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Leaned against the bars, the dragon’s darkly penetrating gaze locked on to Emme. “Are you okay, sweetness?”

Emme looked around like she was trying to figure out what had happened, only there was no sign of an escape. Everything looked normal. “Did—did you leave this cell and house?” she finally asked him.

Talon reached out a hand and remained silent.

Slade had told us that the other dragon was much more receptive to questions when Emme touched him, and as our omega shuffled forward, Slade’s arm shot out.

He wrapped one giant as fuck hand around his twin’s throat, and Talon never blinked an eye.

If anything, he appeared almost bored by the punishing grip and lack of oxygen.

Scary psycho.

“Answer her question,” Slade snarled. “How did you get out of the cells? And more importantly, why did you put yourself back into them? Was Fletcher behind the attack in the council chambers? Emme could have been killed, you dumb motherfucker.”

Talon finally showed a sliver of anger, as he bared his teeth, nostrils flaring. The heat intensified until we all got a free sauna to go with our dragon fight. Add in a beer and popcorn and we’d have quite the show.

Emme huffed, and hurried closer, unconcerned that she stood beside two raging, mythical beasts.

“Stop it,” she snapped, and fuck if my spine didn’t slam straight at the command in her tone. Goddess have mercy on my sad, needy soul. And throbbing cock.

From here on out, Emme needed to use that tone in the bedroom. I would accept nothing less.

She shot a smirk over her shoulder at me, and I loved the sight of her palming my bite.

That’s right, pretty mate . You’re fucking mine.

“He’s the enemy,” Slade reminded her, and she returned her focus to the dragon war.

“This is getting us nowhere, Slade. We have to work together if we want a chance to win this damn fight.” She took Talon’s extended hand, which he hadn’t dropped even under attack.

With an annoyed huff, Slade released his brother, and I studied the two of them while they stood close together. They did look scarily alike. Their faces were the same, but Talon’s expression was darker and harder, along with the scar and shaved head.

Slade’s eyes were more manic though, giving the impression his dragon was extra unstable.

When Talon tugged her closer, Emme went willingly. “Did you escape?” she asked, her voice calmer.

He didn’t even try to lie. “Yes. I heard the explosion and felt your panic and fear. I had to make sure you were okay, and once I confirmed that, I returned here.”

We all just stared at him, and I examined the bars allegedly holding him prisoner, but they all looked intact. “What the actual fuck?” Hunter snarled. “Why are you pretending to be locked up if you could leave at any time?”

Talon met his gaze without flinching. “I’m not pretending. It takes a lot of energy to manipulate the matter that encases this room. I won’t be able to do it again for a few days. But it was worth it to ensure my mate’s safety.”

Emme threw her free hand in the air and shook her head.

“As much as I appreciate that, I’d prefer if you remained in here.

Safe.” She huffed, her cute little nose wrinkling.

“And with that, it’s been a damn long day, and I’m going to bed.

” She pulled away, and I was surprised that Talon allowed it without a fight.

It appeared that dragon-dude was on his best behavior too.

“It’s lunchtime,” Slade said, narrowing his gaze on her.

Lunchtime or not, there was plenty we could do in bed. “I’ll tuck her in for a nap,” I called, grabbing dibs. My nights lately had all been shared with Hunter, and I was ready for a little Emme alone time.

Slade and Hunter exchanged a look. “Okay, well, if this bastard is locked down, and I don’t detect any lies from him,” Slade said. “We need to get back to the council chambers and deal with the witch.”

Thank you, goddess, for blessing me with this gift . No sharing today. She was all mine. “I’ll keep her safe.”

Emme’s gaze heated as she felt the pulse of my desire through our bond, and I forced myself to breathe normally. Hunter shook his head, dispelling the notion I had kept anything from them. “Don’t wear her out too much, annoying pup. She needs to rest. None of us are sleeping well these days.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Emme growled back, her cute little wolf poking up.

When I held my hand out for her, she latched on and snuggled into my side. “Take me to bed, Golden,” she whispered, her eyes darkening.

My favorite body part shot to attention, and I risked a glance at the caged dragon to find he looked mostly curious, without any obvious jealousy. Interesting .

Hunter and Slade did a sweep of the house before leaving, and I reminded them that Fin was out there raging around as a bear, and to keep an eye out for him. Then I took my mate up to my room, barely able to stop from throwing her over my shoulder and charging.

Emme didn’t always love the way we carried her around like our own personal wolf plushie, and today she wanted to walk on her own.

“Shower first?” she suggested, breathing in the scent of my room until she started to calm.

My caramel and cinnamon tones were everywhere, and I loved that she needed a hit.

Just like I needed every part of my Shortcake.

Emme’s expression remained somber as we entered the bathroom, and she didn’t even protest as I slowly stripped her clothes off, annoyed by the small piles of plaster, wood chips, and rubble that hit the floor too.

She’d come close to being hurt again, and I was so fucking sick of my mate being in harm’s way.

I wanted to rage and crush the world around us.

In the shower, Emme leaned down and rested her head against my chest, and I did nothing but hold her. She was so tall that it had to be uncomfortable to bend her neck in that way, but she didn’t show any sign of it.

“When did you start reading romances?” she asked randomly, her voice soft.

There was a hint of urgency in the question, as if she was worried if she didn’t ask now, she’d never hear the answer. “Oh, and why all the plants? I’d really love to know about those too.”

Smiling as I propped my chin on top of her head, I said, “Well, I honestly started reading when I first discovered girls. My brothers clued me in on the importance of romance, and while they didn’t suggest the novels, I did my own research and concluded that female authors were all but giving me an insight into their minds… their wants… their needs.”

Emme wiggled against me, and at first, I thought she was upset about the mention of “girls,” not that any female existed in the world now except for her, but then she chuckled.

Needing more of that, I continued: “Funniest part was that it did teach me about romance, but it also opened my eyes to true escapism. I love the heart and soul that are woven into these stories, and the fact that I get spice as well… Sign me the fuck up. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

“I love that,” she mumbled against me, her soft lips brushing my skin, and I had to remind my dick that it was not play time. Not yet.

“And the plants.” I thought back to when that had started for me.

“I guess it would be from my mom. Dad taught me weapons, and Mom taught me to surround myself in greenery. She loves to garden. You should see their pack’s house…

I don’t think they’ve bought groceries in ten years.

She grows everything. They even have their own cattle.

It’s a full farm community in their area. ”

Emme was quiet as she absorbed that information, and then she let out a sigh.

“You really did come from a good family, didn’t you?

I honestly thought they only existed in fairy tales.

Even in romance novels the families are usually fucked up, hence why these main characters always have to save themselves. ”

I’d never thought of my family as anything other than fucking awesome, but the more I experienced the real world , the more I was coming to see that I’d been truly blessed.

Growing up with them was a gift that I needed to be more mindful of.

“I should ring my parents again soon,” I murmured, holding her even closer. “They want to visit and meet you.”

“I’d like that,” she said, her voice low and relaxed. “I’d like to see a real family in action.”

I pulled her up until she stood straight, and I could stare into her beautiful blue irises. “You do see one. Every day in our pack house. We’re a real family, and you’ll eventually accept our unconditional love, which is the sort of love you should have had growing up.”

Her lips trembled, but she didn’t cry.

She was so strong. It killed me that she’d been forced into that position, when her omega soul was soft and gentle.

“Let me take care of you, baby,” I breathed, pressing my lips to her right cheek, and then her left, before slowly kissing across my perfect freckles and down to her mouth.

“Yes,” she said, breathily. “Please, Golden.”

I reached for my shampoo and lathered up her hair, slowly and gently, marveling at how beautiful she looked when her head fell back to give me better access. The long lines of her throat called to me, and I brushed my lips down the front as I finished off her hair.

By the time we were both clean, the aching sadness had left her body, and she smiled as she snuggled into our bed. We were both naked, and my dick was hard enough to punch a hole through the wall, though I didn’t even bother palming the needy asshole. It was time to focus on Emme’s needs.

“Will you read to me?” she asked, pointing toward our latest story. “I need to escape into a nicer fantasy world for a bit.”

We were halfway through a series that I’d started reading during one of her nightmares. They were coming less frequently, thank fuck, but I was glad the reading persisted.

Reaching for the book, I smirked at the realization that we’d left off last night just before chapter twenty-seven. The perfect chapter for what I had planned.