Chapter Twenty-Six
Connor never wanted to get out of bed, but even a freshly mated dragon had duties to attend to. Starting with the meeting Kai had called.
So after a long, frisky night — and most of the following day — that had Jenna and him fluctuating between utter exhaustion and insatiable lust, they had finally risen and showered. But they’d made the mistake of showering together and ended up wrapped around each other again.
“Okay. This time, I’ll shower alone,” Jenna had laughed, pushing him back gently as she went in for the second time.
So she’d showered alone, followed by him. By the time he finished, she was dressed and standing at the ledge, looking out at the sea. The sun was setting, outlining her silhouette in orange and red. Was she dreaming of shifting into dragon form and flying toward the burning point of light on the horizon or — shit — was she having second thoughts about the whole thing?
But then Jenna turned to follow the flight of a bird, and the smile was clear on her face.
He leaned against a wall and watched her. There’d been so many times he and the guys had joked about one or the other of them getting hitched, and the prospect hadn’t sounded particularly appealing at the time. Why would he want someone else messing with his stuff or changing things around in his place?
But suddenly, that was all he wanted, and his imagination ran away with images of him and Jenna finishing the place together, deciding on the details, making it their own. Maybe even filling it with a couple of little dragons someday.
Then he frowned. He wanted that more than anything, but he would have to make sure he still had a job. Would there be repercussions in the dragon world from the fact that he’d help kill an established powerhouse like Draig? What if Kai decided Connor had acted rashly? Kai had avoided the subject while Jenna was recovering, but he was sure to address Connor’s handling of the crisis at the meeting today. Then there was the question of Connor mating with Jenna. He was supposed to keep his hands off her, not mark her permanently as his.
But all that fled his mind when Jenna turned and beamed. “It’s amazing.” She spread her arms as wide as wings.
He stepped over to hug her while his dragon puffed happy little swirling flames inside.
Do we get to teach her to fly now?
Well, maybe not just yet. The Change could take several weeks, and they sure wouldn’t start at the top of this tall a cliff. But someday…
He tucked his chin over Jenna’s shoulder, sniffing her scent, watching the sun sink lower. He didn’t need to fast-forward to someday. Right now was just as good.
He kissed her near the tiny scar of his mating bite, delighting in the lusty shiver it sent down her spine.
“Mmm,” she cooed, bumping back against him.
He could kiss her — just kiss her — for hours. But they didn’t have hours, not with everyone waiting.
He grinned to himself. Actually, they had a lifetime. But they did have to get to that meeting. So he broke off his next kiss and took her hand.
“Ready to go?”
“Ready.” She said it in a firm, ready for forever kind of way that kept his step light and bouncy all the way across the grounds to the big plantation house.
The closer they drew, the more he wondered what his fate would be, much as he had when he’d arrived on Maui and met Tim at the airport. So much had happened since then. Surely destiny wouldn’t have brought him to his true love, only to have him thrown off the island, out of work and out of luck yet again?
Jenna squeezed his hand, and he stood straighter. She helped his mind stay in the right place. His incredible, dragon-slaying mate. He kissed her knuckles then made the last turn for the house — and stopped abruptly in his tracks.
“Whoa,” Jenna breathed. “What’s that for?”
Two long rows of tiki torches were stuck into the ground along the path that led to the plantation house. A living, dancing lane of fire. Up on the porch, everyone was waiting. His brothers, Dell, Cynthia, and little Joey. Kai was up there too.
Connor’s voice stuck in his throat. He tried explaining, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“Connor?” Jenna asked, touching his shoulder. “What does that mean?”
He took a deep breath. Those torches meant everything was all right. He wasn’t in trouble — well, not big trouble anyway.
“Shifters do that…sometimes, to welcome someone important, like the big boss,” he managed to explain at last. “Other times, they do it for…for…” His tongue tangled with a word he’d never used for himself before. “Heroes.”
She grinned like she’d known that all along. “You.”
He looked at her. “You. Both of us, I guess.”
She laughed. “Well, let’s go find out.”
Only Jenna could stride that casually into a hero’s welcome. Nothing went to her head, and nothing scared her. Which was a damn good thing, because danger was part of the shifter world. He wished he could pretend otherwise, but that was the way it was. Still, they could handle anything together, right?
Right, his dragon growled, leaning closer to her.
He fell into step beside Jenna, expecting to climb the porch steps and get the meeting started. But then another thing happened that blew him away. Kai left his spot at the top of the stairs and descended to meet them at ground level with a firm handshake.
“Connor. Jenna. Good to see you both on your feet again.”
The words weren’t much in themselves, but the gesture meant everything. Shifters were big on hierarchy, and Kai had every right to remain on the top step while Connor came to him. Coming down was the ultimate sign of respect. Connor didn’t know much about dragon society’s rules, but he knew that much.
“Thanks,” he murmured. Another woefully inadequate word.
Kai kissed Jenna on both cheeks and winked. “So, you sure about this guy, huh?”
Jenna didn’t so much as blush. She just looped her arm around Connor’s waist and grinned. “You bet I am.”
Connor could have kissed her right there — but if he started, he wouldn’t be able to stop. So he settled for throwing his arm over Jenna’s shoulders and tugging her closer.
“Well, let’s get started,” Kai said. “We have a lot to talk about.”
“That, we do,” Cynthia said, coming halfway down the stairs.
Connor hid a smile. Halfway was a message too. Cynthia was ready to acknowledge what he and Jenna had accomplished — but she wasn’t about to roll over and let him take the alpha position without a fight.
Which ought to have riled him, but Connor didn’t care anymore. If he was appointed alpha of Koakea, great. He’d be glad to take the job. But if Cynthia got the job — well, okay. Serving his clan would always be his top priority, whatever role he filled.
He chuckled inside. Perspective. Now that he had a mate, he knew what that meant.
Tessa, Kai’s partner, greeted Connor with a warm smile and one of those two-cheek kisses that made him feel ridiculously proud, like he’d arrived in society or something. But Tim, Chase, and Dell made sure he stayed grounded as they all met him with extra-hard smacks on the back. They’d seen each other over the past couple of days, but not since Connor and Jenna had bonded. Jody and Cruz were also there — Jody beaming like a mom at the sight of her firstborn all grown-up, and Cruz with that guarded expression that fell somewhere between Don’t make me kill you and Life is great when you have the woman you love.
“Hey,” Tim said, all gruff and tough. “Congratulations.”
Connor tried putting everything into one handshake, but it was hard. He’d put a lot at risk for his brothers as well as himself, and yet Tim had stood by him. Tim, who was right up there with Dell when it came to resisting the idea of a mate, if only because his logical bear mind couldn’t quite grasp the concept of loving someone other than immediate family. Connor used to think along the same lines, but now…
Jenna and Jody hugged while Connor studied Tim. Wait — was there a hint of sadness in his smile? The wish for a mate of his own?
Connor made a mental note to pay his brother back somehow. Surely there was a nice woman out there waiting to find a good guy like him.
“Thanks for the torches. Your idea, Tim?”
Tim tilted his head toward Cynthia. “Hers. She said you deserved it.”
Connor’s jaw just about hit the floor. You’re kidding me, right?
His brother waggled his thick eyebrows. Not kidding. It really was her idea.
Like I said, Dell added. She might be all fire and thorns on the outside, but inside, she’s a kitten.
Kitten might have been an exaggeration, but Connor had to agree with the rest.
“Yes, well. Tradition, you know,” Cynthia said, casually downplaying the gesture.
Connor stared for a second longer. Wow. Cynthia definitely got the good sport award.
Then Dell smacked him on the shoulder and grinned broadly. “Anyway, congratulations. Took you long enough to figure out love.”
Connor snorted. “Like you have it all figured out?”
“Yep. I know to keep clear.” Dell laughed then turned to Jenna. “Poor thing. You’re stuck with him now. And even worse, you’re stuck with all of us by extension. Clan is clan, you know.”
Jenna didn’t miss a beat. “Being stuck with Connor? Yes, please. Being stuck hanging around with you guys…” Her eyes twinkled in friendly jest. “We’ll see how bad that turns out to be.”
Chase shook Connor’s hand, flashing a genuine smile. Typical Chase — all action, no words except for a quiet, heartfelt, “Congratulations.”
Connor didn’t have time to reply, what with Dell reaching over and lifting Joey onto the armrest of the couch so he could join the receiving line like a real grown-up.
“Joey, sweetie. It’s not nice to stand on furniture,” Cynthia protested.
“It’s a special occasion,” Dell said, ignoring her hard look. “A man has to be able to look another man in the eye, right?”
Joey stuck out his hand and shook solemnly with Connor. “Congratulations.”
At first, Connor figured that was for finding the love of his life, but of course, Joey’s mind was on other things.
“Did you really kill that bad sea dragon?” the boy asked with wide, hero-worshiping eyes. “Will you tell me about it? Will you? Please?”
Before Connor could answer, Cynthia cut in with another strict frown. “Killing is a bad thing, sweetie.”
Connor held back from sharing his two cents. Cynthia was right. But, hell. He’d been that curious kid once upon a time. He knew how important it was to get answers — and how frustrating it could be not to find out.
“She’s right, you know,” he said. When Cynthia turned away with a satisfied nod, he leaned closer to Joey and whispered, “So how about I tell you about it some other time?”
Joey beamed and winked. Well, he tried, though it came out as a two-eyed squint.
Connor tousled Joey’s hair and made another mental note to himself. Help that boy not be the frustrated kid I used to be.
He shook with Cruz next, who didn’t even squeeze his hand too hard. His eyes did hold a veiled warning, though. Be good to Jenna, or else.
Oh, he’d be good, all right. Every day to the end of his life.
“Oh my gosh, that looks so good,” Jenna said of the hors d’oeuvres set out on the table. “Could I take one?”
Kai waved a hand. “Help yourself. Tessa’s treat.”
“I’ve kind of taken over the kitchen for tonight,” Tessa said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“You can take over the kitchen any night,” Dell called. “Especially on Tim’s nights to cook.”
Jenna took three sushi rolls and wolfed them down with an apologetic look. “I’m a little hungry. Sorry.”
Dell chuckled. “It’s all that — ahem — recovering you’ve been doing.”
Connor growled under his breath until Dell cast his eyes down in a sign of respect. But Dell was Dell, and nothing would wipe that knowing smile off his face.
Just think of the payback you could get someday, Tim said, shooting his thoughts into Connor’s mind.
What do you mean?
Tim grinned. Imagine Dell finally settling down with someone. Imagine all the ammunition we’d have to tease him with.
Connor cracked into a smile. That would be fun. But Dell settling down was about as likely as an iceberg hitting their little strip of beach. Plus, Connor had more important things to do these days, like protecting his mate and his clan.
“So, to business,” Kai said as if he’d read Connor’s mind.
Everyone took a seat — including Joey, who slid into his mother’s lap. Chase was the only one who remained standing. He prowled around the perimeter silently, taking in everything, saying nothing.
Connor made another mental note. Find a good woman for Chase. Someone to anchor his brother the way Jenna anchored him.
“First of all, Draig,” Kai started with a deep scowl. “One of the last of a long, respected line of dragon shifters.”
Connor refused to look down. Even if Kai lectured him on all the trouble he and Jenna had brought down by killing the old coot, he had no regrets.
Kai looked around with a weary expression then locked eyes with Tessa. “The Draigs are one of the oldest, richest dragon clans. Old and established enough to have fooled me.”
Connor held his breath, wondering what Kai would say next.
Kai let a long, torturous pause go by until he frowned and continued. “I had no idea he was a sea dragon.”
“Nobody did,” Cynthia said. “It’s a rare, recessive gene that only comes out every few generations or so. Like red hair.” She grinned, running her fingers over her son’s head. “But red hair is beautiful, while that sea dragon…” Her smile turned into a scowl. “Well, he guarded his secret carefully.”
“Are all sea dragons bad, Mommy?” Joey asked.
“No, sweetie. There were some famous sea dragons who did good deeds, too. Berwyn Reese, Elfion Rhydderick…”
“There was even a great sea dragoness in my family tree somewhere,” Kai added.
Cynthia nodded. “Manon Llewellyn, who died in 1793.”
Connor stared. Did dragon clans go around memorizing family lines? Well, he wasn’t surprised. But the fact that Cynthia knew them even better than Kai confirmed his hunch that Brown was an alias of some kind. Who was Cynthia, really? What was she hiding from?
Tessa winked at Jenna. “Oh, I like the idea of that. A kick-ass she-dragon who can fly and swim.”
Cynthia crinkled her nose. “I’m not sure kick-ass is the term the history books used but, yes. Manon was a force to be reckoned with.”
Connor looked at Jenna. She already was a force to be reckoned with. And when she learned to shift… His heart thumped a little faster at the thought of Jenna adding flying to her long list of skills.
“In any case, I underestimated him,” Kai admitted as Tessa placed her hand over his. “When I interrogated the members of his crew, they said Draig had developed an interest in Jenna weeks ago, ever since her picture made the newspaper with that mermaid caption.”
“Stupid LA Times,” Jenna muttered.
Jody gave a tiny smile. “Maybe not so stupid, because the mermaid part was true.”
Kai nodded. “Somehow, Draig figured that out and decided Jenna would make a perfect mate.”
Jenna snorted, and Connor growled out loud, bristling at the thought of any man lusting after a woman who wasn’t interested — especially his woman.
Kai nodded. “I know how you feel. Apparently, he was interested in Tessa too.”
Tessa made a face. “He definitely had a thing for redheads.”
Connor nodded, remembering the female crewmembers aboard the yacht. Hopefully, they would find a better boss in their next job.
Kai squeezed Tessa’s hand. “That too. But you being a fire maiden also must have fit that bastard’s bill. I guess he figured Jenna was the softer target, though.”
Jody snorted. “Ha. Soft target. I guess Draig’s the one who underestimated her.”
He sure did, Connor’s dragon hissed.
“Well, Draig paid the price,” Jenna said, totally matter-of-fact, as if she were commenting on the tenth or twentieth dragon-slaying in a long, illustrious career.
“So you’re okay with that?” Connor asked, looking at Kai. Waiting for the other shoe to drop. Surely there were repercussions to deal with.
Kai nodded firmly. “No way will we tolerate an enemy shifter on our turf, targeting one of our own. Silas and I agree one hundred percent, and the couple of old-timers who started raging about their old buddy being killed have already been set straight. I’ve met with a few, and Silas called meetings in London and New York to make that perfectly clear.”
Connor exhaled slowly. “Eliminating him doesn’t bring trouble here?”
Kai snorted. “In a way, it’s done the opposite. The more shifters who know we are not to be fucked with, the better.”
Tessa elbowed him as Cynthia covered Joey’s ears.
“Sorry, kiddo,” Kai said quickly. “But I mean it. Would I be happier if Draig had never turned up on Maui? Of course. But what’s done is done, and Draig is the one who instigated the fight. Draig is the one who acted without honor, and he got what he deserved. And as for you two…”
Connor held perfectly still, gripping Jenna’s hand under the table. Now what?
“There is the matter of Draig’s wealth. To the victor go the spoils, you know,” Kai said.
Connor tilted his head. What exactly was Kai saying?
“Spoils?” Jenna asked.
Kai laughed aloud, looking at Connor. “You didn’t know? It’s tradition.”
“Tradition,” Connor sighed. No, he didn’t have a clue. What exactly was Kai getting at?
“The winner of a fair fight gets the loser’s holdings. In Draig’s case, that means—”
Dell’s eyebrows shot up. “Holy shit. The yacht? Connor and Jenna get a yacht?”
“The yacht, the properties, and whatever loot Draig has in his lairs,” Kai said.
Connor would have tipped off his chair if Jenna hadn’t been holding his arm. Rich? Him? “Wait. What about that idiot nephew of his — Anton? Or some other relatives?”
Kai laughed so loud, a pair of birds took flight from the roof of the porch. “That’s the best part. Draig was such a selfish bastard, he wrote everyone out of his will. His dragon will, I mean. The one that really counts, because it includes everything humans don’t know about — the hidden treasure troves, the centuries-old deeds. Anton might get the scraps on the surface, but the rest is all yours.”
Jenna’s jaw dropped. “Ours?”
Connor knew he was supposed to be excited about that, but it felt wrong somehow. “That would be dirty money, right?”
Kai tilted his head in a way that said, maybe yes, maybe no. “A lot of Draig’s wealth dates back hundreds of years. So I guess it would be hard to say.”
Connor had always considered all wealth dirty, in a way. And right now, it was definitely too much to process. He’d never had much money, and never felt the need for more than enough to get by.
He looked at Jenna, and she nodded back, already reading his mind. “Not sure we want it, either way.”
Connor cut in. “Well, maybe apart from enough to get Jenna and Jody’s business off the ground.”
Jenna grinned, and Jody gave her a high five. “I’d call that a fair way to spend the — what did you call them? — spoils.”
“Hell, if you don’t want the rest, I’ll take it. Starting with that yacht.” Dell grinned.
Connor’s mind spun. That kind of money could help Tim build the construction company he’d always talked about, too, and it would make sprucing up the house easier. Hell, everyone could spruce up their houses. Maybe even buy halfway decent cars…
But the train of thought petered out quickly, and all he felt was annoyed. He didn’t want any of that stuff. He just wanted Jenna.
When he glanced at Jenna, her eyes shone with pride, not dollar signs. So, whew. They really were cut from the same cloth, him and her.
“Well, I’ll believe it when I see it,” he decided.
Kai nodded. “It will take ages to sort out Draig’s assets. Silas can help decide what to do with it. But let’s move on. It’s time to establish a leader here.”
Everyone went very quiet. Cynthia stared at Connor, and Connor stared back.
“According to tradition, the choice of alpha is made by a council of elders,” Kai began.
Connor nearly rolled his eyes, but Kai wasn’t done yet.
“However, we have our own way of doing things. A little more in tune with modern times, you might say. A clan should appoint their own leader. We at Koa Point agreed on Silas a long time ago, and the guys named me as second-in-command. So, here on Koakea…”
A weighty silence settled over the group. Candlelight flickered over serious faces, though Connor kept his focus on Jenna, trying not to pressure his brothers. It was time to let them speak and for him to listen. To respect whatever decision was reached and to trust fate a little bit. That much, he’d learned.
Jenna wound her fingers through his, quietly backing him up.
Mate, his dragon sighed.
The word had so many more meanings than he’d been aware of before. Jenna wasn’t just his lover. She was his partner. His anchor, his cheering squad, and his compass at the same time.
Tim shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and a floorboard creaked under Chase’s uneasy step. For a few too-quiet minutes, the only other sound was that of waves rolling onto the shore a quarter of a mile away.
It was Joey who finally broke the silence. “Can I vote for Mommy and for Connor?”
Cynthia rushed to shush him, but Dell laughed hard enough to break the tension everyone felt.
“Sweetie, there can only be one alpha,” Cynthia said. And I want it to be me, her unwavering eyes said.
Connor could understand that. She’d worked as hard as anyone and proved her capabilities. In a way, he was glad not to have a vote. Who would he choose if he were in the other guys’ shoes?
“You know, I think Joey might be on to something there,” Dell said, giving the boy a thumbs-up. “If he’s thinking what I’m thinking.”
“And you’re thinking… What, exactly?” Tim asked.
Connor half expected Dell to make an inappropriate wisecrack, but the lion shifter went serious.
“Well, it’s clearly between Cynthia and Connor. I mean, given that I’ve decided to graciously step aside and let these inferior dragons take the stress of leadership,” Dell joked.
Tim snorted. “Right. Dell as alpha. Every day would be a day off.”
Dell sighed. “And what a life that would be. But sadly, I don’t think you guys deserve me. Which leaves us Connor and Cynthia, right? I mean, until Joey is old enough to be alpha.” He winked.
Joey beamed and sat straighter in his mother’s lap.
“Right,” Tim agreed.
“So let’s see.” Dell waved between them. “Cynthia definitely wins in the graphics department.” He motioned at the whiteboard with the neatly penned duty roster. “And at coordinating manpower — er, man and woman power,” he added quickly. “Just look at how quickly we’ve gotten this place in shape.”
Connor let his eyes drift around the porch and beyond. When he’d first arrived, the plantation house was practically rotting on its foundations, and the grounds were a mess. But under Cynthia’s direction, the place had been restored to its former glory. Well, the house, at least. The grounds were coming along, and everyone had made a start on their own places. He had to hand it to Cynthia. She knew how to get work done.
Cynthia didn’t say a word. She just sat there, waiting for the others to decide, not showing the slightest bit of emotion.
We need to get her a mate, Tim whispered into Connor’s mind.
Connor nearly broke out laughing. It would take a brave man to break through all that ice. But, hell yeah. If they ever found the right guy, Cynthia might finally relax a bit.
“Of course, Connor has a few qualities too,” Dell continued.
Connor went perfectly still, more self-conscious than he’d ever been.
“He’s pretty good at roofing, not too bad at cooking…”
Tim chuckled. “Everything we need in an alpha.”
“…and he’s actually learned a little diplomacy lately. Oh, and he did slay a sea dragon. Or was that Jenna?”
Connor pointed at Jenna. She pointed at him, and they both spoke at exactly the same time.
“Her.”
“Him.”
Connor poked her. “You’re the one who knifed the bastard.”
Cynthia made a face and tilted her head toward Joey, but Connor ignored her. It wouldn’t kill the kid to hear the plain and simple truth.
“You’re the one who got Draig to expose his chest,” Jenna insisted.
Dell scissored his hands. “Whatever. The point is, Connor is the one who reacted in time to take decisive action to stop Draig. Connor is the one who has been organizing patrols, tailing Draig, and working here at the same time. Connor is the glue that holds us together, and we all know it.”
Connor stared at Dell. Wow. When was the last time the lion shifter spoke from the heart like that?
“So what are you saying?” Kai asked.
Dell shrugged. “I’m saying they both have their strengths. Cynthia is wicked smart and ridiculously organized.”
“Ridiculously?” she protested.
Dell nodded. “Sorry, Cynth. But, yeah — she runs a tight ship. And Connor — well, the Special Forces experience shows. He has a nose for trouble.” Dell grinned. “For getting in and out of it. So why compromise? Why not do like Joey says and put them both in charge?”
Kai scratched his head. “How would that work?”
Yeah, Connor wanted to ask. How?
“Just like we initially set things up,” Dell said. “Cynthia runs the grounds. Connor runs security. They work together on the parts that overlap, like assigning workloads.”
“That was a temporary solution,” Kai said.
Dell shrugged. “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” He looked around. “What do you guys think?”
Connor blinked a few times. He’d always figured it was all or nothing, but Dell did have a point. Cynthia was better at some things than he was, and he was stronger than her on others. The question was, could he handle working with her in an equal-alphas partnership?
He glanced over and found Cynthia eyeing him, probably asking herself the same thing.
Tim nodded. “I’m good with that. What about you, Chase?”
Chase nodded simply. “Yep. All good.”
“That’s a bit…unconventional.” Kai frowned.
Cynthia frowned too. “Untraditional.”
Connor grinned. “I think that’s what I like about it.”
He looked at Jenna, because she was part of this decision too. Her eyes sparkled with pride and confidence, telling him everything he had to know.
He stretched a hand toward Cynthia. “What do you say, Ms. Brown?”
She gave him that I know you know that’s not my name, but I still refuse to tell you look. Her eyes were stern and hard, but for a split second, he thought he glimpsed something like relief. Running a shifter clan — even a small one like this — was a huge responsibility. And, hell. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of sharing the load. Did she, too?
Joey looked up at Cynthia, and she looked down at him, reminding Connor she had as much at stake in the future of their clan as him. She broke into a smile and stroked Joey’s red hair, revealing the sensitive, caring mom within for the briefest of moments. Then she nodded firmly and clasped Connor’s hand in a firm shake.
“Mr. Hoving, I agree.”
Connor laughed. Cynthia could be as formal as she wanted. He wouldn’t be. The second he finished shaking hands, he turned to Jenna and scooped her into a huge hug. Was it really possible to have so many good things happen at once? Or was this payback for all the times he’d experienced the opposite?
And just like that, the weight of it hit him. He’d done it. He’d finally overcome. Not just one hurdle but a whole obstacle course he’d been navigating for the past years.
He squeezed his eyes shut and held Jenna close. Never mind that the others were there watching. He would never have gotten here if it weren’t for Jenna, and there wasn’t a single part of his future she wouldn’t be a part of. So the guys had better well get used to seeing his love for her, damn it.
The funny thing was, when he finally let Jenna go and refocused on the others, they were all grinning and patting each other on the back like they’d accomplished something too.
Dell whooped. Tim smacked him on the back. Chase looked like he was tempted to howl his happiness to the moon. Cynthia kissed Joey, and the other two men hugged their mates.
They had all accomplished something, Connor realized. All of them. They’d gone from being unsure about just about everything — the work, the place, the division of labor — to having carved out a place in the world for themselves. Dell, Tim, Chase — and Cynthia too. They’d gotten to know each other and their new home. Of course, they still had a long road ahead, but they’d made their start, and a solid one, at that.
“Dell, man,” Connor said, clapping the lion shifter on the shoulder. “Who knew you had that in you?”
Dell gave a theatrical sigh. “One of these days, you guys will appreciate my genius and stop underestimating me.”
Maybe someday, he’ll stop underestimating himself, Connor’s dragon murmured.
He kept that part to himself. Dell had a knack for picking exactly the right moment to shine. He’d done it before, and he’d do it again. And maybe someday, he would make it enough of a habit to keep up all the time.
Down in the yard, the tiki torches crackled, throwing playful shadows about. Excited voices bubbled and rose as everyone talked at the same time. A sea breeze wafted over the porch, carrying the scent of tropical flowers.
“It’s beautiful,” Jenna whispered, catching Connor in another hug. The kind that made him think of wrapping up business and getting back to bed.
“It’s perfect,” he rumbled back, sniffing his mate’s scent.
“There’s just one thing,” Kai said in a grim tone that silenced everyone. “The pearl.”
His voice was a low tone of warning, and everyone waited for him to explain.