"Touch my wings, Mairwen. Wrap your legs around me."

I obeyed, and Ronson rewarded me with a thrusting kiss and a patient, practiced pace inside of me.

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Chapter ThirtyRONSON

Even in my dragon form, the sound of Mairwen's happy laughter was music. I swooped and swerved around the squawking gulls we passed, playfully snapping at the tail feathers of a brave little creature that darted towards me.

"Don't snack on them, Ronson!" Mairwen cried.

I rumbled, a softer warmth than my fire easing through me. Small hands stroked down the back of my neck, like the faintest breeze, but I relished the touch of my omega.

We'd taken a slow journey home, resting a day in Grave Hills before setting out at first light. I was looking forward to a long soak with Mairwen in my arms and a good nap in the nest. Niall had even promised us no disruptions until tomorrow morning. I was looking forward to making Mairwen perfume as I told her again how proud of her I was. For charming the other alphas. For gaining insight on the betas who waited to rise to power. For spending days flying without complaint, even though I knew she must be sore and tired with skin chapped from the wind.

I was looking forward to massaging her and spoiling her and praising her until she was a trembling mess of perfume and slick, and then wearing us both out in bed.

My eyes narrowed on the horizon, where the subtle spires of the castle pierced the bright blue sky. Seamus DeRoche was a dark inkblot above the castle, spinning in a circle, not landing, and as I flew nearer, Niall leapt from the dragon's back, a small speck in the sky hovering over the balcony.

A stony inkling settled heavily in my belly, a warning that my delicious plans might be interrupted after all. Was it too late to change course? Perhaps there was a small remote island somewhere nearby where I might rule as alpha with only Mairwen to please and impress and keep for my company.

DeRoche turned back in my direction, soaring closer, slowing in his approach. His ship was behind us, halfway between Bleake Isle and the southern coast of Grave Hills, waiting and ready for his return, but he didn't pass us, instead transforming in midair and aiming for my flight path. He swerved around my head like a slightly less appetizing, but significantly larger, seagull.

"What's wrong?" Mairwen called from my back, her legs tight in the saddle.

"You've got visitors. Niall seems to think you won't be pleased to see them," DeRoche warned.

I snarled, and a burst of flame nearly caught the edge of DeRoche's coat, but he only barked a laugh and darted away.

"Raise your fire if you need me," he called, flying overhead and transforming back into his dragon.

Mairwen's weight settled at the nape of my neck, her arms wrapping around my scales. I wanted to roar, to bolt forward and snap up the intruders and crunch them between my huge jaws. My little omega patted me lightly.

"Better dealt with than ignored," she called up to me.

I grumbled, but she was right, and I certainly wouldn't remain the alpha of the isle if I snacked on my subjects. I leaned forward, and it was only another minute or so before the figures that waited for us on the balcony were close enough to make out.

Gideon Millward was there at least, with Buchanan, but also Gamesby and Adelaide and Redmond Palmer. A small lash of dragon's fire escaped from my nostrils, and Beatrice and Niall gestured the uninvited guests inside, making room for me to land.

At least Gryffyd Evans hadn't been invited. After getting the full story from Mairwen, I would not have been able to resist making a tough meal out of the older beta.

Mairwen slid from my neck and shoulder with a slight oof of her breath as her boots hit the stone, and I twisted my neck, watching her stiff movements as I crouched low and she removed the saddle from my back. She looked a little tired but mostly troubled and nervous, tiny teeth plucking at a full lip.

"Why'd they bring her?" she whispered, adding under her breath, "Of course I look like this."

The saddle dropped to the balcony, and I didn't waste a second before transforming, ignoring the blaze of heat and the whip of wind, reaching for Mairwen. Her cheeks were flushed from the magic, but she came willingly, her hands fussing with the squashed braid of her hair and the askew folds of fabric she wore.

"We'll manage them easily," I said, my voice low as I bent and grazed my lips over hers. "And you look delicious, as always."

The balcony doors creaked as they opened, and Gamesby strode towards us, barely sparing a moment to offer too-shallow bows. "Alpha and Omega Cadogan, forgive us our intrusion. We thought you would've returned last night."

"Forgiveness will have to wait, Gamesby," I said, enjoying the beta's flinch and attempt at hiding the expression. "My siblings will see to your party's comfort as my omega and I take a moment to recover from the long journey. I'm sure you understand."

"If you might just⁠—"

Mairwen gasped as I snatched her about the waist and leapt into the air, weary wings beating in a determined path upwards.

"Are you sure we should leave them to wait?" Mairwen whispered.

"I am the Alpha of Bleake Isle, and you are my omega. We do not wait on men like Hugh Gamesby. He waits on us," I said, not caring whether or not the words might fall on the subject's ears.

"Very well, alpha," Mairwen said, restraining a laugh and drawing out my purr as she nuzzled my jaw. "Have it your way."

"Tease me, and we'll make them wait even longer, Mairwen."

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Chapter Thirty-OneMAIRWEN

“Oh, my. Why, these curtains, they're positively ancient, aren't they? Of course, I couldn't tell at first glance, as they're very well cared for. Naturally, the staff you now possess knows what they're about."

I rolled my eyes as Adelaide carried on.

"But quite, quite outdated. I suppose the rumors must be true," Adelaide said, gaze flicking slyly over her shoulder at me and then snorting. "In which case, you haven't had the time to address your role as mistress here."

The rumors, the ones Adelaide no doubt imagined impossible, being that Ronson kept me in the nest, insatiable for his omega.

My spine straightened, and I found a smile curving my lips. The rumors were true.

"My role as mistress of this castle is to respect, honor, and protect the legacy of our isle's longest line of alphas," I said, watching Adelaide's coy glance tighten around her eyes. "This room was arranged by the first omega of Lord Francis Cadogan, the first of the Cadogan alphas. That pattern of weave was specially commissioned. It is the Cadogan crest, in silk and Bleake Isle wool, stitched with sea pearls and gold beads."

Adelaide blanched and turned away from the curtains. Which was for the best, considering my entire speech had been a bunch of nonsense, aside from the bit about the crest pattern.

"I would certainly be failing my alpha if I allowed fleeting fashions to overthrow the prestigious history of his family home," I said, the rare sensation of triumph sliding warmly through my veins.

Spending the afternoon with Adelaide had been wearying as she scattered a constant breadcrumb trail of slights, insinuations, and the occasional outright insult delivered with a giggle and wave of her hand, as if it was all a joke. As if a joke couldn't sting.