Page 65 of Claimed By the Dragon
Had he really allowed his father’s hateful words to color everything?
Once Hayley finished questioning the Snowridge males, she called more witnesses from Stonefire, and even Dr. Scarlett Turner. Antony Holbrook had wanted to come, too, but his position needed to remain in a fuzzy gray area, which meant staying out of the limelight. But the human male had pledged Iris could testify, if needed.
However, as Hayley attempted to call yet another person to vouch for him, the human in the middle of the table up front, Mr. Bailey, put up a hand. “I think we’ve heard enough. Andsince Mrs. Silva has dropped her only witness, we have enough information to make our decision.” He glanced down one side of the table, and then the other. Each nodded. “Those in favor of allowing Grace and Trahern Lewis to keep sole custody, raise your hand.” All five hands went up. “The decision is made. If you wish to have visitation rights for holidays or on a prearranged schedule, feel free to submit another request. For now, this matter is closed.”
As the five humans stood, Trahern somehow managed to rise, too. However, he still tried to process what had just happened.
Custody, yes, they’d been awarded full custody. However, he still didn’t understand why so many people had come to his defense.
His dragon spoke up.Dragon clans have each other’s backs in the UK. Maybe not everywhere, but here, they rally around any of their members who are loyal and good and true.
Grace hugged him, and he awkwardly patted her back as his supporters all walked up to them. He met Rhydian’s eye, and asked, “Is it true? About why my father ran?”
“I wouldn’t lie about it, Trahern. I tried to tell you, but you were very good at avoiding people. And then you went to Stonefire, and well.” Rhydian shrugged. “But as soon as we heard about this case, I knew I had to come in person and share the information.” He put out a hand to shake. “Please visit Snowridge anytime you like, we’d be happy to have you.”
For once, he didn’t hesitate to shake Rhydian’s hand and drop it. “Thank you.”
Grace stood at his side, her arm around his waist, and leaned against him. “Thank you, all of you, for helping us to keep our boys.”
As his mate chatted with everyone, he was content to hold his female and merely study the people around the room.
Someone entered, someone he didn’t know. And yet the set of the male’s eyes and nose were similar to Madalena Silva’s, probably a relation.
The dragonman pushed people aside and headed right for them. “Where are they, Grace?” He shouted. “They’re mine, you little bitch. And I’ll take you, if need be, to get what’s owed.”
Without thinking, Trahern pushed Grace behind him and walked up to the male. The male’s eyes flashed as he growled, “Get out of my way, you geeky bastard.”
Before his dragon could speak, Trahern raised a fist and punched the man in the face.
Pain radiated up his arm, but the male dropped to the ground. As he shook his hand, he blinked and tried to understand why he’d done that.
His dragon snorted.The bastard deserved it, that’s why. Well done.
Rhydian, Wren, Kai Sutherland, and a few other Protectors stood around the unconscious dragonman. However, a human DDA bailiff came through. After checking the unconscious male’s ID, he stated, “This is Afonso Silva, who is wanted by the DDA.” The human looked at Trahern. “Since he’s alive, and you helped us apprehend the dragonman, I won’t press charges, Dr. Lewis. Now, if a few of you lads would help me get this dragonman to a holding cell, I’d appreciate it. He’s a heavy bastard, for sure.”
As the Protectors hauled off the male—none too gently—Grace placed a hand on his cheek. “Are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t break your hand, did you?”
“No, it’s not broken, but it bloody hurts. I don’t understand why someone would find punching people fun.”
She smiled, kissed him, and then allowed Dr. Turner to assess his hand and confirm it wasn’t broken.
Once he was alone—well, as alone as he could be in a full room—with Grace, he searched her gaze for signs of anger or disappointment.
But all he saw was love and approval. He blurted, “You’re happy I hit him, aren’t you?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I rather enjoyed watching him drop to the ground.” She leaned against his chest, and Trahern wrapped his arms around his mate. She continued, “Let’s go home, Trahern. Home to our boys.” She lowered her voice. “And home so I can finally claim you as mine.”
Both man and beast approved, and Trahern did his best to get them out of the room and heading back to Stonefire as quickly as possible.
Because he was done waiting. He wanted his mate in his bed. And soon.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Even though Grace was thrilled that the custody case was over, the next twenty or so hours were some of the longest of her life. They’d arrived back on Stonefire late, and then they’d had to take care of Eli and Eddie. And after that, they’d had just enough energy to eat something and crash on the bed to sleep.
At least Hayley and Dawn had both volunteered to watch the boys overnight so that Trahern could finally claim her as his mate in all ways. It was strange because, a few months before, Grace would’ve hesitated to let her twins out of her sight. However, both women had done so much to help her, and she trusted them now.
And so, with her boys safely in the care of her friends, Grace currently waited in the bedroom. She played with the belt on her robe, trying not to be nervous, which only made her anxiety worse. She worried that Trahern had built everything up in his mind, and she couldn’t live up to his standards.