Page 17 of Purple Protector

“I don’t know,” Hedley said. “I think all three of you would make cute kids. Can you imagine babies with Aaron’s eyes? Adorable.”

Aaron’s cheeks turned red. It was fascinating, and Birch wanted to touch the soft red color. He needed to keep his hands to himself, though. “I don’t think we’ll see those babies when he has them. He’s leaving, isn’t he?”

Because Aaron wasn’t a clan member. He was here to interview Killian and Hedley and to talk to other clan members, but he’d be going home eventually. Birch wasn’t sure why everyone was forgetting that, but he needed to keep it in mind before he got in too deep.

But instead of agreeing with him, Hedley’s expression turned pensive. “That’s true. Aaron isn’t a clan member.”

Why did Aaron look sad at the reminder? Why did Hedley look like he was plotting something? Birch wasn’t going to like this, was he? He disliked people meddling in general, but it was even worse when those people were the king and his consort. They could do what they wanted. They could tell Aaron that he could stay if he wanted to.

Birch narrowed his eyes at Hedley. That was what he was plotting, wasn’t it? For some reason, he and Killian had decided that Birch and Aaron belonged together, and they were working toward getting Birch to accept that.

What was Birch supposed to do? He couldn’t tell his king to fuck off, although he was tempted. He definitely couldn’t tell the consort to do the same. He liked Hedley, and he considered him family, but still. They hadn’t known each other nearly as long as Birch and Killian had, and it wouldn’t feel right. Besides, there was something imposing about Hedley that made it so that it wouldn’t feel right to say those words to him. Maybe Birch should anyway. Maybe he should tell Hedley how he felt about this.

The problem was that he didn’t know how he felt. Did he want Aaron to stay? He had no idea. He liked Aaron, but he couldn’t say he’d thought they might have a future until today. He’d kept as far away from him as he could because he knew that Aaron could be dangerous to his heart. It was better not to get to know him too well, even though it was hard when half the clan talked about him constantly. Apart from a few dragons, everyone seemed to like him.

“But that might change,” Hedley added.

Marlin snickered. Birch scowled at him. He’d known that was how things would end. Hedley and Killian were truly made for each other. Neither of them could keep their noses out of Birch’s business.

Chapter Six

AARON WAS NERVOUS. He had no idea why he was in Killian’s office, sitting in front of his desk facing him and Hedley. They’d already had the interview that had been planned, so there was no reason for either of them to talk to Aaron again. Aaron had a few follow-up questions, but he could’ve emailed them. He didn’t want to bother either of them, considering how important their jobs were.

But he wasn’t the one who’d requested this meeting. When Marlin had come to pick him up, he’d mentioned that Hedley had asked for it and that Killian had agreed. Unfortunately, that didn’t tell Aaron what was going on.

Were they unhappy with his work? He’d already written a few articles, but only the first one had been published so far. He’d been afraid to check how people took it, but from what Lucy had told him during their last phone call, most readers loved it. Humans were curious about dragons and their lives after thinking they were animals for so long. They thirsted for knowledge about the clans and the dragons who lived in them, and they’d fallen on Aaron’s article like they were starving.

That was it, wasn’t it? Hedley and Killian hadn’t liked the article, and they were about to kick him out of the clan. God, Lucy would be so pissed. He would be so pissed. He’d wasted this opportunity.

“Breathe, Aaron,” Hedley said gently. “You’re fine. You’re not in any trouble.”

Aaron blinked at him. “I’m sorry?”

“You look like you’re about to faint. There’s no need for you to worry. You’re not here because we’re unhappy with you or because you did something you shouldn’t have.” He glanced at Killian. “I told Killian that we should explain right away, but he likes to be dramatic.”

Killian grinned, exposing his fangs. “Am I?”

If there was any species that could be called dramatic, it was dragon shifters, especially their king. Killian’s skin was covered in light blue patches of scales that glittered in the sunlight. His long hair was pulled away from his face, and his light blue eyes looked like they could stare right into your soul. It was a bit creepy, but Killian’s personality helped. For a king, he was surprisingly nice and respectful of everyone.

Including the boring human who’d been sent to talk to his people.

Hedley rolled his eyes and kissed Killian’s cheek. “You know you are,” he murmured in a tone that spoke of his affection for Killian.

It was intimate, and Aaron had to look away.

The problem with looking away was that he happened to do so in Birch’s direction. The dragon stood by the desk, looking exasperated. He grinned at Aaron, and Aaron couldn’t stop himself from smiling back.

What the fuck was it about this dragon in particular that had pulled Aaron in? Sure, Birch was sexy, but Aaron had never been one to focus on anyone’s physical aspect. Maybe it was the fond way Birch behaved with Killian and Hedley. Maybe it was the obviously strong friendship he shared with Marlin. Maybe it was the way he treated Aaron—not like he was something to be watched and stared at, but an actual person. Aaron didn’t mind the fact that a lot of dragons had been staring at him since he’d arrived, but he liked that Birch hadn’t done that.

“We would like you to become a clan member,” Hedley said.

Aaron blinked and turned to look at him. “I’m sorry?”

“You heard me. Killian and I talked about it, and we think it would be a good idea. We want more humans to become part of our clan. It worked for the Ogorth clan, so why not ours? Besides, we feel that you belong with us.”

Aaron had never felt like he belonged with anyone—not his parents, not any of his ex-boyfriends. He’d been happy with them, but he’d always felt like they were temporary, and he’d been right. Something about the clan didn’t feel that way. It felt permanent.

“Yes.”

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