Page 123 of Destined By Dragonblood
The clatter of toenails on the stone floor drew my attention to the other side of the kitchen.
“Tiggy,” I murmured, dropping the two suitcases and holding out my arms.
He yipped and leapt toward me, paws on my shoulders, wet tongue from lapping at his water bowl snaking over my cheek with a sloppy kiss.
“Who’s a good boy?” I crooned, scratching behind his ears, snickering when he wagged his tail so hard he almost toppled over. “Did you miss me, boy? Hmm?” Grinning, I gave him a quick pat to his head and stood.
The large living area was tidy, but the scents of my mates and cum lingered on every surface. They had fucked on the couch, against the front door—on the kitchen table.
My gaze slid to the hallway leading deeper into the caverns.
“Stay,” I ordered Tiggy with one last pet to his head.
Whining, he flopped onto the floor, head on his front paws.
Cock swelled and aching, I strode toward the cave that led down into the bowels of the mountain, my inner beast whimpering with the same need driving me forward.
My nose and my mates’ energy led me into the library, and I pulled up short as my gaze landed on the wall to my right.
The door hiding my family’s sacred mausoleum had been pushed inward without permission or authority. None save a royal Blood Born could open the vault holding my ancestors’ incinerated bones. Only Elijah and I had the power to do such a thing. I hadn’t done so, which meant Elijah had somehow located and infiltrated my home. I scented my mates beyond the threshold but not Elijah. Was he somehow able to cloak his presence in ways I’d never learned?
Forehead furrowing and shoulders tightening, I hurried forward to find out what his intentions were toward the two who belonged to me.
I pulled up short on the threshold, my breath leaving in a rush.
Completely enthralled, both Vanni’s and Ashley’s palms lay atop my mother’s orb. Her aura rippled up their arms and around their bodies, lovingly embracing them both.
Warmth flooded through me, and heartbeat racing in my chest, I quickly scanned the room.
Elijah was nowhere to be found in the circular cavern.
My alpha—Vanni—was the only living male present. It didn’t matter that lesser dragonblood flowed through his veins. My mother had sensed the beast inside him, the heart of who my alpha was, and had allowed him entry.
My son.
Wetness gathered in my eyes as my mother’s beast whispered in my head.
You have always been worthy, more than enough to carry on our legacy.
Visions of Papa flitted through my head, causing my chest to ache.
Remember how he invested in and played with you. Adored every little part of who you are. Even now, he encourages you to follow your heart.
I wanted to question Father?—
The law isn’t always what one ought to decide their future upon.
My alpha father’s actual voice rumbled through my mind for the first time in centuries, and I closed my eyes, memories flashing through me, bringing a tumble of emotions I allowed in the hopes of healing. Father showed me visions of discipline, hurtful words, punishments over my rebellion in my earlier years before I’d cowed beneath his authority.
I am sorry.
My muscles weakened as glorious solace swept through me.
I was wrong—and I see that now that I’ve passed beyond the realm of limited knowledge. I have made my peace with your papa, my kindhearted beta whom I adore. He has forgiven me for my mistreatment toward him, and I hope you will one day be able to do the same.
I swallowed hard, yearning to do that very thing, but as with everything when it came to my human half’s stubborn side, I would need time to come to acceptance of his apologies.
Right now, I had more important matters to deal with.
