Page 47

Story: Reclaimed

“And how would you know that, Dyl?”

“I saw you flying. You looked huge.” Dylan spread his arms demonstratively.

That pleased my dragon even more. Not only did Dylan want to spend his first shift with me, he also knew my dragon was thebigger and stronger of the two. Maybe it was petty, but it pleased us. I’d missed a lot of time with him. I couldn’t turn back the clock. All I could do now was try to make up for it.

“All right.” I knelt to Dylan’s eye-level. “After I shift, I’m still myself, okay? You’re as safe with me in my dragon form as you are with me now.”

Dylan nodded eagerly. “I know that, Dad. I won’t be scared, I promise.”

He trusted me so easily. I wasn’t going to let him down. Not anymore. Standing, I backed up a few steps. I grinned at Dylan, then took a deep breath.

Let’s get this show on the road.

My dragon surged forward.

I loved shifting, but I knew it could be strange to watch. It happened fast: a ripple of sage-green scales dotted with gold cascaded over my skin. My body thrummed with power as my muscles and bones cracked, grew, and re-aligned. It was a weird sensation, like a really strong massage, but painless. I felt it in both my body and my soul. My dragon’s senses rocketed to the forefront of my consciousness, sharp and intense.

Four clawed feet dug into the earth. I stretched my wings out luxuriously. In this form, the wind carried scents like stories toward me: the foxes in the nearby woods, the crisp fresh lake water, exhaust from the distant cars. I shook my head, clearing my mind.

Below me, Dylan stood with his eyes wide and his jaw slack. He looked so small. Fragile. I hummed, low in my throat, as my protective instincts surged forward. I’d do anything for this kid. I knew that in my human form, too, but in my dragon form my emotions grew in size and power. It was like a fire surging inside me. This was myblood. My son. I would never be absent from his life again.

“Whoa,” Dylan whispered. “You reallyarebig.”

I chuffed and lowered my head so it was right above the ground. Dylan took a cautious but confident step forward. I let my eyes fall half-lidded in a show of calm—though I hardly felt it. Dylan smiled as he reached out and set his hand on my snout. I exhaled two small columns of smoke from my nostrils, which made Dylan giggle with delight.

“Hey, Dyl,” Hawk called as he came around the side of the house, smiling. “You ready to go for a ride?”

“Yes.” Dylan was nearly vibrating with excitement. “Let’s go!”

“Looking good, Ace.” Hawk thumped my shoulder.

I huffed in response, then dropped down so my belly was flat against the ground. I couldn’t remember the last time Hawk had climbed onto my back—it wasn’t really a thing we did as adults. But if there was anyone I trusted to keep an eye on Dylan while we flew, it was Hawk.

Hawk picked Dylan up and swung him onto my back. Dylan settled down right by the base of my neck, then Hawk hopped up behind him. I craned my head back and watched them settle in place. Hawk wrapped his arms around Dylan to keep him in place, then dug his heels into my sides. “Ready when you are, Ace.”

I stood up. Dylan squeaked in excitement, and I sensed the smallest amount of fear from him. I stretched out my long wings, relishing the lush feeling of their full extension, then raised my head and took off.

Flight.

Every time felt like the first time.

I beat my wings a few times until the wind picked me up like a wave under a surfboard. I soared up, not too high, but high enough for Dylan to start whooping and hollering. The wind was cool against my scales, bringing with it a symphony of scents. I soared over the lake, banking this way and that. Okay, I wasshowing off a little, but I couldn’t get enough of Dylan’s giddy laughter.

It was easy to lose track of time while I was flying. I took Dylan all around the lake, then close to the mountains, but never too high. I’d promised Harley I wouldn’t. Next time I’d take him up into the clouds. Maybe we’d fly through them together.

The sun was high in the sky by the time I soared back toward the house. I landed with a gentle thump on the soft grass.

Harley was standing barefoot on the grass, in denim shorts and a plain T-shirt, her auburn hair hanging loose around her shoulders. Desire burned through my whole body, more powerful than ever. This was where we were supposed to be. At home with our mate and our son, protecting them both, making them both happy.

God, I wanted to mate with her. I wanted more. I wanted her to be mine.

“Mom!” Dylan slid off my back. He charged over to her, bouncing with glee. “Mom, did you see us flying? How cool is that? We were so high up. And the lake is so pretty! And the wind! And Dad is huge!”

Laughing, Harley knelt and listened attentively while Dylan gesticulated wildly and told her all about the ride. Her gaze flickered over his shoulder and caught mine, and her smile widened a little, like she couldn’t help it.

I loved it when she looked at me like that. I wanted her to look at me like that all the time.

“Good flying, Ace,” Hawk said as he hopped off and shot me a knowing grin. “I’ll take Dylan inside.”

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