Page 29 of Hidden Fate

Vlad nodded. “Congratulations on your new addition. Having a child, especially now, is truly a gift.”

“It’ll be best for Emily to shift into her dragon when she can,” I said. I remembered how disconnected I’d been with my dragon until we’d merged. “She shouldn’t rush it, but if she starts feeling antsy, that will help her connect with her dragon.”

Come on, babe.Thorn reached a hand toward me, waiting for me on the steps.

“Let me go check on Emily one last time.” I pivoted back to the room. “I just need a sec.” I quietly opened the bedroom door and heard that Emily’s heartbeat was stronger. She was asleep, lying on the bed with a fresh, clean white comforter surrounding her. She was going to be fine.

I shut the door again and made my way to my mate. As we got ready to leave, Mikah, baby Thorn, Katla, and Volos sat on the couch in the living room.

When I took Thorn’s hand, Edna said, “Don’t leave. Head back to the house and stay. After what you’ve done for us, that’s the least we can do to repay you.”

Hope sprang to life in my chest. We didn’t have anywhere to go. Allowing us to stay would help us more than she realized.

“Are you sure?” Theron asked carefully. “We don’t want you to do something you aren’t comfortable with.”

“Not only that, but the later we leave, the more thunder members will see us.” Vlad chewed on his lip. “We can’t risk word getting back to Drake and the warriors.”

“No one should be up if you leave now, but that will change soon.” Edna patted Theron’s arm. “But after we learned what happened to your thunder, no one will be tempted to say anything. We don’t want the warriors here. Though most people know we have a safe house, they have no clue where it is. I did tell them it exists because fear for Mindy and two older couples was taking hold of our thunder. When I confirmed we had a backup in place, some semblance of control replaced the fear. They won’t risk our thunder, not after Mikah, Mindy, and I tell them everything you’ve done. They’ll want you to stay, and it’s my call.”

“And we’ll back them.” Katla now had the baby in her arms. “I’m so sorry for the way we reacted. But Mikah, Mindy, and Edna wouldn’t lie, and because of you, we have a grandbaby.”

Vlad and Thorn looked at each other, uncertainty lining their faces.

“If anything seems off, I’ll let you know.” Edna placed a hand on her heart. “Please trust me like I trusted your group when I opened our safe house to you.”

She had us there. Though she trusted Theron, we could’ve been forcing him to use his resources. Having us here was a leap of faith.

I think we should trust her,I connected with Thorn.I believe she would tell us if something didn’t seem right. Besides, can we risk not having a safe place to stay? Leaving could be worse.

Thorn pursed his lips. “Okay. But if even one person isn’t behind it…”

“We’ll let you know.” Edna crossed her heart. “I promise. Our community is tight, and I can read my people. I just need to sleep after being up all night. Then I’ll talk to them before bringing over the couples and Mindy to stay with you.”

The house would be full, but it was worth the crowd if we got to stay. I smiled. “Thank you.”

“Now go on, before more people get up.” Edna pointed at the front door. “I’ll visit you later, after the conversation happens.”

That was all we needed.

As we walked down the stairs, Mikah popped up, looking over the banister. “Thank you all again. It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“You’re welcome,” Thorn growled, though surprise swirled between us as we hurried outside and climbed back into the truck.

As soon as the truck pulled away from the neighborhood, my eyelids grew heavy. I laid my head on Thorn’s shoulder, and he wrapped his muscular arm around me. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sounds of his breath and heartbeat while his scent hung around me.

You know…after we handle Drake and save our people, maybe you and I can live near your university so you can get back to school and become a doctor. Watching you tonight was damn sexy, and you made me so proud.His fingers stroked my arm, and both my skin and heart tingled.

I lifted my head as the world tilted.Wait. No more running away? You actually want to stay?

Let’s just say I finally see that you’re right.He kissed my forehead.Our people don’t deserve to live in fear and under constant threat. They deserve to have full lives, happiness, and a leader who will fight for them. If we run, it wouldn’t be right. All these dragons are being killed because Drake doesn’t understand their worth. We have to fix this, for them and for the two of us to have the kind of life we deserve with each other.

I cupped his face, afraid my chest might crack open from all the happiness swirling through me. My mate was amazing, and he was finally seeing his worth and what was right for us all. Plus, combining my dreams would be fantastic. I nestled back into his side.I’d like that future. You could rub my feet as I studied all night.

I’d do more than rub your feet.His chest rumbled with desire.

I smiled.

“Ew,” Saphira gasped. “I don’t know what you two are saying, but quit it. I can smell the effect. You are notalonein the backseat.”

---