Page 8 of The Dragon's Mate

The door opened and Gram stuck her headout. “You can come back in, Tyler.”

He stood and followed Gram eagerly into thecabin as Bren sat down on the step next to her. He wasn’t sitting that close,but she immediately shifted away. Unbelievably, her dragon purred to the humanand her eyes widened. Shit. Had she purred out loud?

The human wasn’t staring at her like he’dheard the purr, but unease crowded into her chest. What the fuck was wrongwith her dragon?

* * *

Kaida was undeniably gorgeous, Brendecided. Her pale skin and long dark hair were a striking combination and he staredat the streaks of blue in her hair for a moment before he shifted his gazedownward. The odd cloak she was wearing hid the curves of her body but a womanas tall as Kaida would have full breasts and hips.

He felt an unexpected bite of lust and didn’tlook away when she turned to face him. Her eyes were stunning – an odd goldencolour that fascinated him. There were small flecks of blue in the gold and heleaned a little closer. Contacts, he decided, she must be wearing contacts. Noone – shifter or human – had eyes that colour.

“You’re staring.”

He twitched when he felt her hand on hisbroad chest. She pushed him back, not that lightly, and frowned. “It’s rudeto stare at a person like that.”

“Sorry.” He stared at the other cabinsscattered throughout the trees before raking his hand through his hair. Anger wasbubbling up inside of him again and he wanted to jump in his car, drive to thatasshole teenager’s house, and arrest the little shithead for battery.

“Thank you for helping him,” he said.

“You’re welcome.” She studied her handsfor a moment. “I’ll teach him and the fox to fight, but it won’t do them muchgood if the other boys go after them again right away.”

He sighed. “I know. I’ll have to talk tothe school, at least let them know the bullying is out of control and ask themto keep a close eye on the boys.”

“Do you think that will work?”

“Honestly? No. But I don’t know what elseto do. I guess I could talk to Dad about pulling him from school, maybetransfer him somewhere else to finish the year, but then he’ll want to know whyand Tyler… he won’t want him knowing any details.”

He swallowed down his bitter laugh. If hisfather knew Tyler was gay, he’d lose his shit. The man didn’t just have aproblem with shifters. He was also a homophobe, a misogynist, a racist, and ashitty father. If asked, Bren would be hard-pressed to say one good thing aboutthe man who shared his DNA. Excellent at bullshitting the general public, maybe.

He stared at his hands. He needed to befiguring out how to keep Tyler safe, not worrying about his asshole of a father.“It’s before and after school that I’m really worried about. Even if he comesstraight home after classes, there’s still the opportunity for them to go afterhim when he’s biking home.”

He paused. “I could try and be there todrive him and Corey home every day, but my job isn’t exactly a nine to five. Iwork weird hours and if I’m on a case, I might not be able to get away to drivehim home.”

“A case?” Kaida said.

“I’m a detective with the fifty-thirdprecinct,” Bren replied.

“Tyler doesn’t strike me as the type wholikes to be babysat anyway,” Kaida said.

He snorted. “Yeah, he isn’t. He’s scaredbut he’ll also be pissed about being watched like a child. I don’t blame him.Those pricks are the ones who deserve to be punished, yet he’ll be the onebeing punished. He deserves to live a normal life, and to not have to worryabout being beat up because of who he loves.”

His hands were rolled into tight fists andhe slammed them on his own thighs in frustration. “He’s a good kid, alwayssees the good in people, and I hate that he’s learning the truth about them.”

“Humans suck.” There was no malice in hervoice, only a weary resignation.

“Yeah, we really do.”

“I might know someone who can help you,” shesaid.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes.” The sun was low in the horizon andhe watched the dying light flash in her eyes. “I have a friend who owns a privatesecurity company. They provide personal security for paranormals mostly, but Iknow they provide their services to humans too. I’ll give Bishop a calltomorrow and -”

He started to laugh, and she frowned at him.“What’s so funny?”

“You’re talking about Bishop King, aren’tyou?”

She jerked all over. “Yes. Do you knowhim?”

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