“You’re welcome. King Krispin said it was important—” James started.
“James, Lydia, what are you doing outside?” A small woman asked.
“Aunt Toni, we didn’t mean to wake you. We’re just greeting some guests. They’re here from the Dragon King,” James said, whispering the last part.
Aunt Toni’s eyes rounded, and her mouth formed the shape of an ‘o.’ I smiled at her expression, and Aaran laughed aloud. James turned back to us.
“Angus, Aaran, this is my Aunt Toni. She, my uncle, and my cousin are staying here,” he said, his eyes hardening as he spoke.
I wondered why his eyes would harden. Was it something about his cousin, or was it the fact that they were staying here?
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. I apologize for the late hour and for waking you,” I said formally. Toni smiled and nodded her head.
“Why don’t we go inside, and you can tell me why you came. I have some tea ready,” James said.
We followed James, his wife, and his aunt into the home. As soon as we entered, my dragon came alive. I smelled roses. The aroma filled my body. I closed my eyes and groaned, my cock hardening at the scent.
A slap on my arm brought me out of my trance. I looked up to see the shocked faces of our guests and Aaran.
“He’s here,” I said, and Aaran’s eyes widened.
“Who’s here? What is going on?” James asked. His alpha power was ready to intercept a threat.
I swallowed and regained my composure. “The reason we’re here is to find someone. More specifically, my mate.”
James’s eyes widened for a moment. He turned and looked at his own mate. They appeared to be having a silent conversation, and I wondered if bonded wolves had a mind link like dragons did. That would allow them to speak telepathically.
“Aunt Toni, would you get Uncle Danny?” James asked. She looked at him for a moment and nodded.
“Please sit down. I know who you’re looking for,” James said. I began to speak, but he raised his hand and continued. “We need to talk first.”
Aunt Toni and another man entered the room as we took our seats. They joined us at the table. Lydia poured us all tea and took her seat. My dragon was getting agitated. From the firm line on James’s face, I wouldn’t like what he had to say.
“This is my Uncle Danny,” James said. I nodded at the man in acknowledgment. James was taking too long; I was getting ready to tear through the house to find my mate.
“They have a son named Embry—” he started to say.
“Why are you telling them about Embry? Who are these men?” his uncle interrupted, glaring at James.
“Uncle Danny, please.” James turned his gaze to me. “Describe your mate,” he said.
I closed my eyes and pictured the angel in my mind. “He’s small, only about five-three or four, has olive skin, raven-black hair, and the most beautiful light-blue eyes,” I replied.
James’s aunt and uncle inhaled sharply, and I stared at them.
“Is that Embry? Is my mate your son?” I asked.
They weren’t the ones to answer; James did. “Yes, that’s Embry. Three days ago, he told me he’d seen his mate, but he’d run.” He paused for a moment and appeared to be collecting his thoughts.
Tears streamed down the faces of Embry’s parents. I thought the worst.
“What happened?” I demanded.
“Embry is an omega wolf. He’s smaller and physically weaker than others in the pack. He has always feared large men. He’s been getting bullied for a while, and we didn’t know it. We thought he was just shy.” He looked at me, pleading with his eyes that I would understand.
“What happened to my mate? I don’t think I’ll be able to hold my dragon at bay much longer. Please, just tell me.”
“That day he ran from you, he was cornered by the men who’d been bullying him. They punched him in the stomach. I stopped it from going any further. Embry shifted into his wolf and took off,” James said.
