Page 52 of Second Shooter

“Well, everyone saved on holiday and birthday gifts.” She smiled. “Look on the bright side.”

Fen sighed. “You and Lyric are the first omegas my family has produced in my direct bloodline.”

“Oh. That. Right.”

“Do you have plans for children?”

Atil leaned forward. “Win has some old business to attend to. After that, we will discuss the next generation.”

Lady Fen spluttered, “But you will go into heat.”

“When I want to. I have been able to control it for over a decade. I have business to settle with the Stronghold Elite. It’s time.”

Lady Fen paused. “What are you going to do?”

“What is necessary. Break some walls and get the girls out of there. The Elite will need to take care of themselves. If they take one more girl, we will take her back.”

Lady Fen blinked. “You are going against the Elite?”

“They are going against us, so... yes.”

Fen grabbed her hand. “You can’t put yourself at risk. You are the only child Jia has.”

“I am not at risk. I am...” Win racked her mind and found the word. “Xian. I can be damaged but not killed.”

Lady Fen gasped, and the room got silent.

Win looked at her. “What do you think this body is for? I am not the only one. Lyric is one, Atil, Wellyn, and Draven are as well. What do you think the Elite are?”

Fen paused, and her eyes widened. “I hadn’t really put that together. Oh, so when they take the young women who manifest Elite characteristics—”

“They treat them to keep them from turning into this. They keep them as betas with lovely hair and small bodies and no power. I have come into my power. The scent of an adult female heat drives them insane.”

Lady Fen was served by two of her mates, and Atil and Wellyn served Win.

Fen said softly, “How do you know that?”

“They took me when I was seventeen. I escaped and ended up in a hospital and left months after I entered. I wore those scars for over a decade on my smaller form until two days ago.” She smiled as they ate. “That is how I know Nikolai.”

Lady Fen looked over at the dragon’s table. “How do you know Alexi?”

“When I was a child, I was on a field trip, and there was another trip with older kids from a different school. I think we were there for some kind of science display.”

Fen asked, “What kind?”

“We were watching an eclipse. I drew a picture of the red sun with the empty centre. I got lost on the way back from the restroom, and someone helped me, so I gave him the picture.”

Fen smiled. “It was Alexi?”

“I suppose so. He’s in a linked partnership. I have to just breathe through the pain and let that urge go.”

Fen frowned. “Pain?”

“Yes. I know it’s ridiculous. I am a fucking giant, after all. I would run the other way if I saw this in the mirror. It is too complicated.”

She prodded at her plate and felt like an idiot. Part of her had been convinced that they would be together. Now, reality was smacking her in the head, and she felt like a fucking toddler.

Lyric looked at her and frowned.

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