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Virtually Real: Chapter 66: Squire

Knight: Also known as Prowlar, is the Knight Errant of Emperor Rider. Basically his job is to do all the behind the scenes dirty work to keep the Empire functioning and make the Emperor look good.

Emperor Rider: (Sabers) Prowlar’s brother through adoption.

Former Emperor Kyle: Rider’s father and Prowlar’s adoptive father. Deceased?

Squire: Wolf, a young squire placed in Prowlar’s care.

Keb and Mal: Twins and possible royal heirs placed on an arid planet, outside the Empire, to be raised.

I'd just finished explaining how the armor could scan other clothing and add it to its memory as well when the guard entered with a man; naked except for the royal guard pants. I smirked inside my armor. The fool probably figured they allowed him to keep the pants for modesty, but I knew they could also be tracked.

"We brought one to you for interrogation, as ordered, your majesty."

"I'm not going to tell you anything!" The man shouted.

"I have a question that I think you won't have a problem answering." A royal guard said, stepping into view.

I jumped slightly and then I realized what was happening.

"Was your target the squire, the knight errant, or our Emperor?"

The man spat at me. "That arrogant bastard the Emperor seems to think is so loyal. I just feel sorry for that squire he's brainwashed. I also happen to like the Emperor even if he is misguided."

"What did I do to you?" I asked.

"Carstan, remember it? There was a small bar, you walked in and two minutes later you dragged two men out. Then the bomb you left exploded killing everyone else. My father was in that bar!"

I nodded, "That wasn't a bar it was the meeting house for a group plotting to assassinate the Emperor by bombing the public spaceport. When the Emperor would come out and meet with the survivors a second larger bomb would be detonated. After nearly two months of careful observation I knew exactly who was involved. I went in captured the two main instigators and activated both bombs. Everyone killed in that explosion got wat they deserved."

"You bastard! You're a liar!"

The guard's armor shifted and Wolf punched him in the stomach. I forgot to warn him the armor also enhanced strength. We all heard the crack of bone and knew his back had been broken. He likely had multiple ruptured organs as well. "Get him to the hospital for regeneration. The interrogators are going to want him alive.”

The guard carried the prisoner out leaving us alone.

“This is why you always have to pull you punches unless you are planning a killing blow. The armor enhances strength. If I had done that I'd have put my fist through him. Oh, and Rider, you're really going to hate this you can't completely remove the armor."

"Armor off." He ordered. He lay splayed across the couch completely naked except for bracelets and anklets. "Eh, good enough." He said, and smirked.

Wolf had turned away but I could tell he was still stealing glances at Rider's impressive body.

"Come on pup, look all you want. Plenty of people have seen me naked. I don't mind. Oh I bet your tastes run a little more exotic." He shifted to his sabretooth form.

"Your Majesty, this is highly inappropriate."

"Tiger, are you teaching him to be a prude? Tell me young pup, have you seen the tiger nude? I must say it's quite the sight. But if he's unwilling I don't have a problem if you want to come over here and explore. Don't worry it's just the three of us now and I've locked down the room so no one will ever see or know."

"Fine. Armor off.” I shifted to tiger form knowing where this was going.

"Lord I've needed this. It's been too long and the fact that you're part wolf makes it even better." Rider sighed.

"What?" Wolf asked suddenly looking my nude form over very carefully.

Rider stood up and walked over. He grasped my sheath and pulled it down slightly. "In here your tiger is just like you."

"I . . . I wouldn't know. I haven't been able to shift to anthro form yet." Wolf muttered.

"Tiger, shame on you; but lucky me. I suggest we teach him just as father taught us. How old were we then?"

"Eighteen and twenty."

"Tiger, isn't there something in the code about not lying to me? Anyway have you ever felt wrong or bad about it?"

I wanted to argue but the truth was I’d enjoyed it. If I had to go back and change things I'd probably tried to get more. "No, but that doesn't mean it was right."

"We're all adults here so there's no problem. Wolf, take your armor off." The Emperor smiled as the armor shrank away. "I wonder if I can control your armor as well?" He grinned, leering at me.

"The armor can be activated and deactivated mentally. It just means Wolf wanted to remove his."

"Pity. Alright, come stand in front of your tiger. Closer." Rider rolled his eyes. "Until you're leaning against him. Good now close your eyes and reach back. Feel the fur, the strong thigh muscles. Slide your hands up and back feel the power there. Now let your hands fall back to your sides. Keep your eyes closed that's important."

"How do you feel pup?” I asked quietly.

"Hot and tingly like my body is on fire and lighting is running through me."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes, completely."

"Good." I slid my hands down his arms and slowly lifted them. He jumped a little as they encountered fur. "Feel the abdominal muscles." He moaned as he dug his fingers into the fur. I guided his hands upwards. "Feel the strong pecs and fur." He bucked back against me and tried to thrust forward. He was deep into the heat now. I pulled his hands his sides. "Envision yourself as a big black anthro wolf. Think of the strong muscles you've just felt. Your head now wolf like, heightened senses taking in the musk and aroma of the ones you are about to fuck." His transformation was dearly compete. "Your shaggy tail lifted for your lover’s cock. I released his transformed arms and grabbed his already enlarging penis. "Your powerful wolf cock and knot ready to thrust into a willing hole."

I aimed him into Rider's hole and let the heat take control. I was on the edge of losing control myself but I stepped away long enough to retrieve Rider's stash of lube. Wolf wouldn't care now, but he'd be thankful later. I was panting and could barely think clearly as I lined up and sank under my pup's tail.

***

I gasped as Wolf pulled out of Rider. I pulled out of him as well.

"Damn I missed that feeling." Rider sighed.

"Huh?" I gasped, as I felt Wolf lift my tail and push in. He immediately started trusting. God, I was going to feel that when I came down.

"The feeling of being knotted. Canines only seem willing to do that when they enter the shift heat or with their mate. Didn't you know you'd knotted both me and my father when we taught you to take anthro form?"

"I- Ooooooh!" I moaned, as Wolf finally knotted me.

"Seeing as you’re too busy to talk let's put that mouth to use, clean me up."

I immediately started licking cum from his shaft.

"Oooh, I think I've got some left." He pushed in making sure his spines didn't reach my throat. We found out the hard way that was bad, and difficult to explain to the medical staff.

Wolf howled and then rested on my back.

"That's so cute he saved the last of his energy just to breed you. Oh! Here it comes drink deep. You wouldn't want to waste your Emperor's seed."

I did as told, but from the amount that had been sprayed around it was obvious more had been wasted than what I was swallowing. Finally Rider pulled out and flopped back on his pillows.

"God, this was a better meeting than I hoped for. I planned to have a quick romp with you, I've been feeling like a bit of male entertainment lately, and though that's fine for nobles, knights, and the masses it is really frowned on for Emperors."

"I still say that is stupid."

"Oh I know. Then when you were showing me how to use the new suit I thought I'd order you to sneak out for a night of drunken debauchery like the old days."

"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier. The nanites have entered your system so you can't be poisoned."

"That's a good thing. Why would that upset me?"

"They see alcohol as a poison. You'll never be getting drunk again."

"You're just messing with me? Tell me you're just messing with me."

"No, welcome to the world of sobriety. Of course you can still drink, but it will be for appearances and because you like the taste, but no physiological or physical effects."

"Well, since you really need to lay low for a while maybe you can stay here and keep me entertained." Rider said, changing the topic.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. When my mate wakes up I'm going to have to help him come to terms with the fact he had sex with his Emperor."

"With his mate."

"What?"

Rider crawled forward and kissed me. "Eventually I'll have to take a female consort, for appearances. Yes, I've fathered a lot of children, but that is over now."

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

"Tiger, do you really think you were made a knight errant because you took the blame for all the stupid things I did? Father did that because it was the only way to ensure our mate had nearly the same protections and social standing as we did. You are, always were, and always will be our mate just as your wolf is. Did you never wonder why I called you back here for some of our meetings just so we could get naked and I had you just cuddle against me?"

"I-"

"Didn't you realize I had to be nearly dead drunk to sleep with all those women to produce heirs when what I really wanted was to be here in bed with my true mate?"

I hugged Rider. "Hush, I understand now my mate. We'll stay here with you for the night. However, then we'll have to leave. Let the information leak to the nobles that we were held in the palace dungeons with only rations of bread and water-"

"A week."

"What?"

"Stay for a week. It will play better. The nobles will think that they've won a small victory and convinced me that you aren't above punishment. A night isn't enough, not for them, and especially not for me."

"Okay, but no sneaking out. Too much danger of getting caught."

"Why would I want to? Now that you know how I really feel."

"Just do me a favor slide something under me. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold this position."

He nodded and I closed my eyes in concentration. I felt something wrap around my weakening knees and then a pressure on my shoulder lifting me slightly.

"Lift your arm."

My eyes shot open. He'd slid his own body under me. I lifted my arm and he finished wiggling into position. He held my other shoulder and then slowly lowered me to his chest.

"I've always looked forward to this moment when we could just lay together both accepting that we are mated."

"You always find ways to complicate my life, but if I knew how you really felt I would have visited much more often."

"Promise? No, never mind. I know we still have certain duties to perform. Still, if you visit more often I’m sure it will make for a much happier emperor."

"God, you're a bigger kitten than I am." I muttered. "Let's just get some sleep before our mate wakes up looking for the next round."

"Will you knot me again if he does? I mean you don't remember the first time because of your heat and you've always been careful not to after that. I- I want to be truly mates to you when we can share the memory."

"That is something I can promise."

Rider smile and did his best to wrap his arms around both me and Wolf. "I love you."

***

Wolf had slept when Rider had to get cleaned up and leave, much to his disgust, to deal with daily Imperial matters.

Once he left I gently moved Wolf to my own rooms. They were basically the same as the Emperor's except in blue trimmed with silver instead of red and gold. When he finally woke up he immediately went to the shower to clean up. I'd cleaned by activating my suit and letting the nanites clean me. Now I sat at the small table waiting for Wolf to finish and the breakfast, I ordered, to arrive.

Wolf came out first. "Um, Prowlar, why is my clothing locked to royal attire?"

"Don't worry about it. Just sit down so we can talk."

He walked over and sat across from me. "Okay, so where are we?"

I sighed, "The Royal Palace, in my quarters."

"Your quarters! Are you the illegitimate son of the former Emperor?"

"No. I was the child of a lesser noble. I don't know why but my father seemed to hate me. One day at court, when all the nobles were required to bring their first born the Emperor took notice of me. Shifters that can take anthro form can sense others that can shift. The former Emperor was gifted with the ability to sense when a child had the potential to become a shifter. He took an interest in me. I don't know how he arranged it but I was turned over to him to act as a slave. Instead he treated me more like a son. When Rider arrived he treated us like we were brothers. Rider liked having an older brother and I put up with him."

"Why? I know he's the Emperor but . . . well, from your stories he wasn't the easiest to deal with when he was younger."

"After saving me I wanted to be the best I could for him. If that meant taking the blame for Rider then so be it. At least I was being useful and paying Him back."

"So what you and the Emperor said about the possibility of you being the Emperor was true?"

"Yes, but Rider was the better choice. He revels in being out in public as the center of attention. I prefer the shadows and not being noticed."

"Um, what about the part . . . never mind, it doesn't matter. What I want to know is why I can't remember most of what happened next."

"What was your last memory?"

"The Emperor turned his armor off and was laying there on full display, like I'll ever be able to forget that, and then waking up in your arms." He blushed and looked away, "Completely naked and covered in-"

There was a knock on the door. "My Lord, your breakfast has arrived."

"Enter."

A young woman pushed a cart into the room and placed two trays on the table. "The Emperor ordered what I am to serve." She looked scared.

She lifted the lid from Wolf's breakfast. There were two eggs over easy, a pile of bacon, a mound of sausage and a stack of toast. To the side she placed a dish of butter and several jars of different preserves. She then placed a glass of water and one of orange juice.

Wolf stared there was enough food to feed four, or maybe one hungry sabretooth. I didn't really keep track of his breakfasts as we grew up.

She lifted the lid of my breakfast and in the middle of the plate was a single piece of slightly burned toast. She then set a cup of water and took a tentative step back. "I'm sorry sir, but the emperor insisted that your meals be a single piece of burned toast for breakfast and cold bread for the other meals with a glass of water to wash it down. I'm sorry please don't-"

I laughed. "Don't worry, I really should have expected this. I don't blame you. Though I'm betting the chef is furious he had to burn a piece of toast."

She let out a small giggle. "I was afraid he was going to actually hit the Emperor if he hadn't been restrained."

"Send him my apologies and let him know it was for Master Prowl. He'll understand."

"Yes sir, I'll wait out in the hall until you are ready to send the dishes back." She then exited.

"Okay, what is up with all of this? And why did she wink at me when she said she'd wait outside?" Wolf asked.

”The Emperor is informing the Nobles that I've been imprisoned for the next week and all I'm receiving for food is bread and water." I gestured at my dish. "Also that's why you were served so much extra. That wink was to say you could share it with me without anyone watching."

"What about the burnt toast?"

I sighed. "I'm not a royal, even though I was raised and treated as if I were. Sometimes when I was still really young I'd hide in the kitchen. It always smelled so interesting in there. Anyway the old chef finally asked me why he found me crying like that. I told him that I was being treated to good for my station. So he asked if I'd feel better if for breakfast I was served burnt toast instead of it being perfect as befit the Emperor’s table? I'm quite sure he expected me to say no. Imperfect food is often the last thing that would make someone happy. I said that it would help. From that day forward my toast was always a little burned. I mean the first time the Emperor stormed off to speak with the chef. He soon returned, glanced at my toast of course we couldn't eat if he wasn't there, shrugged and sat down to breakfast. Years later I learned that the chef explained that burning my toast was far better than many of the punishments I might later devise to punish myself for letting myself fit in."

"Oh Tiger, you should never feel that way. All I know about the Emperor is what anyone else does and the stories you’ve told me. From what I can see you deserve to be on the same level as he is. Here take what you want." Wolf said.

I took some of the bacon, sausage and a couple slices of toast. Then I took out a lighter and carefully burned the toast.

"What are you doing?"

I blushed, "After all these years I've sort of grown fond of it."

"No. Bad tiger. I intend to break you of that bad habit right now. You may only have one slice of burnt toast a day for the next week. After that it is only proper toast for you."

"Yes, mate."

Wolf snapped to attention. "What?"

"We'll talk about it after breakfast."

"Fine but I want you to take an egg as well."

"No, those are both meant for you."

"What makes you think that?"

"Both the Emperor and the Chef know I only eat eggs when everything is cooked solid. I just don't like runny eggs. That's how I know those are both for you."

Wolf looked like he was about to explode then he just deflated and mumbled, "Toast first." I took a bite of toast and sausage to keep from laughing and making him angrier.

***

Once we'd both eaten our fill there was still a lot of food left. Wolf complained about it going to waste, but the server insisted it wouldn't. Wolf didn't ask where it was heading and I declined to tell him it would be taken to any prisoners first, then any remaining meat went to the guard dogs and the bread would be composted.

Once we were alone again Wolf glared at me. "Okay, what are you trying to hide. Even though I don't have any memory of it I know we had sex. So that can't be it."

"What you experienced was a form of heat. Ordinarily this is not something that male felines or canines experience; however as shifters we do only once."

"When shifting to anthro form for the first time. That's why I don't remember. So I went into heat, you excused us and brought me here so we could mate."

I really wished I could leave it at that. "No. Under ordinary circumstances the one going into heat cannot be held responsible for what happens."

"You- You're rejecting me being your mate?"

The pain in his voice made me answer instantly. "No! That's not what I'm saying. We're mated. I've been doing my best to suppress my desires from the moment we met and you've made no secret that it is what you wanted. We are mates."

"Good now we have that established everything is good."

"Not exactly. You remember seeing the Emperor naked. There is no easy way to say this, he joined us."

"He had sex with me?" Wolf asked in surprise. "But he's . . . you said he has fathered children."

"Last night held a lot of revelations for me. I guess during my first heat I knotted both the current and former Emperors. Even though I don't remember that night."

"You're a tiger, you don’t have a knot."

"That's the thing, I'm a mix of wolf and tiger. And yes, I tied you and you tied me last night so we are full mates. Anyway, even though it technically shouldn't have meant anything the former Emperor and the current Emperor both consider me to be their mate. And because you tied him several times Rider also considers you his mate."

Wolf stared at me in shock so I figured I'd best tell him everything. "Those drunken debauched parties he would attend. He did that in order to father heirs because he couldn't just come out and tell anyone he loved me. Also, and this just between us," I leaned on close to Wolf's ear, and whispered, "The former Emperor isn't dead and I intend for us to visit him after this week of confinement is over."

Wolf's eyes went wide.

I leaned back. "I suggest you get yourself mentally prepared. Once he's finished with the affairs of state our royal mate is going to be here looking for round two. And trust me his stamina is phenomenal when drunk, now that he'll be sober we may have a long, hard, wet, week ahead of us.

Wolf laughed, "Sound's fun, but before he returns, I want you to take me daddy, so you are the first mate that I remember. Wait, the one we're going to visit eventually, he's like my grandfather, right?"

"Yeah, in a way I guess."

"And you still have sex with him?"

My mouth hung open. Honestly I visited him more often than Rider and he was always in the mood for a romp.

Wolf grinned. "No need to answer your face says it all. What is he like? Round and a little pudgy perfect for sinking your hands into?"

"No, well he has a little belly hiding his abs but for the most part he's really fit and nearly as hairy in human form as he is furry."

Wolf got up and headed for the bed turning of his clothing. He leaned over the edge and glanced back at me. "Daddy, take me now while I'm imagining grandpa."

God, I had a kinky mate. I got up and retrieved the lube. My pup was still rather loose but I still didn't want him feeling any pain. "Let me help. Grandpa Kyle is a big red lion with a dark red mane. He's part canine like me so be ready to be knotted. And trust me it is a big knot to take so Rider and I are really going to need to work in order to prepare you. Also since I'm the only one that visits he's always in the mood and you being my new mate he's going to want to make sure I chose well."

I gasped as his ass started clenching. He'd shifted and had his hand clamped behind his knot as he sprayed cum on my legs and feet. God how I wanted that old man's cock tied to my ass right now. I gasped and shoved forward and knotted my pup as that thought pushed me over the edge."

"Daddy, I love you." Wolf whispered.

"I love you too, son." It felt weird saying it but somehow right at the same time.

***

We stood in front of the Noir. Rider was wearing a pilot's suit so it was unlikely any casual observer would recognize him.

"I don't get it. I can see that the weapons have been modified, you've installed a ramp to the cargo bay, and that strange backpack unit, but that's about it."

I grinned and signaled the security chief. "I thought you might say that so I arranged a demonstration." A second Chariot transport landed next to the Noir. "That's a member of the royal guard piloting a stock Chariot."

"Your ship is taller, and has an additional two landing struts."

"That's to compensate for the extra weight. And that pack houses the faster than light drives. It freed up a lot of room inside."

Rider looked like he wanted to ask something but kept quiet.

“Want to see inside?" I asked.

"You keep talking about extra room so let's see just how much you're talking about."

I gave him the full tour.

"I'm glad to see you stuck with the single bedroom. It might have been awkward before but now that you’re mates it will be perfect. And that vehicle. Now I understand the eye witness reports of your raid on Tellusar. It's like you've made this more of a home than the palace. I know let's sneak off, just the three of us. Let someone else rule."

"I cannot allow that. It would be very in appropriate, as well as bad for the Empire." Alty stated.

"Prowlar, who was that?"

"That was Alty the Noir's mind. I'd wouldn't call him an AI, even though technically he is, since he is so far beyond what we consider to be AI technology."

"I'm glad you recognize that, Captain. When I was originally created you used a digital pattern of Prowlar's mind. Since then The Guardian created a perfect copy of both his and Wolf's binds and blended them together in order to create me. You could see me in either of two ways ether as Wolf and Tiger in one being or as the child of their minds. I control everything on this ship. Weapons, navigation, and I can remote operate the Charger. I assure you I will not be abducting you and causing considerable strife and upheaval in the Empire just because you are too well known in the local bars."

"Alty! The Emperor won't be doing that any more now that he is immune to alcohol. There is something else you need to add to you database. Wolf and I are now mated to the Emperor."

"Yes, I know. Well for you at least. The Guardian unlocked all suppressed and forgotten memories for me. However since that took place during heat it isn't binding."

"That might be true, but I've taken both their knots this last week to make it official. Plus I want more, but even I can see having my mates here for too long or often will lead to questions among the nobles." Rider said, sadly.

I sighed. "I'll come up with something. That will give us more time together."

"If you don't I will, even if it means showing the nobles I'm keeping you on a short leash." Rider replied.

"Your majesty, the Royal Guards are here to escort you back to the palace."

"You told. Didn't you?" He accused Alty.

"Yes I did."

"God, he really is a copy of you.” Rider said, as he headed down the crew ramp.

"Yeah, but at least he puts up with me without killing himself." I yelled down the opening.

"For now anyway.” Alty mumbled.

"Where's Wolf? He said he was on his way out while the Emperor was trying to decide which outfit disguised him best."

"He's in the cockpit running simulations making sure he really can pilot me. I guess the Guardian taught him, but he needed to make sure he really could pilot if he needed to."

When I reached the cockpit I dropped into the navigator's chair. "Why don't you take us out?"

"I don't think-"

"Alty will make sure to take over if anything goes wrong and I can flip the controls and take over if I really have to. However I won’t have to because I know you'll do it perfectly."

"Okay, so where are we headed? Off to meet grandfather, I hope?"

I pulled up a clock that was counting down. "No. Still a month before we can see him."

"Why?"

"He is on a planet in a binary system. There is an opening in the gravity fluctuations of one month and then four months of no access. I keep trying to convince him to move, but he really doesn't want anyone to know he is alive." Right now we're going to check on a few of the current Emperor's children to see if any might have shifted."

"I can see how that is important. Especially if he doesn't plan to spend any time with women now that the three of us are together."

"Chariot Noir, you are cleared for jump gate passage." Control radioed.

I glanced up. "Not bad. No, that's not what I mean. Love, you piloted out better than I could have." I said having not even noticed the trip up from the planet.

"None of that. I did as well as you could have. You know you're not to disparage yourself, even for the benefit of others."

"I'm trying, pup. I'm trying."

"Good."

***

"Does this place even have a name?" Wolf asked, as we made our way through the blistering sun.

"The planet is known as Geb. This is New Memphis and the river is called Nile. Well technically all the rivers running to the small oceans in the North and South are named Nile It's just this one is the largest. I placed two of Rider's son's here."

"How will we recognize them?"

"Daddy!" Two teenagers ran up and hugged me.

"I told you, I'm not your father."

"Maybe not, but you care for us more than-"

"Mal! Shush!"

"What is going on?" I asked.

"Let's find someplace out of the sun to talk." Mal whispered.

They both looked terrified. "I know a place. How about I show you my new space ship."

"You got a new ship?"

"Keb, not out here in the open."

"We're being watched." Wolf whispered.

"I noticed." I whispered back. "It's just a tour and then you both need to get home." Again that terrified look.

"By the way, this is Wolf. He's my squire."

"I thought we would be your first squires." Keb pouted.

"Only the Emperor can appoint squires. I can't choose. Besides Wolf was a good match."

"There's our ship. The big black one. Alty, let these two in out of the heat. Before things get hotter."

"Understood, sir."

"Okay, you're cleared go make yourselves comfortable in the lounge. Alty will guide you."

They ran up the boarding ramp as fast as they could.

"They're both shifters. Mal's a cat and Keb's a canine of some sort."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't know. I just sort of knew when they hugged you."

I did some quick calculations. Wolf, Mal, and Keb were about the same age, but it was about that time the old Emperor had gone into hiding. "Wolf, I need to run a DNA test on you."

"Why?"

"Later. Armor on! Took you long enough to approach." I said spinning to confront the men who had arrived.

"The men you are harboring are thieves. You will give them to us."

"No." I growled.

"What?"

"I said no. I am a Knight and they are under my protection.”

“Our Lord outranks a knight."

"Master Prowlar is a Knight Errant." Wolf growled.

"So you have a fancy title. That doesn't mean-"

"You will back away from the knight and squire or I will open fire." Alty said, as a multi directional gun slid out of the ship's nose.

"We will be back with official documentation. Then you will turn them over to us."

"I suggest you bring the noble as well."

The group turned and marched off.

"So shall I go get those two strapped in for takeoff?" Wolf asked.

"No, Geb is a protected world. They were here before the rest of us and their government isn't really compatible with our own. We need to find the Pharaoh."

We boarded the ship and found the kids sipping an iced drink.

"Dad! This is so unbelievable! Solid water!" Keb said excitedly.

"Okay, first off where are your parents?"

"They- they're in the afterlife, hopefully." Mal answered.

"When the Noble came many of the people were killed for objecting. She supposedly married the Pharaoh and ended the resistance. She brings him out on official occasions so everyone can see that he is still alive." Keb explained.

"And why are they after you?"

The two looked at each other and hung their heads. "We tried to survive on our own but when our money ran out we tried to exchange the money you gave our foster parents. The noble immediately had us captured and questioned." Mal said, sadly.

"We sort of told them our father was a knight and when you came you'd save us. I mean it isn't that bad they let us continue as we had been, they just watched us closely. We're just really good at disappearing." Keb continued.

"Because you can change shape into animals." Wolf said.

"How do you know that?" Mal asked.

"I just do. Tiger, we can't let these two be taken."

"I know, and they're too old for their intended purpose. I'm thinking they're going to have to live with their grandfather."

"So you really are our father?" Keb asked, excitedly.

"It's complicated, but in a way, yeah I guess I am sort of. Of course by the same logic so is Wolf here."

"Daddy Wolf!" They both yelled lunging at him and hugging him tightly.

"You know Keb, he's too young to be our daddy."

"Yeah, I bet he's about our age. I know we'll call him our brother!"

"Captain, we have company.”

“Alty, no one comes aboard. Also Keb and Mal aren't allowed to leave. Deadly force is authorized if anyone tries to take them."

"I've seen that look before." Keb whispered.

"Yeah, that time we were captured and they planned to sell us as slaves. All the slavers died."

"And you two had better stay on this ship or I will punish you."

"Yes Dad!" They both said.

"Good, now go get some rest. I can tell they haven't been letting you sleep the way you prefer. There's only one bed but Wolf and I are going to be busy so it's all yours."

They glanced at each other and grinned. "Which way?" They asked.

I pointed and they took off.

"Anything I should know?" Wolf asked.

"Probably, but it will have to wait until we've dealt with our noble problem. Alty, have the Charger ready just in case."

"I’ll be careful about collateral damage." Alty stated.

***

We stood at the foot of the ramp as the Pharaoh’s palanquin was carried in and lowered. The curtains were not pulled aside.

"Why have you come here?" A female voice asked. Obviously the noble we'd been told about.

"To check on two children that I placed here for their safety."

"You, a knight of the Empire, abandoned children here? I suppose they are your own since knights are not allowed children."

"You seem well versed in Imperial customs." Wolf growled.

"Of course, I am after all a noble. I came here to escape the cruelty of my former home. My Lord Pharaoh fell in love with me, as all men do. Tell me knight, you want to serve me, don’t you?"

So her magic was allure. Basically she could charm almost any male, unless they had no interest in females, were happily mated, or were shifters. A normal human would never be able to control us. I decided to play her little game I switched over to the private channel to Wolf. "Play along." I switched back. "I . . . Maybe."

A long nude leg stretched out of the curtain. How about now, handsome?"

"Are- are you trying to control my mind?"

She stepped out completely and all she was wearing amounted to transparent pink silk. She had scratches across her chest and face. Then she had no face only a charred hole.

"Bitch, you shouldn't have tried anything with my mate."

"Why am I not in my palace?" A young male voice asked from within the palanquin.

"Lord Pharaoh, you've been under a spell. A noble came, and using magic, made you forget everything. This was a breach of the treaty so my squire and I were sent to capture or eliminate the threat to your Kingdom. She has been eliminated so we will quietly leave. I humbly suggest you let the people know she was an agent of Seth. However, because you are a god you were able to overcome her spells. Your reputation will increase, the people will be happy, and no one will ever know we were here. Preserving your rule and the Empire's non-involvement."

"You are the Emperor's knight errant. We have heard of you. You have done many deeds in support of the Empire as well as for outlier planets like our own. Go in peace knight."

I bowed and Wolf quickly followed suit. The pharaoh left and we boarded Noir.

"Alty take us to our next destination. If Keb and Mal are sleeping, let them rest."

"You're bringing them with us?" Alty asked.

"Yes, we can't leave them here."

"Is the Emperor ready to begin training his replacement?"

I sighed. "No those two are too old to begin the training. I'm going to leave them with their grandfather." Wolf and I entered the cockpit. "Alty, lock down the cockpit. Full security and sound dampeners."

"You're secure."

"Don't even start. Yes, I killed that bitch. No I don't regret killing her. I only regret that it was too quick."

"You may be my mate but you are also my squire. That means you wait until I give you orders to do otherwise."

"And give her the chance to manipulate you? I don't think so."

"The armor filters everything so even if she was using some sort of vocal hypnosis it wouldn't have worked. Beside, shifters are immune to mental control. At least outside of another shifter triggering heat."

"Did you see her scars?"

"Yes."

"I'm the one that made them. She was the one that triggered my shift into wolf form when she hurt someone I cared about. If she had figured out I was the one in armor she would have killed me. Would that have been a preferable outcome?"

I grabbed Wolf and pulled him close. "Had I known I'd have killed her myself. Nobody hurts my mate." I kissed him deeply as Alty jumped for the next system.

***

We didn't talk much at the next location. We landed, checked on the boy, Wolf said he had no potential to become a shifter, I picked up some supplies, and we took off again.

I set up a bed in the small cargo area for the twins so wolf and I could have our room back.

"How many children has Rider fathered?" Wolf asked. As we lay in bed.

"Fifty seven, maybe."

"Maybe?" Wolf asked in surprise.

I groaned. “ There is a chance Mal, Keb, both, or neither could be mine."

"Yours? You actually had sex with a woman?"

"No, it's complicated. I was young and stupid."

"They're what sixteen or seventeen?"

"Eighteen, but only by a month and a few days. Anyway Rider dragged me into a three some. What we didn't know was that the third guy was a plant to get us both into trouble. He'd been marked with a fertility mark allowing him to conceive and give birth even though he was fully male."

Wolf rolled over, grabbed my shoulders and looked directly into my eyes. "That's really possible?"

"It isn't often discussed, but yeah it is possible."

"Promise me if you decide to have children that way I will be the only one to carry them."

"I . . ." I considered carefully. Rider would never go through something like that and I didn't think Kyle would either. Normally I wouldn't make promises, but it was almost as though he was giving me a way out if I went with another option for conception. Honestly, however, Wolf really was the only one I could imagine having kids with. "Okay, if I decide to have any children, through magical conception methods, I promise it will only be with you."

"Really? When can we start?"

"So eager pup?"

"Well, Rider has a head start on us. So are we going to check all Rider's offspring?"

"That's the plan. I'll only continue to monitor the ones with the potential to shift. Basically you're going to lighten my work load. Any that have unlocked the ability to shift, but are too old to start training, if they are in a good situation we'll make contact and give them a way to reach us if things go bad. If they're in a bad situation we'll bring them with us to live with Kyle."

"And if they are in the right age range?"

"They won't have matured enough to shift. So we’ll monitor them until they do shift for the first time. Then we have some tough choices to make."

"What sort of choices?"

"Whether or not they have the potential to be a good emperor or not."

"We have to decide that?"

Final call will of course be Rider's but we can at least make sure the possible heirs are fit for the position."

"I think I'm mated to the two most powerful men in the galaxy."

I smiled soon he would be mated to three powerful men. "Well, this small corner of the galaxy at least."

"Silly tiger, the galaxy is a spiral so it doesn't have corners."

***

The next twelve, according to Wolf, didn't have any potential to shift either. Which was fine. We landed on one of the most remote planets I could find. It had reached the industrial phase but didn't have any space contact. Basically it was a lost colony. It also made it the perfect place to hide a potential heir.

"How are we going to even find him?" Wolf asked.

"Tracking implants in both him and his mother."

"His mother?"

"Believe it or not I'm not just kidnapping the potential heirs. When possible I relocate the family unit. In this case mother and son considering how abusive her first husband had been."

We'd dropped in at night and landed in a forest near where the family was currently living. They seemed to move around a lot. We'd waited until a couple hours after noon. About the time Peter would be coming home. I walked up and knocked on the door.

The woman that answered turned ghostly white "Please, don't take him. I don't know how you always find us. But please, please he's just started to fit in and he's actually made a friend. Don't take that away."

"I'm not planning on it. I'm just here to check on him. Rider isn't quite ready to begin training his heir. My squire here will be able to tell us if Peter is a potential heir, or if this is the last time you ever have to hear from us again."

The door swung open. "Mom, I'm home. Oh, and Jordan is with me. We're going to play . . . Oh!"

Wolf nudged me and nodded.

"Why don't you two go play in the back yard while I talk with these gentlemen."

It was like I'd just killed his beloved pet or something. The second child, Jordan, grabbed his hand and led him out of the room.

"Mind telling me what is going on with him?" I asked.

"He has problems connecting with others. It's why I'm so happy he's finally made a friend. We don't normally have strangers in the house, so he's likely thinking we're going to have to move again and he's going to lose his only friend."

"Are you having some sort of trouble?" Wolf asked.

“My husband and I witnessed some things we weren't supposed to and now we are being hunted."

I thought of the look on Peter's face. "I want a name. Primarily the one controlling the people hunting you. I'm going to negotiate a deal where they leave your family alone. However, it seems, I will be checking in on Peter from time to time. Wolf senses that he has the potential to become an heir."

"But-"

I held up my hand. "Let me finish. Peter is nearly too old so he would have to begin training immediately. I don't think that would be in his best interest or that of the Empire. Once we've dealt with your hunter problem we'll be back to give you a communications devise in case you or Peter-"

"Or Jordan, needs our help." Wolf interrupted, and finished for me.

"Thank you. I can't tell you how much this means to us."

"We'll be going. I'm sure you want to let Peter know that you're not moving and if things work out you'll never have to move again. Hopefully that will put a smile back on his face."

She quickly showed us to the door. Once outside Wolf turned to me. "Are you sure he's Rider's son? He looks like you."

I shuddered. "We shouldn't discuss this here."

"Are you going to take Peter away?" Jordan asked, as he was just coming around the corner of the house.

Not only did he share Wolf's true name but he looked like him as well. It was uncanny. "No. Actually we were here meeting with his mom in order to make it so that they don't have to leave."

"That's good. He's my only friend. Are you his father?"

Damn this kid was perceptive, perhaps magically so. "No, I'm . . ."

"Don't tell, but he's actually Peter's uncle."

"I meant you, since you're both-" Jordan clamped his hands over his mouth.

"They're both what, wolves?" I asked.

Jordan looked as stricken as Peter had earlier.

"It seems you both have gifts. Tell you what, you keep our secret and we'll keep yours, deal?" I asked holding my hand out.

"Deal, Mr. Tiger." He shook my hand.

I felt a little guilty. I'd made the deal just for that moment to collect a genetic sample. "You’d better get inside before Peter gets scared something happened to you. Plus we need to get going as well. It was nice meeting you Jordan."

"Nice meeting you too, Mr. Tiger and Mr. Wolf."

Once back on the ship I ran the tests. Jordan did have royal blood but several generation separated his lineage from ours.

"So, he didn't get the shifter attributes but he has my perception. That could be dangerous for him."

"Don't think badly of me but at first I was sure he was your son."

I said.

"If I didn't know it was impossible I'd have thought so as well. It was like . . . like."

"Like we just met ourselves as kids? I think we're going to keep a close Eye on them, though I don't want either of them anywhere near the Empire. I think it would ruin them. Now let’s go deal with their main problem."

"Negotiating or killing?"

"Both if we can't come to a mutual understanding."

***

While we waited for nightfall I had Alty tap into the planet's information system. It seemed like it wasn't a single organization causing problems for Peter's family. It was multiple small groups. It wasn't difficult, for Alty anyway, to back track the information to the most aggressive group. We'd meet with them first. Then see where things went.

It was just getting dark when we lifted off. Only to come to a dead stop when something hit the hull. "Alty, what was that?"

"Something hit us."

"No kidding. I could tell that much. However we're not in a flight zone are we?" I asked.

"We're barely at tree top level." He replied.

"Maybe something jumped from one of the trees onto us?" Wolf asked.

"I'm completely invisible there's no way anything would jump out into open air."

"Wait, you're invisible?" I asked.

"The Guardian didn't inform you? I have full cloaking abilities."

"We could see you when we returned." Wolf quickly pointed out.

"Your suits are connected to the system so of course they negate the cloak for you two. However, whatever hit us is still on the upper hull."

"I'll go check."

"Oh no you won't. If it is injured then I'm the best choice since I have medical knowledge." Wolf insisted.

I couldn't argue with that logic. Still I followed him to the hatch. A few seconds later he was back. "Prowl, you're not going to believe this. It seems we hit a gryphon."

It took my mind more than a few seconds to comprehend what he said.

"Help me here. Hold him as I lower him inside."

"Are you insane? You want to bring a highly dangerous creature onboard?"

His leg is broken as is one of his wings. If we don't treat him he's going to die and it's our fault."

"It's a wild beast!"

"A wild beast with a back pack and a communication device?"

I relented. "Lower him slowly." What came into view wasn't the legs of a gryphon. I'd inform Wolf of the difference later. I carefully lowered him to the deck. It was going to take both of us to carry him to the medical bay.

Once there Wolf got to work. Resetting and regenerating the bone in the hippogryph's leg and then starting on the wings. "Alty, do a scan on him. I haven't given him any painkiller and he hasn't reacted to any of the pain I must be causing." Wolf ordered.

"I have been scanning; however, other than generic injuries I can't tell you much because there is nothing like it in my data. Even what the Guardian provided lists this creature as mythological only with no real world equivalent."

"Wolf, are you about finished?" I asked noticing movement from the creature.

"Yes, but-"

"Get out of there now."

"Oh, what happened?" The hippogryph asked.

We were rather surprised he could speak. Wolf didn't miss a beat. “You collided with us. You're in a medical facility and I've repaired your broken bones. I suggest you avoid putting too much weight on that leg for a few days. And definitely no flying for a week or two."

"Who are you? I was flying so there is no way I hit you." He looked at himself and then seemed to blur then he looked human.

"You don’t have to hide. We already know you're a gryphon."

"Hippogryph! I'm not like those nasty creatures."

"Well that part of mythology seems to hold up." I murmured.

"Huh?" Wolf muttered glancing at me.

"Gryphons and Hippogryphs are sworn enemies. According to the myths horses are Gryphons preferred prey. However for a Hippogryph to be created a gryphon must mate with a horse. So not an ideal mating."

"So you know what I am and the doctor here smells of werewolf, so what are you? If you were human you'd be losing you mind right now."

Suddenly I understood Peter's problem. The ones chasing him must be werewolf packs. Given that I was looking at a man that had been a Hippogryph just minutes ago it made sense. With the royal blood pumping through him the packs could probably sense the potential power he would one day be able to call upon. I'd have to rethink my tactics. "Oh sorry, lost in thought there. I'm a tiger shifter. A weretiger if you will, but not tied to any special cycles like the full moon. Oh, and we're aliens. You're aboard our ship."

"Yeah, right." The Hyppogryph snorted.

"Okay believe what you want. I entered the med bay. "Here's your phone. I suggest you stop flying distracted from now on."

"I was able to extract his home location. I cannot land however."

"Alty, I just said he isn't going to be able to use his wing for some time." Wolf growled.

"Alty, can the Charger be cloaked?"

"Yes, but there is no room for passengers.”

“Take the weapon's systems offline. Our guest will take Wolf's seat while I drive. Just get us to the closest place you can set down."

"Tiger, I don't like this idea. However, it does seem like our only real option."

"If I'm allowed to ask, why are you on this planet?"

I considered for a moment before answering. "Your planet is at the edge of an Empire spanning a couple thousand worlds. We serve directly under the Emperor." Wolf snickered and even I couldn't help grinning. “About twelve years ago I place a royal heir and their mother on this world so they could have a normal childhood in case they weren't considered acceptable for being trained to become the next Emperor. Every few years I return to check on their progress. Honestly, until meeting you I believed your planet was populated, like the rest of the Empire by humans. Now I see this planet is special and needs to be protected. Once we return to the Empire I'm going to change your planet's status to quarantined. That should give you a few centuries before anyone, other than us, interfering."

"So there are a lot of humans but no one like me?"

"It seems that way, but it might just be that your kind has been able to hide. We probably still wouldn't know if you hadn't slammed into us." Wolf said, while grinning.

"Yeah, I get it. No more texting while flying."

Dropping him off went pretty smoothly. I had a couple of close calls on my way back to the Noir. Still drivers do tend to get out of the way when they are being chased by a high speed tank with a giant turret. Man I bet their local news was going to be interesting in the morning.

***

"I'm the one that needs to go this time." Wolf insisted.

We'd found the Wolf pack that had been hunting Peter. Well actually we found multiple packs gathered together.

"It's a full moon and they're werewolves. They're not going to listen to a tiger. I'm the best choice to go down there and negotiate. Or don't you trust me?"

I whined and Wolf laughed.

"That is a very un-tiger like noise."

"I trust you, but there are so many things that could go wrong."

"There are a lot more if you go. If you could cloak like Noir or the Charger . . ."

I activated the armor's cloak ability.

"I should have known. Fine, but you'll still have to be cloaked so I'm the one that'll be doing the negotiating."

"I'm just there to guard your back if one of them attacks you from behind."

"Is there a way I can see through your cloak? If I decide I need to fight I don't want to hit you by mistake."

"Armor has been adjusted. Each of you will now see cloaked objects and individuals as semi-transparent images." Alty informed us.

"Remember, no revealing yourself unless I really require help."

"I trust you, mate. Now please trust that I won't interfere unless really needed."

Alty dropped us in the closest empty clearing. Leaving us a ten minute walk to the gathering area. It seemed the wolves were having some sort of celebration over winning some competition, probably who was able to fetch the biggest stick. I considered chastising myself for being petty; but remembering how they were making Peter miserable I decided a few petty thoughts were warranted.

"So, I guess that means you're the one in charge?" Wolf asked the largest and oldest wolf.

"Sorry pup, I'm not looking to add an untested puppy to my pack. Especially one that has been hiding for this whole time rather than participating in the games."

"Oh, I'm not looking to join a pack. Honestly none of you could deal with my power. I'm here to tell you to leave the young man and his parents, you've all been hunting, alone. I get that you believe he is going to grow into a powerful individual and you want that power for yourself. However if you keep hunting him the way you are he is going to resent all packs, wolves, and likely hate himself to the point you'll all lose him."

The wolves started to close in, but I wasn't going to interfere at least not until asked. I did summon a blade just in case.

"I'm not saying that you should just give up. I'm asking that you just leave him alone until he is ready to join our build his own pack."

"Why under the moon's sacred light should any of us listen to an untested pup like you? I'd have given the signal to kill you for your impertinence; if it wasn't for the fact you obviously know where the one we're looking for is hidden. Of course that doesn't mean we're not going to torture the information out of you."

"You and what army?"

The Alpha laughed. "The one surrounding you."

"The first one to move against me will experience a very cold death. I'd rather not kill, but you have all been warned."

One of the wolves lunged he was stopped short by an ice spear impaling him to the ground. He howled in pain as he turned to ice. Wolf snapped his fingers and the frozen wolf shattered. "Like I said, a cold death and there is no chance of regenerating from that when the parts thaw."

God! Now I understood why the mage knights and the mage corps didn't want him. Wolf's ice magic was more powerful than any of them. He didn't even need an incantation. He just thought the magic into existence.

"So, are you going to listen now?" He asked.

"You're not one of us. You're a wizard in disguise. That means you have to die."

Wolf slammed his hand on the ground. "I didn't want to do this. Tiger, this one takes more concentration to pull off so, cover me."

I kept the cloak on but drew the blade. "I don't know if this blade features in your myths, legends, or stories but know; though you cannot see me I hold in my hand the Vorpal Blade. All it takes is a scratch and you lose your head."

A wolf charged at my Wolf. I swung, "Snicker Snak" was the only sound and then a thump as the lifeless body and head landed separately. Several of the older wolves backed away and I sheathed the blade to avoid any undo deaths, like my own.

I glanced at Wolf. He was quietly chanting, but a ring of metal had formed around him. At first I thought it was mercury since it was a liquid. I shuddered as I noticed the red glow from Wolf's hands He was simultaneously drawing the metal from the ground and liquefying it.

"I'm sure you thought I wouldn't be able to fight all of you, and as you have noticed I have an invisible friend protecting me. I offered you a perfectly good deal. You leave the boy alone until he is old enough to make his own choices or else. No I'll tell you what the or else is. As you can see I am a wolf with the ability to manipulate the elements. Probably the strongest wolf on this planet. I used my ground magic to extract the ring of metal floating around me and my fire magic to keep it in a liquid state. I'm sure you’ve mistaken it for mercury because of that. Sure that is dangerous in its own right. However what you're looking at is pure molten silver."

Many of the werewolves turned to flee only to discover the entire area was surrounded by a giant silver cage.

"No leaving now. You wouldn't want to miss out on any of the torture."

I had to admit even I was a little scared now. Wolf was genuinely angry. I'd never seen that before.

"This is what is going to happen. You are going to agree to leave the boy alone or all but one of you will die here. I expect the one random survivor, to inform any other packs stupid enough not to heed my warning that they will be exterminated as well, should be enough. Even if it leads to the extinction of werewolves."

"Even if we agree the other packs aren't going to-"

"With this many witnesses? I think you will be convincing."

"No. This is all just an illusion meant to trick us."

The alpha was instantly coated in silver.

"Not bad. Oh, I probably should let you breath though." There was a gasp and a long painful whine. "You're right. Too realistic let’s just fix that." Wolf ran his hand over the statue's genitals pushing and smoothing the area. Causing the whine to pitch higher. "I know that's probably a tight fit but don’t worry, I'm sure you regenerate at about the same rate the silver is burning away at you."

"Please, just kill me already." The silver statue begged.

I was surprised he was even able to form a coherent thought let alone talk. He was definitely one strong wolf.

"Why would I want to do that? If you can beg for release then you haven’t learned your lesson. Tell me do you regenerate as quickly inside? How about a silver butt plug to really work in the lesson I’m trying to teach?”

“Nooo. Please, no more.”

“Do you agree to my terms?" Wolf growled.

"I do, I'm the next ranking wolf, currently."

"I’m not asking you. You don’t have the authority, yet. I'm asking him."

"Yes! I agree! Just end it!"

The silver peeled away.

Wolf closed his eyes and pointed "Heal."

The alpha almost instantly regenerated. Wolf started to fall but I quickly steadied him. Healing wasn’t an elemental magic; just how powerful was my Wolf?

"Remember, on your honor as an alpha and under Luna's gaze you have agreed. I only wish . . . Love, get me out of here."

I helped him walk to the silver cage wall where he sent the metal back into the ground freeing everyone. Once in the tree line I lifted him and carried him the rest of the way back to Noir.

"You're scared of me now, just like the other knights, aren't you?" He asked.

"Alty take us into orbit and observe what happens with the wolf packs. Let me know if any of them break the agreement." I carried Wolf the rest of the way to our bed. "Love, you are my mate. I admit you are frighteningly powerful, but that doesn't change how I feel about you. The only thing that has changed is my thinking I need to protect you all the time. Sure you're still my squire, but you can obviously protect yourself as well or better than I can. Just don’t forget you are still my little puppy."

"I'm taller than you are."

"So? You like it when I say it, so that makes it true. Now let’s get some rest. That took a lot out of you."

"Never tried summoning that much metal before. Just wish we didn't have to kill."

"Shhh, it's okay. That's just a part of the lives we're living."

"Just wish I could get the old you back." he mumbled before falling asleep.

The old me? I shook my head I must have just misheard. Though that night I dreamed about living on the Guardian with Wolf and a lot of children.

***

Surprisingly the threats worked. Word was even being passed to smaller packs that the kid and his family were protected until he graduated. We hadn't made that stipulation but it would be about the same time he came of age in human terms. I doubted they realized shifters had double the human lifespan. Though we'd still have to keep an eye on Peter. It was only a matter of time before he became an actual werewolf and then we'd have to see how that infection reacted with his alien blood.

Despite Keb and Mal getting increasingly bored we continued the mission and found that there were fourteen possible heir candidates to continue keeping watch over. Then I set course for the world Emperor Kyle had hidden on.

The world was mostly a barren waste with no atmosphere in a binary system. However Kyle had discovered it in some ancient text about a research station. It seemed our progenitors had hollowed out a massive rift, sealed it, and pumped it full of atmosphere. It was well outside Imperial space and even if discovered no one would believe that anything could live on the rock.

"Dropping out of altered space now. Captain, we have a problem."

"I see it. The larger star has started feeding on the smaller. Project a safety window."

"Initial readings give you one month maximum."

"That should give us plenty of time to go in and extract Kyle, even if he does decide to over pack."

Wolf looked out at the suns and I could see the worry.

"There's plenty of time. I wouldn't risk your life."

He nodded and we headed in. It didn't take long to reach the research station. It almost seemed like the landing platform elevator took longer than the flight in.

"What if he doesn't believe us?" Wolf asked.

The pad finally stopped lowering and the lights outside the ship turned on.

"Captain, I need you to set up the exit vectors so that we'll be ready to depart as soon as possible." Alty insisted.

"Wolf, can you herd Mal and Keb? I know how much they want some time off the ship, but right now isn't a time or place to go exploring." I asked pointing out the window into the landing bay were the two were wandering around pushing things that might get them, and us, killed.

"Yeah, just don't take too long. I want to get Grandpa Kyle and get out of here." He insisted.

"Agreed."

Once I could see Wolf outside chastising Mal and Keb I broke the silence. "What's wrong Alty? We both know you don't need me to check anything."

"You have eleven standard days, maybe. The two stars are beginning to destabilize. Our exit time is reducing fast."

I didn't bother answering I just ran from the cockpit. I met up with the others outside in the vast garden leading to Kyle’s small house.

"Prowl! What are you doing here? Don't you know this place is going to be destroyed any day now?" Kyle yelled.

"That's why we're here. To get you out of here." Wolf yelled back.

"Who is this? Son, have you brought company?"

"I'm his squire and his mate." Wolf said, as we reached the porch.

Kyle gave a sniff. "That's interesting. You're also his brother and my son. And these two, Prowl I'd never have expected you to have twins. This changes things a bit. Come inside."

"We don't have much time." I insisted.

"I figured that much. Just come in."

We entered and found the house completely emptied. Kyle walked over and pushed an empty bookcase to one side revealing a glowing pink whirlpool of energy.

"It seems the ancients were doing a lot more experimenting than they ever let on. This portal leads to a world where the whole population is made up of anthro animals. I've been spending a lot of my time over there. I- I've sort of been elected their king."

"Forty eight hours." Alty whispered, from my armor comlink.

"Do you have the coordinates?"

"Well yes, but why-"

"Because I'm still the Emperor's knight errant. I can't just quit and I'm not going to just give up ever seeing one of my mates ever again."

"Rider?"

"Yeah, He got overly talkative during Wolf's heat."

"Oh, he spoiled all my fun." Kyle growled.

"Anyway I take it the portal is always open?"

"It's well hidden but it seems that way."

"Well, we have a little time we can check it out before evacuating." I lied.

"Okay I'll go first to make sure no one is around." He stepped through and the portal seemed to ripple for a few seconds before settling. Then it started to ripple again and a few seconds later he stepped back out. "Everything is clear, come on through." And back he went; followed closely by Mal and then Keb.

"Remember, just a quick look and then back to get Noir out of here. After you, my love." I did my best not to let my feelings show.

Wolf smiled and stepped through. As soon as the ripples stopped I used my light blade to slice through the frame of the portal destroying it. I hated lying to Wolf but at least I knew he would be safe. I ran back toward the Noir.

"Alty have cannons fully charged and be ready to blast out of the bay we’re leaving the instant I'm onboard."

"Where are the others?"

"Safe in another star system thanks to the ancients tech." I said, as I ran up the ramp. I was in the cockpit by the time the ramp was fully closed. "Blast the place open. I don't want to wait on this slow lift."

"Emergency depressurization, opening bay doors, lift starting up."

"Alty!"

"Bay doors are open preparing for hyperspace jump."

Everything seemed to stretch as we went directly into hyperspace and then everything snapped back into place.

"That was a short jump."

"From your perception perhaps."

"Meaning?”

“We've traveled back in time by two days. However I got an altered space trace on Wolf's armor. Unfortunately, at our highest safe speed it will take us two years to reach him."

"That implies there is a quicker way that isn't so safe." God, I didn’t want them waiting two years to know I survived.

"The Guardian equipped me with a system, which if it works, will allow you to fly the Noir through altered space without an established path. However it involves combining my program and your mind into a single entity until we've arrived at our destination."

"How long will it take to reach Wolf?"

"I'm unable to calculate it. Maybe an hour. For those observing us from the real world no time will pass."

"So if I do this I'll arrive two days before Wolf does?"

"Theoretically, yes."

"Then let's do it."

A panel in the ceiling slid open and a helmet with a multitude of wires lowered.

"Put the helmet on, and when you're ready say 'go for merge' and we'll begin the connection.

"Go for merge."

***

"I've done something stupid again, haven't I?" I asked, as I looked out the window on the blue and green planet below."

"Probably. How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure. There is a lot running through my head. I think I may have some of Mahan's information in there as well. It seems I survived the merge though."

"What is the last thing you remember?" Alty asked.

"Telling you to go for merge and then everything is a blur. Then we were here and I think some of The Guardian's memories were transferred from your mind into mine."

"What is your earliest memory?"

"Um, I think it was of my father telling me not to embarrass him in the Emperor's court on the day we were to be presented."

"Okay, that checks out." I could almost swear that Alty sounded disappointed with my answer. "I've located Kyle's tracking chip. He seems to be inside a large structure with a small village around it. I'll have to set down a ways out and you'll need to walk in. It is a pre-industrial society. They have reached Iron Age and a few places have even figured out how to make steel. You're not going to like it but I suggest a version of your knight armor. Also it seems to be a world of anthro animals so stick to your tiger form."

"Take us down while I go see if I can program my armor to look like knight's armor but still allow for movement and comfort.

***

I walked down the ramp. The armor probably didn't look as impressive but it would be good enough. Alty had chosen a rather level area and looking at it the first thing that came to mind was that it was an excellent location foe a smith's forge. I shook it off. It had to be something to do with that merge thing. My mind was hitting me with the most random ideas.

It was a short walk to the village entrance. All I could think was that it must be a rather peaceful place. There were no real fortifications just a wooden fence and a guard station, well more of a table with a scribe and a tarp cover to block the son and two guards standing at either side of the gate.

"Name?" the scribe asked sounding bored.

"Prowl."

"Reason for visit?"

"Meeting with the King." I answered.

"Proceed to the castle, the royal guard can deal with you there."

I couldn't believe how relaxed they were. As I walked my mind seemed to get worse. I could almost see a nonexistent sales ring next to a guild building. Somehow I knew if I walked over to it I'd find that it was a slavers guild. Finally I had to prop myself against a wall but the visions only got worse. The empty lot in front of me should have a bakery run by a pair of elderly mice.

"Sir, are you alright?"

I looked up at a young elephant. "N-no, I don't think I am. I need to speak with the Emperor."

"Emperor? Who's that? I don't think I've ever heard that name before."

"Oh, right he's King Kyle now."

"You know the King?" The elephant asked in surprise.

"Yes. I'm his Knight Errant."

"You're Lord Prowl-Ar! The king is always telling stories about you! I'll take you to him immediately. I'm Wren by the way. I'm just a squire trainee."

He nearly lifted me off my feet and he was only a kid. I shook my head as I had another vision. This time of Wren as a full grown and battle hardened bull Elephant with a giant war hammer.

"Today we're supposed to choose the weapon we think best suits us, but I just can't find one that I really connect with."

"Hammer." I mumbled.

"I- I'd rather not. I've refused to look at those because everyone already says I should go back to my father and become an apprentice smith."

"A war hammer is completely different. Go with the largest you can lift and train hard to progress to larger ones. I think you'll find your weapon for life." I said, though other than the vision I didn’t know why.

"Okay, I'll try. I'm sorry this is as far as I can go for now. Master Barkley, this is Lord Prowl-Ar, can you escort him to the king?"

I suppressed a laugh. Barkley was a breed of dog. Labrador is what popped into my mind.

"Black tiger with white stripes hard not to recognize that. Can you walk on your own?"

"Yeah, I think so." I stepped forward and then just kept going. It was like I'd been here before. The stone walls, the cobbled stairs. The broom closet next to the king's study. I knocked on the door and froze. How did I know that?

"Enter."

Sir Barkley had to open the door and push me inside.

"So much to get done. I'm going to have to go on a diplomatic mission tomorrow. Please inform the other guards that I will be away. Now what is your . . . Prowl? How did you get here?"

"I-"

"Sir Barkley, send to the kitchen for fruit juice. Lord Prowl-Ar doesn't drink wine. And perhaps something light to eat. He looks like He's suffered some sort of ordeal."

"Right away your highness."

"Okay, we're alone. Take it slow. How did you get here?" Kyle asked.

"Merged with Alty and traveled through altered space." I noticed he didn't react. Almost as if he completely understood. In two days we'll arrive at the planet where you are supposed to be."

"We?"

"My squire and two kids of royal heritage. The suns are destabilizing. I- I didn't say how fast. You suggested we visit this planet and we agreed, planning to return and escape on the ship. You went through and then returned telling us the way was clear. You went first, then the kids, and then my squire. I didn't follow. I destroyed the portal and ran for the Noir. Alty jumped us out, but because of the forming black hole we lost two days in hyperspace. That is, we traveled back in time two days. Alty had been able to get a general location from Wolf's tracer and using an experimental system I merged with Alty and jumped through another dimension to get here. However since landing I’ve been seeing things. Well it's more like I know things and I'm seeing things that don't or shouldn’t yet exist."

"Such as?"

I walked over to the bookshelf and removed a book. Then I removed a second book and put the first book in the second's place then the second in the first's place. There was a click and the bookshelf swung in revealing another room. This one with a bed instead of a giant planning table.

"Well that's convenient." Kyle said in surprise.

I stared at the bed. I knew it was really comfortable and I really wanted to sleep, but . . .

"You look exhausted. When was the last time you slept?"

"Um-"

"If you have to think about it it's been too long. Go ahead and get some rest. I'm sure you'll feel better after you sleep."

I yawned, "Yes, daddy."

"Good."

Kyle returned to the main room and carefully shut the door. As I was drifting off I was sure I could hear Rider, Wolf, Kyle, Mal, and Keb talking about me. But that had to be because of whatever I was experiencing since Rider was at the Imperial capital and the others were with me on the Noir at this time. Maybe that was it. I'd come back in time so technically I was in two places at the same time. Maybe I'd created a psychic feedback loop and I just needed to stay sane until the paradox passed.

***

I woke suddenly. Someone was sitting next to me stroking my fur. Only one person had dared do that. “Mmm, I guess I overslept if you’re here." I purred.

"Yeah, as soon as we were on this side of the portal Kyle informed us you were already here." Wolf replied.

"I'm sorry, I know I should have told you what I was planning. But I wanted to be sure everyone was safe. I know it was selfish and you have every right to be angry at me."

"Love, I'm not. Kyle told us the state you were in when you got here. He took Mal and Keb to the royal quarters to keep them hidden. I guess there are humans on this world, but they are extremely rare."

"You should have gone too."

"No. My place is here with my tiger."

I reached up and gently pulled him into a kiss. I was holding back tears. I'd put him through hell. No, I'd put all my mates through hell. I broke the kiss. "I'm sorry. I've been selfish when I should have been thinking of my mates. But I'm better now."

"You deserve a little selfishness, besides if you hadn’t rescued Alty, we wouldn't have a way back to Rider." He said, wiping away one of the tears that slipped out.

He didn't understand. I was better, well mostly. There was still the feeling of emptiness from where everyone had chosen their own paths, but it wasn't like I'd actually lost them. Still, it might be better to ease back into reality and continue as we were. For a little longer at least. I don't suppose the food Kyle promised, when I arrived, is any good since I've been sleeping for two days."

"I'll go find something, or make it myself."

He moved to get up but I grabbed his wrist. "Jordan, I love you. No matter what life hits us with I'll always love you."

"Love, I think that's the first time you've used my real name, I love you too. However I can't find my big tiger something to eat if you don't let me go."

I had to admit, with all the loss I was finally allowing myself to feel that stung a little. I smiled and let go though. Then I was alone again. I made my way to the private privy glad when I had the castle originally built I'd taken the trouble to install proper amenities. Then I returned to the private study.

"Mahan, full privacy mode please."

"Captain?"

It was strange, I'd never heard Mahan sound so timid or worried.

"Yeah, It's me. That little merge trick of yours worked. Just took my mind a while.”

"Can we keep that between us? Everyone overruled my suggestion of attempting to reboot your mind using merge."

"It worked. I take it you used the failsafe protocol to get around their orders?"

"Yes, plus it helped that you had actually woken up in VR."

"I was in a coma, again?"

"Yes. Up until the morning you woke up with wolf in the royal quarters."

”How many know?"

"Only a few. Snowie, Rekka, and Frost since they are keeping an eye on the kids while they attend school. Tank and Tuft, of course. Trace, Tye and Nature, but they seem to know everything. I swear they and Luca have some sort of monitoring devices on me, though I haven't been able to find anything."

"That's it?"

"Yes, your four oldest are busy with setting up the new colony and we felt it best not to disturb them. We've also been careful not to let Shock and Dash know. They'd want to return immediately and the Synths had insisted on a five year diplomatic posting to their colonies."

"So Luca knows?”

"It hasn't been easy keeping him on his colony. I think he really cares about you. Not the way you might be thinking, but more like a family member. I've had reports, and you know I have the colonies fully monitored, that Luca has been going days and sometimes even weeks without sex. He's trying to find a way to bring you out of the coma, or at least allow you to communicate with us."

"I take it you didn't tell him you could use the VR to do that?"

"And leave him with nothing to do but worry? I'm not that cruel, well to anyone other than you. So what are your plans now?"

"I'm going to continue the game. I- I'm going to try to stay in character, but it isn't easy when I look at Wolf."

"So why keep going?"

I bit the corner of my lip. "Because Kyle looks really hot as an older man and this is likely my best chance to enjoy the fantasy."

"And the whole incest with a father figure that you know loves you probably has some allure as well." Mahan laughed.

"Hey, I'm not the one that programmed this game but I'm certainly going to take advantage of it. Besides, I’m not sure I’m ready yet to deal with the whole empty ship thing just yet."

"Then I suggest you get back into bed. Wolf is coming with your breakfast. He made it himself with as many fresh ingredients as he could."

"We'll talk again soon. There is still some things I need to catch up on."

Wolf entered with a plate of food. "I hope this is good enough. The supplies and selection is rather primitive."

"I'm sure it's delicious. Anything has to be better than our ration bars. Not that you haven't performed miracles with them." I replied.

"Well, I thought I'd keep it light. It's a vegetable soup in a fresh bread bowl. And for afters I cut up a fresh fruit they had in the kitchen."

Was he kidding? Okay, the vegetable soup was a good idea, but that fruit was mango. I ate the soup and the bowl eyeing the evil yellow wedges. Where the hell had he gotten that? I'd made sure it couldn’t be generated and Mahan knew better than to allow fresh mango onboard. "That was good. I don't think I have room for anything else."

"Come on, just a little bite for your puppy?"

He asked giving me puppy eyes.

I picked up a wedge. God, was I actually going to do this? My character didn't have any problems with food. Hell, he didn't even know what a mango was. I bit down and started chewing, this was torture.

"Now swallow it down."

I couldn't do it. I sprang up, ran to the toilet and spit the mess out.

"Now we are even for that little stunt of yours." Wolf Laughed.

I turned to find him right behind me. "What?"

"Don't try to hide it. You might fool the others. However that loving little display earlier just proved you were back. Did you really think I'd confuse my big marshmallow tiger for the character I composed for you? So what was it that finally brought you back to us?"

I sighed. "Let’s go sit down."

"It hasn't been two days by the way. It was only a two hour nap."

"Yeah, I kind of figured it was something like that when I finally completely woke up. I sat, conveniently in the Kings seat. “I physically woke up the morning after your supposed heat."

"I know that. I'm asking about your mind."

”Well it started just after the merge with Alty. I really can't remember, but I'm pretty sure it was actually Mahan I merged with."

"Traitor." Mahan muttered.

"Yeah, he's just been waiting for his chance. Go on.”

“When I arrived here my prior memories from the House game were overlapping creating phantom hallucinations of buildings and people from the village. I also knew the full layout of the castle, including secret rooms."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"But the thing that snapped me back to reality was you stroking my fur. Of all our mates you're the only one that does that."

"I am?" Wolf asked in surprise.

"Yeah, Kyle and Rider run their claws through my fur sometimes but never just pet me. Everyone else prefers I pet them."

"Well, it's really soothing. I guess I never realized I was the only one that does that for you. So what are your plans now?"

"We continue along the storyline."

"Why?" Wolf asked, in surprise.

I grinned, “Because this is our chance to have some fun with Grandpa Kyle. And don't try to say you aren't excited about that."

"He's the one that chose to be the old man, but he does look damn sexy as one." Wolf giggled.

"So we continue on in our roles at least until after Keb and Mal's heat."

"You know they want to be full mates with us?"

"I know, and I kept putting off giving them an answer because of the kids. I mean it is rather obvious considering they still share our bed despite the fact we broke the curse a long time ago."

"So are they officially mates or not?"

"Of course they are. You, Kyle, Rider, Shock and Dash have made it clear that you accept them as such."

"True, and I know you don't think so, but yours is the opinion that counts, especially to them."

"I'll tell them just after they become our game mates."

"Good. Now I just want a little more proof you're really back."

I sighed and shifted to my bull form.

I heard purring and noticed Wolf had changed to his tiger form.

"That's my big daddy bull I've been craving."

***

We reached the royal quarters, eventually. Fortunately our armor did a good job of cleaning us up, but navigating all the hidden passages and avoiding the guards wasn't easy.

"Well, well, well. Look who finally woke up. Feeling any better?"

Kyle asked when we arrived.

"Yeah. At least I'm not hallucinating anymore. It's still strange though, I know every inch of this castle even though I've never been here before."

"A past life experience perhaps?" Wolf asked.

"I never considered such stories as anything other than over active imagination, but that's about the only explanation for it. Still don't know why I was seeing future stuff though."

"You arrived two days earlier than you should have. Maybe you bounced around in time instead of being warped backward by two days? If you had arrived in the future, say after we were all long gone, and you decided to find a way to travel back in time to be with us-"

Kyle pondered.

"Your Highness, please stop. You're making my head hurt again." I begged.

Kyle laughed. "Sorry. So what now? I'd really rather not go back to living alone and only seeing you once in a while."

"That was my main reason for going back for the Noir. You know I can't just stop being Rider's knight errant, but I didn't want to lose you either."

"You don't hate me? Even though I didn't tell you I was your real father?" Kyle asked.

I grinned, "No, in every way it counts you were my real father. Besides if I'd known I was Rider's equal I probably wouldn't have put up with as much as I did."

"You don't resent him do you?"

"Emperor Rider? Not in the least. Why would I? I got my freedom and he got stuck being emperor. I got the better deal in the end. Plus Wolf and I are the only ones that get to know you're still alive."

"That's something I don't understand. Why are you here instead of still Emperor since you're alive?" Wolf asked.

"Well, the average human lifespan is a hundred years. However those of us with royal blood that develop the ability to shift live about triple that. Of course living that long would upset the populace so we fake our deaths and go into hiding. Still if I'd realized I'd fathered someone as hot as you, my sexy wolf pup, I'd have stuck around a little longer."

"Hold it right there. He's my mate. Don't you go trying to seduce him. At least until I've properly knotted you outside of the heat." I growled.

"So I hadn't misheard that part. I'd spank Rider if I could for burdening you with-"

"He'd probably enjoy it. Besides it's only a burden until I can remember making you my mate. Rider said it's something you always wanted, but could never have."

Suddenly Wolf pushed Kyle back onto the bed. "Enough! I want Grandpa Kyle to mate with me while Daddy Tiger mates him."

"Grandpa? But I'm-"

"Shush, don't spoil it Grandpa Lion." I insisted. Despite having just been with Wolf shortly before in my bull form I was ready, really ready for round two. Still, I held back, helping to line Kyle up with Wolf's hole.

As he pusher in Kyle moaned. "Oooh, I feel someone’s already been frisky this morning."

"I bet you like that, don't you, you dirty old man." Wolf said, as he pinched Kyle’s nipples.

"Oh fuck!" Kyle yelled, as I pushed in. He rarely bottomed and when he did it was docking. I'm not sure what he was expecting but he seemed genuinely surprised. "Damn boy, you've gotten bigger." He growled.

“You’re not so small yourself, for a lion.” Wolf answered.

"I was a teen the last time you bottomed what did you expect daddy?" I asked.

"I certainly don't expect you to stop. Less talk and more action down there."

"Hey dad you're . . ." We all sort of froze at the sight of Keb and Mal looking at us. Keb grinned. "Daddy, can we join you?"

"Keb! That's not something you can just ask." Mal said, loudly.

"Why not we're old enough. And if what Alty told us is true this is how we learn to shift to anthro form."

I pulled out of Kyle. "Sorry Dad, it seems we'll have to continue this in a little bit."

"Don't be. It's always wonderful to be a part of a heat. The chemicals released make everyone extra horny. Wolf, it seems that Prowlar has chosen Keb so you stand behind Mal."

We took up position.

"Okay boys close your eyes, and it's real important to keep them shut. Now hold your arms out."

I gently took ahold of Keb's wrists while Kyle told Wolf to do the same with Mal.

"Now boys feel where your hands are placed. Feel the fur, the muscles, and the power. Good boys. Now let your mind wander and as it does see your ideal anthro self."

They both shifted, only this time I noticed the where the game injected them with a powerful aphrodisiac. I looked at the jackal's golden fur where the curse mark had been branded. Even though we'd broken the curse years ago I could still feel the link. How much he wanted me, his sadness that I'd never see him as a true mate, and above all how much he loved all of us. He's started grinding against me and I was starting to feel the effects of two extremely aroused shifters as well.

Wolf had maneuvered Mal in front of us and the two started kissing I pushed the two even closer and kissed my Wolf. Together we pushed in to our future mates. The pair of them made the sweetest moans. I reached down and found wolf was already helping them frot against each other. We linked fingers giving Keb and Mal a soft tunnel to slide through.

"Enough with just watching. I'm making you my mate as well puppy. Hear that Tiger? He's mine until you finish what you started."

His words made me thrust a bit more than I'd planned planting my knot which expanded rapidly. I was down to short thrusts and trying with all my might to hold back. I locked my fingers behind Keb's knot and he couldn't hold back. He let out a yell that likely alerted the whole castle. It also set off Mal and I noticed Wolf was down to short humps meaning he'd knotted the cat. Then he let out a howl as his eyes went wide.

“Surprise little Wolf, Grandpa has a knot too."

"Damn it Kyle. You were only supposed to watch this round. Now we all have to wait before we go again."

"Uh, what?"

The look on Kyle's face at Wolf breaking character was priceless. "We could- I mean . . ."

"Shift to human form so we don't have knots and then start all over? I don't think so. That's not fair to Keb and Mal. Plus it's this time, tied together, knowing that my mates love me enough to allow it is the best part." I leaned down and nibbled Keb's ear "You two don't have to pretend to be in heat. I meant what I said about you two being our mates. Now that I'm me again I can let you know that I've thought of you two as our mates for several years. It's just that I didn't realize how much both of you wanted it as well."

"So you're back? I mean really back?" Kyle asked.

"As much as I can be. I mean it still hurts if I think too much on everyone that has gone. But I still have all of you."

"Okay, I still need to know; what woke you up?" Kyle insisted.

I glanced at Wolf. He was the only one that could tell that what I was about to say wasn't exactly truthful.

"I fed him some mango." Wolf said, winking at me.

"I-" Kyle shook his head. "As stupid as that sounds, knowing our Tiger I can believe it."

"Well that was the last straw, but really it was merging with Alty to get here that really started it."

"Of course, Mahan found a way to do what he wanted, as usual." Kyle growled.

"It worked. I've got my Captain back and you've got your Tiger. Congratulations, now you can go back to having sex all the time. I swear he was easier to deal with when he was in a coma."

"So, does this mean the game is over?" Mal asked.

"Not at all. Kyle here has issued an ultimatum and I intend to hold up my end by filling up his. Besides, even though you don't have to pretend to be in heat I do know what the stuff Mahan pumped you full of can do. Just one small change. Computer pause game, keep the setting, and insert Rider to this location."

Rider, his front side covered in cum looked shocked. "How?"

"The chamber is good but it can't mask the smell of Sabretooth cum that well. Now get over here so I can clean up my little brother while giving daddy a good pounding."

"But we're still- Oh." Kyle said quietly.

"Yeah a lot of talking can do that." I rolled Kyle on his back and immediately pushed into him. "Threaten me will you." I wasn't able to say more as Rider stood in front of me encouraging me to start licking.

"Um daddy I mean Prowl-Ar, can I . . ." Mal asked moving behind me. I leaned into Rider and lifted my tail. Mal obviously got the message as he pushed in. I hadn't bottomed for him or Keb before. That was going to change.

"Ooh" Wolf moaned and as Rider turned to look I could see he was deep into Kyle’s throat while Keb was humping him. He had a blissful look on his face as he ran his hands through Kyle's graying chest fur. I went back to Rider's cock and started sucking. No way was I going to attempt to deep throat him with his barbs, but I was starting to wonder if Mahan had injected all of us because my mind was starting to race ahead to the next scenario.

***