Page 40 of Claimed By the Dragon

The dragon nodded, and she reluctantly removed her hand but not before giving the snout a quick pat and smiling at the single dragon eye she could see.

After trying to read his expression and failing, Grace finally turned and went to fetch Eddie first, who was the most animated she’d seen to date.

Having Grace’s fingers scratch behind Trahern’s ear had been pure bliss, for both man and beast.

His dragon hummed as they watched her pick up Eddie.I want her to pet me again. We need to shift more often for our mate.

Before Grace, Trahern never would’ve desired changing forms often. It’d always been a battle, one he’d been afraid to lose, and had worried he might turn rogue.

However, the earlier fears and nervousness had faded significantly. His dragon was happy, and Trahern nearly trusted him.

His beast said softly,You will trust me soon. I was young before, and impatient.

And I was damaged and afraid.

Together, we fucked up badly.

Yes, but Grace and the boys have forced us to work together. And I’m…glad.

Me, too.

For the first time in his life, Trahern appreciated the second personality inside his head. He and his dragon almost felt like…friends.

His beast grunted.Wearefriends.

Trahern wanted to believe his beast, to trust him completely.

But he wasn’t quite there yet.

However, before he could think of how to reply, Grace stood in front of them again, with Eddie in her arms. The little boy stared up with big eyes and reached a hand toward his face.

His dragon lowered his head until the boy could lightly slap his hand against their snout.

Grace said, “Be gentle, Eddie. Don’t hit the dragon. Pet him. Like this.”

As his female’s fingers stroked his snout again, both man and beast hummed.

The sound didn’t frighten the female or the boy. Instead, Eddie started to babble as his mother helped him pet his dragon’s snout.

Something shifted in Trahern’s heart at the sight. He’d worried about not being able to help the twins as they grew up. Worried that he couldn’t help them with understanding inner dragons. Or be able to teach them how to defend themselves against bullies.

And yet, as the little hand stroked his scales, Trahern knew he’d do whatever it took to protect Eddie and Eli.

And Grace.

No matter what Trahern had to face or overcome, he’d do it for them. They needed him, and he would step up.

His dragon spoke up.Of course we will. I have faith in you.

The words made Trahern a little more hopeful about the future he wanted.

One where he could kiss and claim his mate whenever he wished.

One where Eddie and Eli might even have a sibling.

One where Trahern would be the opposite of his father and treasure the precious boys instead of trying to change them with pain and fear.

Grace kissed his snout and whispered, “Let me get Eli now. Then you can shift back, and I’ll kiss you for real.”