Page 4 of Doubly Bound

Callan did not have to think twice. The friendship they’d started on the battlefield was already strong. He could not envision a world without the other male. The clarity he felt in the Omega's presence was unlike anything else. He attributed it to the fact the Liger was the only man he’d ever met who did not cower under the dominance of his Silver Dragon.

The result of their meeting and sharing of blood was a bond forged by the Fates themselves. Without a Pack or Clan of their own, the two roamed the world, seeking their third to complete their Triad. In doing so, they found more Alpha Omega pairs. Eventually, they’d formed a Council.

Like all Shifter groups, trials and challenges had to be dished out and met for the right to lead. Unsurprisingly, he and Landry had come out on top. Callan’s Silver Dragon was mighty. His intrinsic Alpha powers greater than every other Triad pair he’d come across. But it was Landry who kept his vision clear and stopped the Dragon from consuming him inside and out. His beast had a mighty appetite for all things. If left unchecked, there was no telling what he would do. Other than what the usual ancient fairy tales told of Dragons wreaking havoc on countrysides far and wide, eating virgins, and hoarding treasure.

Nowadays, the only eating of women Callan took part in was when he and his Omega had one between the two of them. Landry deserved the credit there. He was the one who stopped the Dragon’s power from consuming Callan. Once they found their third, she would further calm his beast. At least, that was his understanding of it.

A complete Triad worked together to create harmony and balance. Callan could only imagine it. Their third would be the force that brought stability and equilibrium between his obvious strength and dominance and Landry’s hidden prowess and keen insight.

An Alpha could sometimes be blind to the obvious in his haste to dominate. It was a fault he freely admitted to, but only in private. Controlling his Dragon was proving more difficult as the days passed. They needed to focus on finding their own mate, but first things first.

“You have more control than you give yourself credit for, brother,” Landry said and looked out the window. “More females are arriving. More human women, at any rate. Are you sure the plan will work?”

“I am not certain of anything,” Callan grunted. “The Coven Realta are renowned for their work in the supernatural world. The representative we met with seemed forthcoming.”

“Yes, my Liger senses no hint of dishonesty.” He shrugged turning back to face his Alpha. “But she is a Witch.”

“Yes,” Callan agreed.

It wasn’t that Shifters and Witches hated each other, but there was always an underlying reason behind any actions. When he’d been approached by an older Witch name of Willa Crune, he had been quick to refuse her proposal. Months later, he and Landry had decided to allow her to meet with them.

In exchange for some help to clear out a few local woods along the eastern coast of the United States from Demons and a few Hunter Vampires, the Witches offered a locator spell to identify and contact probable fated mates to the Alpha Omega pairs. Even better, they promised to arrange an exchange of information among the human women and transportation to the island for a little meet and greet.

“I have yet to work out their angle in all this. After Willa was replaced by that Ashley White, I don’t know what to think. She insists the Witches have done their jobs. They sent missives to all the possible human mates, explaining our existence. The ones who accepted the invitation remain knowledgeable 'till they find their mates or decide to forget. The ones who refused were immediately relieved of the knowledge of our existence.”

“Well, as far as plans go, it seems efficient. I mean, at least they thought through to that possible outcome,” Landry reluctantly admitted.

“Yes,” Callan said. “So far, everything seems legit. Did the Witch rep arrive?”

“Not yet.” Landry shook his blond head. “Willa is on a different assignment, but they are sending someone in her stead.”

“That is unfortunate,” growled Callan, his Dragon making his displeasure known. “Still, I thought the males would be happier at the prospect of meeting eligible women identified as probable Triad mates!”

“Many did not expect humans, I think.”

“Och! They know well as we do, Shifter females are rare. Still, I did not expect the Kodiak Island pair, Mikhail and Constantine, to object so readily.”

“Well, Mikhail does not trust humans.”

“And yet it is with them we either thrive, or die out,” Callan concluded.

“Yes, well, Mayne and Brody seem interested enough.”

“Aye,” he agreed, appreciating the comfortable silence that stretched between them.

He rolled his shoulders, easing some of the beast’s anxiety. The Scotch didn’t work. Maybe he needed some physical activity.

Grrr.

The Dragon snarled at the thought of him fucking another female who was not meant for them. His Silver Dragon had no interest. None. And that meant his human side could not rise to the occasion.

Bloody temperamental bastard.

He snarled at his Dragon inside his mind’s eye, but the beast simply puffed out a smoky white cloud and ignored him. Unbelievable.

“What if she is here, Callan?” His partner’s voice interrupted the internal pissing contest he was currently engaged in with his scaly half.

“Have you considered the possibility?” Landry asked again.

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