Footprints sunk into red clay marked the trail from truck to building, rain having fallen the day before. Lunch bag in hand, he crossed the distance in a few long strides, ignoring the group of men sipping coffee at a wooden picnic table while waiting for start time.
He entered the site trailer, clocked in using the tablet kiosk, and ambled toward the open lifts, tucking his braid underneath his hard hat.
Dingsfrom the kiosk sounded behind him as coworkers hit the time clock.
Leon fell into step beside him— Curtis’s omega dragon father, as if anyone with eyes couldn’t see the copper-haired, blue-eyed resemblance. Dragons in Terra kept silent about dragon realm affiliations, questions considered rude when many newcomers fled from traumatic pasts or even crimes. As long as they committed none here, the others didn’t really care. Elouan guessed Leon came from the Northern Crags based on his coloring and accent.
While High Reaches dragons rarely socialized with Northern Crags dragons, Elouan had occasionally met a few from there. Still, he didn’t dare ask if he and Leon shared mutual acquaintances. No reminding others of what they’d lost.
Human-realm dragons didn’t have a structured hierarchy, and unaffiliated dragons seemed to be the norm, not the exception, and were no longer stigmatized. Loose groups formed, more friendships than anything else.
Elouan’s upbringing instilled his life’s purpose. Alphas were born to lead. Knowing the expectations gave stability, didn’t it? A less structured environment left him feeling uncertain.
Yet, he’d met alphas who should never lead, and betas who should. What if he’d been born a beta or an omega, stuck in expectations he could never rise above?
“All right there, Elouan?” It had taken about a month to discourage Leon from calling Elouan “Alpha Sir.” Dragons might not enjoy talking about their courts, but their deference to social classes sometimes made an appearance. Why, Elouan couldn’t say. Old habits, most likely. Old habits he wished would disappear.
“I’m all right. You?” Best to keep conversations to a minimum with humans around to avoid slip-ups. While Elouan carefully guarded each word, Leon sometimes forgot himself, especially when drinking.
“I think Curtis enjoyed his party last night,” Leon said.
“I’m glad he did.”
“We treated him to dinner at his favorite restaurant before he went to the club.”
“I’m sure he liked that.” Though he hadn’t mentioned his parents taking him out.
Leon grinned. “Hey, I heard of a place in the mountains where we can—”
The scent of an approaching human caused Elouan to lift his lip in a dragon snarl of warning.
“Where you can what?” the new man asked, donning his hard hat. The random marks showed how often he’d thrown it into the toolbox in the back of his truck. Earl smelled of human, too much cologne, and too little soap, mixed with a hint of gasoline. He must have filled his tank on the way to work.
Sometimes, sensitive alpha dragon noses were a curse.
“Get away from it all,” Elouan improvised with a forced grin. If Leon had been an alpha, he’d have smelled Earl’s approach. Actually, if he’d even been paying attention. What grudge Earl bore against soap and water Elouan would never understand.Most dragons took personal hygiene seriously. “You know. A mini vacation.” Had Leon been about to disclose a place safe from human eyes where Elouan could shift and fly? He’d have to corner Leon later for details.
“Yeah,” Leon said. “Way back in the mountains where you can go days without seeing anyone. A friend of mine has a cabin he’ll lend me.”
Yep, Elouan would definitely ask about the cabin later.
All three men stepped into the elevator cage. Earl clanged the mesh door closed. “Doesn’t sound interesting to me. Give me a beach any day, beautiful women in bikinis, and keep the Mai Tais coming.”
Beach? Sand stuck between his scales? Not Elouan’s idea of fun. He never understood how the Sandy Shoals court tolerated their environment.
But mountains? How Elouan missed majestic peaks. The mountains surrounding Asheville were pale comparisons to High Reaches. “Sounds great, Leon. You’ll have to give me directions if your friend will let me stay there.” He didn’t want to ask the friend directly and have someone agree simply because of Elouan’s perceived status.
They rode the elevator to the twelfth floor. “See ya later, Earl.” Elouan strode down a metal walkway high above the city. Sometimes he forgot this wasn’t a human’s natural environment and that he shouldn’t appear so comfortable.
Leon tagged along behind. “Have you thought any more about the promotion?”
How could Elouan speak his mind and not hurt Leon’s feelings? Leon hadn’t been up for a promotion and likely never would be. Not because of his omega status, but because he performed his job to the bare acceptable minimum.
Elouan wasn’t about to waste his own or anyone else’s time. He did each job as quickly and efficiently as possible, thenmoved on to the next without fanfare. “I have no interest in leadership,” he finally said. Not in Adrakus, nor in Terra.
“It’s a shame. You’d make a good foreman.” Leon shuffled off to start his day, leaving Elouan alone.
Looking out beyond the city to the tree-covered mountains made Elouan’s heart yearn for home. Were there fat deer in the woods, simply waiting for a skilled hunter? Caves to explore?
