27 Consorts (2/2)

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.