Page 11 of The Dragon's Surprise
“Yes. And by the sounds of it, the male who raised him didn’t want anything to do with him, once he found out.”
His aunt’s voice softened. “So he was abandoned by two parents, then.”
“Yes. And maybe if there was another doctor, I’d consider it. But there isn’t. And too many people depend on me, Aunt Rita. I can’t risk it.”
“You won’t repeat the mistake from your past, my boy. This is different. You’re not young and stupid, thinking you could live your old life and still be a doctor. You’ve grown up.” She sipped the water in front of her before adding, “Plus, I heard the female DOCS employee is nice and pretty and good with kids. She obviously doesn’t hate our kind, and she’s single.”
“How did you…Oh, wait. Jenny.”
Jenny’s mother-in-law was Rosa Maria Torres, his aunt’s best friend.
His aunt continued. “Jenny won’t tell anyone else, but she tells her mate and mother-in-law everything. Rosa Maria only talked with me because she knows how you try to carry the world on your shoulders and thought I might be able to help you. If you do want to raise him, Kyle, I would always be here to help you.”
He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I know that, but it’s not as simple as raising the boy, though.”
His aunt merely waited, nibbling on a cookie, as he debated telling her his dragon’s guess.
His beast spoke up.Why hold back? She’ll find out eventually, anyway. She always does.
Aunt Rita placed a hand over his and squeezed. “Tell me, Kyle. I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
He met the green eyes so like his own and said, “My dragon thinks the DOCS employee, Lexi Sakamoto, is our true mate.”
Her pupils flashed to slits and back. “Hmm, then I think fate had a hand.”
“Which is the problem. I like things planned, without any surprises. I only just found out I have a son, and on the same day, I meet the female who’s probably my true mate? After so many years of being in control, I don’t like it.”
His aunt snorted. “Come on, Kyle, you know how I found my mate all those years ago. It wasn’t exactly convenient back then, either.”
His uncle had been dared to visit a different clan, claim their clan’s flag, and return to SkyFalls without being seen.
Except his aunt had caught him in the act and chased after him. He eventually tripped, she reclaimed the flag, and they’d ended up talking for hours. Somehow the incident had turned into secretly dating, which had been risky. Mating between clans back then had been difficult, and yet somehow his aunt had been able to stay on MirrorPeak and get her eventual mate to come, too.
He said, “But you were at least a little in love with him before he told you that you were his true mate. In my case, Lexi will be gone in two weeks, and I can’t distract her from taking care of Ethan.”
“Then why not get to know the boy, which will also mean spending time in her company, and see how it goes?”
“And what about the clinic?”
“Hmm. Rio owes me a favor, so I’ll ask him to find another clan doctor to stay here and help for a week or two.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Why does Rio owe you a favor?”
She waved a hand in dismissal. “That’s not important. But I might be able to get someone here in the next day or two. If so, will you take the time to at least get to know the boy and think about telling him the truth?”
After taking another cookie, he nibbled and debated what to do.
His dragon spoke up.At least give both of them a chance. Otherwise, you’ll regret it. And if Aunt Rita does get another doctor here, you’ll be out of excuses.
You make it seem like taking care of my patients isn’t important.
Of course it is. But every clan should have at least two doctors. Maybe one day they’ll let humans train and live with dragon clans, and it won’t be a problem any longer. But for now, Aunt Rita’s offer is the best we could hope for.
Kyle met his aunt’s gaze again. After a few beats, he sighed. “Fine. If you can get me some help, I’ll spend some time with Ethan.”
“And Lexi?”
He grunted. “We’ll see.”
