“So, I assume you have some questions about the unusual situation you’ve found yourselves in.”
I hesitated, trying to pick something out of the mess of questions in my head that would be reasonable to begin with. Terrance was faster.
“We’ve only just realized we’re mated. It’s a little overwhelming. I guess we’d like to know what to expect?”
Conrad eyed us both before exhaling deeply. “See, when I met Eugene forty years ago, alphas having sex with alphas was still illegal in most parts of the country. We moved to New York for the first few years of our relationship.”
“But how did you even find out?” I asked. “Sorry if that’s intrusive, but I’m…”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s why you’re here.” Hetook a sip from his tumbler. “Eugene worked for me for two years before anything happened between us. We were joined at the hip, and I couldn’t imagine spending one day without him. I assumed I was dependent on my assistant. Then, one night, we argued. I don’t even remember what it was about. In a fit of fear and anger, I kissed him. Once we got physical, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other, even as we both agreed it must be temporary. Eugene was about to quit. Within a few days, our bodies changed. For me, it was a relief. An explanation for what had been happening to us for those two years. Eugene admitted he’d been in love with me for the entire time, my darling. He was so happy when I told him I felt the same.”
“You’ve never tried to break the bond?” My question made Terrance jerk next to me. I didn’t dare look at him.
Conrad frowned at me. “I didn’t think it was possible. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“I know it’s not possible when it’s a bond between a shifter alpha and a dragon mate, but what about two omegas or two alphas?”
“Why would anyone want to do that?”
“You said it was illegal. And you couldn’t have children together.”
“But that’s nothing compared to what your mate means to you.” He looked at me with a challenge in his eyes, but I had nothing to say in response. Terry had become the focal point of my world, but that didn’t mean he felt the same about me.
“You mentioned your omegas,” Terry began, his tone careful. “Obviously, you don’t have to explain yourself. It’s your private life.”
“Oh, we’ve always been very open. We did have sex with omegas, together and apart. We’ve never been jealousofthat. A need is a need. And let’s just say that there are some things about an omega’s body that are simply irresistible. When we met Tristan fifteen years later, he bonded with Eugene first. He was terrified, poor sweetheart, falling for a taken man. But then Eugene brought him to meet me, and we had a wonderful bonding together.” Conrad licked his lips in a way that bordered on lewd. I drank more whiskey.
Just then, an elderly man in a white shirt and a pair of black slacks brought our coffee on a tray.
“Thank you, Stuart.”
The butler bowed in an old-fashioned way and walked away noiselessly.
“It was a lovely time,” Conrad continued. “Magical. Of course, Tristan went into heat almost immediately and gave us our eldest sons. One of the twins was mine, and one was Eugene’s. Apparently, that happens quite often with two alphas mated to one omega.”
“Pardon me, but how did you know… I mean, appearances can be deceiving, especially in small children.”
“My Eugene is a Black man, my dear,” Conrad said, looking smug.
Terry blinked. “Oh. Of course. Sorry.” He was adorable when he blushed.
“That means Tristan is mated to both of you?” I asked.
“Yes. And now we have Quinton too. He’s mine, but both Eugene and Tristan adore him. I fear we’re spoiling the boy.”
Terry and I looked at each other. I was losing track of the mess of bonds.
“You look confused,” Conrad said, grinning at me.
“Um. A little.”
“Tristan is a dragon mate who bonded with Eugeneand, directly after, with me. He has lived with us for three decades and gave us six sons, but they have already moved out. Ben, our youngest, left for college two years ago. We became such cliché empty nesters, not knowing what to do with ourselves. We traveled, partied, and tried to have fun…” Conrad laughed and winked. “You know how it goes.”
I had no idea. Was he suggesting they fucked around? It seemed so.
“It was supposed to be a gift for Tristan, you see. I hit on Quinton at a club and invited him for a weekend of fun because Tristan has a thing for younger omegas, and I wanted to surprise him…but then one thing led to another.” He smiled dreamily and sighed. “We barely left the bedroom that weekend. We were insatiable, all four of us. It was as if Quinton had brought back the wild passion from our first weeks together. By Sunday, Quinton was dripping with lover’s milk.”
“Um. You said he’s bonded to you?”
