Striker by Lexi Ander Read Free Book Online Page A

firmly as they flanked him.
    "Zeus, you must breathe," Azaes coaxed while Mestor called for a medic.
    Breathe? Trapped air rushed out of his lungs. He gulped and inhaled unsteadily. When did he sit down? Dargon sat a couple of meters away, Mayra speaking softly to Dargon as he shook his head.
    "Prince Zeus?"
    He blinked, and before him knelt Dr. Solon. Zeus felt a giddy bubble of laughter brewing in him. "You found me when I was a youngling," he blurted before pressing his lips together to keep the inappropriate mirth from escaping.
    Dr. Solon held Zeus’s wrist, taking his pulse. Zeus had always liked the doctor's yellow dorsal ridge and blue eyes. It was such a pretty combination.
    "Can you tell me what happened? You and Dargon went into shock at the same time."
    "We did?" Zeus leaned over to look around Dr. Solon, only Dargon no longer sat in the chair. Before he could ask, Dr. Solon directed his attention to the corner where Dargon now lay on the couch with an arm over his eyes.
    "I am going to be a father." He did not mean to say that aloud.
    "I heard. Congratulations."
    Zeus met Dr. Solon's worried gaze. "Tw … tw … twins."
    "Twins!" Zeus jumped at the bellow. His brothers snatched him out of the chair to be smashed between them, noises of congratulations filling the air. Their enthusiasm helped to shake him out of his shock.
    Concerned for Dargon, he broke from his brothers' embrace and went to kneel next to the couch. Dargon's arm was draped over his eyes and Zeus glanced at the medic, Mayra, for guidance. With him kneeling and her standing, he met her gaze without her craning her neck to look at him. Her large, brown eyes were soft and liquid with worry, but she gave him an encouraging smile.
    Dargon's copper braid draped over the side of the couch to coil like a thick rope on the floor. He ran a comforting hand over Dargon's exposed arm. His golden skin, covered in a fine, soft fuzz, tickled Zeus’s palm, relaxing Zeus as much as it did his lover.
    Dargon's arm slowly dropped away from his face. Green eyes brilliant with shock stared back at Zeus. "I am sorry. I … well … I am slightly surprised. I mean, having twins is not a terrible thing … they are simply uncommon. I mean, I do not remember the last time this happened. The chances are so small."
    "What do you need?" Zeus asked softly, unsure what to do to help his lovers.
    "You," Dargon responded, his voice just above a whisper.
    "You already have me."
    Dargon's arm dropped further away. "I apologize. I should have reacted better … suspected … "
    "We were both taken by surprise."
    Zeus’s fingers ghosted over Dargon's cheek, dropping down to caress Alpha. "Alpha, can you safely carry the twins without help from the medical facility of the Hedisa Gamai? Is there anything we need to pick up? A special diet maybe, certain foods or vitamins?"
    Zeus sensed the warmth of Alpha's emotions. "I have already discussed my needs with Mayra. I will need extra nourishment from Dargon, and I will probably sleep much more than previously anticipated, and be lethargic even when I am awake, as I meet the demands of carrying two kits instead of one."
    He echoed Dargon's exhale of relief.
    "Prince Zeus, the scheduled call with the Emperor will commence in two microns," Sohm'lan announced in a formal tone.
    "Go," Dargon urged. "I will stay here and rest out of view, but still be able to listen."
    Zeus brushed a soft kiss over Dargon's lips before he rose to his feet. Non-essential personnel exited the stateroom as the panels on the far wall retracted to reveal the view screen. Azaes always received regularly-scheduled calls with their father when either one went offworld. Zeus had not seen his father in a long, long time. Excitement made him want to bounce on his toes.
    The screen lit and a soft chime notified them of the incoming transmission. Zeus ran his hand down the lapels of his black jacket, self-consciously smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles. The screen