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“That’ll take too long. I’m ready to go.”

“You’re excited, huh?” I nudged Dylan aside and rearranged some of the things in his suitcase to get the zip to close.

“Yeah.” Dylan nodded eagerly, then rubbed his palm over his chest. “My dragon’s excited, too.”

“That’s good,” I said. “Being around your dad should make your shifting a little easier. It’ll be good practice.”

“I’m really excited,” Dylan said quietly. “Do you think he’ll take me flying?”

I closed my eyes. The memory was so sudden I could almost feel the wind on my face, feel Stephan’s smooth scales under my hands. I could almost see the spread of the lake like a plate of glass beneath us as we soared through the clouds. “I’m not sure, Dyl,” I managed to say. “But remember, this is only for the summer, okay? We’ll have to go back to Atlanta at the end of the season. And you have to go back to school.”

“I know, I know,” he grumbled. “But a summer can change a lot of things, right?”

“It can,” I said.

He had no idea how right he was.

10

ACE

Iswallowed the last of the dregs of the whiskey in my glass. The alcohol didn’t do a damn thing—never did—but I liked to think the placebo effect did something for my nerves. Hopefully, that distillery we had invested in was onto something. I’d kill for a little buzz right now.

I’d gone to Liz Founty’s house as soon as I’d gotten out of my meeting with Striker. It’d only been a clan meeting, going over the theft and the evidence that Sean was involved. I spoke to the distributor on the phone, personally—and that was the only reason why he’d agreed to meet with Striker and me tomorrow. I had to ensure this theft didn’t turn into something bigger. I needed to keep Lakeview safe while Harley and Dylan were here, no matter what that took.

It was late, and the moonlight streamed into the empty living room. At night, the house felt emptier. There was too much space here, too many bedrooms, too much land. It was all too much for one man.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy for me to share my home with my fated mate. My dragon whined at the mere thought of it. Having Harley here, inmyterritory, close tomybedroom, where Ishould be taking care of her, pleasuring her, keeping her safe… She’d be close, but entirely out of reach. Fuck, it would be harder than not having her at all.

An engine rumbled outside, cut off, and then footsteps crunched briskly up the gravel driveway. I heard Dylan’s excited voice chattering before I heard the knock on the door. My dragon sensed them both—my son and my mate.

This felt so right, and at the same time, it wasn’t anywhere close to enough.

I set my glass aside and strode to the door. “Come on in,” I said with a smile. “Make yourself at home.”

“Yay!” Dylan’s voice echoed all the way up to the rafters. “This is so awesome.”

“Don’t get too excited, kiddo,” Harley said. “Remember, you’re still in trouble from earlier.”

Dylan’s expression fell a little. Obviously, Dylan had thought Harley had forgotten about something.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Tell your dad what you got in trouble for,” Harley said as she set her suitcase down in the foyer and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked like a stern, serious mom. Seeing that unfamiliar expression on her face turned me on—just a little. But in my defense, everything about her turned me on.

“Um… I yelled at her,” Dylan said meekly.

“About what?” Harley prompted.

“I didn’t want to go back to Mama Liz’s.”

“Right,” Harley said. “And you used the strong words and tone that we’re not supposed to, right?”

“Uh-huh.” Dylan toed at the floor. “I was… I was really mad.”

“I get it.” I stepped closer to Dylan and set a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and I saw my own hazel eyes looking back at me. God, would I ever get used to the resemblance?“I know how big your feelings can be when your first shift is coming. I remember how that feels.”

“You do?”