Wouldn’t be the same without you. Want me to pick you up?
I stared at the words for a long minute before replying.
No. I’ll drive over.
That way I wasn’t stuck waiting on someone to drive me home if I wanted to leave early.
See you in thirty.
Thirty minutes. That wasn’t enough time to transform into a dragon-worthy version of myself, but I tried anyway. I tore through my closet and flung clothes onto the bed, dismissing each one in turn. I settled on dark-wash jeans and a silky emerald blouse that brought out the color in my eyes.
I applied tinted moisturizer, eye shadow, and lip gloss. I attempted to wrangle my hair into something that suggested effort but not desperation, finally taming it into a low ponytail with a few strands left loose to frame my face. I spritzed perfume behind my ears and dabbed concealer over the pimple on my chin that had made its debut that afternoon.
Ten minutes left.
I ran around the house gathering stray laundry and vacuuming, as if Zaden was going to inspect for dust bunnies. I texted Tavi a photo of my outfit, and she replied with three flame emojis.
I ignored the text, but not the warmth it sent through me. Before I could talk myself out of going, I grabbed my purse and keys and headed out.
The Beck Manor was a large stone mansion at the top of a winding driveway, its windows ablaze with light. The front lawn sloped down to the woods, and there were cars parked in neat rows along the drive.
I pulled up to a spot next to an SUV and killed the engine before taking a few moments to calm my nerves, then exiting my car. When I reached the front steps, the door opened, and Zaden filled the space.
"Nice place," I said.
He shrugged and looked around. "Dragons have a flair for the dramatic."
He stepped aside for me to enter. The foyer was all polished wood and stone, lit by a chandelier that looked like it had been forged from actual dragon claws. Tapestries hung from the walls, depicting scenes of dragons locked in aerial combat, their bodies rendered in gold and crimson thread. The air smelled of cinnamon and something richer, deeper. Maybe incense.
People filled the hallways and the formal living room beyond. Most of them looked like they’d stepped out of a GQ spread, every detail polished to an impossible shine.
Zaden stood a little straighter, his hand finding the small of my back. "You okay?"
I nodded, even though I wasn’t. "Yeah."
He chuckled, not believing me for a moment. "This way."
We wove through the crowd. Every head turned as we passed, some faces curious, others openly appraising. I kept my chin up and tried not to trip over the Persian rugs.
Zaden introduced me to his clan, one by one, though I'd met most of them at least once before.
First, Ashton Beck, the alpha, who looked every inch the part. He was tall with broad shoulders, with eyes so dark they almost ate the light around them. There was a warmth in the way he greeted Zaden that eased the tension in the room.
"Krystal," Ashton said, his gaze sharp and assessing. "It’s good to meet you. Zaden’s told us… well, not nearly enough."
I stammered something in reply, and Zaden squeezed my hip, grounding me.
Next was Drake, Zaden's brother, who had a rakish grin and a mop of red hair that threatened to take over his whole face. He was the opposite of Ashton in every way. Loud, quick with a joke, the kind of guy who could charm nuns into a poker game.
"Welcome to the madhouse," Drake said, raising his glass. "Good luck with my brother here." He clapped Zaden on the back.
Next was Chance, the newly awakened dragon. He had an air of quiet confidence, his skin a dark shade so rich it made the dark brown flecks in his eyes glow. He shook my hand gently, and said, "If you need to get away from these idiots, just let me know."
Next to me, Zaden growled at Chance’s comment, which only made Chance laugh. Zaden ignored him and placed a hand to my lower back, directing me to the women who stood in a group of their own.
"You already know Aurelia, Sky, and Erin."
I waved. "Hi."
