Page 33 of The Dragon's Mate

Bishop nodded, his face paling. “It’s not worththe risk, Kaida.”

“They won’t find out,” Kaida said. “Theythink we’re bear shifters, and the fox knows he has to keep our secret.”

“The fox knows that you’re dragons?”Bishop said.

“Yes. He’d read a children’s book thatmentioned we smell like smoke. He guessed it fairly quickly.”

“Oh my God,” Bishop groaned before sittingback in his chair. “This is why you guys don’t go around shifters and humans,Kaida!”

“I couldn’t leave him and Tyler to bebeaten by those boys, nor could I leave him to die in the forest. I had to takehim to Gram,” Kaida said. “Besides, I had no idea that my dragon would loseher shit over a human or that Cadmus would go insane and overrule the council’sdecision. Ever since Valen died, he…”

Bishop squeezed her hand. “He’s stillstruggling with Valen’s death?”

“Yes. He is so disconnected, my bear.From me, from the council… the whole clan. He still hasn’t chosen a replacementfor the council. Drago grows more impatient with each day that passes.”

“Does he still think he will be the one Cadmusappoints?”

“Yes,” Kaida said. “Just like he believesI will someday be his mate.”

Bishop made a face. “God, I hate thatguy. He’s such a douche.”

“Don’t I know it.” Kaida stood and leaneddown to press a kiss against Bishop’s forehead. “It was good to see you, my bear.I’ll see you Saturday, all right?”

“Yeah. Be careful with the cop. Will you?”

“I will,” she said.

“Don’t sleep with him,” Bishop said with agrimace.

“I don’t plan on it.”

Chapter Seven

“Tyler? Where are you?” Bren stepped intohis father’s apartment. He shut the door and headed down the hallway towardthe kitchen.

He glanced in, groaning inwardly when hesaw his father leaning against the granite covered island. “Hey, Dad.”

“Hello, Bren.” His father took a sip of winebefore studying the tablet in front of him. “What are you doing here?”

“Picking up Tyler.”

His father continued to look at thetablet. “How’s work?”

“Fine. How’s yours? Get any closer to yourgoal of branding shifters like beef?”

His father’s head snapped up and he stared coldlyat Bren. “Watch your mouth with me, Bren. You might think you’re better thanme, but you’re still my son and you will respect me.”

Bren held his father’s gaze. He had stoppedbeing afraid of his father a long time ago. “Respect is earned, not just given.”

His father shook his head. “Everything I’vedone for you and you’re still a spoiled brat. You’re exactly like yourmother. Do you know that? Ungrateful and unhappy with everything you’regiven.”

Before Bren could spit out a retort, Tylerjoined them in the kitchen. He was wearing track pants and anIron Mant-shirt, and he grabbed an apple from the bowl on the island. “Later, Dad.”

“Before you go,” his father’s voice turned greasy,“I need a favour.”

“What?” Bren said.

“There’s a charity luncheon coming up. I’dlike you to attend with me and Tyler.”

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