Page 34 of The Dragon's Emberlinked Mate
Gilbert explained that their clan had kicked them out upon learning that his sister was mated to a wolf. They had lived without a clan for many years, but now that his sister and brother-in-law had passed away, he needed the support of a clan to help with the children.
“Charles still struggles with having lost his parents. The twins remember them, but they seem to have processed things better than their older brother. However, they need better guidance as well. I most certainly don’t know how to teach a wolf shifter anything.”
We both stood, knowing that this meeting was coming to a close. I had no idea what his plans were, or what his decision would be. According to Zayne, Charles had quite the talent for flight. He would do well on our teams. His academics could use some work. He hadn’t scored high enough on the entry exams to qualify for a team, so he’d need tutoring. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had students who needed extra assistance.
Malric had explained to me that he wanted the Costen family to join the clan because Gilbert was a talented investor, and we could use his expertise. I wanted him to join the clan because it seemed as if the man’s family could use the support of a clanthat actually cared. But what we wanted didn’t matter. Only they could decide if this was the place for them.
We walked down the hall. The sound of my mate’s laughter reached my ears, but then another sound accompanied it — one I didn’t expect to hear. Little children.
“Is that the twins?” Gilbert said. “They were supposed to be outside with their brother.”
We followed the sound until we reached the teachers’ lounge, where Rhythe was sitting at the table with the two young children, spreading an assortment of peanut butter and a chocolate hazelnut spread onto animal crackers.
“Now, you can’t tell anyone about this stash, because I hid it away so no one would take it. Not even my mate.” My mate was a mischievous one.
“You hide things from your mate?” the girl asked.
“Just food.” Rhythe shrugged.
The girl laughed. “We should make dragon-shaped animal crackers. And wolf ones!”
“That’s brilliant,” Rhythe said. “I’m gonna tell that to Ollie. I bet he’d like a mouse-shaped one.”
“Who’s Ollie?” the little boy asked.
“My friend I was telling you about, the mouse, mated to Lord Malric. I’ll bet the two of them can make it happen. And I’ll be sure to tell him it was your idea.”
“Really?” The little boy’s eyes went wide.
“Why not, it’s a great idea.”
“Kids,” Gilbert said. “What are you doing in here? You were supposed to be with your brother.”
Both twins gasped and looked at their uncle. “We were hungry, so we came inside, and we found a vending machine, but all it had was books. Charles is still flying around.”
Rhythe chuckled. “Seems they were in search of a snack. So, I hope you don’t mind I found them one.”
“Found them one or took out your secret stash, mate?” I laughed. Rhythe would know I was joking, but the others might not without that laugh.
He ignored me, but his cheeks were the perfect shade of pink. He’d heard me all right.
“They said they weren’t allergic to anything. We only had a few crackers so far.”
“It’s fine.” Gilbert reached out a hand, and Rhythe shook it. “I’m Gilbert.”
“I’m Rhythe. And apparently, I’m going to start an animal cracker business with your twins here.”
These kids had been through so much, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they were chatting up my mate and downing snacks.
Gilbert chuckled, the first time he’s shown any emotion besides contempt since arriving. “Well, it seems we made the right choice by coming here then. Commander Emmen, why don’t we return to your office and finish the enrollment paperwork?”
We hadn’t even started the paperwork. Only five minutes earlier, I’d been sure he was going to walk away, at least for now.
“Of course,” I said. “I’d be happy to. Rhythe, did you need anything from me?”
“No, I’m just about done for the day, but I can hang out with these two if you two need to do paperwork.”
“Perfect.”
