“Of course I will,” Taylor stated. “Come on, Mylo. Everyone’s already waiting.”
I followed him with a skip in my step. It was nice to be included, and this could be a good opportunity for me to askabout omega-related things. Taylor was Crimson’s mate, and he had a kid already. Could he ease my mind about my possible pregnancy?
I thoughtwe’d hold our little gathering in the castle, but Taylor took me back to the hotel. He punched the top floor in the elevator and led me to a huge penthouse. My heart leapt with excitement. The normal hotel rooms were beautiful, but the penthouse blew my mind. It had an incredible view of the ocean and the island.
A group of omegas hung around a big sectional couch. A tantalizing array of snacks were laid out on the table. I recognized a few of the omegas—besides Taylor, there was Poppy and Alaric. There were also two faces I didn’t know, but they smiled and waved.
“H-hi, everyone,” I said, feeling awkward with everyone’s attention on me. Even after being on the Dragonfate Games, I still wasn’t used to it.
But there was no judgment on anyone’s expression. They greeted me warmly, inviting me to the couch.
“Mylo, this is Matteo,” Taylor began, gesturing to a handsome omega lounging on the couch. Black eyeliner rimmed his brown eyes. He exuded the cool aura of a rock star, but his smile was down-to-earth.
“Nice to meet you,” Matteo said.
The darker-skinned omega next to him vibrated with excitement, like a student desperate to be chosen by the teacher.
Taylor snorted as he gestured to him. “And that wriggly one is Muzo.”
“Hi!” Muzo exclaimed. To my surprise, he leapt out of his seat and hugged me like we’d been friends for years.
“Hey,” I said, returning the hug. His black-and-blond hair brushed against my cheek, and I noticed he smelled like salt water.
Muzo grinned as he plopped back on the couch and grabbed a handful of popcorn. “The gang’s all here! Isn’t this awesome?”
“Quite inspiring,” Alaric said dryly.
I’d gained a lot of confidence over the Games, but old habits died hard. Since I was the newest in the group, I didn’t know where to sit, so I hovered over the edge of the couch.
“Come over here,” Poppy encouraged, patting the empty spot between him and Alaric.
My heart warmed at his invitation. I sat down, very aware of my big butt, expecting them to shuffle further away to make room. But once again, to my surprise, neither Poppy nor Alaric moved. Happiness surged through me at their acceptance.
“So, you fell for one of the twins, eh?” Matteo asked. “What was that like?”
“Yeah, that’s wild,” Muzo added, stuffing popcorn into his mouth. “I can’t even tell ‘em apart!”
I grinned humbly. “I dunno, it’s pretty easy for me. Aurum’s... brighter, if that makes sense?”
Alaric gave his lollipop a nonchalant lick. “That’s because he’s your fated mate. I assume each mated omega here feels that way.”
Muzo, Taylor and Matteo all got a dreamy gleam in their eyes.
“Are you two mated as well?” I asked them.
Matteo nodded. “Thystle is my mate, and Cobalt is Muzo’s.”
Alaric’s expression tightened and his teeth grazed the lollipop with a softclack.He must’ve been envious of all the paired omegas. After all, there weren’t many alpha dragonbachelors left at this point. Didn’t only three remain? I hoped Alaric found his mate soon.
And then there was Poppy. He wasn’t as openly jealous as Alaric, but I sensed he wanted his fated mate just as badly. The wolf shifter was shy—maybe even more than me. I worried that he’d be too passive and let his alpha pass him by.
“By the way, Mylo,” Muzo’s curious voice probed into my thoughts. “What kinda shifter are you?”
“I’m a black-footed ferret,” I told him.
He lit up. “No way! I’m a black-backed jackal. We’re twinning!”
“Aren’t those endangered?” Matteo asked me with a sympathetic glance.
