Page 44 of Ancient Promises

“There were other males,” Eivross said. “But their king is dead.”

One of the other Hunters stepped forward. “King? As in dragon king? Who was it and how did he die?”

“He was my brother, Zihndyr, and I killed him by dropping him in front of a train. He threatened my mate’s life and my own.” He let out a low growl. “I was acting in defense of my mate.”

The first male held up his hands. “Don’t worry about it, we know all about that fucking dragon king.” To the other Hunters, he said, “You guys spread out and find the other dragons. Then we need statements from everyone. Fi, your dad is going to shit a brick when he finds out you came here to help a stranger.”

The female sat on her hind legs and let out a whine.

The male rolled his eyes. “Look innocent all you like, it’s not going to work. Now, are you hurt?”

She shook her head.

“Good. Bella took the car to the bar, but your dad is on the way here to pick you up.”

Another vehicle appeared and Diem let out a sigh of relief at seeing Rehlik, Trace, and Novak get out. She was thankful it wasn’t just her and Eivross alone with the Hunters. Although she hadn’t had any bad dealings with them herself, she’d heard horror stories over the years about how they treated hybrids and exiles.

“I’m Rehlik, alpha of these two,” he said as he and the others came into the facility. “Is everyone all right?”

Chapter Eighteen

Eivross wanted to get Diem home and put the entire night behind them, but they were stuck until she could shift back and give her statement to the FSA. He’d given his own statement three different times, including once for Rehlik. The FSA was nothing if not thorough.

The strange female wolf who’d shown up and helped save Diem had left already. Once she’d been able to shift back to her human form, she gave a statement and left with her father, who was apparently the alpha of their wolf pack. Eivross hadn’t wanted to leave Diem’s side, but he had thanked the female after she was in her human shift again.

“How did you know where we were?” Eivross asked Rehlik.

“I had a vision that you guys were in trouble,” Trace said. “It was just a flash in my mind, but I saw dragons and wolves.”

“I had Arely use the friend finder app on her phone to locate Diem,” Rehlik said.

“That’s amazing,” Eivross said. “Why did you have a vision? Does that happen a lot?”

“Not really,” he said. “But my warlock side has been on high alert since your brother threatened you and Diem, so I think I was just sensitive to the danger.”

“I’m thankful you’re all here,” Eivross said. He looked at Rehlik. “Do you know the Fremont pack?”

“Only by reputation. They’re purebred and have the traditional purebred mindset of not liking hybrids or exiles.”

Trace folded his arms and stared at the Hunters who were standing in a group and speaking quietly. A large van drove up slowly and parked behind the SUV, another group of Hunters getting out.

“Ah, they’re here to process the dragons,” Trace said. “I texted Jewel and she said that they’ll take them all to the Hunters’ facility, where they’ll be locked up until their hearing.”

“What happens at the hearing?” Eivross asked.

“After what you all experienced, they’ll be charged with assault and attempted murder. Jewel thinks they won’t get out of FSA prison for a decade at least.”

Eivross hummed. “Do you really think so?”

“Jewel does. She was a Hunter before she came to Cider Falls and has family high up in the organization. Not that she’s in touch with them any longer of course, that ship sailed when she and I met.” Trace shook his head. “Anyway, it’s against FSA rules to go after someone who’s mated for the sole purpose of separating them. The fact that Zihndyr made threats publicly that he was going to kill you and take Diem for his third mate means you had every right to kill him to keep her safe, and yourself too.”

Eivross scratched Diem behind the ears, and she let out a soft whine. He didn’t really care what the punishment would have been, he’d have killed a hundred dragons to make sure she was safe.

Rehlik gripped his shoulder for a moment. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. My injuries have healed.”

“No, I mean are youall right?” He gave Eivross a sincere look, one laced with the knowledge of someone who’d gone up against his own family to save himself.

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