Watching his brother, Mason’s eyes narrowed. Trying to figure out what was driving his brother’s obsession with perfection. “Quin,” he said softly, “come here.”
Shaking his head, Quin kept his eyes lowered, unwilling to let his brother see his tears or reveal his fears as he continued straightening the things on his nightstand. Suddenly, he felt his brother’s arms turning him around before wrapping him in a hug.
“Honey, everything will be all right,” Mason crooned.
“But what if they don’t like me?” mumbled Quin.
“Not like you? Of course they will…how can they not?”
“What if they make fun of me?” Quin asked, his voice trembling.
“We’ll beat them up before we leave, I promise. You know Hunt will never let that happen.”
“What if they do it behind Hunt’s back, you know, like the kids in the pack did?” asked Quin.
“Then you tell me, okay and we’ll leave. Quin, honey, if anything happens that causes you to be uncomfortable, if someone says something that hurts you, promise you’ll tell me.”
“But what about Mom’s request?” asked Quin.
“What about it? We’re doing what she wanted but we don’t have to stay the whole two weeks if our cousins are mean to you. Fuck them. We’ll leave and have some fun on the way home. Would you like to stop in Vegas?”
Nodding, Quin raised his face, excitement chasing his tears away. “I’d love that…so many shows I want to see…I’ve been practicing my lip syncing and maybe we can find a place where I can show you how good I’ve become.”
“Sounds perfect. In the meantime, I don’t want you to worry about what might happen in California. Instead, why don’t we organize this mess?”
“Okay.” Dashing the last of his tears away, Quin smiled at Mason. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Mason grinned. “Now tell me what I can do to help you sort this out.”
~/~/~/~/~
Even though Reif joked about what the Oracle was going to tell them, deep down he was nervous as hell. For the hundredth time, he wished he’d confided in his father when he discovered his Fated Mate. If for no other reason, just to find out how sea dragons mated so he could’ve prevented the pregnancy.No…that’s not right…I wantmy babies…all five of them.
Sitting next to Brian on the sofa in Logan and Kieran’s suite, Reif hoped this wouldn’t take long; there were other things needing his attention—like keeping his mate safe while he hunted for the green diamond. After what happened in the pool, he was sure Kieran would help him since they were now friends. The only concern he had was how his mate would feel about Reif’s plan.But first theOracle. Damn.Just the thought of her ratcheted up his worries again. Glancing sideways at Nessie, his tension eased when he saw how relaxed his mate was.Maybe I’m making this into a biggerdeal than it is.Hearing the door open, Reif’s gaze shifted, eager to see an Oracle in person.
“Hi, Oracle,” Kieran said, “Reif and Brian are waiting for you in the living room. Ian just finished examining Reif’s sea dragon and they are going to be parents of five adorable little Nessies. Isn’t that wonderful? Five babies at once. I can’t imagine what that will be like but I’mbetting they’ll need some help. Oh, they should have the babies in California because then all of us can help and I know Daniel, Jake, and Jessica will love having more playmates. Of course, they will need a pool but I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”
Listening, Reif groaned inwardly. If Kieran kept this up, every shifter in Scotland would know about him being a pregnant sea dragon—including the man—and that would not be a good thing. As Kieran came into view, Reif stood, getting his first look at a real Oracle.Holy fuck! She was stunningly beautiful with a smooth face and long silver hair falling in layers around her face, highlighting her sculptured cheekbones and soft lips. Her ice-green eyes were like lasers that latched on to him instantly as she glided toward him.
Bowing his head, Reif said, “It’s an honor to meet you, Oracle.”
Oracle’s light musical laugh floated through the room. “Oh no, Reif, the honor is all mine. And Brian, I am so glad to finally meet the famous sea serpent.”
“Thank ye,” Brian murmured.
Sitting down in the club chair opposite them, Oracle said, “My message from the Fates is for Reif alone.” Holding up her hand to stop any objections, she continued, “However, it is up to you as to who else is present.”
Holding Brian’s hand as they sat down, Reif said, “I want Nessie to be with me.” Then glancing over to Kieran, he continued, “And Kieran and his mate.”
Nodding, Oracle began, “Reif, the Fates send their greetings to you along with their congratulations on finding your Fated Mate. You are the first sea dragon in a thousand years to do so.”
“I don’t understand. The Fates stopped giving us mates a thousand years ago so why the hoopla now about me?” asked Reif.
“I am not sure I understand you.”
“I mean, up until I was born, sea dragons always found their mates but that changed. As far as I know, I’m the first and only one to do so in the last thousand years,” Reif explained.
“Did the other sea dragons reject the mates the Fates chose for them?” asked Oracle.
