Page 30 of Lachlan

He shrugged. “It isn’t. I made that decision because I didn’t want to overwhelm you by showing you too much too soon.”

She snorted. “The partial shift you did earlier wasn’t too much too soon?”

Lachlan grimaced. “It was,” he conceded heavily. “And I apologize. But our dragon treasure is very real too, Belle. Not just the physical treasure we’ve accumulated during our lifetimes but also the vast hoard left to all of us by our parents.”

“Define vast hoard,” she said slowly.

“Billions of pounds in jewels and gold.”

Once again, Belle found herself reaching out for help to steady herself as she staggered slightly, one of her palms now planted flat against the wall to help keep her on her feet. “Billions…?”

Lachlan nodded. “We also own land and real estate in England, Europe, Asia, and America. Plus, shares in businesses around the world.”

“But it’s the tangible wealth that treasure hunters tend to focus on.” Ranulf scowled his displeasure.

“The jewels and gold worth billions of pounds,” Belle said hollowly.

“Exactly.”

“There are really people in the world who think dragons and their treasure exist?”

“People besides you, you mean?” Lachlan teased.

“I onlyhopeddragons had once existed. I didn’t think the three men Sister Agnes described as dragon shifters would still be alive. Nor did I give the fabled dragon treasure a second thought.”

“That’s because your heart is pure and you’re my one true mate.” Lachlan’s chest expanded with pride as he looked at her.

Belle’s cheeks warmed. “You think I am.”

“I know you are.” The way his gaze held hers was enough to remind her of their shared intimacies just a short time ago.

She narrowed her eyes. “There’s a lot more you need to tell me before I can make a considered decision as to whether I should agree to mate with you.”

“Such as?” He was willing to tell Belle anything and everything if it meant she agreed to become his mate.

“Besides this heightened hearing you say you and your brothers have, can you also make an opening appear in a cave wall that I’m pretty sure hadn’t been there the previous night?”

“Ah.” A nerve pulsed in his clenched jaw. “Yes.”

“And light and then put out torches with a sweep of your hand?”

“It’s with a thought,” he corrected. “But yes, we can all control the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water.”

“Does this…telepathic connection you admit the three of you have allow you all to converse or perhaps guess each other’s thoughts and emotions, no matter how far apart you are?”

“We’re from the same clutch, so yes,” Lachlan confirmed. “But as Ranulf said, if we were mated our own mental link would have priority over my connection to my brothers,” he assured. “Nor would they have access to any mental exchanges we might have.”

“Believe me, brother, I have no wish to be a party to any of your future intimacies with Belle,” Ranulf scoffed.

Belle ignored him. “So, the three of you are billionaire dragon shifters with heightened senses, you share a mental telepathy, and you also all have the ability to bend earth, wind, fire, and water to your will?”

Lachlan winced. “Yes.”

“I need to sit down before you tell me any more.” She crossed the room to once again sit on the side of the bed. Lachlan and Ranulf followed her, but didn’t sit down. It was like having two giants looming over her. “Where is Hunter now?”

Lachlan shrugged. “Doing what he does best.”

“Which is?”

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