Page 30 of Walking in Darkness

“And of course we don’t have a problem with you being in a poly relationship,” Grace said. “We don’t have a problem with you being mated to two paranormals, either.”

“If anyone can protect you, it’s a dragon,” Michail admitted. “And you have two of them. But you’re not mating any dragon, Kit. You’re mating a royal. That makes you a target.”

Kit rubbed his forehead. “I’m already a target, but I get what you’re saying. Maybe I should introduce Connie again, because I neglected to mention that he’s Hudson’s right-hand man.”

Michail’s eyes widened as he stared at Connie. “What rank are you?”

“You know our ranks?” Connie asked.

“It took a few inquiries, but yes,” Michail said.

“Hudson is an Ancient, of course. I am a Sir.”

Michail relaxed in his chair. He glanced at Kit. “To achieve such a high standing is impressive for someone of that rank. You are indeed safer with them than you would be with me.”

Hudson inclined his head to Michail. It took balls to acknowledge something like that to another paranormal, especially when a child was involved. His respect for Kit’s papa went up.

“Papa, Hudson said something a moment ago that caused you to react rather strongly. Can you tell me why?” Kit asked.

Michail most likely didn’t understand the reason behind Kit asking that, but Hudson did. He needed his papa to admit he knew why Lennox was stalking Kit.

That way Kit didn’t have to confess he already knew why. He’d told Hudson and Connie what Gaura had shown him, andit had horrified him. He’d made it very clear he did not want his papa to know that he knew.

“It’s… a long story. And it’s an ugly one.” Michail shuddered.

Chris immediately went to stand behind Michail’s chair and rested a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to—”

“He needs to know the basics, so yes, Idoneed to.” Michail turned his attention to Kit. “You see, I knew the brothers. I was part of the coalition—we don’t use the word tribe—Kage spoke to. The alpha is Alcaeus Kallergis.”

“I apologize. I didn’t know the correct term,” Hudson said.

“It’s not a problem.” Michail waved away Hudson’s concern. “What do you know about shifters, Kit?”

“Honestly? Not a lot. I’ve kinda been focusing on dragons,” Kit admitted.

“I am a Eurasian Lynx shifter. Like the werewolves, and yes, they exist—”

“I know, Papa. I’ve met one,” Kit said. “But that’s another long story.”

Michail sighed unhappily. “So many long stories. You’ve been exposed to a lot, haven’t you?”

“Yes, but it hasn’t been all bad.” Kit flashed Hudson and Connie a smile. “Keep going, Papa.”

It might have just been a quick look, but the sentiment warmed Hudson’s heart.

“Well, like the werewolves, we have alphas, betas, and omegas. I am an omega.”

Kit blinked.

Even Hudson admitted he was caught off guard. From his understanding, omegas were often… sheltered. Michail didn’t strike him as an omega. He’d not only survived Lennox, Michailhad struck out on his own. Hudson reminded himself that omega didn’t mean weak. Lennox had certainly found that out.

“Our alphas are our leaders. Betas are the organizers, and omega are… the calming influence in a pack. We’re also the smallest of our kind and usually less… hardy. Some see us as weak.”

“I can see that. Wait, wait!” Kit waved his hands in front of him frantically. “That didn’t come out right. I didn’t mean you’re not hardy. I meant I remember you as a calming influence from my childhood. And anyone who thinks you’re weak is an idiot.”

“Thank you. That means a lot. So Lennox was appointed to be the next alpha of our tribe. At the time, no one knew what Nox was. But both brothers were strong and violent. Aggressive. Oddly enough, Lennox was the more levelheaded of the two. He became interested in me.”

Kit shifted uncomfortably between Hudson and Connie.

---