Page 27 of Puck & Her Blades

“Cyg,” Lark scolds. “You know that she repeats everything you say like you’re her hero.”

“Well, at least you didn’t say…” I catch myself at Lark’s impressive glare.

I like him even more.

I hold out my hand to Cygnus, pulling him to his feet.

“Anyway, now that’s settled,” Lark says, “Sydney sent me here to find out what the holdup was.”

Cygnus’ smile fades.

Instantly, he moves closer to Lark, gripping him by the chin and inspecting his face.

Now that I’m studying Lark intently as well, I can see a deepening bruise on his cheekbone.

Shit.

My gaze instinctively drops to Millie, but she’s humming to herself and seems oblivious. Luckily, she doesn’t appear hurt.

Cygnus pales. “Hell, I’m so sorry, Lark. I didn’t know that she’d be… Sydney didn’t give me a time limit, or I’d have been more careful.”

“You know what your sister’s like.”

Cygnus nods, grimly.

Lark shrugs, glancing at his daughter. “It’s nothing.”

“Hurt daddy,” Millie says, softly. “Made owie.”

All of us adults wince.

Did my Omega dad like to pretend that I didn’t know what was happening, when I was Millie’s age? That I wouldn’t understand?

Only, I did.

“Daddy’s not hurt,” Lark replies.

It sounds automatic. A reflex.

I remember every time that Emiliano lied and said the same thing.

Lark meets my gaze boldly, as if daring me to say something.

I don’t.

Is this what will happen to Cygnus in that extreme Traditional household, when he becomes pregnant and has kids for the Blade pack?

The fact that male Omegas can become pregnant is a beautiful gift of our dynamic. It’s part of the symbiosis that makes Alphas and Omegas, supported by Betas, work so well together.

In nature, none of us are superior to the other; we just have different needs, strengths, and abilities.

In ancient times, I’ve read that the three dynamics lived as equals.

I used to think that I was part of a revolutionary movement that was taking us back to that equality.

Winning the World Championship had been part of that.

But now…?

---