Page 98 of So I Dared a Dragon

“I understand why you have reservations—Bibi is an enigma. But she absolutely adores you, and you’re fantastic together. Nobody stands a chance at claiming her, like you said, but that’s why you two work—because you don’t try to tame her. And can I tell you something that would eliminate my doubts?”

“Please.” His shoulders relaxed. The poor wolf was so nervous.

“The ring is the exact same color has her aura.”

Hugo softened. “My plan is to ask her after the ceremony. So you and Aarix will get your day. Once we’re all celebrating, I thought that would be the best time to do it. Like you said, everyone we love is here.”

Almost everyone.

“I never thought I’d say this, but you’re adorable.” And I was so glad he asked me. “If you chicken out, I’ll propose to her”—I laughed as his eyes widened— “on your behalf.”

He shook his head. “No need. I’m ready. Thank you, Calista. I’m glad we had a chance to work together, and you didn’t give up on this show when I tried to drive you away. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if you’d listened to me.”

“Good thing I don’t listen to anyone.” I grinned. “If it wasn’t for your help, we might not have found my thunder, so I owe you. Big time.”

“I need to check on everyone,” he said as he rose. “I’ll miss this show.”

Same, wolf, same, I thought as I closed my eyes and let my makeup artist work. I’d gone from thinking everyone wanted me gone to not knowing what I’d do without any of these shifters. I’d learned who I really was here.

And I was just getting started. How would I ever follow this up?

My sisters were outside the trailer, looking amazing in their gold dresses. Their scales had developed, and their wings were starting to form. Soon, they’d be strong enough to shift again.

Bibi, Darcy, my mom, and my Aunt Estene were at the trailer, ready to help me get dressed.

“I have to ask the inevitable question,” Bibi beamed at me. “How are you feeling?”

It took everything I had not to share Hugo’s secret. “I feel complete. And we need to talk about happy stuff because I don’t want to ruin my makeup two minutes after leaving the trailer.”

“The ladies are available for touch-ups.” She laughed. “But your answer is absolute perfection. Because when you arrived here, you were anything but. To be candid, there were many times that I was close to calling the whole thing off because I wasn’t sure how we’d get to the end of this episode and still be friends. And that was the most important thing to me. I’m thankful to have you back in my life.”

“Damnit.” I tapped my talons under my eyes, and my mom handed me a tissue. “I’m so thankful you didn’t kick me off the show. Aarix would’ve found me no matter what, but I’ve made some amazing friends here. You all accepted me for who I really am.”

“That leads me to my next question. What are you plans after the show?”

I hadn’t shared my ideas with anyone yet. “I want to finish the work recording the dragons’ history. And learn more about yours and mine, too. There are still so many questions, and it’s amazing to find the information. I’ve talked to the Smoky Mountain dragons, and even though they have more consistent historical records, they seem interested in a similar project.” Igrinned at my sisters. “And there are a lot of dragons who could use some help finding their fated mates.”

Bibi gasped. “Do you think they might be interested in going in front of the camera?”

“Hell, yeah,” Celina said. “Sign me up.”

“I’m ready for hot shifters to compete for me,” Celeste added.

“Okay, we’ll talk to the network and see what happens. But The Real Dragonwives has a nice ring to it.” Bibi clasped her hands together. Today she’d gone Team Aarix, and wore a purple and green dress with feathers, a purple wig, green shadow, deep purple lips, and her nails painted to match Aarix’s scales.

They’d look perfect with her new ring…

“But now it’s time for Calista to get claimed by a hot dragon. Your dress is hanging in the other room.”

My mom and sisters came in with me. I could hardly breathe when I saw it hanging on the curtain rod. The lace was the same color red as my hair, and the dress was sleeveless, fitted down to my hips, and then it flared out mermaid style. It had been specially designed to accommodate my wings and tail.

“You look so beautiful,” Mom said with tears in her eyes.

“Were you serious about the new reality show?” Celeste asked.

“It’s a wish-list item, but yeah, I’d love to help you find your mate.” My breath caught at the back of my throat when I saw myself in the mirror. “Everyone deserves to feel like this.”

After a thousand pictures, it was time for the ceremony. We’d set up a spot for the ceremony in the courtyard of the museum. It still wasn’t open to the public, but the exhibits were all in place and updated to reflect the information the dragons had been able to provide. Wendy and her team were working with the thunder to create some interactive exhibits.

---