"Father decided the best way to stop you from your roving ways was to facilitate a mating. He promised you to Lord Finnley of the Bracara circle," he rushed out.
"No fucking way!" I yelled.
''Da was okay with that? Forcing me to mate someone I dunna even know." My brogue was becoming more pronounced as the anger surged through me.
Angus cringed. "I dunna think Da knows."
Of all the crazy things my father had done over the years, this took the cake. I loved my father, but he truly was the "lord of the manor" type. He liked to make decrees and expected everyone to follow his commands. It was one reason I was hardly ever home.
I was livid. My dragon was angry too, and he wanted to kick our sire's ass. I looked at Devin, and I saw my rage mirrored on my mate's face. His eyes had turned blood red, and his hands transformed into vampire claws. He seemed to grow before my very eyes. His vampire nature exploded to the surface.
"What the fuck is it with you dragons, thinking you can force a mating?" he hissed through his fangs, obviously not forgetting what Krispin had said yesterday.
Aaran went to speak, but Devin wasn't finished.
“Roarke is mine! I will kill any who dare think to threaten my claim. So, tell your father to fuck off!" he exclaimed as he turned and stormed out of the room.
I had a feeling that if he had stayed, he would have taken off my brothers' heads. I turned to my brothers; their eyes were round with shock.
"I think my mate said it clearly. I'll be calling Da, and you three will be going home empty-handed," I said, standing up and following my mate.
Hormonal?
Roarke
Imade my way up the stairs in search of Devin. I could feel his anger flowing through our bond, and I needed to get to him. As I ascended, I thought of what my father had done. I still couldn't believe he would try to arrange a mating just so I'd stay closer to the circle. It made little sense. I knew my da was going to be pissed. He might be the one worrying about me and wanting me close to home, but he would want me happy. He’d always wanted me happy.
I entered our room and saw Devin pacing in front of the window, muttering to himself. I couldn't tell what he was saying, but I didn't think it was very flattering to my father.
"Devin, love, it's going to be okay. I'm not going anywhere, and no one is going to take me away from you," I said, walking up to him and wrapping him in my arms.
“I can’t lose you, Roarke. I just came to terms with everything, and the very next day it’s threatened,” he said, emotion filling his voice.
“I’m not going anywhere, Devin. I’m yours. No one—not my father, not my brothers—no one is going to take me from you,” I vowed.
I felt his anger and rage leave him instantly. He sighed and just hugged me back.
"I don't know what came over me. Never in my life have I been so enraged, and I've been pretty pissed in my over three hundred years," he mumbled into my chest.
"I was furious too. Perhaps it was the combination of both of us being angry and the anger flowing through our bond," I said.
A thought popped in my head. I immediately attempted to block it from Devin, but I knew I was unsuccessful by his stiffening in my arms.
"I am not hormonal!" he growled, smacking my chest.
"I didn't say you were hormonal. It was just a passing thought that maybe the pregnancy could also cause you to be so angry. Nothing about being hormonal," I blurted.
He sighed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it's the bond, or maybe it's the pregnancy, but the fact remains your brothers are lucky they’re still breathing. I know your one brother was going to say something stupid."
"Yes, Aaran definitely looked like he was going to say something dumb. He was always closest to my father. With him being older and of the Red caste too, my father always looked on him as his successor. That meant my father could do no wrong in Aaran's eyes," I explained.
"Well, I can tell you. Your father has done something wrong, stupid even. What are we going to do?" he asked.
I thought about it for a moment before responding.
"I think we should take a trip to Scotland. My da will be happy for me and will be thrilled to meet you. This way, we can get the meeting the parents out of the way and deal with my father's stupidity."
"Ugh. I was going to say to just call your parents, but I think you may be right. This is something best done in person. Also, you still need to tell them about your new lineage," Devin said.
