“You said something?” Sarai asked.
“No, I was just saying that I am so hungry.”
“Oh. Dinner is ready. Come inside.” They all strode into the house and settled around the dinner table.
“Oh my gosh, Mickey! He is so gorgeous and sexy. I must say, I’m jealous,” Sarai whispered in Mickey’s ear.
“Shut up, Sarai.” Mickey narrowed her eyes.
They were sitting at the table with their plates empty and the food simmering on the stove behind them. Sarai had been indulging in wine a little bit too much in a desperate attempt to drown the anger boiling up inside of her as Alistair was not there yet.
“I’m sorry Stephan; Alistair is little late today. I don’t know why he does this, I guess something important came up at the last minute, but he promised to be here. In the meantime, I don’t see any reason why we can’t continue over a couple of glasses of wine.” She was about to pour a liberal amount into her glass when her best friend took exception and gave her a glaring expression of disapproval.
Mickey placed her hand over Sarai’s glass. “We have all evening. He will be here, and you know how important you are to him. Just because he doesn’t know how to express it verbally doesn’t mean that he doesn’t do it in other ways.” She grabbed the bottle from her hands and placed it in the center of the table.
As Stephan looked at his phone, he could smell someone of the same creed around.It could be danger,Stephan thought, but he decided to keep silent as he didn’t want to scare either of the girls unless it was required. The smell grew stronger, and Stephan was more alert.
There was a commotion; dogs were barking as Alistair walked in. He dropped the umbrella by the door and stepped into the dining room, nervous about his company feeling annoyed with his lateness. He was relieved to be greeted with smiles from all three of them instead of outright disgust.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. It appears my wife has been keeping you entertained. Let me do the honors of serving. It seems only fair since you have gone to all of this trouble to make this meal. We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Alistair,” he offered his hand to the stranger and they stared at one another, instantly coming to the same conclusion.
Stephan was understandably shaken by the revelation he was in the presence of someone of like mind and body. And not just shifters, but Elite dragon shifters. They took the time to assess one another, to get a better understanding of what they were dealing with. They both sniffed the air, marking their territory with a very powerful scent.
Mickey jumped up to help with the food, brushing past Alistair on her way into the kitchen. She carefully ladled each portion with fresh vegetables and a lobster tail smothered in garlic butter. The plates were adorned tastefully with colorful edible flowers they had picked especially for dinner. She turned and almost bumped into Alistair.
They exchanged glances and smiled at each other before they joined their party at the table. Stephan and Sarai were talking, and Sarai was trying to make Stephan laugh by cracking jokes. They sat down and the conversation came to an abrupt halt. Nobody could say anything when they were immersed in the meal. They savored every bite and didn’t come up for air until their plates were empty. It was a testament to both women and their ability to make something to whet their appetite.
When they finished, Alistair said, “I would say for a first meeting this has gone extremely well.” Everyone smiled.
"Can you show me the house, Alistair? It looks unique and traditional. It reminds me of something,” Stephan requested.
“Sure Stephan, come with me.” Both girls followed them. “What you see around you is the product of many years of hard work of my father, George. He has been instrumental in giving me the tools to take the family business in a new direction,” Alistair was about to continue when he saw a change in his guest’s demeanor.
Stephan hated that name, George, and now he wanted to know who Alistair was referring to. “I apologize for interrupting you, Alistair. I know it’s in bad taste, but I need something clarified.” Stephan asked trying to control the waves of anger formulating in him.
“Yes, sure Stephan. What is it?”
“This George, you’re talking about makes me curious. Do you know Dale and King James?”
Alistair’s eyes widened with shock when Stephan mentioned Dale and James.He recognizes their names. Mickey and Sarai looked at each other trying to understand.
“How do you know these names?” Alistair queried but was conscious to keep his voice low and unthreatening.
“They were your father’s brothers, right?” Stephan’s temper was flaring and he got up to pace the floor, wondering if it was possible.
“What’s happening, Stephan? Are you all right? Do you know Alistair’s father?” Mickey asked as she saw him fuming with anger in very unnatural way. He had always been a cool and calm gentleman. But Stephan wasn’t listening to what Mickey said.
“Yes.” Stephan went into a rage feeling this build up in his stomach until he was letting his emotions take over. Alistair was the bastard son of his father’s brother George. They were responsible for killing his parents and brother. Now he was not going to wait for anything. His clothes ripped right off of his body as he morphed and showed his true nature. His dragon had fire in his eyes for revenge against those that had harmed his family. His wings spanned the room and swept the dishes off the table, sending them crashing unceremoniously to the floor, bits of food and glass flying everywhere.
Mickey’s jaw dropped in shock when she witnessed all this. She didn’t know what she should do.
Alistair jumped back, feeling that familiar twitch of transformation underneath the skin. “I don’t know why you’re getting bent out of shape. We don’t have to be at odds. Let’s take this outside where we can settle this like male dragons, if that’s what you want. I don’t think it’s necessary to destroy everything I’ve built for my family. Some of these things are treasured family heirlooms, priceless in my eyes.” He motioned for him to leave through the balcony doors and joined him until they were in flight, spewing fire at one another.
A battle ensued with each one injured, but nothing fatal. First blood was from the razor tips of Alistair’s wings. He was smug but it was short-lived. Stephan turned the tables in his favor. He feigned right when he turned left to catch Alistair by surprise, bringing him down to the ground with a resounding thud. The earth shook and they continued to fight unaware of the two girls rushing out in a mad panic to stop them.
“Stop! Stephan, please stop!” Mickey shouted.
They transformed back into their human forms, Stephan’s hands wrapped around Alistair’s throat. “I will make sure that your family pays for what they did to my family. I will gladly sever your head from your shoulders and make you realize your mistake. This has been a long time coming.”
