I raised my head. In the room were not only James, but Lydia and two identical versions of Angus. My face must have shownconfusion at seeing them. Obviously, they were his brothers, and they were identical.Are there more? Last time I just saw one extra, I wondered.
“He’s Addison, and he’s Aaran. Yes, you’re seeing triple. I’m the oldest of identical triplets,” Angus said, answering my unspoken questions.
“You’re only older by three minutes,” Aaran said.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. It took a lot of my magic to heal you,” Addison said.
His magic? “Your m-magic?” I asked, voicing my question.
“That’s how you were healed so quickly. My brother is a purple dragon. They have healing magic. He used it on you,” Angus explained.
I looked at Addison. “Thank you. I thought I was g-going to die.”
Addison smiled, tipping his head in acknowledgment.
“Em, do you know who did this to you? We couldn’t pick up the scent,” James said.
I tensed. Tom’s cruel face flashed in my mind. I squeezed my eyes tight. I didn’t want to think of him.
“Easy, Angel, it’s okay. No one will hurt you again. I promise I will always protect you,” Angus vowed.
My mom, who was sitting on the bed beside me, rose to her feet, allowing Angus to take her place. He leaned in, picked me up, and enveloped me in his massive arms. I felt loved and safe.
I believed him. He would protect me.
The Dragon’s Promise
Angus
Iloved holding my mate. His body molded perfectly in my arms. How could anyone hurt him? Embry was sweet and soft-spoken. He was shy and had a stutter, but his voice was beautiful. I grinned, thinking of how he’d touched my hand. I was never one for hand-holding, but it felt good to hold his. I felt at peace. Even my dragon settled for the first time in weeks.
“It’s okay, Angel,” I said, still soothing Embry.
I had felt his fear as James asked who had hurt him. I had a feeling he not only knew who the person was, but was terrified of them. Whoever it was had better have their affairs in order. For what they’d done to my mate, they were living on borrowed time.
I felt him relax and snuggle against my chest. “Tom,” he whispered.
James growled low. He’d heard the soft word.
Who is Tom? That doesn’t matter. Tom is a dead man, I thought.
“Were Rick and Chad a part of it, too?” James asked.
I felt Embry shake his head. “No, j-just Tom. He g-grabbed me when I was walking to Haventon’s and slammed me against the w-wall next to Mike’s Diner. He told me I’d caused him to lose his status in the pack, and Rick and Chad weren’t talking to him. Then he—”
Embry burst into sobs against my chest, cutting off further explanations.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” I said, closing my arms tighter around his tiny frame.
Our embracing was the only reason my dragon hadn’t taken control and started hunting the one who had hurt our mate. As it was, he was pacing in my mind, and if I could have breathed fire, I’d have smoke coming from my nose. My brothers, on the other hand, were a different story. I heard them rumble deep and saw their scales form. They wanted justice for Embry.
Embry’s dad and James also growled low, but they were holding back, likely not wanting to upset Embry further. James pulled out his phone. “Brian, I need you and Jackson to pick up Tom and bring him to me,” he growled into it.
“Yes, Alpha,” I heard come through the line.
James disconnected and looked at me. The room remained silent. I knew what James was asking. I subtly nodded.Yes, I would enact retribution. Tom would die at my hand.
A tiny rumble from Embry’s stomach broke the silence. His face reddened in embarrassment as he raised his head from my chest. The sheepish grin he wore, and his mussed hair, couldn’t stop my chuckle. He was so adorable, and it made my heart soar.
