Page 70 of Dragon's Surprise

“Okay, let me talk to Zacharias and the other omegas and see if they’re on board with the plan,” Gregor said.

With a nod at Rhene, he left, and Fergal kept watching him until he was out of sight. When he caught Rhene observing him, he plucked a nonexistent piece of lint from his sweater. “He likes to be in charge.”

“I’m not saying a damn thing.”

“Good. ‘Cause if you did, I might have to fight you, and that wouldn’t be pretty.”

Rhene grinned. “Pretty sure I’m more scared of your bodyguard than I am of you.”

Fergal sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I know. He’s pretty intimidating.”

“You’re lucky to have him in your corner.”

“Not as lucky as you are with your mate. The love between you is palpable.”

“I’m indeed the lucky one. He’s my everything.” Rhene checked his watch. “Speaking of which, I’m gonna make some preparations so I can sneak out. I’m eager to go home.”

“You haven’t heard from Erwan?”

Rhene shook his head. “No cell reception and no magic, remember?”

“I wouldn’t say you have no magic. It’s a different kind.”

“Sure, but it’s not enough to establish a long-distance connection with my mate, so yes, I am eager to go home.”

Fergal stuck out his hand. “Go whenever you have an opportunity. We’ll see you again when we deliver the omegas. You have my word that we’ll protect them with our lives.”

Rhene ignored his hand and pulled the king into his arms, hugging him fiercely. “Be safe.”

“You too, Rhene Hightower. May the gods protect you on your journey.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

He was insane.

He should never have agreed to Oliver’s cockamamy plan of spending time together to see if they were a triad. Delton was gonna get his heart broken all over again, and he’d have no one to blame but himself.

But how could he say no when it meant getting to hang out with Adar? Which was pathetic and depressing in itself. No one should be that desperate for the attention of someone else, not to the point where they were willing to settle for crumbs. He was worth more, so much more, yet he couldn’t make himself walk away.

Not even when he knew Oliver was wrong. How could they be a triad when neither Adar nor Oliver felt that connection with Delton, only with each other? Delton knew that for some triads, things hadn’t been immediately clear, but he’d never heard of a case where two of the three were convinced they were mates and the third was like an afterthought. The kind of product you added to your shopping cart during checkout because it was only ninety-nine cents, not because you truly wanted it.

So pathetic.

But here he was, getting ready to spend time with Adar and Oliver. The omega had come up with the perfect excuse, and Delton had to give him points for that. He’d told Adar he wanted them to get help from Delton in navigating their relationship, especially with Oliver’s traumatic background. Considering that was what Delton had offered in the first place, Adar had harbored no reservations and agreed.

A knock pulled Delton from his thoughts, and he checked himself in the mirror before opening the door. “Come on in, guys.”

Adar let Oliver go first. He was such a gentleman.

After Oliver had gotten them all some water and put a plate of Yitro’s cookies on the coffee table, Adar and Oliver settled on a love seat next to each other while Delton sat across from them in a chair. It wasn’t lost on Delton how emblematic that was of their dynamic. He’d always be the odd one out.

“I’m so glad you decided to come to me,” he said, pretending they were clients like everyone else. “Your situation is unique, and I think you two have a lot to talk about.”

He ignored Oliver’s pointed look. “Do you have any preference on where to start?”

“I want to talk about Adar’s session with you,” Oliver said, and Delton had to fight to keep his face blank.

“Sounds like a great thing to tackle first. Adar, how are you feeling about that?”