Page 33 of Walking in Darkness

“Hmmm.” Connie pursed his lips as he thought. “Yeah, I can see that. Grace’s the outgoing one, but Chris comes across as the powerhouse. He’s quiet but watchful.”

“I noticed that too. Humans are capable of having alpha-like characteristics.”

“He’s not human now.”

“No, but hewas. Those characteristics are now abilities.” Hudson had met many humans through the years who had those qualities.

They were often leaders—in wars, of countries, and so on. Others were corrupted by that power, while others rose to be brilliant statesmen. The same could happen in the paranormal world.

Without a doubt, Lennox was one of those who led with fear instead of earning loyalty. Even in this day and age, there were dragon courts led by fear and not honor.

Hudson tried to lead by example. He considered himself firm, but he could offer mercy or compassion when needed. Nothing was ever black or white, especially where power was concerned. Often times, he had to operate in the gray area, and he was okay with that.

He was more than capable of getting his hands dirty.

There were times through the years that court members had screwed up, and he’d had to punish them. But he tried to make the sentence fit the crime.

He also made himself available to his people, sometimes to the point where Connie complained because Hudson had no free time.

But Hudson wasn’t an idiot. He knew Connie was slowly but surely structuring his time so that he actuallyhadtime off. It really hadn’t been a problem in the past because he and Connie worked side by side.

But he was definitely going to enforce a quitting time now that Kit had come into their lives. Why? Because Kit didn’t work with him and Connie. His business didn’t revolve around dragons and was located in San DeLain.

And Hudson knew how important that bookstore was to Kit. He wanted it to flourish, just as he wanted Kit to flourish. But for Hudson’s peace of mind, there were going to be a couple more dragons working there.

Kit was the mate to a royal, after all. He would have protection.

CHAPTER NINE – CONNIE

“I LIKE his parents,” Connie said.

“I do too. There is something that’s bothering me, though.” Hudson frowned into his drink.

“What?”

“Kit has said his parents live in a commune. I wonder how many shifters live there. Is it just those three? Or is this commune actually a pack? Sorry, a coalition.”

That wasn’t something Connie had thought of, and he didn’t see why it was a concern. “Does it matter?”

“I’m afraid so. At least, it does now. Kit is our mate. Lennox isn’t the only threat we’ll have.”

“Ah.” Connie nodded. “I see where you’re going with this.” This was why Hudson was king. That devious mind of his was always working.

“We’ve seen the love Kit has for his parents. If someone wanted to hurt us, they’d target Kit. If they can’t get to Kit, who do they target next?”

“His parents.” Which made a sick sort of sense. To protect his mom and dads, Kit would do anything asked of him. Even something stupid. “I’m going to assume they haven’t thought of that.”

“Neither had I until just now. It’ll come to Michail, sooner or later.”

Connie was sure Hudson was right. Michail was a survivor, and in order to survive, he would’ve had to be smart.Plus, he was a paranormal. He was well aware of what titles and hierarchy meant to those like them. “What are you leading up to?”

“They need protection.” Hudson took a big gulp of his drink and set it on the table next to him. “And depending on how many shifters they have, and how well trained they are, there’s a distinct possibility I’m going to be sending a couple of my dragons back with them for an undetermined amount of time.”

“Which probably won’t go over well.” That was putting it mildly. Shifters were territorial. But then, most paranormals were.

“No doubt about it. But Kit’s parents are important to him, so they’re important to us. Iwillhave them protected.”

There wasn’t a doubt in Connie’s mind that Chris and Michail were going to find out how much of an alpha Hudson was, even though dragons didn’t have those types of titles.

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