Chapter 1
Zaden
I pushed openthe heavy door of my bar. Z's place. The familiar clink of glasses and warm amber light welcomed me, but I immediately noticed subtle differences. The tables had been rearranged slightly, fresh artwork adorned the walls, and a hint of a new scent mingled with the old memories that lingered here.
I paused in the doorway, feeling a swirl of nostalgia and unease. So much time had passed, marked by these quiet changes, while I slept under the dragon sleep spell, a curse created a very long time ago by a psycho witch with a vendetta. Every hundred years, male dragon shifters have to hibernate for ten years.
Luckily for me and my clan, our dragon alpha found his mate, breaking his curse. Now that Ashton has mated, the rest of us will be able to find ours. I'm here for it because it means no more sleeping for ten years.
I walked slowly between the tables, absorbing the space that echoed with laughter and whispered conversations from patrons enjoying live music and good drinks. My place.
The polished wood of the bar top reflected the soft lighting. I ran my hand along the smooth surface, remembering evenings of pouring drinks and trading stories with the regulars. A sad smile tugged at my lips. It felt like a lifetime ago, and yet only yesterday.
I inhaled deeply, searching for the notes of whiskey, polished brass, and the faint citrus of the wood polish that had always defined Z's Place for me. They were still there but muted, layered with other scents I couldn't quite name. The comforting aroma had shifted. Not unpleasantly, but noticeably. An undeniable reminder that time never stops, not even for an immortal dragon.
I swept my gaze over the room again. Behind the bar, the rows of bottles remained largely unchanged, but a new painting hung in a spot of prominence on the exposed brick wall. A swirl of vibrant red and orange, like dancing flames. I tilted my head, considering it. Not the style I would have chosen, but the colors seemed to suit the place.
"Welcome back, Mr. Roberts," a familiar voice called out. I turned to see Angel, one of my long-time bartenders. Her warm smile lit up her face as she extended a hand. "Place wasn't the same without you."
I clasped her hand firmly and gave her a genuine smile. "It's good to be back. The place looks good. You've taken care of her."
Angel inclined her head. "We did our best, sir. Wasn't easy to fill your shoes, but me and the crew, we did what we could to keep Z's running smooth." She paused, glancing around. "Made a few updates here and there. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," I assured her, even as a pang of wistfulness thrummed through me. "Place looks great. Change is a part of life, right?"
"Sure is," Angel agreed easily. "But some things stay the same." She produced a rocks glass and a bottle of my favorite bourbon with a flourish. "Drink?"
I barked out a short laugh. "Now that is exactly what I needed to hear. Pour me a double. Time to get reacquainted with my old haunt properly."
As she fixed my drink, I allowed the tension to slip from my shoulders bit by bit. Z's Place may have changed some in my years away, but sitting here, I could still feel the pulse of the bar that had been my heart and soul for so long. My refuge. My domain.
I savored the bourbon for a moment before setting the glass down. "I'm gonna head back to the office for a bit. Catch up with Kenneth."
Angel nodded. "Of course. He's been ready for your return. We all have."
With a grateful smile, I downed my drink, slid off the stool and made my way to the back. I knocked twice on the office door before pushing it open. "Kenneth, my man!"
Kenneth stood from behind the desk, a wide grin splitting his face. "Zaden!" He strode over, grasping my hand in a firm shake. "Damn, it's good to see you."
"Likewise," I said, clapping him on the shoulder with my free hand. As a fellow shifter, Kenneth understood the significance of my absence better than most. Even though Ken was a wolf anddidn’t have to hibernate like my brothers and me. "Place is still standing, so I take it you've been holding down the fort?"
Kenneth chuckled. "You know it. Kept everything running like a well-oiled machine." He gestured for me to sit as he returned to his chair, swiveling the computer screen toward me as he pulled up some spreadsheets. "In fact, wait until you see these numbers. I heard you'd woken up, so I got everything ready to show you."
I leaned forward, scanning the financial reports on the screen. My brows lifted in pleasant surprise. "Kenneth, this is impressive. More than impressive. You've outdone yourself, truly."
Color rose in Kenneth's cheeks, but his smile was proud. "Told you I'd take care of everything. Your faith in me wasn't misplaced."
"Never doubted that for a second," I said firmly. "Which is why I'm going to make sure you get one hell of a bonus for your hard work and dedication."
Kenneth's eyes widened. "Zaden, that's not?—"
I held up a hand, cutting off his protest. "I insist. You've earned it and then some. Let me do this for you. Please."
Kenneth held my gaze for a beat, emotions flitting across his face. Then, slowly, he nodded. "All right. Thank you, Zaden. Truly."
"Least I can do," I assured him. Settling back in my chair, I gazed around the office, taking in the subtle changes. Like the rest of the bar, it had adapted in my absence, shifting to fill the space I had left behind.
But sitting there with Kenneth, I felt a sense of rightness. A click back into place. The bar was still mine, still my home. And having the chance to properly recognize Kenneth for all he'd done in my stead? That made the homecoming all the sweeter.
