Page 27 of The Dragon's Mate

Ty blinked at him. “Right now?”

Corey turned to Bren. “Can we go, Bren?My foster family is worried about me.”

“No, they’re not.” Tyler stood andfollowed Corey to the door of the cabin. “You’re coming back to my place, Corey.I’ll look after you.”

“No,” Corey said.

Ty scowled at him. “Dude, c’mon.”

“I can’t,” Corey said. “I appreciate theoffer, but,” he glanced at Bren, “with your dad, it’s not a good idea.”

“He’s hardly home,” Tyler said stubbornly.“He won’t even notice that you’re staying with us.”

“I can’t,” Corey said again. “Please, Ty,I want to go home and sleep in my own bed. Okay?”

Bren could see the hurt on his brother’sface, but Ty said, “Yeah, okay.”

Tyler turned and smiled tentatively atKaida. “We’re still on for learning to fight, right?”

“Yes. How about Wednesday evening?” Kaidasaid.

“That long?” Tyler said.

“The fox needs to be completely healed,” Gramsaid before patting Tyler’s arm.

“Can you bring us here Wednesday night?” Tylerasked Bren.

Bren mentally reviewed his schedule. He wastestifying in court that day for an ongoing case, but unless something got fuckedup, he would be done in time. “Yes. Say around six?”

“Sure,” Kaida said.

Gram joined them and smiled at Bren beforeputting her arm around Sika’s shoulders and giving her a squeeze. “How are youfeeling, sugarpie?”

“Like I’m gonna explode,” Sika said. “I’mso ready to hold our hatchling in my arms.”

Hatchling?

“Soon,” Gram said.

Sika took Gram’s hand and pressed it againsther belly. Gram’s wrinkled face lit up and she rubbed Sika’s belly gently.

“Can we go, Bren?” Corey asked.

Bren glanced a final time at Kaida. Shewas staring at Sika’s belly with longing in her gaze and he felt his own pangof want. He wasn’t sure if a guy could have a biological clock but if they did– his was ticking and had been for some time. He’d always wanted kids, lots ofthem, and as he neared his mid-thirties, he was painfully aware of how muchfaster time seemed to be moving.

He realized with embarrassment that he wasstaring at Kaida and that Gram was staring at him staring at Kaida. He joinedTy and Corey at the door as Corey took a tentative step toward Kaida and Gram.

“Thank you again,” he said. “For everything.I, uh, really appreciate your help.”

“You’re welcome, little fox,” Kaida said.

“We’ll see you Wednesday,” Ty said. He seemedoblivious to Corey’s discomfort and tension.

“See you Wednesday,” Kaida said. Her gazeflicked to Bren briefly before she gathered the mugs and turned away.

Feeling like a small child who’d beendismissed, Bren herded Corey and Tyler out of the cabin.

Chapter Six

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