Page 21 of Dragon’s Revenge (Irresistible Dragons #7)

Chapter Twenty

H alf of him was missing. Erwan had no other way to explain it, but that was how it felt. And the longer Rhene was gone, the deeper the ache in Erwan’s soul. He couldn’t sleep, didn’t want to eat, and had no energy to make it through yet another day without Rhene.

And after healing Adar, his symptoms had gotten ten times worse. It almost felt as if he’d somehow transferred Adar’s injuries to himself, though nowhere near as severe. He had bruises pop up all over his torso with no other explanation as to where he could’ve gotten them. And his belly hurt, both deep inside and on his skin—exactly where they’d opened Adar up.

Not that he regretted it. Hell no. He wasn’t a doctor, but even he had seen that Adar had been knocking on heaven’s door. What angered him was that he’d never even considered attempting to heal the man until Delton had told him to. What was that about? When had he lost faith in himself, in his abilities? He could’ve at least tried to do some good, but he hadn’t, not until he’d been all but forced to.

Major points for Delton for stepping up. They’d said it before, but the betas in this pack really were something else. Then again, so were the omegas. No one who had met Sivney or Fallon could ever deny that truth. And Zack was proving to be a powerhouse as well.

The only thing that made Erwan feel better was holding Ainle. Not only was it like staring into his mate’s eyes, but somehow, the cute little baby had a part of Rhene’s soul as well. Which made sense, seeing as Ainle was his biological son and shared DNA with Rhene, but it was still strange how much holding Ainle calmed Erwan.

Yitro had dropped the baby off for the day, and Erwan had played with him all morning. Now they lay on the couch, Ainle asleep on Erwan’s chest. He was a snuggle bug, their son, and he preferred to sleep while being held. Rhene had worried it would spoil the kid, but Yitro had disagreed. “A baby’s need to be held is a deep one that I would never deny. Giving him that sense of safety and security now can set him up for a lifetime of feeling loved,” he’d said.

Erwan had been relieved because he hadn’t wanted to give up on the pure joy of watching their son fall asleep, his blinks getting slower and slower until he sank into a deep slumber. Once he was asleep, little could wake him, and even if something did, he fell right back asleep.

Hmm, maybe they could go for a little walk now that Ainle was sleeping? They’d been inside all morning, and Erwan was restless. He wasn’t sure why, but his dragon was having trouble staying still, stirring inside him.

Carefully, so he didn’t wake Ainle, he got up. Yitro had left the baby carrier like he always did, even though Erwan rarely used it. It wasn’t that he felt it was unmanly to carry a baby on his chest, though he couldn’t deny feeling somewhat awkward, probably because everyone was always staring at him and oohing and aahing.

No, it was because he could never figure out how to get Ainle in it without getting everything all tangled up or, worse, almost dropping the baby. But he’d have to get it right this time because he was going stir-crazy and needed some fresh air. He should have at least another hour before Ainle woke up.

By sheer luck—though maybe he had subconsciously whispered a few spells—he managed to get Ainle into the carrier without getting his foot stuck. He hoisted him onto his chest and wrapped the straps around his shoulders and back. He made sure he heard the telltale click of the safety mechanism, then double-checked in the mirror before he let go of Ainle and trusted the carrier to hold him.

Yay, he’d done it. Look at him, parenting like a boss. He quickly grabbed a little hat for the baby to protect his head and face from the sun—though it wasn’t that strong in the late fall—and headed out, where he almost ran straight into Sivney.

“Hey,” the omega said. “Going for a walk?”

“Yeah, just wanted to get some fresh air.” He looked at the crystal-blue sky. “It’s a gorgeous day.”

“It is. The last hurrah before winter hits. It’s supposed to be a mild one, but you never know.”

Erwan could barely stomach the thought of a winter without Rhene, but he shoved that thought down, instead raising his hand to greet Zack, who was hurrying past, carrying a basket of vegetables.

“He’s amazing,” Sivney said softly. “He’s like a desert flower that’s received rainfall after a long drought. You can see him bloom and prosper.”

“They’re all doing well, right? The omegas?”

“As well as can be expected. Some better than others, but we knew some of them would have a long road to recovery ahead of them. But they’re starting to trust us and feel safe, so that’s a big step forward.”

“I’m glad, though nothing can ever make up for what they lost or suffered.”

“No.” Sivney let out a deep sigh. “But we can try to make them feel like human beings again, like people worthy of love. Well, dragons who are worthy of love, but same difference.”

Erwan put a hand on the omega’s shoulder. “They chose well when they picked you as second-in-command. No one could’ve led the pack better in Rhene’s absence than you. We’re so lucky to have you.”

Tears formed in the omega’s eyes, and Erwan panicked. Had he said something wrong? Sivney was rarely emotional.

The omega muttered a curse. “Dammit, you made me cry. Ignore me. It’s hormones.”

Hormones? Was he…? Oh, Erwan was so not going to ask. He knew better.

Sivney took a few deep breaths, then put his hands on his hips. “You’re not gonna congratulate me?”

“For what? I don’t know anything until you tell me.”

Sivney’s expression softened. “I wasn’t sure if and how to announce under the circumstances. I’m pregnant with Lev’s son.”

Lev? That was a bit of a surprise. Erwan would’ve figured Naran would come first. The man had to want an alpha heir, right? He caught himself as soon as he thought it. That was sexist of him, wasn’t it? Sivney already had a daughter, so was she less? “I’m sure Lev is over the moon.”

Sivney snorted. “He barely lets me out of his sight. He’s so overprotective. The man was born to be a father. Trust me, if he could, he would’ve carried this baby himself. He wants nothing more than a house full of babies. That’s not gonna happen, but I can give him a son. After that, we’ll see.”

“You should announce. We could all use some good news.”

“I’m so frustrated that there’s nothing we can do for Rhene. That whole prophecy thing Fallon did was cool and all, but I hate feeling this powerless. I can’t even imagine how you must feel.”

“It’s awful.” Erwan’s voice broke a little, and he needed a moment to recover. “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. But I do trust him. I do trust that fate knows what it’s doing. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but all I can do is be patient and have faith.”

Something inside him stirred. He instinctively held Ainle a little tighter. What was that?

Rhene.

He felt Rhene. Something was…wrong? No, not wrong, but something had changed. Rhene was excited, happy, his energy bubbling through their bond. What had happened? Had he managed to escape?

“Is something wrong?” Sivney sounded alarmed.

“It’s Rhene.”

Sivney’s expression immediately sharpened. “You can feel him?”

“You need to gather everyone and put security on high alert. Something is happening. I think he’s coming home.”

“By himself?”

“I don’t know.”

“Security has been on high alert since you came back, but I will let them know to be vigilant. Does it feel like we’re about to get attacked?”

“No. I don’t know how I know that, but the fact that I brought Ainle out tells me my dragon feels safe. It’s restless, though, and something is definitely happening.”

Sivney put a hand on his shoulder. “Go find his brothers. I’ve got this.”

One quick text later, Palani and Kean came running—literally—from the Hayes pack lands. “You think he’s on his way?” Palani asked, still panting.

Erwan nodded. “It feels like he’s trying to send a message through the bond, but I’m not sure what he means. He’s not scared, so I doubt we’re in danger.”

“You’d sense it if we were,” Kean said, putting his hand on Erwan’s shoulder. “Gods, I hope you’re right and that your man is coming back.”

Your man. Two simple words that meant the world to Erwan. “Amen to that. It’s been…rough without him.”

Kean caressed Ainle’s little cheek with his finger. “I can’t even imagine. And I bet this one has missed him too.”

“I feel better when Ainle is near, as if a part of Rhene is still with me,” Erwan confessed.

“That makes sense because he is a part of him,” Palani said. “Come on, let’s find a place to sit.”

They installed themselves in the kitchen of the main house, which slowly filled with more and more people. Word was spreading, and the pack and the clan were drawing near. Ainle woke, and Erwan fed him his bottle before handing him off to the other two Hightower brothers, who were all too happy to play with their nephew.

Around dinner time, Sivney kicked them all out and told them to move to the meeting barn, as it was getting dangerously crowded. Within half an hour, food arrived from everywhere, people bringing all kinds of items that were placed on two large tables, forming a buffet. Drinks arrived, more people brought dishes, and by nine that evening, the barn was packed. The mood was optimistic. People laughing and sharing stories with each other, enjoying each other’s company. Erwan let it all happen, his dragon too restless to do anything else.

Lidon arrived with his other mates and their kids, and as before, playpens were set up for the kids to play while adults took turns watching them. Inflatable mattresses made for beds, and everywhere, kids simply lay down and fell asleep, a cozy blanket tucked around them to keep them warm. Ainle slept, had another bottle, then played some more.

Erwan had him on his knee, the baby curiously looking around the barn, when Hakon walked over on his cute little legs. “Hi, Uncle Ewwan.”

The kid still couldn’t say his R s, and it was adorable. “Hey, buddy. How’s life?”

“Today was fun,” Hakon declared.

“Yeah? What did you do?”

“Fishing. With Papa.”

“Papa Lidon took you fishing? I bet that was fun.”

Hakon nodded enthusiastically. “We caught a fish. A weally big one.” He held his hands about two feet apart, and Erwan grinned.

“That big, huh? Did you catch it, or did Papa?”

“Me. But Papa helped. He’s weally stwong.”

“That he is.”

Hakon stepped closer, looking directly at Ainle. “He’s beautiful.”

“Ainle, you mean? Yeah, I think so too.”

“I’m gonna mawwy him.”

Erwan almost choked on his breath. Surely, he’d heard that wrong. “What did you say, buddy?”

“When I’m big, I’m gonna mawwy Ainle,” Hakon patiently repeated, not taking his eyes off the baby.

“Is that so?” Palani kneeled next to Hakon. “Why?”

Hakon looked at his father as if Palani had asked a really stupid question. “Because he’s beautiful, Papa. And he’s mine.”

The last was said with a little alpha growl that made Erwan’s heart skip a beat and sent shivers down his spine. Okay then.

Erwan and Palani shared a look. “We’ll see how Ainle feels about that,” Palani said with a little laugh, clearly unsure of how to handle this either.

“Why?” Hakon asked, frowning. “He’s my mate.”

Oh gods, he was dead serious. “Even if he is, he still has a choice,” Palani said gently. “You can’t decide for him, Hakon. Ainle has to do that for himself.”

“Pfft.” Hakon made a dismissive gesture that was so one hundred percent Lidon that Erwan and Palani both laughed.

Hakon ignored them, took a last look at Ainle, and then ran off.

“Damn, the genes are strong in that one.” Palani scratched his chin. “He was serious, wasn’t he?”

“As a heart attack.”

“Well, both could do worse, just saying.”

Before Erwan could answer, a commotion at the door had him standing. He felt it at the same time, that sweet relief that his mate was here. “I’ll take Ainle,” Palani said, and Erwan handed him the baby, then took off in a dead run.

There he was, his mate, the love of his life, his everything. Rhene looked awful, as gaunt and exhausted as Erwan felt, but he was alive. And he was here. Erwan fell into his arms, sobbing as he held him, as they held each other, and somewhere deep inside him, something healed.

“I love you,” he whispered over and over again. “I love you. I missed you so much.”

Both their faces were wet with tears, but they didn’t care. They clung to each other, everything else fading, and time stopped. Erwan had no idea how much time had passed before he finally let go of Rhene. Only then did he notice the red-haired man standing a little behind Rhene, and the blood drained from his face.

“What the fuck is he doing here?”