Page 26 of Dragon's Revenge

“No, but his pack and land are right next to ours, and we share resources and men. He’ll be by later this week to introduce himself, but we didn’t want to scare you all. He’s a powerful alpha, and we thought it might be too intimidating.”

Fallon had stretched his neck, studying the group. “You didn’t bring any more Murphy omegas? I only see four. I would’ve thought they would want to come now.”

“The Murphys wouldn’t let them.” Fergal’s mouth had set in a hard line. “Even though their clan no longer exists, they refuse to let their omegas go. We didn’t have the power to force them. These four were already at the Dragon Council, so the Murphys couldn’t stop them.”

Fuck. It didn’t surprise Sivney, considering what he knew about the Murphys, but it did pose a challenge. He turned to Blair. “We’ll need to come up with a rescue plan because we’re not abandoning them. Talk to Sean, and you may wanna include Jermon, Nadiv, and Emma. See if you can figure out a way to free them without casualties on either side.” Then he reconsidered. “Well, I’m not too concerned about the Murphy alphas, to be honest, as long as the omegas stay safe.”

Fergal snorted. “True that.”

“You’re gonna get them?” Zach’s voice was so soft that Sivney had to lean in.

“Yes. No one should be held against their will, least of all defenseless omegas. We’ll figure out a way to liberate them.”

“You’re serious.”

“Dead serious.”

Zack launched himself at Sivney, who was barely in time to catch and hold him as the dragon omega hugged him tightly. “I love you already,” Zack mumbled, his face buried against Sivney’s neck.

Sivney hugged him back, and if it was a little awkward, it was because he wasn’t one to display such affection publicly. But he could hardly refuse such a genuine gesture. “All we want is for you all to be healthy and happy,” Sivney said when Zack finally let go of him, his eyes suspiciously misty.

As if on cue, a truck pulled up with Enar and his team. Enar, Maz, and Lucan jumped out, all dressed in scrubs and carrying bags with medical supplies. They waited for Sivney to introduce him, and he was so grateful and proud of them for that.

“This is Dr. Enar Magnusson, the beta in charge of our medical clinic. He’s an OB-GYN, and so is Dr. Maz Ahari. Lucan Whitefield is one of Maz’s mates and a medical assistant.”

He hoped that stressing Enar’s status as a beta would prevent questions, but it seemed Zack’s curiosity was too big. “A beta?” He looked at Enar directly. “But you look like an?—”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Fergal said sharply, and for the first time, Sivney heard that royal authority in his voice, the kind that left no room for debate. “If Sivney says Enar is a beta, he’s a beta.”

Enar took a step forward. “It’s okay,” he said softly, then addressed Zack directly. “I was born an alpha, but I am a beta inside. Does that make sense?”

“I didn’t mean any offense,” Zack said.

“None taken. I don’t mind explaining.”

Sivney would never stop being amazed at how sensitive Enar was and how easily he could adapt his voice and body language to ensure those around him felt safe.

Zack cocked his head, looking pensive. “So you’re saying that if, hypothetically, I feel more like an alpha than an omega, you’d treat me as an alpha?”

Was he asking for himself? It wouldn’t surprise Sivney.

“Absolutely,” Enar said. “All you need to do is be honest with us and we’ll respect your preferred status, pronouns, name, whatever you ask.”

“I’ll be damned,” Zack said with a sigh. “I’ve died and gone to fucking heaven, though it looks nothing like I expected it to.”

As much as Sivney wanted to take the time to ask questions, he’d caught a few of the omegas wavering, so they needed to move. “Now that’s settled, Enar and his team are available for anyone who needs medical care. You can request privacy, or if you feel more comfortable or safe with someone else present, that’s fine too. And for everyone else, we have your cabins ready for you, where you’ll find a warm bed, a hot shower, and food at your request. Tell us what you need, and we’ll make it happen.”

He didn’t miss the utter shock on the faces of the omegas, who looked like they’d seen a ghost.

“Let me show you the two urgent omegas,” Zack said softly to Enar. “I hope they’ll accept your help, but I may have to stay with them.”

Sivney followed at a bit of a distance, noting with gratitude that Lucan was helping Maz convince omegas to trust him, which was a little easier for him as a beta than it was for an alpha like Maz, even if he wasn’t that big and imposing.

“…internal injuries,” Sivney heard Zack say. “He used the leg of a chair, and I think some wood splinters got stuck.”

Sivney’s stomach upturned, and he dry heaved, quickly stepping away so no one would see it. What the fuck was wrong with people?

“It’s bad,” Fergal said softly. Sivney hadn’t even noticed him next to him. “Both severe cases were from the red tent, both Murphy omegas, and both raped and abused by their own alphas. It makes me sick and ashamed to be an alpha.”

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