Consorts

It's two days before Talia can sit up on her own without assistance. And two more days after that before she's able to get out of bed without assistance. By next new moon, she's %100. Cougar and baby accompany her to Megalopolis. They go shopping for things she'll need in the suite and her office, not only for Will when she comes to Megalopolis for work, but also for her unborn child.

In public in Megalopolis, Cougar is just hers and Richy's best friend that they've both known since childhood. Cougar has lost his wife and mother of his new son and Talia has stepped up to take her place. In private, he's her mate. She has a doctor's appointment, but refuses to go. The pregnancy has made her even more sensitive about the doctor poking and prodding at her. Cougar thinks the pregnancy is progressing fine. He attributes Talia looking more pregnant than she is to how petite she is. Less body cavity space so it's sticking out more. As long as the fetus is active and Talia is sleeping and eating well, he's not worried. Richy is home from work when they get back from Megalopolis.

"Did you see Dr. Zaniski," Richy asks Talia.

Talia sighs as she admits, "No."

"I know you didn't go," Richy informs her irritated, "Dr. Zaniski called me to asks why you didn't show for your appointment."

Talia exhales frustrated through her nose with her mouth set in a grim line, "I need to remind him about doctor patient confidentiality. I'm an adult and I don't need him calling my husband to tattle on me like I'm a child playing hooky from school. And I don't need you treating like I'm a child that played hooky from school." She folds her arms under her breasts and over her swelling belly.

Richy turns to Cougar who's holding the carrier with Will in it still sleeping soundly from the car ride home and asks him, "Why didn't you make sure she kept her appointment with Dr. Zaniski?"

Cougar responds calmly, "Richy, she doesn't like going to those appointments. Besides, she seems fine to me."

Richy points at Cougar and tells him frustratedly, "You're not a doctor."

"I was more than three-fourths of the way there," Cougar reminds Richy not appreciating Richy's accusatory tone. "You trusted me to care for her when she was shot. And you trusted me to care for her while she was sick from that infected bite mark. But I'm not good enough to look after her pregnancy…"

"Good enough has nothing to do with it," insist Richy. "You don't have a lab for running all the necessary blood tests. You don't have the equipment necessary for ultrasounds and stuff."

"All those things aren't always necessary," responds Cougar.

"I don't want to go," interjects Talia near tears, "and you can't make me go. I'm tired of being Zaniski's personal science project. And I don't want to argue about it. I'll get a damn headache and I can't take anything for it for while I'm pregnant. I'll be stuck lying in a dark room with a puke bucket and damp rag on my forehead wishing I was dead. So Richy, please, just let it go. Please."

Richy takes a deep breath and blows it out and manages to say calmly, "We can discuss it later."

"Well, well, well," says Richy's cousin Bass as he steps up to them, "Look who's finally home," meaning Talia.

Bass here visiting also means his mother, his two children, Hyena and her two children are all here visiting. The only one Talia is never thrilled to see is Bass. Hyena and her children have moved into Richy's house along with Bass, his children and mother, Seal. He's getting to bang her regularly. Plus the Water Tribe women are starting to put out to him again because it looks like Fjord isn't coming back. And there are plenty of Animalistic women who will put out to him. Yet Talia remains his favorite and he always seeks her out when they come for a visit. Talia doesn't understand why she's his favorite because he certainly isn't her favorite.

Talia sighs because she knows what he wants, "Is it okay if I get to freakin' pee first?"

"Of course," responds Bass as if he's being generous. Then he follows her into the house and into the nearest bathroom. He watches her pee, wipe, flush and wash her hands. He gets her hand and leads her to a couch in the den.

Talia has found the best way to deal with Bass when he comes to visit is to just relax and let him get the orgasms he wants out her. She's found talking dirty to him helps too because he gets even more excited and cums faster.

Bass unbuttons her blouse and is happy to find her bra clasps is in the front. He slides the cups off her swollen breasts and cups them in his hands as he eagerly sucks in an extra dark chocolate nipple. Talia puts her fingers in his hair as she props a foot up on the couch opening herself up for him to explore. One of his hands finds its way under her skirt. He stimulates her thoroughly with his hand until she's nearly sloppy wet. He leans her back onto her side on the couch, puts her leg over his shoulder pushes his cock slowly inside her. He hisses at the feel of her just as he always does. He starts off pushing in and out of her slowly, and Talia begins her dirty talk for him.

"Oh, Bass, you feel so good," Talia tells him.

His response is to push deep as he tells her, "I'm gonna give it all to you."

Talia would roll her eyes if it wouldn't slow him down because he's already giving it all to her and there isn't more to give. Instead she tells him, "Yes, please, give it all to me. Fuck me, Bass, fuck me."

Bass starts to thrust his cock in and out of her fast and hard, "Yeah, I know you like it."

Talia just responds with, "Fuck me, Bass, fuck me."

Bass tells her, "You take that dick. You take it all bitch."

"Yeah, give it to me," she tells him, "Fuck this bitch. Fuck my pussy hard. Make that big dick fit."

"Huh," grunts Bass, "Take it bitch! Take it!"

Talia orgasms a few times, nothing truly major but enough to satisfy Bass. When Bass is close to cumming, he changes Talia's position, on her knees, facing the back of the couch as he fucks her from behind.

"Let me put in up your ass," request Bass in a whisper, "I want to cum up your ass."

If none of her mates are nearby, he'll asks for something kinky, usually he wants her to fluff him up at the beginning or he asks to cum in her mouth.

"Please, Talia, please," Bass begs, "let me cum up your ass."

Normally she would tell him, "Hell no," but she's tired and she wants him to finish. So she tells him, "Fine, fine," annoyed with him, "just hurry up and be careful."

Bass doesn't give her a chance to change her mind. He squeezes her breasts as he pushes his cock up her ass. He's careful. He doesn't want to hurt her. Richy would kick his ass if he knew he even asked for such a thing from Talia, and if he hurt her, Richy would never let him touch her again. So he slowly pushes until his cock is all the way up her ass. Talia is grateful that once he's all in, it only takes him a few pushes and he cums. He holds her tight pushing uncomfortably deep as he cums. He stays put for a couple of minutes holding her tightly before he pulls out slowly.

"You are the best fuck ever," Bass tells Talia as he puts his cock away.

"Whatever," Talia responds as she steps back into the den's bathroom slamming the door shut behind herself. She needs a few minutes alone to compose herself and relax. Richy, Wildcat and Greywolf haven't seen her for a couple of days and will be seeking her attention too. Bass just had to make sure he got a turn before she became too busy with her own men to pay attention to him. Cougar had her to himself for a couple of days in Megalopolis. But now that she's not ill, he feels the need to mount her every time she suckles Will. She fixes her clothes, runs her fingers through her hair and goes upstairs to change into something more comfortable. She chooses something she can nap in because she needs a nap. Then she seeks everyone out.

It's never hard to find everyone. Everyone is always in and out of the kitchen at the back of the house. They congregate in the backyard near where the children play. The men built an elaborate tree house and jungle gym with swings and slides for the children. Her grandfather's brick fireplace/grill is on the patio outside the kitchen. Plus, there's a fire pit the adults like to sit around out in the yard not far from the pool.

Talia finds Walter in her kitchen before she makes it outside, "Hey Grey-pa," she greets and kisses his cheek.

"Talia," Walter hugs her. "I was just getting a glass of ice water. Would you like one."

"Actually, that sounds great Grey-pa," answers Talia realizing she's thirsty. She gladly accepts a glass of ice water, "Thank you, Grey-pa."

"You're welcome my dear," Walter stepping outside behind her.

Otter and her Uncle Bob are sitting on the patio glide rocker across from the brick fireplace/grill.

"Hey, Uncle Bob," Talia kisses his cheek, "Hey Otter," putting her hand on Otter's smaller pregnant belly.

"Welcome home, Talia," Otter putting her hand on Talia's large pregnant belly. "You smell so tired, honey. Bass seek you out already."

Talia nods, "About five seconds after I stepped through the front door. I don't know why he's fascinated with me."

"It's not his fault you're beautiful," Uncle Bob tells Talia.

Talia rolls her eyes. She's not buying that one. And he sees that clearly, so Bob tells her, "Just try to find a quiet spot to take a nap. You'll feel better after a nap."

Talia looks around her expansive and busy back yard. There are children playing in and around the tree house and jungle gym. Half of Animalistic must be here visiting with her brother, Zenith, her niece and nephews along with a good portion of Water. There are also adults and adolescents milling about talking, swimming in the pool and mating. Richy, Cougar, Wildcat, Greywolf, Roar and a couple of other males are sitting around the fire pit talking. Cougar is giving Will his bottle of Sheila's breast milk. It started to arrive about a week after Cougar brought Will home. It's delivered frozen in bottles by the case. Cougar exchanges the case of empty bottles for the case of full ones.

As Talia approaches, she can hear Richy hasn't given up the topic of her and the missed appointment.

Cougar tells him, "Come on, Richy, let it go."

"Dearest," Wildcat stands and greets her with a loving kiss.

Greywolf stands and kisses her too, "You're exhausted and Bass sought you out before you could rest."

Talia nods, "I need a nap." She picks up the diaper bag and slings it over her shoulder, "But I want my baby." She takes Will from Cougar and props him on her shoulder. She raises her eyebrows at Wildcat and cuts her eyes toward Richy. Wildcat gives her a barely perceptible nod of understanding. She wants him to talk to Richy. Then she takes Greywolf's hand and leads him away with her.

"Would you like to go inside and lie down," asks Greywolf.

"I've been inside for two days," Talia reminds him, "inside my office, inside the penthouse, inside stores." She sighs, "I've had enough of inside for now."

"Da! Mama Talia!" one of Greywolf's children calls with a wave. They wave back to his child and some other children.

Talia leads Greywolf to some reclining lawn chairs under the shade of a tree. At Talia's urging, he sits on one and she sits between his long legs. She feeds Will the rest of his bottle and burbs him. She kisses his head, holds him to her bosom, and murmurs, "Mommy's little man. I love you so much." Then she relines against Greywolf with Will to her chest. Greywolf reclines back into the cushions of the lawn chair holding her and Will.

Greywolf strokes her hair and tells her softly, "Get some sleep, love." A few moments later Talia has actually fallen to sleep before the baby. Then Will falls to sleep a couple of minutes later. With them both asleep in his arms, Greywolf rest his eyes and relaxes.

Talia is startled awake by a roar. The roar startled the baby too and he starts to cry. Children are huddled low to the ground and mothers are running to snatch them up and move them to a safe location. It takes Talia and Greywolf a few moments to assess the situation. They've received guests, but Richy isn't being a gracious host. He's in his full guardian form and he's charging and attacking Windwalker. Windwalker isn't trying to fight Richy. His moves are defensive and evasive.

"Here Poppy," Talia tells Greywolf, "Take Will for me."

Greywolf accepts Will from Talia and warns her, "Be careful. He's not himself."

Talia strides across the lawn. Richy's so intent on attacking Windwalker, he doesn't notice Talia approaching. She's suddenly just standing in front of him. Her black eyes flash white for a moment. Her hand thrust forward, halting his charge toward Windwalker as she commands, "Stop!" Her thrusting hand hits him in his chest, sending him flying back onto his butt.

"This is no way to treat guests," Talia tells Richy, "They have women and children with them. There is no hostile intent."

Richy hops to his feet angry. He strides toward Talia and raises his hand to slap her. There's a shout of "No!" from Cougar, Wildcat, Roar and Greywolf.

Richy's wrist is caught before he can make contact with Talia's face by a young man with vibrant green eyes. The young man request firmly, "Please, do not do that."

There are tears in Talia's eyes as she asks in a soft hurt voice, "You would strike me, Richy? Is that what you want? Is being my mate that terrible a burden to you?"

Richy suddenly snaps back to himself, shutting down his guardian and shrinking back to himself. "No," he says taking her face in his hands, "I love you. I love you more than I knew it was possible to love anyone." He pulls her against him and hugs her tightly, "I'm so sorry. I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at him for making himself your mate, for the way he did it, for how badly he hurt you, for how sick he made you… It makes me feel like I'm a failure as your mate. It makes me feel helpless."

Talia kisses Richy, "I feel just as helpless as you. But all I really need is for you to love me, just love me. As long as you love me, you've failed at nothing."

They just stand there together for a long minute holding each other before Talia reminds him, "We have guests to welcome."

Talia faces her visitors, "Welcome to my home," spreading her arms wide. "As I'm sure you've realized, this is my little territory within Animalistic… I don't think I know all of you." The Night Crawlers are in human form so the only ones she recognizes are Eli and Daphne. But there are too many for only Dark Pack to be present. But of course she recognizes Windwalker, his brother, Breeze, along with Stinger and her two children. And of course Windwalker brought his elder advisor, Snow; plus another young Air woman she remembers seeing but did actually meet.

Talia continues, "I'll start by introducing a few of us. I am Talia. This is my older brother Roar, chief of Animalistic. This is Richy or if you prefer, Mist. He is my true-mate as well as my first mate. Please forgive his lack of hospitality. This is my second mate, Cougar, my third, Wildcat who is also Animalistic's number one elder advisor. Greywolf here is my consort. And this little guy here," Talia taking the baby back from Greywolf, "is our son, Will of Fire." Talia kisses Will. "Now, everyone is friendly, even Richy. So please make yourselves at home."

Talia's smile falters as Windwalker steps up to her. He raises her chin and kisses her cheek. "Eli and Nighteye told me you were gravely ill when last they saw you." He gently caresses her cheek with his thumb.

Talia only responds with a simple nod. Cougar's arm sliding around her takes away some of her tension. He puts his hand out to Windwalker, "I'm Cougar, her second like she said and I take care of Talia when she's ill."

"A healer," Windwalker shaking his hand impressed, "very good. Since I can't be a proper full-time mate, it's good to know she will be in your hands."

"Better my hands than your mouth," states Cougar. "You only needed to break the skin to mark her. Instead, you bit her so hard you fractured her collar bone and tore muscles. What were you trying to do? Rip her to pieces??? I want you to look at this." Cougar exposes the now pink scarring that's Windwalker's mark on Talia's left shoulder, "That line right there is where I had to lance it because it became infected because you bit too hard and too deep. If I hadn't known what to do for her, she would have died."

Windwalker doesn't know what to say. He looks at Talia's lowered head. He wonders if she'll ever completely accept him. He went about things all wrong. He finally says sincerely, "I'm sorry… I did things all wrong… I should have come and met all of you and declared my intentions. But I didn't want to risk your rejection." He lifts Talia's chin again and apologizes directly to her, "I'm sorry I hurt you. But you know why I did things the way I did. I don't expect you to understand completely. But I hope you will find it in you to forgive me."

Windwalker turns to Richy, "Mist, I understand your anger. But I am not going to challenge anyone else's position as her mate. I am her fourth and I accept that. This is her home here and I accept that. I will come here to her for time together… Stinger had many good things to say about you. She says you are a good man. And anyone can see you love her very much and that she feels the same for you… Breeze is happy to share Stinger. This is my elder advisor, Snow. She very much enjoys younger men. And this is our younger sister, Aura, who does not have a mate or children yet."

"And all our women are available for mating as well," a Night Crawler male says as he steps forward, "It is good to see you well Talia."

Talia looks the handsome man over curiously. Then she catches his scent and smiles, "Nighteye, welcome." She gives him a hug.

"What do you think," Nighteye asks Talia turning in a circle with his arms open.

"I like it," answers Talia smiling approvingly. He's not as tall in his human form, but still tall like Richy and Cougar and extremely handsome with waist length black hair and red-brown skin.

"It's very generous of you to offer to share your women," Richy tells Nighteye, "but Talia is the only woman I want. But there are plenty of other males around that will appreciate your generosity. Likewise, there are plenty of women here that are willing and available for mating if you or any of your males are interested."

"Talia," Eli tentatively touching her arm, "two other packs have accompanied us. May I introduce you to a few people?"

"Of course," Talia smiling, "I'ld love to meet them."

Eli leads the way, "This is Pack Moonlight. I was born into this pack. These are my parents Bonnie and Chad."

Talia shakes her their hands, "It's very nice to meet you. Welcome to my home. I hope you enjoy your stay." Their scents tell Talia that each of Eli's parents are half domesticated.

Eli continues, "This is my grandmother, my mother's mother Betty."

Betty is domesticated and shakes Talia's hand, "Betty Lou Cavanagh, pleased to meet you… Isn't she a pretty little thing, Dusk."

"Dusk is my grandfather, Betty's mate and alpha male of Moonlight," Eli informs Talia. Then we have Midnight Pack. This is my grandfather, Joe. He fathered my father."

Shaking Talia's hand the domesticated male says, "Joseph Miles Smith, quite nice to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise," Talia responds.

"And this is my grandmother, Star," Eli introduces. "She's alpha female of Midnight. Pan, her mate is alpha male."

"It's very nice to meet all of you," Talia a little perplexed as to why Eli has introduced her to his parents and grandparents, "I hope you all enjoy your stay."

"You know, Miss Talia," Eli's grandfather, Joe, "It's been a long time since me and Betty have stepped foot in a house. Eli, Bonnie, Chad and the rest of our packs except for Daphne there, have never even stepped foot in a house before."

"Well then, let's have a tour," says Talia cheerfully. She turns toward Windwalker and her smile falters a bit, "You ever been in a house before?"

"No," answers Windwalker.

"Then please join us," Talia tells Windwalker, "Anyone who'ld like to tag along is welcome."

"Do you think I could get a cheeseburger and fries," asks Daphne.

Talia smiles at Daphne, "I think we can manage that." Then she starts off with a brief description of the grounds, pointing out the guest houses as she approaches the big house. She pauses outside the kitchen and introduces Uncle Bob, Otter and Walter. She asks them to fire up the grill and start some burgers. Then she leads the way into the mansion. She makes sure they know where all the bathrooms are and that they know they're welcome to come in and use the facilities. Joe is excited about the billiard room because it's been decades since he's played pool. She points out which bedrooms are occupied and which are free for them to use if they want to sleep inside. Talia finishes off with showing them the master suite.

"You're house is awesome," compliments Daphne excited.

"Thank you," Talia accepting the compliment from Daphne.

"Can these doors be secured from the inside for privacy," Windwalker asks Talia as he examines the master suite's doors.

Talia's head lowers as she confirms, "Yes, Windwalker. They can be secured from the inside."

"Good," responds Windwalker stepping into the master suite, "Breeze and I require some private time with you."

"Now," asks Talia.

"Now," confirms Windwalker reaching out and touching her cheek.

"I'll show y'all back outside," volunteers Greywolf, "Follow me please."

Breeze gives Stinger a kiss and her bottom an affectionate pat before she turns to go back outside with the others.

Talia kisses Will's forehead and hands him to Cougar.

"Are you alright," Cougar asks Talia with loving concern.

Talia nods as she answers, "I'm fine." She kisses him reassuringly and repeats, "I'm fine. Please make sure the guests that want hamburgers and fries get them."

Wildcat steps up and kisses her next. Then he looks over her head at Windwalker and Breeze and gives them a stern warning look.

But Richy doesn't hold his tongue, "I don't think you can be trusted alone with her. Is it really necessary for you to be alone with her? And are both of you necessary?"

"Yes," answers Windwalker unapologetically, "we require privacy. We won't always require privacy. But at this time we do. And if you had a brother, would you not share her with him?"

Richy wishes the answer to Windwalker's question was no. Instead he responds, "Don't you harm her again. She won't talk about whatever it is you did to her that left those white streaks in her hair, and I don't appreciate that." Then he kisses Talia, turns and follows Cougar and Wildcat.

"Show me how the door secures," Windwalker request of Talia.

With a solemn nod, Talia says as she turns to close the doors and shows him, "It's not complicated." She steps to the door. She sees Richy pause to look back. He's very angry. She hesitates wishing she knew what to say to him to make this easier for him. She finally just says, "I love you."

Richy scoffs angrily as he says, "Yeah, sure," disbelievingly.

Talia's feelings are hurt by Richy's reaction to her heart felt words and he can see it on her face as she closes the doors. He hears the lock catch as he steps back over to the closed doors. He lays a hand on the door thoughtfully for moment, regretting his angry reaction. Then he punches the door as he shouts, "Fuck!!!" He hadn't meant to hurt her feelings.

Talia jumps startled by the punch to the door and Richy's angry shout. Her eyes well over with tears.

"Is it secure," Windwalker asks her.

"Well it's not a giant immovable stone," responds Talia through her tears. "This isn't a panic room. But as long as I'm not being harmed, they will respect your request for privacy and no one will break down the door." She suddenly feels vulnerable alone with Windwalker and Breeze and wraps her arms around herself.

Breeze feels compassion for Talia as he looks at her. He can only imagine how uncomfortable it must be for her to be alone locked in a room with two strange men. And despite his desire for her, to see her and be with her, to see her beneath him in her second guardian form, he wishes he had a way to make this easier for her. He told his older brother she needs time just to become accustomed to him as her mate. But Breeze is better at individual socialization than his older brother, so Windwalker wants him present because he hopes Breeze's presence will help her relax.

"How long have you and Mist been together," asks Breeze.

"Just since the beginning of spring," answers Talia.

Breeze is surprised, "You've not been together long at all. You've not really had time to settle in together properly. No wonder he's so irritable."

Talia shares, "Everything happened so fast. I went from no mate to three in less than a month's time. Richy was raised domesticated. He was expecting a more traditional husband and wife domesticated type of relationship… So was I actually… Except for the pregnancy, little has gone right for us."

Breeze puts an arm around her and strokes her hair slowly. Talia is stiff at first, but slowly relaxes against him. He gently caresses a tear from her cheek with his thumb. Then he lifts her chin and presses his lips to hers.

Talia pushes away from him with her hand over her mouth and tells Breeze, "I don't think it's appropriate for you to kiss me."

"Why not," asks Windwalker. "I am your mate and he is my brother which kind of makes him a mate to you to, an instant consort if you will. So how is it wrong?"

"Do you kiss Stinger," Talia asks Windwalker.

"I do not desire to kiss her so no," answers Windwalker.

"But if he did kiss her, it would not bother me," Breeze tells Talia. "But that's probably what you're worried about, that your other mates would not approve. Yet we are alone, they will not know. And I promise not to take such a liberty in front of them."

Then Breeze takes the hand Talia has to her mouth, then draws that petite hand up to his mouth and kisses her fingers as his eyes turn white. Talia looks away. He gently turns her head back toward him as he presses her petite hand against his chest.

"Can you go straight to white," Breeze asks Talia.

Talia answers by turning her eyes white for Breeze, skipping the black they turn to for her first guardian form. Breeze smiles beatifically at Talia. She doesn't smile back but some of the tension leaks out of her. He keeps her hand pressed gently to his chest with one of his own large strong hands. With the first two fingers of his other hand, he tilts her chin back up and lowers his lips to hers. She doesn't resist him this time as he gently pulls at her lips with his own. And she doesn't take her eyes from his.

Breeze is pleased by the strong intense eye contact from Talia. He allows his wings to slide out from under the skin of his back. Talia watches fascinated as his great white wings unfold and stretch out behind him.

Breeze deepens the kiss. His tongue delves deep into Talia's mouth as he enfolds her in his wings. Enfolded in his wings, Talia feels safe and warm. Safe and warm like when she was a tiny girl sleeping with her parents and Roar.

Talia slides her hand up Breeze's chest, up into his beautiful long platinum blond hair. She goes from just letting him kiss her to kissing him back, sucking his tongue deep into her mouth while thrusting her own tongue deep into his mouth.

Breeze folds his wings back down against his back.

"Stinger must love that," Talia tells Breeze, "It was like a warm cocoon."

"I am happy you enjoyed it," Breeze smiling as he touches her hair and caresses her cheek, "But Stinger has never seen me like this. It is forbidden for anyone born outside of Air to see our second guardian form unless they themselves possess the second guardian form. So, besides the fact that I am his brother, that is also why Windwalker is sharing you with me. You are the only female we can be with like this."

Windwalker steps up behind them and Talia tenses up.

"It's alright," Breeze assures her. "We're only going to undress you."

"Why are you so fearful of me," Windwalker asks Talia. "You are my mate. I don't want you to fear me."

Talia looks away from Windwalker and down at the floor.

Breeze gently lifts her chin again until her eyes meet his and he asks her, "What's the matter, Talia? Why are you afraid?

Talia glances back at Windwalker fearfully. Breeze gently touches her chin again so she'll look back at him. She finally tells Breeze, "He's so big."

"I am just as big," says Breeze, "but you don't seem to fear me."

Talia glances down at her scarred shoulder, "But if he gets mad. He wasn't even mad when he did this."

"You're afraid he'll beat you," says Breeze.

Talia nods yes and shares softly with tears spilling from her eyes, "I said 'no' …I said 'no' but he didn't stop… I told him he was hurting me, but he didn't listen and he didn't stop. And if he wasn't mad, if he got mad, he could easily pound me to death."

"Has Mist been beating you," asks Windwalker concerned.

"No," answers Talia, "Today was the first time he has ever raised a hand toward me, but he wasn't himself."

"Who has beat you," asks Breeze.

"Mantis," answers Talia in a whisper, "He beat and raped me. It took me nearly a week to recover physically."

"Mantis, Stinger's brother, Chief of Dragon, correct," Breeze asks Talia.

Talia nods confirmation.

"When did this happen," asks Windwalker.

"Late spring," answers Talia, "before I smelled pregnant."

Breeze enfolds Talia in his arms and wings again. Then he speaks to his brother softly, "You essentially did the same as Mantis."

"I did not beat her," responds Windwalker defensively.

"But you took her against her will," Breeze reminds his elder brother, "made her your mate against her will… You may not have beat her, but you were not gentle about it either. You were rough with her while marking her. You hurt her badly. Her healer mate, Cougar, had to treat her. Because of these things she may always fear you. Her true-mate may always resent you."

"How do I fix this," Windwalker asks Breeze.

"This I do not know," Breeze answers. "I just know you should of pursued her properly. Now it is too late. Perhaps time will heal things. But you must be gentle and treat her well."

Windwalker nods his agreement to Breeze.

Breeze folds his wings back against his back and tells Talia, "We're going to undress you now." He keeps her distracted as they undress her by kissing her. Then he leads her to the bed where he sits on the foot of the bed as Windwalker climbs onto the bed and lies on his side.

Breeze lays a hand on Talia's swelling belly. The growth of her rapidly expanding uterus is causing many stretch marks that are an angry purple color. But the stretch marks don't bother him. He feels the baby kick and smiles.

"When are you due," asks Breeze.

"Winter," answers Talia.

Breeze tells her as he touches her hair, "I understand my brother's desperate desire for you. Please forgive his rash behavior. He was afraid you and your mates would reject him. He's not prone to making such bad decisions. He's a good brother, a fair and just chief, and I know you will find him to be a loving and attentive mate. He cares very deeply for you."

Talia glances at Windwalker lying naked on her bed. Despite his attempt to look totally relaxed, she can smell he's not. He smells of sadness, fear, anxiety, guilt, remorse and something she is all too familiar with herself, loneliness.

She looks back at Breeze sitting naked in front of her and tells him, "I will try."

Breeze smiles beatifically at her, "That is all I can ask." Then he slowly savors her lips. He lays back on to the bed guiding her onto the bed with him and over his throbbing cock. Talia doesn't need any urging to start working herself down onto his cock.

When she's finally gliding with a sweet maddening tightness, he requests, "Unfurl your wings."

Talia has to stop her slow sweet glide to close her white eyes to concentrate. Her second guardian is new to her and it takes her a few moments to find the right internal switch. Then her wings begin to slide out from beneath the skin of her back. There's some discomfort, but not the intense blinding debilitating pain that accompanied her first transformation to this guardian form. She opens her eyes to look at Breeze as she stretches to loosen her ebony feathers.

"Magnificent isn't she," Windwalker states to Breeze.

"Magnificent in deed," agrees Breeze, "simply a Goddess."

Talia shakes her head as she resumes her slow sweet maddening glide. "Goddess," she repeats not convinced, "that's silly."

Breeze gently stops her glide with a firm hand on her hip and the other on the back of her neck. "We are not foolish silly men, Talia. We're men that recognize rare priceless beauty when we see it." Then he quickly rolls her onto her back careful not to put his weight on her swelling belly. Her wings automatically folded tight to her back. He pushes up over her. His wings opening wide over her as he thrust into her.

When Breeze is finished, Windwalker slides up beside Talia. She doesn't try to pull away, just looks at him warily. He runs a caressing thumb along her cheek, leans over and draws slowly on her lips with his own. He cups a breast and draws her extra dark chocolate nipple into his mouth. His skin is just as naturally tan as hers. But to him, her tan seems richer and more golden than his. Of course she does get more sun than him.

Windwalker lays his hand on her swelling belly and smiles as he feels the life within move. He tells her softly, "I hope for our child to grow here in the future… I wanted you before I saw your eyes turn white… In the garden when the flutterbies swirled around you and you whirled around delighted, I fell in love with you at that moment… I had planned to pursue you properly. But when your eyes turned white, I panicked… I'm sorry I hurt you." Then he tenderly kisses her swelling belly.

Talia can smell his sincerity, but she is still surprised by the tear that escapes his eye. She wipes it from his cheek with her thumb. Then she touches his platinum blond hair, and Windwalker is surprised when she fist her small hand in his hair and pulls his mouth to hers. Then she tells him, "I cannot say I love you. All I can say is that I will try."

Windwalker nods his understanding. He saw the claw marks on the backs of Cougar, Mist and Wildcat and hopes one day she will honor him by marking him as her mate as he kisses her belly again. He traces the dark line down from her belly button into her dark triangle of curls. And today instead of hearing her whimper and sob, he hers her sigh and moan for him. She seeks his mouth instead of trying to avoid it. She grips his shoulders instead of trying to push him away. She suckles the sensitive skin of his neck and nips gently at his chin and shoulders. This time he doesn't have to force her orgasms from her. This time at the end, he holds her to his chest wrapped in his arms and wings. And Breeze has stretched a wing across them as Talia dozes in Windwalker's arms and wings.

"She's such a precious priceless find," Windwalker says softly to his younger brother Breeze.

"In deed," agrees Breeze. "Thank you for sharing her with me."

"You share Stinger with me," states Windwalker matter of factly.

"I love Stinger," admits Breeze. "But she is not like Talia. I can't be with Stinger like this. You give me a great gift by sharing Talia with me."

They let her doze a little longer. Then Breeze is with her first again. Talia leans back against Windwalker's chest as he holds her legs apart for Breeze. Breeze's hands are against the wall as thrust and pumps his cock in and out of Talia. He moans and groans more than Talia and whispers her name softly against her lips.

Breeze moves Talia to her hands and knees. He grips her shoulders pulling her back onto his throbbing cock as his hips thrust and pump forward into her. His wings stretch and flap as he cums. Then Windwalker mounts her gripping her shoulders and pulling her back onto his triple X sized cock. Then he has Breeze hold her for him the way he held her for him. Windwalker is pleased by the way her small hands grip his buttocks, slide over his shoulders and pull his lips to hers. She cries out with her orgasm as Windwalker pushes deep as he cums with a cry of his own as his wings stretch and flap.

They give Talia a few minutes to catch her breath. Then Windwalker says, "We should wash up and rejoin everyone else before they come and beat down the doors."

Talia leads them into the master bath, "This is the urinal. This is where you will urinate because if you get pee on my toilet seat, you'll wish you never met me. This handle right here," she pushes it down, "flushes the urinal. Now, we can either have a quick shower or a bubble bath in the tub. It'll hold up to four people."

"This is some water closet," says Breeze as he and Windwalker check things out. Then he asks "What's a bubble bath?"

Talia smiles as she says, "A bubble bath it is." She turns on the water for the tub, closes the drain and pours in her favorite fragrant bubble bath liquid. As the bubbles form on the water, both men's faces light up like small children.

As they step back outside, Breeze gives her chin an affectionate pinch. He'ld kiss her but he promised her he wouldn't in front of her other mates. Plus, he suspects his own mate Stinger wouldn't understand. Windwalker holds her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Talia squeezes back. Then she looks out and surveys the area. Things are gratefully calm. The children are playing and eating. Mostly men are gathered around the fire pit talking. And as always when tribes get visitors or when there's a tribe gathering, there's lots of mating taking place. Roar is riding Stinger hard and fast. Bass is banging Daphne, no surprise there. He wouldn't pass up his first opportunity to bang a domesticated woman. But Talia is surprised to see Walter mating with Snow. She's not seen him mate with anyone before even though there are many Water and Animalistic women who are interested in him, Uncle Bob is mating with a Night Crawler female and Talia's not certain, but she thinks it's Mephala. And a Night Crawler male is mating with Otter, but she's not sure which one. She just knows it's not Eli or Nighteye because they're sitting under a tree with Greywolf and her dog. Nearly all their guest have found someone to be social with.

Talia gives Windwalker's hand a tug and asks, "What do Air children call their father?"

"Arie," answers Windwalker.

Talia nods her understanding. Then with Windwalker in tow and Breeze following. She heads for the adult picnic table. Cougar meets her at the picnic table.

"I bet you're really hungry by now," comments Cougar as he helps her make a plate.

"Starving," confirms Talia. "Where's Will? Where's my baby?" Talia adding things to Windwalker and Breeze's plates she thinks they might enjoy.

"Richy's burping him," Cougar answers. "He's a picky little bugger. Otter and Stinger both tried to suckle him but he don't want nobody but you. He did let Zenith nurse him a bit."

"Whoa," Talia tells the unborn child in her womb pushing uncomfortably on one of her ribs, "I'm sitting down to eat right now."

Talia sits and takes a bite of her burger. She asks Cougar, "Is Richy still upset with me?"

"He's not really upset with you," Cougar tells her.

"He's been upset with me since I got back got home this morning," Talia continues to eat.

"It's not you," insist Cougar. "He's feeling inadequate as your protector."

"He can't protect me from everything," states Talia as she eats.

"But he wants to," Cougar informs her.

"And the fact that he wants to is enough," Talia tells Cougar, "so why can't the fact that I don't want to see the doctor be enough."

Cougar sighs, "Yeah, he's still stuck on that. You're going to have to tell him what happened so he'll let it be."

"I shouldn't have to," Talia responds. "The fact that I don't want to should be enough."

"What happened," asks Windwalker. "Why don't you want to see the tame healer?"

"He called me the morning of my appointment with him," Talia shares, "and tells me he also wants to do an amniocentesis test during my visit."

"Am-nio-sen-tes," questions Breeze.

"Amniocentesis," repeats Cougar, "it's a test where the doctor collects birth water for testing by putting a rather large needle through the mother's belly button. It's usually only done if there's some kind of problem with the pregnancy or they suspect something's wrong with the baby."

"Sounds painful," comments Breeze.

"Does this tame healer think something is wrong," asks Windwalker concerned.

"That's what I asked him," shares Talia, "But his answer was 'Oh, just a precaution.' That wasn't specific enough for me. He was being evasive. So I told him 'no' and told him to cancel my appointment. Around the time I was supposed to be at my appointment he came to my office. Cougar was there because we were getting ready for lunch. He wanted me to come down for my appointment. He tried to tell me the amnio test was just routine. I asked him why he was lying to me."

"I called him out on it too," shares Cougar, "I told him we could both smell he was lying, told him I had more than enough medical training to know an amniocentesis wasn't a routine test. He didn't try to say anything else, just left."

"Then when we got home this morning," shares Talia, "Richy's mad because he called him and said I just blew off my appointment."

"Then we arrive," states Breeze, "and he's still upset about this. No wonder he attacked you, Wind. He needed to attack something."

Cougar shrugs, "He was probably going to attack you no matter what, but today he was already angry and it just turned to blind rage when he saw you."

"What about raising his hand to Talia," asks Windwalker concerned.

"He wasn't himself," answers Cougar. "I'm glad that Eli guy was standing so close. Richy would never forgive himself if he had actually struck Talia."

Wildcat steps up and kisses Talia's cheek. "Dearest," he asks huskily, "how are you feeling?"

"Much better," answers Talia turning and kissing him as she gets up from the table, "Excuse us, please."

"Gentlemen," Wildcat with a nod and a wink as he puts his hand to the small of Talia's back and guides her away.

"How is it that you and your father are sharing a mate," Windwalker asks Cougar, and Cougar explains it to him.

"Mist saw you holding hands," Wildcat informs Talia as he guides her to a quiet shady spot beneath a tree where he's already spread some blankets and furs.

"Windwalker and I have come to an agreement," shares Talia as Wildcat helps her down onto the blankets and furs.

"You've forgiven him," states Wildcat sitting down beside her.

"Is that wrong of me," asks Talia, "His apology was sincere and…"

"And what," asks Wildcat sliding a hand into her hair.

"And he's lonely," answers Talia as she squeezes his inner thigh.

Wildcat touches her cheek, "And lonely is something you understand because you're all too familiar with it."

"Yeah," confirms Talia. "Besides, what good would it do me to stay angry?"

"No good would come from it," answers Wildcat as he pulls Talia into his arms and captures her mouth with his own. He takes his time as he makes love with her.

Talia lays drowsily in Wildcat's arms after making love with him and asks him, "So is Richy's still mad at me? Is he even angrier with me for holding Windwalker's hand?"

"He's mad because he feels helpless," Wildcat tells her. "He thinks too much like a domesticated man. For years his life was orderly and under his control… It's not you, Dearest. And forgiving Windwalker was the right thing to do. Forgiveness promotes healing."

They hear footsteps, look up and see Richy approaching. The wind is whipping his hair out to one side. Talia is tired. But one look at Richy approaching bare chested in his jeans with his hair blowing in the breeze and she's instantly wet. He stops at the edge of the blankets and furs. His toes wiggle in the grass. He smells Talia's attraction for him and her wariness too. He suddenly finds the front of his jeans are too tight.

Wildcat sits up and kisses Talia. "I'll let you two talk." The he gets up and head over to the fire pit.

"May I join you," Richy asks Talia.

Talia shrugs, "There's plenty of room. Be my guest."

Richy sits resting his arms on his knees. He runs a hand back through his hair trying to decide how to start.

"Are you going to scold me like a child again," asks Talia.

"No," answers Richy softly.

"You didn't even greet me when I got home," Talia says sadly. "Did you miss me at all?"

"Of course, I missed you," answers Richy sincerely. "I worry about you constantly… I'm sorry I didn't greet you. But I'm really concerned about yours and the baby's health. You were really sick just a couple of weeks ago. So of course I wanted the doctor to give you the once over just to make sure you're both alright. So I'm concerned that you missed your appointment."

"I didn't miss it," Talia informs Richy.

Richy looks confused, "But Dr. Zaniski said you were a no show."

"I didn't miss it," Talia explains, "because I cancelled it. He lied to you."

"Maybe the receptionist forgot to tell him," Richy speculates.

Talia shakes her head slowly, "No Richy. He lied to you. I spoke to him myself that morning and told him myself to cancel it."

"But why," ask Richy, "Why would he lie? Why did you cancel the appointment?"

"He called me to remind me about the appointment himself and added 'Oh by the way, I'm going to perform an amniocentesis during your exam,'" Talia says sarcastically.

"Amniocentesis," repeats Richy concerned. "Does he thinks something's wrong? Why does he want to do an amniocentesis?"

"I asked him," Talia informs Richy, "and he was evasive. When I couldn't get a straight answer from him, I canceled the appointment. And when Cougar and I were getting ready to go to lunch, he showed up at my office to try to talk me into coming down for the appointment. He lied to me with Cougar there. He tried to tell me the amniocentesis was just routine."

"Why didn't you tell me when you got home," asks Richy.

"Why couldn't you just accept my decision," responds Talia. "Besides, you didn't ask. You were too busy scolding me."

Richy sighs, "I'm sorry. I've been an ass all day."

"And you need to be more careful," Talia tells him, "You can't lose control while in your guardian form. You could kill someone."

"At that particular moment I just wanted to kill Windwalker," admits Richy. "But you're right. If it wasn't for the Night Crawler guy… I didn't even realize it was you… What's his name again?"

"Eli," supplies Talia.

Richy nods as he puts an arm around Talia. She leans into him and rest her head against his shoulder. Richy gently squeezes her tight against him as he tells her, "I've never been in a relationship before. I just thought that when I met the one woman I would spend my life with, that it would just be the two of us and our children. I never imagined things would be this complicated… So, if I asked you to come away with me, leave Cougar, Wildcat, Windwalker and Greywolf, and just come away with me, would you go?"

"And go where," asks Talia ready to panic, "Live in the city? I can't live in the city. I'm too wild… And what about my baby? What about Will?"

She's worried about Cougar's son and Richy knows he's treading dangerously. Free women are dangerously protective of their children. He request, "Just answer the question. Would you come away with me?"

Tears spill down Talia's face, "My place is with you always. I will go where ever you want me to go."

She sounds defeated and Richy hadn't meant to scar her soul further.

"Where are we going Richy," Talia asks in a sob. "What about my baby, Will?"

"Hush," Richy smoothing her hair and wiping away her tears, "We're not going anywhere. We're staying right here with your baby, Will… and Cougar, Wildcat and Greywolf… (he sighs) and Windwalker when he shows up… We're not going anywhere. I wouldn't do that to you. I just… I just needed to know that you would go with me. I just need to know you would." He kisses her reassuring, and holds her until she's calm.

When she's calm, Richy asks her, "Are you alright?"

Talia nods, straightens her shoulders and without warning punches him in his shoulder.

"Ow!" exclaims Richy. "You know despite how little you are, when you're pissed, you really pack a wallop. Good thing I don't bruise easily, punching me, knocking me on my ass…"

"I had to stop you from making a fool of yourself," Talia tells him, "You're trained to fight as a man not as a guardian. You don't know how to fight as a guardian and it was obvious. Plus, you're too damn pretty."

"Too pretty," states Richy amused.

"Yes, too damn pretty," repeats Talia smiling, "too pretty as a man and too pretty as a guardian. Even as your guardian you were barely as tall as Windwalker. You're lucky that man didn't get mad, bring up his guardian and squash your pretty ass into the ground."

"Pretty," says Richy thoughtfully, "Men aren't pretty. I'm a man. Men are handsome or ruggedly handsome. You mean to say I'm handsome or ruggedly handsome."

Talia shakes her head grinning, "Nope. You and Cougar both are pretty. Wildcat is the ruggedly handsome one. Cougar's got a little ruggedness from Wildcat. But you are nothing but pretty… Pretty, pretty, pretty, from your head to your toes, you're pretty."

Richy lays Talia gently back onto the blankets and furs and says, "Pretty huh?"

"Yep," Talia confirms pulling her fingers through his hair, "pretty."

Richy releases an exaggerated sigh, "And I suppose you don't like pretty men."

Talia shrugs as she looks up at him and makes a face, "Well not usually. But… I love my pretty man." Then she pulls gently on his pretty lips with her own full beautiful lips. She squeezes his ass and tells him, "Mmm, I love you."

Richy lifts his head and looks Talia in her beautiful brown eyes, "I love you too." Then they make love.

The sun is starting to set as Richy's holding her and he tells her calmly, "I saw you and Windwalker holding hands. And I noticed you haven't marked him in return as your mate… Did you vibrate and purr for him? You didn't, did you?"

Talia laughs half in the back of her throat. Then she answers, "No, I haven't purred or vibrated for him."

Richy knows it's silly and stupid, but her answer makes him feel better. He's relieved by her answer.

Greywolf reminds Eli, "Just remember, Mist doesn't know about you yet. Hell, Talia doesn't know she made you her consort."

"She was so ill she doesn't remember," Nighteye placing a hand on Eli's shoulder.

"Do you think she'll still want me," asks Eli worried.

"Yeah," Greywolf assures, "she's not gonna toss ya aside. It's not her way. It's Mist we have to worry about. If he orders her to give you up, she'll obey."

"So, I need him to like me," states Eli.

"Yeah," confirms Greywolf, "and you're ahead because you kept him from striking her, something he would never forgive himself for. He's going to be grateful for that."

"It's getting late," states Nighteye.

"Yeah," Greywolf getting up, "let's see if Talia's not too tired to be social with us. And remember Eli, just keep it social. Don't forget yourself and kiss her."

Eli nods his understanding and compliance as he and Nighteye follow Greywolf. Talia and Richy look in the direction of the approaching footsteps. Talia smiles at the three approaching men.

"Gentlemen," Talia greets with a warm smile.

"Lovely beautiful Talia," Nighteye greets returning her smile.

"Mist," Greywolf gets to the point, "if it's alright with you and if Talia's not too tired, these two guests have been waiting quite a while to spend time with Talia."

Richy looks the two men over, "Eli, right?"

Eli nods confirmation, "Yes, and this is my pack's alpha male, Nighteye."

"Please forgive my lack of hospitable greeting when you arrived," request Richy sitting up. He puts out his hand and shakes hands with both Eli and Nighteye, "Welcome to our home." He turns to Talia and asks her, "How do you feel?"

"Good," answers Talia smiling.

"You're not too tired," Richy asks her.

Talia shakes her head, "No."

Richy nods. "Okay," he agrees getting to his feet. Don't keep her too long. Pregnant women need their rest… Greywolf, bring her straight up to bed when they're finished."

"Will do, Mist," Greywolf assures. And the three men join Talia on the blankets and furs as Richy steps off.

"I'll check on your baby and we'll be waiting for you," Richy tells Talia.

"Thank you, Richy," Talia tells him. Then with a smile he turns and steps away because sometimes he has trouble seeing her with other men. It's not jealousy exactly. But sometimes he would like to rip off their heads and shit down their necks. He's just possessive when it comes to her. He doesn't have any problem sharing her with Cougar, Wildcat and Greywolf because he knows they love Talia too and are all about what's best for Talia like himself. He knows Greywolf won't let the two Night Crawlers misuse her. And something tells him the one called Eli would never harm a hair on her head.

Talia smiles as Nighteye exposes her breasts. She pushes her fingers through his long silky black hair as he sucks strongly on one of her breast. Talia likes his second form very much. She runs her hands over his red-brown skin.

"You like this form," Nighteye stating more than asking.

"Yes," Talia admits feeling his chest. "But the person inside the skin is more important than the skin itself." She leans over and licks his nipple as her hand slides down his taught six pack abs. She plays with the happy trail that runs down from his belly button to disappear under his loin cloth. She releases his lavender rod. Nighteye enjoys it as she caresses his rod with her petite hand. Then he guides her to her hands and knees and mounts her. She hisses in pleasure at the feel of him entering her. Then he's thrusting sounds of pleasure from her mouth. But hearing her sounds of pleasure isn't enough. He wants to watch her face. So he guides her onto her side placing her outer leg over his shoulder and continues to thrust sounds of pleasure out of her as he watches her face. Her beautiful mouth shaping Os and her eyes go black for him.

After Nighteye cums and pulls away from her, Eli takes his place. Greywolf notices there's a twinkle in Talia's eye that wasn't there for Nighteye even though she enjoyed him thoroughly. Greywolf's glad everybody's too busy either chatting with a guest or mating with a guest so they're not over here watching with him and Nighteye. Because even though they're not kissing, Talia and Eli are still holding each other closer than required, the eye contact between them is quite intense, and they are both doing a lot of extremely affectionate licking. Talia calls his name softly as they cum together.

Then Greywolf finally has his turn with Talia. When they're finished, he helps her to her feet. As they're walking Talia is curious about something, "Nighteye, I was wondering about your children, Night Crawler children. I wasn't able to call up my guardian until puberty. Before that I could only become small animals for a short period of time. But your children are running around here today looking like ordinary children. What can you tell me about it?"

Nighteye shrugs, "We don't have guardians like other tribes. And we can't do any animals. We only have two forms: Night Crawler and human." He spreads his arms wide displaying himself. "But even in our human form we are much stronger and faster than any tame human or even any ordinary wild human. And in our Night Crawler form, we equal most any guardian. The children take their cue as to what form to be from the adults. As we left our territory, we took our human forms and the children did so too without being told to do so. They will use which ever form will keep them safe."

"A defense mechanism," Talia nodding to herself. She speculates that Night Crawlers like other free people were once ordinary human beings like domesticated folks, or else they wouldn't be able to breed with domesticated humans like Daphne or other free humans like herself. Then she suddenly stumbles and Greywolf catches her.

"Are you alright," asks Greywolf greatly worried for her wellbeing.

"I think so," answers Talia unsure. "I just got a little dizzy."

Greywolf retains her hand and arm as they continue to walk and tells her, "Too much excitement for one day, and you're dividing up your attention between too many males. You've barely had a minute to yourself since you got home today."

Greywolf sits her at the table in the kitchen and he gets her a glass of ice water, "I'm gonna get ya a snack, then we'll go up to bed."

"Good night, Talia," Nighteye touches her cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Good night, Nighteye, sleep well," and she smiles at Eli as he sits next to her.

Eli takes her hand, "How are you feeling?"

"Very tired," admits Talia as Greywolf slides a sliced apple in front of her. "Thank you, Greywolf," and she picks up an apple slice.

"Want some," Talia offering to share her apple slices with Eli.

"No, thank you," declines Eli patting her hand.

"Eli," Greywolf motioning Eli to him, "If you hang around enough you'll get to know your way around a domestic kitchen."

"I can cook," states Eli as he steps over to Greywolf.

"Cooking in a fancy kitchen like this is a lot different than cooking out there," Greywolf shares with Eli. "I'll show you around some. My favorite thing is running water. This nob on the left gives ya hot water. This nob on the right gives ya cold water. Turn 'em both on at the same time gets ya warm water… This is a neat little doodad in the fridge. This side gives ice and this side cool water. And this section of the fridge keeps things frozen like winter. And the other side keeps things real cold too."

Talia tucks her plate and glass in the dishwasher.

"What is that," asks Eli wondering why she put her dirty dishes in it.

"A dishwasher," answer Talia with a smile, "so you don't have to wash the dishes by hand."

Greywolf gets her hand, "Let's get you upstairs to bed." And Eli gets her other hand.

Talia tilts her head curiously as she looks at Eli. She's not sure what to make of his sudden attachment to her. But she's quite find of him and she knows he was very kind to her while she was ill in his pack's cave. And for some reason, he's very nervous and scared, so she gives his hand a reassuring squeeze as Greywolf leads the way. The male conversation pauses as they enter the master suite.

"There's my favorite girl," says Cougar smiling brightly as he burps the baby. "Will's been missing his mommy."

"And his mommy has been missing him," responds Talia changing into an oversized button down sleep shirt. She climbs onto the bed and undoes some buttons so she can suckle him and Cougar hands him over to her.

"She got dizzy," Greywolf shares as he climbs onto the bed.

"Dizzy," Richy and Cougar both say together concerned.

"Tattle-tail," Talia accuses Greywolf as she nudges him with her foot. Greywolf grabs her foot and kisses her big toe.

"Are you alright," asks Richy sliding onto the bed and up beside her.

"I'm fine," Talia kisses Richy reassuringly, "just a little dizzy. I didn't actually faint."

"Watch out Dad," warns Cougar as he slides out of bed. He walks over to the kitchenette and opens the fridge. He pulls out a can and a bottle of water. He shakes the can up as he returns to the bed.

"Do I really have to drink one of those nutrition shake things," asks Talia. "Greywolf fed me an apple before we came up."

"Good," responds Cougar popping the top on the can and handing it to her, "but drink this anyway."

"Come on Eli," Wildcat patting the bed, "you can sleep by me."

"Let me show you the bathroom first," Greywolf sliding off the bed, "Follow me Eli… You make your water here. It's called a urinal. After you make your water, you flush it like this… It washes away your water so it doesn't start to stink. This is the toilet. You make your solid waste in it. This is Toilet paper. After you make your solid waste, you clean your backside with some of it, drop it in the toilet with your solid waste and push this handle to flush it all away. Do you know your letters?"

Eli nods, "Yes, and I can read some too."

"Good," Greywolf clapping a hand companionably on Eli's shoulder, "H is for hot and it's on the left like in the kitchen. C is for cold and it's on the right like in the kitchen. You can turn them on together like in the kitchen to get warm water and like in the kitchen you can adjust each nob to make it hotter and colder so you get the temperature you want for washing your hands. This is a bathtub. Ya bathe in it. This here is a shower. It's for quick washing. And don't be afraid to ask questions."

Eli nods and follows Greywolf back out of the bathroom. They both climb onto the bed by Wildcat.

Wildcat pats Eli's head, "Let's make sure you know everyone, Eli… I know you know me and Greywolf, and I'm pretty sure you know Chief Windwalker. This is Mist. He's Talia's true-mate and her first."

"We've met," Richy nods to Eli.

Wildcat continues, "Chief Windwalker's her fourth. I'm her third. And my son, Cougar, he's Talia's second."

"How ya doin' Eli," asks Cougar jubilantly.

"Fine thank you sir," answers Eli.

"Get this kid," says Cougar amused. "I'm Cougar, kid. That sir stuff's not necessary."

"So what is Talia drinking," asks Eli.

"It's a nutrition shake," explains Cougar, "it's got vitamins and minerals in it for her."

"It's supposed to taste like a chocolate milkshake," adds Talia, "but it doesn't."

"What's a milkshake," asks Windwalker.

"Do you know what a milkshake is," Talia asks Eli.

Eli shakes his head, "No."

Talia tells Cougar with an excited smile, "Guess what we're doing tomorrow."

Cougar smiles happily as he replies, "Milkshakes."

Talia hands the empty can to Cougar and he drops it into a small trash can at the bedside. "He's asleep. I'll put him in his bassinette," Cougar taking Will from Talia.

"Why are you putting him in there," asks Eli.

"Too many adults in the bed," explains Cougar, "don't want anyone rolling over on him in their sleep."

As Cougar climbs back in bed, Talia is beginning to doze off tucked up against Richy. She mumbles, "You really scared me Richy."

"When baby," asks Richy softly.

"Today," mumbles Talia, "When you talked about going away… I don't want to go away… I love our family… …When you scare me like that… It makes me hate how much I love you…" Then she drops off to sleep.

"What did you do Richy," asks Cougar in a concerned hushed tone.

"I just asked her a hypothetical question," Richy answers keeping his voice down so he doesn't wake Talia.

"Did she know it was a hypothetical question when you asked it," asks Cougar.

Richy winces, "No."

"What did you ask her," ask Wildcat.

"I kind of asked if she would come away from all this complicated mess with me," answers Richy.

"So you basically asked her to leave her family, leave her home, leave our baby so you won't have to share her," Cougar stating more than asking while keeping his voice hushed.

Richy's frustration shows on his face, "It was a hypothetical question. I just needed to know she would… She cried."

"Of course she would go," states Wildcat, "She's your true-mate. She'ld have no choice, so of course she cried. She thought you were going to make her leave everyone and everything she loves, including her baby… Mist, you need to get over your insecurities. She can leave us. She can't leave you… Don't torture her like that. Don't make her hate loving you."

"Our poor baby," Cougar smoothing Talia's hair back from her forehead. "She's had such a hard day… We're supposed to take care of her, make life easier for her. Instead, we just demand things of her; physically, emotionally… Richy we gotta do better. She deserves the best we can give her, not our selfish insecurities."

Cougar leans over and kisses Talia's forehead. He and Richy each cuddle up to their side of her. Things are more crowded than usual, but that's why they have two king size beds pushed together. Richy thinks Eli joining them is a little odd, but he seems harmless. The good thing about the extras in bed was when Bass came in the middle of the night to bother Talia, Windwalker stopped him and told him, "No. Talia needs her rest." Talia climbs over Cougar a couple of times to pee and Cougar gets up as needed to take care of the baby.

They let Talia sleep in and decide to shoo other males away from her for a couple of days. And instead of imposing their sex drives on her, they decide to wait and let her come to them. So she's choosing who and when she's having sex with, cutting down on them wearing her out.

They make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry milkshakes. Talia smiles delightedly as Eli and Windwalker taste their first milkshakes. And even with all the company visiting, the rest of the week is fairly quiet and typical with life centering around looking after infants, children and pregnant mates.

While Richy's at work, Breeze goes to Windwalker and ask if Talia is well enough to have private time with them. Windwalker asks Talia if she feels up to private time with them making it clear that if she doesn't feel like being bothered with them, it's okay. Talia tells Windwalker it's fine with her. So the three of them go up to the master suite together.

While with Breeze, a couple of drops of blood land on Talia. "Breeze, your bleeding," Talia informs him concerned.

"It's fine," insist Breeze unconcerned. He simply captures her mouth with his own. And after Windwalker has had his turn with Talia, Breeze suggest a bubble bath.

In the bath together, Talia finds where the drops of blood came from, four small punctures on the back of Breeze's neck. "I did this didn't I," asks Talia dreading the answer.

"It's nothing," Breeze insist kissing her palm, "You're little claws are as quick as they are sharp. It didn't even hurt."

Talia pulls away from Breeze upset, "I have no business marking you in anyway. You're not my mate. Stinger will be furious and so will Richy." She comes down from her second guardian form.

The two brothers follow her lead and come down too. Their beautiful white wings disappear beneath the skin of their backs and their eyes revert to normal. Breeze steps in front of the bathroom mirror to try to admire his new mark. He pulls his long platinum blond hair off to the side as he leans and cocks his head.

Talia pulls on a robe and heads for the bedroom door.

"Where are you going," asks Windwalker concerned.

"I need to talk to Wildcat," Talia unlocks the door, yanks it open and pauses holding tightly to the door to keep herself steady through another dizzy spell.

"Are you alright," Windwalker asks her concerned.

"Yeah," Talia leaning her head against the door, "I'm fine."

Windwalker gently takes her arm, "Come sit down. Breeze can fetch Wildcat for you."

"I'll be right back," and with a nod, Breeze jogs out of the room naked.

"He could of put something on before he ran out," comments Talia amused.

"I've noticed you prefer to keep yourself covered," comments Windwalker as he guides her to the divan. Then he steps over to the fridge, opens it, and grabs a can of shake and a bottled water like he saw Cougar give her. He shakes the can like he saw Cougar do as he walks back over to Talia. "I'm not sure of how to open it."

Talia smiles as she accepts the Nutra-Boost can, "I'll show you."

"Ah," Windwalker watching her pop the top.

"Want a taste," offers Talia.

"A small taste," Windwalker accepting the can as he sits beside her. He takes a small sip, grimaces and hands the can back to Talia. "Milkshakes in a can taste bad."

I agree one hundred percent," Talia twirls a finger in a lock of his hair as she sips the nutritional supplement.

Breeze returns with Wildcat and Cougar.

"Are you alright, Dearest," asks Wildcat sliding behind her. Cougar gets her wrist and takes her pulse.

Talia gives Wildcat a reassuring kiss, "It was just a little dizzy spell. But that's not what I want to speak with you about."

"What's on your mind, Dearest," asks Wildcat.

Talia looks from Wildcat to Cougar, then down guiltily, "I've really screwed up again."

Wildcat tilts his head. He's sure it's not as bad as she thinks it is as he asks calmly, "How do you think you've screwed up?"

"Breeze," Talia motions him to her. He squats down in front of her. Talia reaches out and pulls his hair off to the side revealing four fresh little claw pricks on the back of his neck.

"Cougar, fetch Greywolf and Eli for me please," request Wildcat.

Cougar gives a nod of agreement to his father and pats Talia's knee, "Be right back."

"Now Dearest," Wildcat squeezing her hand reassuringly. "I don't want you to worry yourself over this. This is just how you mark your consorts."

"No," Talia shaking her head slightly with her brow furrowed, "…No. I don't mark my consorts. I haven't marked Greywolf."

"But Dearest," Wildcat kisses the back of her hand, "You have marked Greywolf, and Eli too."

"Eli," says Talia shaking her head in disbelief.

Cougar returns followed by Greywolf and Eli. Wildcat motions them over.

"Greywolf, Eli, hunker down here for me for a minute," requests Wildcat and they both comply. Wildcat reaches out and reveals the mark on each man in the same spot on the backs of their necks like Breeze.

Talia's mouth forms a surprised O as she covers it with both hands. Then her eyes well up and tears spill over. She starts to shake, "I can't … I can't do things like this… I can't mark another woman's mate… Stinger is going to be furious. And Richy… He'll never forgive me for this."

"Dearest," Wildcat gently thumbing tears from her face, "You haven't done anything wrong. You're a guardian. You mark your mates and consorts just as you and Mist have marked each other, like Breeze has marked Stinger, Roar and Zenith have marked each other, and all of Amazonia's consorts wear her mark."

Talia shakes her head, "But I'm not like them."

"How, Dearest," Wildcat not really asking, "How do you think you are different? You have more wild blood than tame blood. You have good strong instincts and all that fancy tame education doesn't turn your instincts off or make you less wild."

"Talia," Cougar pulls her onto his lap, "Richy and I love you with every fiber of our being. But because we live mostly domesticated lives, we're not always there for you like a wild mate would be. That's why we chose Greywolf as a consort for you. And the fact that you've marked him means you've accepted our choice… Now with Eli, you were wounded and ill and he comforted you, made you feel safe. And he was an excellent choice because he didn't hesitate and kept Richy from accidentally striking you… And I suspect that when Breeze and Windwalker want to be alone with you, Breeze makes you feel safe… (Talia nods her agreement) And there is nothing wrong with wanting and needing to feel safe. And there's nothing wrong with you choosing a couple of extra consorts to make yourself feel safe. By marking Breeze as a consort, you've let him know that you accept him as a protector.

Breeze do you mind being a consort to Talia? Do you mind being one of her protectors?"

"No," answers Breeze, "I'm honored and delighted. I just wish I could be full-time like Greywolf."

"Eli, how about you," asks Cougar.

Eli gently lays a hand on Talia's knee and asks with tears in his eyes, "You won't send me away will you? Please don't send me away. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Talia takes Eli's hand. It explains to her why she has such a strong urge to kiss him. She whisper's to Cougar, "Richy won't let me keep him. He'll make me send him away."

"Okay, everybody listen," says Cougar, "Breeze if Stinger notices Talia marked you then we'll deal with it. Same thing goes for Richy. If he doesn't notice, we don't say anything. If he does, then we deal with it. Agreed?"

Everyone says agreed except Windwalker. Cougar questions, "Windwalker?"

"I'm in agreement," answers Windwalker, "I'm just a little sad and disappointed. She's accepted my younger brother as a consort before she's accepted me as a mate."

"Windwalker," Breeze reminds his brother gently, "we discussed this. Part of her may always fear you. At least she's stopped flinching away from you. Significant progress has been made."

Windwalker nods his agreement with Breeze, but he's still sad.

"You haven't had a nap," Cougar tells Talia. "Hurry up and chug down that can."

Talia quickly chugs down the can of nutrition supplement and makes a face.

Cougar smiles amused as he says, "Let's put ya in bed." Then he carries her over to the bed and tucks her in. "Get some rest… Eli, run down and get the baby for us. If anyone asks what's going on, you tell the truth; Talia had another dizzy spell, but don't volunteer any information beyond that."

Talia sleeps for about an hour, but isn't in the mood to go outside and be surrounded by people after she wakes up. Wildcat finds her lounging in the garden room with Cougar and Eli with the baby sleeping on her shoulder.

"How are you feeling, Dearest," asks Wildcat.

Talia's face is serious as she tells him, "I've been thinking… I love you all. But Richy has such power over me. He makes me feel so helpless sometimes… I don't like feeling helpless. I don't like it when he makes me hate myself for loving him. I don't want to hate myself and my love for him. It should be something I treasure… And I was wondering, do I have the same power over him?"

"Mist has many insecurities," responds Wildcat thoughtfully, "Love is supposed to empower you. But Mist has been letting his insecurities get in the way of that… And to answer your question; yes, you have the same power over him. So, just try to use it more wisely than he has."

Talia nods to Wildcat, "I'm just tired of waking up and finding that my instincts have done something I wouldn't have and then Richy's mad at me for it."

"I know you're a bit overwhelmed, Dearest," starts Wildcat.

"Dad," Cougar interrupts, "that's an understatement. She was alone for years without a mate or a consort, and pretty much without a tribe too. Now, she has four mates and three consorts. She feels like she's drowning."

Wildcat sighs, "I know. We've been thrown into the mix of things before she and Mist laid a firm foundation together. But they'll work things out and life will settle down for all of us."

But things settling down will have to wait for another day. Stinger is shouting and they all look toward the garden room doors as her shouts get closer. They can hear her yelling at the top of her lungs, "Where is she!?!... That bitch!!!... Where is she!?!"

Talia sighs as she hands Will to Cougar, "I think that's for me."

As Talia stand up from the oversized, overstuffed chaise lounge she's sharing with the three men, Stinger starts to rush by the garden room doors with Breeze right behind her trying to talk with her.

"Stinger," says Breeze, "stop this. This isn't necessary. It was an accident."

Stinger catches Talia's scent and sees her out of the corner of her eye before she gets past the garden room. She whirls to face Talia and steps into the garden room doorway shouting, "How dare you!?! You bitch!!!" Then she charges at Talia as a large black wolf.

"Stinger don't!" shouts Breeze as Windwalker step up by him putting a hand on his shoulder to remind him to hold his place. The men will allow the two women to resolve their issue. They won't interfere unless it's necessary.

Stinger-wolf leaps at Talia. Talia knocks her out of the air and she crashes down onto some potted plants. Stinger-wolf gets back to her paws, shakes herself off and charges again. This time Talia kicks her and sends her sliding across the floor to the other side of the room crashing into more potted plants. Stinger-wolf gets up and shakes herself off again. Then Stinger changes forms and becomes a giant wasp. Talia decides it's time for a change of forms herself. Her eyes turn black as she brings up her first inner guardian as she leaps away from Stinger-wasp.

"Get my baby out of here," Talia orders Cougar.

Cougar doesn't need to be told twice. He rushes out of the room with Will. He finds Otter and tells her, "I need you to watch the baby for me."

"Cougar what's wrong," asks Otter.

"A misunderstanding," Cougar tells Otter, "Take the baby and your children up to your rooms. One of us will come get you when it's safe."

Otter doesn't asks anymore questions. She does as Cougar says. Cougar rushes back to the garden room. As Cougar reaches the doors, Richy is approaching from the other direction still wearing his uniform.

"What the hell is goin' on," asks Richy.

"A misunderstanding," answers Cougar.

Richy looks into the garden room and sees Talia defending herself against a giant wasp and starts into the room to help her. Cougar gets his arm and informs him, "That's Singer… Let 'em finish."

Richy vibrates with the need to aide Talia as she grabs Stinger-wasp by the throat and just above the stinger to keep from being stung in her pregnant belly by Stinger-wasp.

"Stinger," Talia tells her, "it was an accident."

Stinger-wasp only tries harder to stab Talia in her pregnant belly with her stinger.

Frustrated, Talia lifts Stinger-wasp above her head and slams her to the floor. She pins Stinger-wasp to the floor with her foot. Then she pulls off one of Stinger's wings which immediately begins to disintegrate.

"Had enough" Talia asks Stinger who only continues to struggle and try to fight. So Talia pulls off another wing.

Stinger-wasp becomes Stinger again with no permanent damage suffered. Most injuries suffered in animal form are just bruises when human form is retaken unless you die. If you die, you'll become human again, but you'll still be dead. So Stinger is badly bruised and exhausted but otherwise fine.

"Let me up," demands Stinger angry and frustrated from under Talia's foot.

Talia lifts her foot, pulls Stinger to her feet by her throat and tells her nose-to-nose with her, "It was an accident. I don't want Breeze for my mate. He's just a consort. But if you pull a stunt like this again, I will take him and your children from you." Then she shoves Stinger away.

"Will someone tell me what's going on now," demands Richy.

Stinger steps up to Richy and informs him angrily, "Your mate is marking other people's mates." Then she steps away from him intending to lead Breeze out of the room. Except when she steps up to Breeze, he slaps her, hard. Hard enough she stumbles.

"It was not your place to tell him," Breeze tells her. Then he orders her, "Go check on our children."

Stinger shocked and holding her face rushes out of the garden room.

Talia shrinks back to her normal self as Richy steps up to her.

"What's she talking about," Richy asks Talia.

Talia straightens her shoulders and informs him, "I learned today that I mark my consorts."

Richy's quiet a moment. He notices Greywolf stepping into the room. He says as he points at Greywolf, "You've only got one consort."

Talia sighs, "As of today, I have three and they are all marked."

Richy turns to the consort he agreed to and questions, "Greywolf."

Greywolf steps over to Richy, moves his hair revealing the mark on the back of his neck and informs Richy, "When she marked me, I knew it meant she'd accepted me completely as her consort. But I knew she wasn't aware she'd marked me. She's trying so hard to live up to your expectations, I knew it would only upset you both, so I said nothing."

"When," Richy asks Greywolf, "When did she mark you?"

"About a month after you asked me to be her consort," shares Greywolf.

Richy takes a deep breath trying to stay calm, turns back to Talia and asks, "Who else? How many others?"

"Breeze and Eli," answers Talia.

"Any others," asks Richy.

Talia shrugs, "Not that I'm aware of."

Richy yanks out his hair tie and pushes his hand through his hair. He takes a big frustrated step away from Talia, steps back and says, "Not that you're aware of…" He steps away and back again, "So what are you aware of? What other unpleasant surprises do you have for me?"

Talia's eyes well up as a crooked pained smile appears on her face. "You make me hate myself. I can't be the wife or mate you want. I'm not domesticated. I'm not tame. I'm wild. I'm free. I have instincts and defense mechanisms and I'm not in control all of the time. I didn't plan this. I wasn't expecting it. And if it's so terrible being with me, if loving me is so awful, if I make you so unhappy… Leave me… Eli," she calls.

Eli takes her hand. Talia gives Greywolf and Wildcat a kiss. Richy watches as both Windwalker and Breeze touch and kiss her affectionately. With Eli in tow she steps in front of Cougar and asks, "Where's my baby?"

Cougar takes her other hand, kisses her and tells her softly, "Let's go get your baby. Otter's watching him." Then he leads Talia and Eli out of the room.

Richy plops down on the overstuffed, oversized chaise lounge and rest his head in his hands. Wildcat sits on one side of Richy and Greywolf sits on the other.

"I don't understand why you get so upset," Greywolf tells Richy. "She hasn't done anything wrong. She doesn't disrespect you. She loves you half to death. What do you want from her?"

"I'm selfish and I want her all to myself," admits Richy.

"I would like to have her to myself as well," admits Windwalker with a shrug, "but she came with all of you. So accept what I can get of her and am glad for that much. At least she loves you. You get to be her first mate, her true-mate. I'm just a fourth she could do without. She's just tolerating me. She's accepted Breeze as a consort before me as a mate… No marks for me, but that's my own fault. All I can do now is be a loving supportive and patient mate."

Wildcat places a comforting hand on Richy's shoulder, "Mist, you've got to let go of your insecurities. You've got to stop expecting her to act like a domestic woman. She loves you, but she can't be something she's not. She's just acquiring the males she needs to protect herself."

"That's my job," states Richy, "I'm supposed to protect her."

"But you spend too much time in domesticated society to protect her properly, you have a job you go to four days a week," Wildcat reminds him. "So you can't always be there for her when she needs you. You need help protecting her… We need help protecting her. I'm no guardian. I'm an old man with a title that bring me a little respect, but it's not enough. We chose Greywolf as a consort for her and her mark on him shows she accepted our choice. And she's a guardian, she's going to mark her mates and her consorts even when she plans not to because her instincts ensure it gets done.

Windwalker attaching himself to her the way he did caused her to seek out more protection because you and Cougar just weren't there and Greywolf and I dropped the damn ball or Windwalker wouldn't be her fourth now. So it was just natural for her to choose another consort… She was wounded, weak and ill when she chose Eli. So ill she doesn't remember most of that night. But Eli's an excellent choice. He's technically not a guardian, yet in his Night Crawler form he equals most any guardian. And he didn't hesitate to put himself in harms way when you were going to strike her. He had no idea what you'ld do next. Frankly, we were all surprised when you didn't just focus your attack on him…

Now Breeze just happened today. I suspect that Windwalker has been including Breeze in his private time with Talia because he knew after the way he took her the first time, she'ld be afraid of being alone with him."

"That's correct," Windwalker admits, "but the choosing of Breeze as an official consort even surprises me. It speaks of how badly she fears me because of my bad decision on how to take her as my mate. Apparently, the two new unexpected consorts are my fault. So don't be angry with her. The fault lies with me. Be angry with me."

Wildcat continues, "Breeze is still an excellent choice for a consort. He's a strong and capable guardian. He will only be present when Windwalker is present. He has a mate and a family he loves. I don't think he's looking to be one of Talia's mates too."

"What are you looking for," Richy asks Breeze expectantly.

Breeze is caught off guard by the question, but answers honestly, "I came to help my brother with his resistant mate. The resistant mate also happens to be a very beautiful desirable woman. I guess I am also to blame because I insisted on kissing her. She didn't want to kiss me. She thought it was inappropriate, but Windwalker and I talked her into allowing it. I used it as part of comforting her and making her feel safe and secure. Plus, I really wanted to kiss her. I really enjoy kissing her… But I don't need to pursue her as a mate. Windwalker has already done that. As his brother, she is automatically part mine. As my mate, Stinger, is automatically part his. There is no need for both of us to mark her. Although, I am honored Talia trust me enough to make me an official consort."

"How are things between you and Stinger," Richy asks Breeze, "We all just saw you slap her."

Breeze takes a deep breath and admits, "Strained. We've been apart for a long time. She's not the woman I fell in love with. Likewise, I am not the man she fell in love with. But we still love each other… We're getting to know each other all over again. She's angry I did not come for her, and jealous of the private time I've recently spent with Talia and Windwalker. She feels as my mate, I owe her a detailed explanation for it. She may be my mate but she was not born into Air and we have things we don't share with those that are not of Air and she doesn't understand that. But when she found the marks from Talia on me today, she over reacted. She even threatened to return to her own tribe. I just made it clear that if she chooses to return to her tribe, my son was not going with her. And things just got ugly from there as you can see.

I'm not a violent man. But Stinger has developed a violent temper. She smacked me repeatedly before coming after Talia. She informed you out of meanness that Talia had marked me. Talia was unaware that she had marked anyone before today."

Richy stands and looks around at the mess and disarray the garden room is now in.

"I don't know what Stinger was thinking," comments Wildcat, "Talia's a guardian. She's not. Although that wasp was a nice trick. Insects are hard to do. But the Dragon Tribe has always produced people that have a talent for doing insect."

"I need to talk with Talia," Richy sighs, "We can clean this up later."

"What are you going to say Mist," asks Greywolf.

Richy glances back at Greywolf, "That I love her and I'm not leaving her." Then he exits the garden room.

Richy heads out back first. He knows Roar and Zenith left early this morning with their children to go visit the Amazons. Many Animalistic members have Amazon relatives so they had a lot of company as they left for their visit. So the number of people hanging around is greatly reduced. Uncle Bob stays in Megalopolis for the four days a week he works now, so he's not home. He greets his grandfather Walter, and Walter returns the greeting. Their Night Crawler visitors are still present of course. And as usual, there's lots of mating taking place. It's what free people do for fun, for socialization and stress relief. Stinger is obviously relieving stress and since her preferred social partners aren't available, she's letting Bass bang her hard and fast while a couple of Night Crawler males are waiting to help her relieve her stress.

"There was a bit of a ruckus inside," states Walter.

"Yeah," Richy confirms undoing the top buttons of his uniform's shirt, "I walked in on it."

"Everyone's basically okay," inquires Walter.

"Yeah," answers Richy, "the only casualties were pride and garden room plants."

"You missed Stinger's fit of rage on Breeze's face earlier," Walter informs Richy, "Found something on him she didn't like. Nothing really bad, was it?"

"No, nothing bad," answers Richy, "But it pissed her off anyway. She thought she was going to give Talia a piece of her mind. Instead, Talia tossed her around the garden room like a rag doll. So has Talia come outside?"

"No," answers Walter, "And I've been sitting here since Cougar rushed out, fetched Otter and sent her to her rooms with the baby and her children."

With that information, Richy heads back inside and upstairs. He checks on his cousin, Otter and her children. They're fine. So he heads to the master suite.

The doors to the master suite are cracked open and he can hear Talia's moans of ecstasy before he slips inside. Cougar is lying back on some pillows, naked and sexually sated for the moment as he watches Eli with Talia. Richy stops by the bassinette and touches Will's cheek. He stirs slightly in his sleep and Richy smiles at him. Then he steps up to the bedside and takes off his clothes. Normally, he would put his clothes straight into the hamper, but he just lets them fall straight to the floor this evening.

Talia finally rolls breathless against Cougar to rest and catch her breath. Eli lies with his head resting on her hip. One hand splayed on her swelling belly. Richy slides onto the bed, slides an arm under Talia, pulls her away from the other two men, kisses her deeply and tells her, "I am not going anywhere. I don't care how many other men I have to share you with, I am never leaving you. You're stuck with me and all my bad moods for the rest of your life."

"You're not going to send Eli away are you," asks Talia.

Richy looks at Eli, "Eli's alright with me. He stays."

Talia wraps her arms tightly around Richy's neck, "Oh, thank you, Richy, thank you."

Richy kisses her again. "So what about Breeze? Can I get rid of him?"

"He comes with Windwalker," states Talia with an exaggerated pout, "You can't do anything about him. Unless you've figured out a way to get rid of Windwalker."

Richy shakes his head, "But it's not that bad. He really cares for you, they both do. So what's done is done. No sense worrying over things we can't change." Then he makes love with Talia.

By the time the other males come to retire for the night, Talia, Richy, Cougar and Eli are already asleep. The guests hang around for another week before they depart, minus Eli.