Chapter 341: Chapter 341

Zane Greyson wasn’t taking me flying today. Instead, we'd agreed to meet on the training field to go through some of the special maneuvers Brightsky had put together. Xander and Mason were once more off on their own, doing some kind of bonding thing Malachi had set up for them with other leaders.

Which left me, once again, on my own.

“You work hard.” Greyson sounded admiring as he clapped me on my sweaty, bare shoulder. “You almost beat me.”

I I With a guffaw, | swatted away his hand and made like | was going to go after him. He backed up, also laughing. | shook my head.

“You're f ucking strong, man. But you could also shift and just, like, literally gobble me up in a single bite. | there ever really was a battle here or anywhere, why wouldn’t you just do that?”

Greyson tipped his chin toward a few of the others who'd been training with us and waited until they'd passed us before he answered.

“Becoming the dragon isn’t the same as it is for you wolves, or even other shifters. The difference in mass means my transformation takes such a significant amount of energy that | have to have a recovery period afterward. In ideal situations, once | am the dragon, | stay that way for a long time before returning to my human self.”

| accepted the bottle of water he handed me and drained half of it. My muscles ached, and | was grateful for it. It meant I'd worked myself hard.

“Before | met Charlotte, | spent most of my time as the dragon,” Greyson said.

This surprised me. “Get out.”

He laughed. “It’s true. There aren’t many of us left, and we’ve become adept at hiding deep underground, so for the most part, we're solitary. And well, we can hibernate for a long time, if necessary. But | can’t live with Charlotte as the dragon Certainly can’t make love to her in that form And, since | love her, I’m happy to maintain this shape for the most part. Want to head for a beer?”

“Yeah. Xander and Mason won't be finished with Malichi’s special training until later this afternoon. | heard the slight edge in my voice even though | didn’t mean for it to be there Greyson heard it, too | could tell by the way his expression shifted But he didn’t say anything about it und we'd settled into the back booth in a pub, not on Eighty Seven, but a much smaller place located on a residential wing. It was mostly empty, and | got the idea that was why he’d brought me here.

They always have something you can’t share,” he said without preamble once the frosty points of ale had been put in front of us, along with a platter of ribo | rubbed the spot between my eyes and gave him a sheepish look “Was that obvious?”

“Not at all. | just think you and | are more alike than it might seem on the surface. | think...rather, | feel, ‘ane, that we both share a certain...” Greyson leaned across the table, lowering his voice. “Propensity for service.”

| took a pull off my beer while | tried to think about how to answer that. “Not sure I’m getting you.

“You are a Beta. Your role, your purpose, is to serve your Alpha. Right?”

“Well...yeah. | mean, he’s my best friend. And my mate. They both are. But yes, | guess it’s my job to keep my Alpha happy.

Even-keeled. If he’s upset or something, need to get him calmed down.” | wasn’t sure why my heart pounded as | admitted this.

It wasn’t something to be embarrassed about, but | felt a heat rise in my face.

“You anticipate your Alpha’s needs.

“| try to. Yeah.”

He grinned. “I anticipate my mistress’s needs. I’m happiest when I’m serving Charlotte. Keeping her happy. Whatever that takes.”

| was getting it now, and | grinned. “Ah, you mean like a sex thing.”

“Yes, but it’s more than that, too.” He dug into the ribs and chewed heartily.

| was quiet for a minute, thinking. “Xander is kind of kinky in the bedroom.”

“And you enjoy that.”

“Yeah. | guess | do.”

Greyson shrugged. “But it bothers you that he’s got Mason at his side now. It shouldn’t. His brother is never going to take your place. Mason is also an Alpha, first of all. He'll never be able to serve the way you can as their Beta.”

| wasn’t going to pretend it didn’t bother me, not when Greyson clearly could see it. “They hated each other, but the closer they get, the more | wonder if there will still be a place for me.”

“There will be. I’m sure of it. But Zane...there’s something you should know about your Alphas.”