Page 115 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

The five of them stare at me, their expressions morphing from flaming embarrassment to amusement.

“I am a male alter living in a female body. This means things are different for me. I like to pretend I can’t feel the femaleness of this body, but further, I am asexual. I don’t want your cocks, I don’t want your kisses. When I am present, there will be no sex. Ever!” I snarl.

They stare, and I can feel them pulling away.

“How is that going to work? It’s not like we control when you come out.”

“No, and that’s why we are setting ground rules,” I snap. “They will not do that to me anymore, but there will be times when I want to come out, and I don’t want to be manhandled or kissed or touched.”

“What do you want out of life?” Roseland asks calmly. “You set the rules, Jay, we will follow them.”

I stare at Roseland and answer before I can think it through. “Family. I want a family and a safe place to do things I like doing. No sex.”

“Okay, so you are, like, the alpha version?” Rolly asks as he slumps down, crossing his arms over his chest.

I stare at them. “What?”

“You smell like a male alpha,” Roseland says. “It’s faint, but it’s there. You do not smell like an omega at all.”

I blink, confused. “Is that possible?”

“You’re asking us?” Rolly says and looks around. “I think you get to just make it up however it feels right.”

“Do any of the other alters smell different?” I ask curiously.

Roseland nods again. “Raven is a beta.”

I blink hard. “Beg pardon?”

“Raven has the scent of a beta. She has no omega scent or alpha scent.”

We’re all looking at Roseland.

“She spoke to me briefly at the Sanderson’s, I caught her scent there.”

I shake my head, trying to shove it all off. He’s lying, but it makes sense. Raven is the only one of us who can truly disappear.

“While we are talking ground rules, we need to talk about Dove,” I say suddenly, breaking into the silence.

Again, Roseland’s face closes off, and I get the impression he knows more than he’s saying.

The rest of the alphas sit to attention, listening intently.

“Dove is very innocent. She is about eight years old. Treat her as you would one of your children or a sibling. Be gentle with her. Don’t do scary shit. And don’t worry, no one is going to let her out while you are doing that crap,” I snarl. “She needs specific triggers or an invitation to come out.”

I pause, glaring at them all.

“Keep her safe. If you feel anything for any of us, you keep Dove safe above all else.”

“And Raptor? When will we meet her properly?”

I smile, but it’s not a friendly smile. “When she wants to meet you, and not a moment beforehand.”

Blaze glares at me. I glare back, not at all cowed by the alpha.

“Interesting and fun,” Rolly purrs and bounces up. “So, Jay?”

I narrow my eyes, wondering if he’s going to say something that is going to piss me off.