“I see you are awake…that’s more than I can say about your mate,” Eideard MacDùghlas said.
“If you hurt him, I’ll kill you,” Fionn snarled.
“Now, is that any way to talk to someone who has the power of life or death over your mate?” he taunted. “I think not. Your father always said you were stupid…”
Taking Fionn’s phone from him, Dylon put it on speaker, then gave it back, mouthing to him, ‘keep him talking’.
“…but then he underestimated you, didn’t he?” asked Eideard.
“What do you mean?” asked Fionn.
“Oh, come on now, nephew. Don’t think I’m as stupid as your father…because that would be a fatal mistake…especially for your mate.”
“I’m warning you…” Fionn growled.
“Let me give you a bit of advice…never threaten the person who holds all the power.”
Moving close to Fionn, Kieran placed his hands on his friend’s back, helping him to calm down. “Easy, Fi…find out why he called,” he whispered in Fionn’s ear.
“What do you want, uncle?” asked Fionn.
“What are you willing to give to get your mate back?”
“My father’s hoard?”
“That’s a good start, but isn’t nearly enough for a mate…even if he is only a wolf.”
“I’d take a wolf over a dragon like you, any day,” Fionn retorted, angry at the insult.
“That isn’t a surprise. I always told your father you didn’t inherit anything from the MacDùghlas’ side because if you had, you never would have mated with someone so inferior. It’s a good thing your father isn’t alive to see his only son take a mongrel as a mate.”
Closing his eyes, Fionn concentrated on controlling his anger, knowing if he didn’t, it would only put his mate at a greater risk. With the help of Kieran, he felt it subside. Then he said, “You can have my father’s estate in exchange for my mate.”
“Well, what do you know…I might have been mistaken about you.”
“Do we have a deal?” asked Fionn.
“Hmmm, tempting…so tempting…but no. That isn’t nearly enough.”
“Then what the fuck do you want?” Fionn snarled, tired of the games his uncle was playing.
“The rarest thing on earth, nephew…you.”
Stunned, Fionn stared at his phone, unable to understand how his uncle knew he was a white dragon.
“What’s the matter, nephew? Do you really think your father didn’t know you were a white dragon?”
Shaking his head, Fionn thought back to his childhood and how his mother always made sure no one was around when he shifted.
Not hearing a response, Eideard chuckled mirthlessly. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’. Well, your father knew, but was ignorant about your powers. He took your color as a weakness…that you’d never be a formidable dragon since you weren’t black. Shortly before you killed your father, he and I had dinner and, after a few glasses of wine, it came out. Naturally, I immediately knew the importance of it, but didn’t let on to your father that his son was his ticket to absolute power within the dragon world. I decided to keep that little piece of information to myself.”
“How do you know I killed my father?” Fionn asked, wondering how it was possible since he and his father were alone.
“That’s a neat little trick you have, nephew. Who made you the portal? I owe them my thanks for getting rid of my overbearing and, I might add, selfish brother.”
“How do you know about my portal?” Fionn whispered, his fear for his mate beginning to consume him. His uncle was evil, mad for power and if he knew about Fionn’s white dragon, then he knew about the supernatural power it had…Oh nooo, does he also know about my mate’s power?
“After I received word of my brother’s death, I went to his chateau in France to retrieve his will…”
