were occupied by whatever it was she held behind her back.

"What do you have there?" Skylar wondered, trying to peer around her. Victoria grinned widely.

"It's a gift for you. We've been working on it for the last month."

Skylar frowned in confusion. When had they found time to make her something?

"I hope you'll wear it today," Victoria continued.

Skylar smirked teasingly. "I can hardly commit to that when I haven't seen it!"

Victoria just smiled swung the item forward. Skylar felt her eyes go wide. In her hands, Victoria held the blue silk gown Skylar had been wearing when Orion had found her and when she'd arrived at the clan. But it looked like new, nothing at all like the dirty, torn garment it had become.

"Oh my," she said, standing up and walking over to Victoria. She touched the gown, watched the silk skirt shimmer like a waterfall in the sunlight shining through the window. "How did you fix it?"

"I had some help. A lot of help," Victoria smiled.

"I thought you got rid of it; it was so torn."

"I would never! I've just been keeping it until I could figure out what to do with it. When you and Orion found each other, and we planned your mating ceremony, I knew I'd found what it was meant for. Skylar, it's the dress you were wearing when you first came to us. Now I hope it's the dress you'll wear when you truly become one of us."

Victoria's spring green eyes were so earnest, so full of love, that tears began to run down Skylar's cheeks. She leaned forward and hugged the Alpha female tightly. "Thank you."

Victoria hugged her back just as tightly. "You're my daughter now," Victoria whispered, kissing her hair. "You're a part of this family, whether you like it or not."

"I like it very much," she stated, wiping a tear away. "And I get to say I have three mothers." She leaned away from Victoria and reached a hand out to Penelope and Violet, smiling at them both; one who gave birth to her, and the other who had raised her. Skylar wouldn't trade anything for them as they smiled tenderly down at her. As complicated, and sometimes frustrating, as her life was, she wouldn't change a thing about it.

"Let's get you into this dress then! Orion's almost done getting ready downstairs with the boys, and Nana and Laura have everything ready outside. Those two together..." Victoria made a face, "I'm sure people are staying out of their way."

Everyone laughed as they began to undress and redress Skylar. As the laces in the back were tied, she remembered the first night she met Orion. He had done this same thing for her, when she couldn't reach back to tie them herself. He was a stranger then, someone she wanted desperately to get away from, but now he was her whole world. How quickly things could change. If one thing had gone different that night, if she had left the castle earlier or later, if Percy hadn't heard the carriage, if Draco hadn't confronted her about being a dragon, everything would be different. She would still be at the castle, she would still be hiding who she was, and she would still be miserable. As hard as it was to admit, without Draco, she wouldn't have found Orion or any of her new family. She wouldn't say that she owed him, but she would give him some of the credit for her newfound happiness.

Everyone backed up a step to admire Skylar in her new, or perhaps old, dress. It flowed down her, framing every curve, shimmering just perfectly where the light hit it. It looked even more beautiful that the first time she had put it on a lifetime ago.

"Oh, Skylar," Greta whispered.

"You look wonderful," Violet smiled, reaching up to place a silver clip in her daughter's hair. No tiara this time around.

"Thank you, Mama," she whispered, hugging her mother. They would be leaving soon, and then who knew how long it would be before she saw her parents again. She needed to cherish this time.

Victoria wiped away a tear. "Let me run downstairs and make sure Orion is gone before you come down. I don't want him to see you until you're walking down the aisle."

<><><><><><><><>

"Hold still!" Olly demanded, pulling Orion's hair even harder. Orion snarled up at his brother, but Olly was quick to respond. "If you want to look ridiculous for your mating ceremony, don't think I'll stop you."

Leo's chuckle reached their ears, and they both paused to look at him in surprise. Normally Leo would be scolding them for acting like children. Perhaps now that the weight of being Alpha that he had carried around for nearly thirty years had finally been lifted, the man was finally able to take a breath. He was sitting around with Kellan and Hal, drinking whiskey, and chatting while the younger men got Orion ready. Orion had very rarely see him sit down with a such a carefree, happy look on his scarred face. Orion still couldn't nag the feeling that he needed to tell his father something, something from when he had been... dead. It was still hard to admit to himself, and he was waiting for the terrible side effects to take hold, but they hadn't. He'd felt Skylar watching him just as intensely for the past month, waiting for the other shoe to drop. It hadn't yet. Perhaps they would have a better idea of what to expect if he could just remember what had happened to him before Isabel brought him back.

"There!" Olly exclaimed with a flourish, bowing proudly. Orion stood up to inspect his hair in the mirror. It was the same style Greta had put it in for him upon their visit to the castle: a short plait at the back of his neck. He wanted to do it for Skylar, which was why he also borrowed one of the knights' black tunics, even though he had promised himself that he would never wear one again. Skylar was leaving her whole life for him, the least he could do was dress up nicely for her. Not only that, but he was the one who insisted they have their mating ceremony so quickly. He claimed it was the help bring joy to the clan, but he knew it was for purely selfish reasons. He wanted to be Skylar's husband and mate, officially. It didn't matter that they were bonded by blood, or that they were True Mates. Without the mating ceremony or wedding, they could not continue as a mated pair. He couldn't share her bed (morally, not that that had stopped him thus far), and she wasn't the clan's official Alpha female. That would change tonight, after he had inducted her into the clan and claimed her as his own.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he asked his younger brother, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

Olly just smirked. "You're not the only one that Greta likes."

Percy and Orion chuckled at the younger man. Greta had taken a liking to all four young men, that included Jed, who was outside taking orders from Nana and Laura, so they'd spent a lot of time with her in the past month, along with Nana, since the two older women had gotten along well and spent all their time in the infirmary trading secrets.

"You're still here?" Victoria peaked her head into the living room. "Go outside! Skylar's ready, and you don't get to see her yet!"

Orion's heart jumped to his throat. He hadn't been allowed to since yesterday afternoon, almost an entire day, and now he was suddenly nervous. What if he didn't look good enough? What if he wasn't what she was expecting? What if she would have preferred him to be in more clan-like attire. Perhaps he should change...

"Orion take a deep breath," Victoria told him. His step-mother walked up to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I can see your mind racing, which tells me how strongly you're feeling because usually I can't even tell if you're happy or angry. Everything will be perfect. You look wonderful."

"This isn't too much?" he asked.

Victoria smiled and shook her head. "She'll love it, I promise."

Orion nodded and let out a deep breath. "Thanks, Victoria."

"You're welcome, love," she leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Now, all of you, out! Except for Kellan and Hal, of course. A lady needs her fathers." Kellan and Hal smiled proudly, glancing at the ceiling as they thought of their daughter. Orion wiped his palms on his tunic and swallowed the lump in his throat. He closed his eyes and smiled softly to himself. He'd been waiting for this day for only two months, but it felt like a lifetime.

"Come on, Orion," Leo said, clapping his son gently on the shoulder and guiding him to the front door. "It's time."

Percy followed them out to the small meadow that separated the Big House from the other residences in the clan. That was where the two clans were gathered, the Eastern and Western Clans. Normally the Alphas from the other clans across the region attended events such as their fellow leaders' mating ceremonies and when the title of Alpha was handed down from father to son, but there had been such short notice that Leo didn't think they should bother. There wouldn't have been time to get the word out to everyone anyway, especially not in the aftermath of the battle.

"I wasn't even this nervous when you gave me the title of Alpha," Orion admitted to his father. In the past, he never would have admitted such a weakness to the normally stoic man, but now that he was Alpha, and his father was more carefree, he was a little less afraid of him.

Leo just laughed. "Females have a way of doing that to us. Everything will be fine, son. I promise. She'll be your Alpha female before you know it."

Orion simply smiled at the thought. He and his dragon had never been so ready for anything in their lives. The beast had been quieter in the last month than he had been in his entire life. He was simply happy. His clan was safe, their female was always close by, and everything was just good.

"So, brother," Olly called out from behind them. "You're sure you're ready to be tied down? I've heard getting mated can do that!"

Orion just rolled his eyes and threw an irritated look over his shoulder. He knew his little brother was kidding, but the thought of Skylar as any sort of burden didn't sit well. "You're not funny."

Percy laughed at his friend's seriousness. "He'll understand when he gets mated himself." Percy elbowed the younger man, who mocked a disgusted expression, but Orion didn't miss his glance in Fiona's direction. The young female was putting the final touches on a wooden arch, weaving a few more lilies around it under Laura's careful instruction. Nana was making sure the last guest was in place. She looked up with a huge smile upon Orion's entrance.

At Nana's bright grin, every dragon in attendance turned to look at him. His clan, his family, all smiled from ear to ear at their Alpha. They were proud of him. Many of those in attendance had known Orion since he was just a child. They'd watched him grow up and helped raise him. Being born to an Alpha, destined to become the next one, he wasn't simply the child of his parents; he was the child of the clan. They all knew him, they had watched his change in demeanor ever since he found Skylar, and they loved the happier, easier-going man he had become.

But it wasn't only dragons in attendance. Hal's knights were there as well, and that included Jonathan.

Over the past month, Orion had found it easier to be civil to the knight. It had started the day after the battle. Orion hadn't forgotten that Jonathan had put himself in harm's way to help Orion when he was stabbed in the shoulder. He also knew that Jonathan had stayed with his body, in the middle of the battle, to make sure nothing happened to it.

Orion had approached him the next morning, after they all went back to the village to try and recover from the trauma they had all gone through, Orion especially.

When he was finally able to sneak away from the watchful eye of Skylar, he'd gone directly to Jonathan.

"Why did you do it?" he asked without preamble. Jonathan hadn't feigned confusion, just shrugged, and went back to sharpening his sword.

"You're important to Skylar," he stated evenly. "I might not like you, and I might not want you to have her, but you're important to her. I wouldn't let her get hurt like that. Whatever you believe, I only want her to be happy. She made it very clear that I'm not the one who will be able to do that, so I'll do what I can to make sure that you do. Besides, without you, your clan was lost."

It had been as simple as that.

"Orion, you look amazing!" Laura exclaimed as he moved to stand under the arch. Percy and Olly took their places behind him as Leo stood to his side. The previous Alpha would perform the ceremony before Orion inducted Skylar into the clan.

"Nothing less for Skylar," he replied to the Beta female. She smiled in approval, giving him another once over. She paused at the tight leggings he wore beneath the tunic, humor alighting in her eyes. Fortunately, only a small portion of the ridiculous legwear could be seen above his boot and below the hem of the tunic. He reminded himself once again that he was doing this for Skylar.

He completely forgot about his ridiculous outfit as everyone gasped and looked back. Orion took a deep breath as he followed suit.

He nearly stopped breathing when he saw her. She was always beautiful to him, but, right then, she was simply radiant. Her fair cheeks were perfectly blushed as she looked up at him. He tried not to look as dumbstruck as he felt, but he doubted he was very successful.

He didn't miss the fact that she wore the very same dress she was wearing the first time he saw her. How and why didn't matter. All that mattered was that he was brought back to that very moment, the moment his whole world changed. She had spat at him, threatened him, argued with him, and disrespected him. She had been the most magnificent thing he'd ever seen, and now she was all his. He and his dragon had been interested in her then, now they were simply enamored by this wonderful creature before them.

Skylar was flanked on either side by Hal and Kellan. Penelope, Victoria, and Violet moved to stand by Nana, off to the side. Hal and Kellan walked beside Skylar as she approached Orion, step by agonizingly slow step. Orion wanted to run to her, fall at her feet and tell her how much she meant to him. He wanted to make a fool out of himself for even. Even his proud dragon didn't argue with the urge. This female owned them.

She finally took the last step toward him, and then she was there, smiling up at him through teary eyes. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he felt a bit misty eyed himself. Hal and Kellan each kissed one of her hands and nodded to Orion, but they didn't give her away to him. They simply let her hands go, and she reached for him herself. She was choosing him on her own. No one was giving her to him. That caused his chest to tighten with emotion as he took her hand and squeezed it.

After a moment, Leo's booming voice reached out over the clan. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to celebrate the mating of Orion and Skylar. You all know the circumstances of Skylar's arrival to our clan, and now you know the circumstances of her joining the clan. We're so very lucky that she found us."

Skylar smiled up at Leo, who winked at her before continuing with the ceremony. It was the same as every other mating ceremony, Orion had attended, other than the fact that this was his union. He paid little attention to Leo's words, choosing instead to focus on memorizing the way Skylar looked in this very moment. Her hair had been carefully braided and tucked in a bun, but small wisps had escaped and were blowing in the breeze. He smiled at the sight; it wouldn't be Skylar if her hair wasn't slightly unruly. Her cheeks were flushed with emotion, and her mesmerizing blue eyes were overflowing with love and tenderness. His earlier nerves seemed ridiculous now. Skylar wouldn't care what he looked like. She didn't care about anything in that moment other than him. He guessed she paid as much attention to Leo's words as he did.

They promised to love each other, to care for one another, to be there, for better or worse. They swore to protect and cherish, to be a team. The only difference in this ceremony was that they also promised to care for their clan as a pair, as a single unit. They were becoming the Alpha pair after all; it would be their job to lead their clan together.

It was simple, sweet, and absolutely perfect.

"I do," Skylar whispered in a low voice, thick with emotion.

"I do," Orion repeated strongly, meaning it with every fiber of his being.

It had been a long time since anyone had seen Leo smile so wide. "Then you may kiss your mate."

Orion wasted no time. He gently cupped Skylar's cheeks and lifted her face to kiss her thoroughly. It wasn't their most passionate kiss, but it was by far the most tender. Through it they tried to convey the intensity of their emotions. Fortunately, their mate bond made it possible to share such feelings without speaking a single word.

The clan erupted into roaring cheers at their new Alpha pair. Orion kissed Skylar one more time before turning to face their people, his arm wrapped tightly around her. They were officially mated now, and he'd never been so perfectly thrilled in his entire life.

They waited for the clan to calm down; they knew Orion still needed to conduct her into the clan. Once they finally got all their cheers out of the way, for now, they sat back in their seats.

Skylar peered up at Orion through her thick lashes. "I'm ready, Alpha," she said softly, turning to face him once again.

His stomach flipped in excitement. She'd never called him "Alpha" before, but it was something he could get used to.

He cleared his throat and kissed her knuckles. "I'm ready, too. You remember what to do?"

"Of course," she answered and slowly lowered to her knees before him, acknowledging him as her Alpha. His mouth tried to pull into another smile at the action, but he forced himself into seriousness. It was much more difficult than it sounded when one was floating on air such as he was, but he managed. He looked down at Skylar, who met his gaze evenly, though she knew that she wasn't supposed to meet his gaze until she was fully inducted. Likely her strong Alpha instincts kept her from completely submitting to him. He didn't mind; this was Skylar, his mate. He didn't want her to submit fully to him.

He allowed himself one more moment to enjoy the sight of her before him before he began the vows.

"Do you promise to put the clan before yourself, understanding that you are an essential part of clan life?" His voice was strong and carried easily to the ears of the clan.

Her voice was just as strong and sure in her answer. "Yes, Alpha."

"Do you promise to protect the clan with your life?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"Do you promise to uphold our laws and traditions, despite what you think of them?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"Do you promise to cherish the gift that you have been given by your ancestors, the gift of your dragon?"

"Yes, Alpha. I will always cherish her." He knew she was thinking about the time in her life when she despised her dragon more than anything. He was glad he had been able to help show her the beauty of what she was.

"Do you promise loyalty to the Western Clan and your Alpha?"

"Yes, Alpha."

One more line, since she was going to be Alpha female.

"Do you promise to lead by the Alpha's side to care for the clan, to always act in the best interest of your clan?"

"Yes, Alpha."

Orion did not use the red paint the used during Full Moon ceremonies. He simply placed his hand under her chin and urged her to her feet. They were now equal, Alphas, and she did not need to bow before him.

"You are now a member of the Western Clan. Wear the honor with pride, for we are happy you're here," he told her. Then he leaned forward and kissed her briefly but sweetly. "I'm happy you're here."

He could barely hear her over the excited shouts and welcomes from the clan as she said, "I don't want to be anywhere else."

<><><><><><><><>

Skylar hadn't left Orion's side all night, and she hadn't tried to. No one tried to make her either. They all knew they didn't have a chance of separating them.

They had spent the last several hours accepting "welcomes" and "congratulations" from the clan. She loved the enthusiasm, and she was glad they were all there to celebrate with her and her mate, but she wanted nothing more than to steal away with him to be alone. Sure, they had the rest of their lives to find alone time, but she wanted it now. He looked so handsome in his tunic. He had long ago let his hair loose, the way she liked it, and she just wanted to run her hands through it. That was hardly appropriate when every eye was on them. They'd gotten away with some kisses, but Skylar was looking for a lot more at the moment.

The party had been in full swing for some time, with wine and whisky flowing freely. The clan was loud, rambunctious, and having a wonderful time. Skylar loved seeing them all so happy, and she knew it would be easier to sneak away the more distracted they all were.

They finally had a moment where no one was trying to speak to them, and Orion grabbed her hand. "Dance with me?"

She just giggled. "To what music?"

"You have a point," he chuckled. "Either way, come here."

She didn't have to be told twice. She stepped up to him and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his nose in her hair. "I love you."

"I love you," she smiled into his chest. "We're married."

"Indeed, we are, beautiful," he laughed, twirling her away before pulling her back in. "And you're my Alpha female."

"Indeed, I am," she teased. "Who would've thought this would happen?"

"Not me, certainly," he frowned. "You were a pain when I first met you."

"And you were a brute," she shot back. "I think that means we're even."

"I suppose," he leaned down to kiss her nose. "Although, my brutish behavior could be argued."

"Not by me," she chuckled, cuddling into him again. "Do you think we can sneak away yet?"

"Let's give it five more minutes, and then you're all mine."

"Promises, promises."

He growled playfully in her ear, and she responded by gently nipping at his neck. His growl quickly changed to a groan, and she smiled proudly. It was almost too easy.

Not even thirty seconds into the five minutes, the sound of pounding wings reached the clan. Everyone quieted and looked around, up to the dark sky. Skylar identified two sets of wings, and it wasn't long before the owners of those wings appeared. They didn't fly to the landing pad, they headed directly for the fires signaling the location of the party. The dragons were unfamiliar to her, and, based on the looks on the faces of the clan members, they were strangers to them as well.

Orion gently let her go and stepped in front of her, placing himself between her and the two unfamiliar dragons as they landed roughly just outside of the party. It was the only place the two massive creatures would fit.

One was a dark, dark blue, blending into the darkness behind him, while the other was a lighter brown color. They were both male, of that much Skylar was certain. Their stance wasn't threatening, but it was definitely confrontational. They were tense, and their lips twitched in what could easily become a snarl.

After a few moments, when they were sure they had everyone's attention, they shifted. The two men standing in their place were shorter than Orion, but they were stocky and muscle. Obviously strong, healthy young males. The one with dark blue eyes and shaggy blond hair scanned the crowd for something.

"Where is your Alpha, Leo Nogard?" he asked in a raspy, deep voice. Skylar's eyes flew to her father-in-law, who opened his mouth to reply, but Orion was faster.

"I'm the Alpha now. I'm his son Orion Nogard," her mate answered in a cold voice that clearly stated these males were not welcome here.

Both strangers turned to look at him, and Skylar hated how focused they were on the man she loved. She didn't like what she saw in their eyes. She wanted to say something, but knew that Orion would not appreciate her input, even if she was the Alpha female now.

"Oh,well, in that case," the male continued, "I challenge you, Orion Nogard, foryour place as Alpha."



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The End (for now).



Thank you so much for reading! I wouldn't have finished my first book without all of your support, and I'm a little choked up that I actually finished it!

I promise I will start the next book as soon as possible.