Page 62 of Claimed By the Dragon

As she tried to think of who could watch the boys on short notice, the doorbell rang. With a sigh, she handed her mug to Trahern and went to answer it.

So much for having some alone time.

Although as soon as she opened it and saw Hayley standing there, wearing a grim expression, her stomach dropped. Grace blurted, “What is it?”

“I think I’d better come in and tell you and Trahern at the same time.”

She gestured, and for the agonizing seconds it took to walk back into the living room, she refused to let awful scenarios play out in her head. Especially once she saw her boys still playing on their mats.

They were safe.

And yet, something was wrong.

Was her ex nearby? Or maybe there was a mistake on her DDA paperwork?

Wait and see before you worry.

Which was easier said than done.

Hayley motioned for Trahern to join them on the far side of the room. Once he arrived, Hayley stated without preamble, “The Department of Dragon Affairs has received a custody request for your twins. No, it’s not from your ex but rather his mother.”

She frowned. “I was told that she was dead.”

“No, not dead, but living with a dragon clan in Portugal. She submitted DNA, and it was confirmed she’s the twins’ paternal grandmother.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. “Surely they won’t give her custody? Genetics doesn’t instantly make a good parent or guardian.”

Hayley shook her head. “No, of course not. But in her petition, she indicated Trahern wouldn’t be a good father. Rubbish, of course. But she claimed he’s mentally unstable and unable to stay focused when alone with the twins, making him a danger.”

Trahern growled. “No. When I’m with them, they have my complete focus. In the early weeks, I struggled. But now? They and Grace are my reasons for still being alive.”

Hayley replied, “I know that, and you know that, but rumors of your past haven’t helped. Especially since the paternal grandmother brought in someone to help plead her case.”

“Who?” Trahern asked.

“Your father.”

Trahern had been debating whether he could ask Blake and Dawn to watch the boys—their friend Marianna had left Stonefire—when Grace returned with Hayley Beckett.

And then she shared the custody news.

But when the human female said his father was being a character witness against him, Trahern blinked and tried to process it. Years had gone by, and no one seemed to have spotted him anywhere. The only reports his former clan leader, Rhydian Griffiths, had shared suspected that he’d joined the clanless dragon-shifters living in Scotland.

Half of whom had been killed by dragon hunters not too long ago.

He’d surmised his father had been one of those murdered since he didn’t—or hadn’t?—possessed skills valuable for dragons living in the wild. His father had been an accountant, and not a good one, either.

His dragon spoke up.We need to learn if it’s truly him or not. If so, then Rhydian and the others who witnessed our father’s actions back on Snowridge need to speak up.

Which meant he’d have to ask for their help.But we left Snowridge. Why would they help us?

Rhydian wasn’t like the older leader and always tried to understand our point of view. It was others inside the clan, the ones who are mostly banished to the outlying farms now, who made our life difficult.

A number of years ago, Rhydian’s mate Delaney had been threatened and targeted by the anti-human dragon-shifters. Wanting to keep a close eye on them while still protecting his mate, Rhydian had put those clan members on isolated farms in northern Wales.

He replied,That might be true, but will Rhydian’s word be enough to counter our father’s, if he is still alive?

Maybe not, but if we ask all our allies and friends to help, it should be.