Page 55 of Lahaina Noon

Liam put his fingers to his lips and blew a shrill whistle that caused everyone to put their hands over their ears and look at him. “Oi!” he shouted. “Drake’s talking.”

He looked at Liam in amusement and nodded his head in thanks. He turned to the crowd. “Brothers and sisters. I bring you here today with urgent news. As many of you know, the time of the Prophecy of Shadow is nearly upon us.”

Bridget saw many heads nodding in agreement.

“Many of you are also aware that the Shadow Claw grows bolder by the day. They are now attacking in broad daylight, no longer discreet. The time has come for us to take action. We must go on the offensive if we are to defeat them.”

A chorus of frustrated voices filled the room as dragon and wielder alike expressed their anger at the recent attacks.

Vaughn raised his hand to hush the crowd. “Now, we need to start by, uh, yes?” he nodded at a young lady in the second row who had politely raised her hand.

She stood and looked around at her fellow dragons. “Sorry to interrupt, Drake, but I think before we get into that, shouldn’t we address the dragon in the room?”

Vaughn looked at her, confused, “What do you mean?”

She laughed, “Sir, is it true? Did you take a mate?”

The room erupted into noise again, and Vaughn looked at them as if they were crazy. He couldn’t fathom why this many of them were so interestedin his love life.

Liam whistled again to get the room under control.

“Okay everyone, I can’t imagine for the life of me why this is so interesting to you all. Really, I can’t, but yes, it’s true. I have taken a mate.”

Bridget noticed a few sad faces on some of the ladies in the group and smirked.

Vaughn continued, “Since this seems to be a manner of great importance, I guess introductions are in order. Bridget, my love, would you join us up here?”

She froze, oh crap. This was happening. She stood, made her way to the front, and stood next to Vaughn.

He placed his arm around her waist,breathe, you got this.

She squared her shoulders and held her head up high. She did have this. “Hello, everyone. It’s lovely to meet you all. Some of you I already have the pleasure of knowing, and I look forward to getting to know the rest of you as we work to kick some Shadow ass!” The room erupted in cheers and roars as they enthusiastically agreed.

That’s my girl,Vaughn thought with pride.

Bridget turned and noted one person who was not cheering. An older man stood at the back of the room. She could have sworn he wasn’t there earlier. She nudged Vaughn and nodded her head at him. She saw his gaze narrow and lock in on the man, and then all color drained from his face. The rest of the team seemed to sense something was amiss and turned to see what he was staring at.

The man walked down the middle of the aisle and came to a stop in front of them. The room was dead silent. He looked up at Bridget and said, “Prove it.”

She looked at him closely, trying to see what the goal was here. Was he off his rocker? What was he asking her? She looked at Vaughn, but he was still staring at the man as if he’d seen a ghost.

The man spoke again, “I challenge the legitimacy of this mating. Prove the bond or let the lie be clear for all to see.”

Suddenly she understood. He didn’t believe she was really mated to Vaughn. She rolled her eyes and pulled down the collar of her shirt. Showing a small black dragon branded onto her collarbone. It had hurt like hell, but really was no worse than a tattoo. Murmurs went through the group.

Everyone was staring at her with a look of reverence. Even Jorrie and Jack were wearing matching expressions of tenderness.

The man who had issued the challenge strangely had tears in his eyes. He walked up to Bridget and took her shoulders in his hands. He was smiling. “Brilliant,” he said. “I’m so happy to meet you, Bridget. Welcome to the family, Daughter,” he said embracing her.

Bridget stood there, shocked, then turned to Vaughn.

His eyes were bright with unshed tears. He nodded and shook the man’s hand, uttering one word. “Father.”

Chapter 31

FATHER?

Yes, Bridget, that is my father, Ivan the Red.

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