It’s the only reason I’m here.
Stepping fully into the cave, I jerk a chin to my brothers and lead the way down the dark cavern. Lanterns come on as we make our way deeper into the depths of the mountain. This was my home growing up. I knew it like the back of my hand. Where others lived in houses, I lived in a cave. It served a purpose for both my parents. From the different familiar scents hitting my nostrils, I knew they were both here.
But there was also the scent of others. My father’s family. My mother’s father.
Great.
It was going to be a full-blown family reunion.
I haven’t seen any of them in a long damn time. It’s been more years than I can count. Definitely more than forty years. Well, my parents, it’s probably been more like ten or eleven. I do my best never to come here, but the folks seem to think they need to see meevery so often. Mostly when my mother wants something.
Hearing them all shouting, I try to make out what the fighting’s about, but with the echoing of the cave walls, it’s hard to decipher.
With a signal to my brothers, I finish the rest of the walk, and step into the deep middle of the mountain where it seems my family has missed that they have company.
“Guess I’m interrupting some heated shit here,” I boom loud enough to break through whatever the hell they’re fighting about.
My mother’s head whips around, eyes narrowing. “Magnus.”
“What are you doin’ here, son?” my father asks, watching me closely. The last time I’d seen him, I’d given him the scar that cuts through his eyebrow, down his cheek.
“Magnus,” my grandmother shouts, seeming pleased to see me. She’s the only one who ever does. “Who are these men with you?”
“We’re in town for club business,” I tell them all, ignoring both grandfathers. I turn my attention to my mother. “We need to talk with you.”
My mother steps forward, as her mate, so does my father. They might not like each other, but the man still protects her.
“What?”
“You gave safe passage to hide in these mountains to a group of blood suckers that have a woman with them.”
“Yes, I’m aware.” Mother nods. “What does it have to do with you?”
“The woman belongs to the club, Esme,” Heat speaks up, coming to stand at my side, calling my mother by her name. Something I haven’t done yet. “They kidnapped her months ago, and we’ve been looking for them.”
“And you want me to tell you which cave they’re in?” my mother asks, cocking her head slightly. “Why would I tell you?”
Here we go. There’s a price for everything to be paid when it comes to Esme.
Sighing, I shake my head and get the rest out. To get what I want, I’ve got to play the game. “Look, Mother, that’s not the only reason we’re here.”
“Oh, and what is the other reason?”
“I’ve been challenged at the high peak of this mountain.”
“What?” my grandmother gasps.
Both grandfathers curse.
“You’re the one hechallenged?” my father demands, harshly sounding outraged, which weirds me out since he’s never seemed that way regardingme. “You’re the one with the dragon-marked mate?”
“You know this dragon?” I cock a brow, watching them all closely.
“Your mate is dragon marked?” my grandmother claps gleefully.
“My mate is, yes,” I confirm through gritted teeth as I look at my mother. “You’ve allowed this to take place here, and I know what you casted when I’m here. I need you to lift it so that I’m not fuckin’ hindered by it when it comes time for the challenge today.”
“Why would I do that?” And there’s the bitch in the woman who birthed me.
