Harmon cleared his throat delicately.“I see.Everyone in favor of Eva becoming your leader, please raise your hand.”
There were many more raised hands this time around.In fact, there were so many that Rex was pretty sure they didn’t need to count to know that most of the clan wanted Eva as their clan leader.A few people didn’t look happy about that, but they wouldn’t have a choice.The majority had spoken, and they’d spoken loudly.
“I believe that settles it,” Harmon said.“Unless someone else wants to volunteer?”He paused, but no one answered, so he turned to Eva.“Congratulations.”
She didn’t look happy, but then, Rex wouldn’t be happy if he were in her place, either.In fact, he’d be running out the door, never to be seen again.
He wasn’t made to be a leader of anything or anyone.The thought of so many responsibilities gave him the hives, and his reaction made him wonder how things would work with Harmon.His boyfriend was a clan leader.It was something he was proud of, and, more importantly, something he seemed to be good at.Being with him didn’t mean that Rex had to become an authority figure in the coven, especially since Harmon already had a second-in-command, but people would still look up at him.That made him uncomfortable, but not so uncomfortable that he wasn’t willing to deal with it.He was willing to deal with a lot when it came to Harmon, although he supposed that only time would tell how comfortable he’d be with all of it.
“You’ll be a great leader,” Merrick told Eva.“And now, I’m out of here.”He looked at their little group.“I’ll be out of this place in half an hour.If you’re not ready, I’m flying home.”
He didn’t wait for an answer.He turned around and strode away, ignoring the way half the people in the room were gaping at him while the other half looked like they wanted to kill him.He didn’t care what his old clan thought of him.He just wanted to go home, and Rex respected that because he felt the same way.
They’d done what they’d come to do.They’d found a new clan leader, hopefully one who wouldn’t attack the pack and who would lead the clan in a more peaceful time.They’d even solved a bonus murder.It was time for them to leave.
He took Harmon’s hand.Harmon blinked at him, looking surprised.He smiled, though, and Rex smiled back.“Ready to leave?”he asked.
“Definitely.”He turned toward Eva, even though Rex wanted to drag him out of the room.“Please let us know if you need anything or if anyone gives you too much trouble,” Harmon said, glancing in Jacob’s direction.
“I can take care of myself and of him,” Eva said.She lowered her voice.“As for Sarah, you don’t have to worry.I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
“Are you going to lock her up?”Rex asked because he was curious.
“Why should I?I can too easily imagine what would’ve happened if she hadn’t done what she did, and I have no intention of punishing her for protecting herself.You didn’t tell anyone here that she was responsible for Brian’s death, did you?”
Harmon shook his head.“Merrick just mentioned that we knew who it was.”
“I’ll decide if the coven needs to know, then.As far as I’m concerned, it’s none of their business.”
Rex already liked her, and he hoped she’d succeed as clan leader.He was relieved they were already able to leave.He’d expected this to take a while, maybe a week, maybe more, but instead, they’d only been here one night.It had been enough for someone to try killing Harmon, but Rex was trying not to think about that.
Instead, as their group left the dining hall to give the dragons the chance to celebrate, he thought about what would come next for him and Harmon.They’d have time to talk now that this mess was over, and it was as exciting as it was terrifying.
Rex had never had a lot of hope for his future.He’d known he’d live a long time, but as he watched his siblings and his father find love, he’d expected to end up alone.For a while, he had been.
Not anymore.He had Harmon now.Maybe he should give himself time to think, but in the end, this was the easiest decision he’d ever made in his life.
He wasn’t willing to give Harmon up.
* * * *
HARMON WAS HAPPY THISmess was over and even happier that they’d found a good leader for the dragons.Hopefully, that meant they wouldn’t bother anyone for a long while.They needed to get their shit together, and with Eva, they could.
“You think he’d really leave us here and fly home?”Mallory asked as their group walked down the hallway.
They had to return to their rooms to pack the few things they’d brought with them.Harmon was surprised that they’d managed to do this in such a short time.He’d expected it to take days, but Brian’s death had put things into motion, and Harmon was glad.As much as he hated what Sarah had gone through, the world was a better place without Brian in it, and they wouldn’t have met Eva if this hadn’t happened.They’d still be talking to Jacob and other people who might be good clan leaders.
Harmon snorted.“Oh, he definitely would.He didn’t want to come.The only reason he did was that Alpin threatened to, and Merrick didn’t want him to put himself in danger.”
“No one was in danger,” Mallory said.
“I beg to differ,” Rex said.“Harmon was attacked.”
“By a terrified teenager.He was never in real danger.”
“Sarah might be a teenager, but she’s a dragon shifter.She could’ve really hurt Harmon if she’d shifted.”
“I don’t think she ever wanted to hurt me,” Harmon said.He didn’t need the brothers to bicker over what happened.In fact, he wished that he and Rex could forget about it.There was no reason for them to continue thinking about what Sarah had done.
