Page 27 of Dragon’s Revenge (Irresistible Dragons #7)

Chapter Twenty-Six

W ell, this was a meeting he hadn’t seen coming. With a last kiss for Rhene, Erwan left the Hightower pack lands and headed for Jawon’s House, the house on the Hayes lands where Lidon and his family lived.

The temperature had plummeted overnight, leaving a delicate layer of frost blanketing the earth. The ground glistened under the early morning light, each blade of grass and fallen leaf coated in a dull layer of frosty glaze. The air was crisp and biting, and the once vibrant landscape was muted, creating a serene and ethereal winter tableau.

Erwan didn’t mind. He’d always loved the winter more than the summer. One could bundle up against the cold. Staying cool when it was a hundred degrees out was far more of a challenge, especially in a castle without air conditioning.

What would Duff Bás ask them? Erwan had expected the man to come to him with questions, but he hadn’t counted on a joint meeting with Lidon…and Vieno, of all people. What on earth did Duff want with Vieno? Erwan liked the sweet omega, who was so well-loved by his men and his pack, but why would Duff be interested in talking to him? It made little sense.

Then again, nothing the man had done so far had made sense. Rhene had given him freedom, but every pack member had dutifully reported what they observed from the dragon slayer. So far, he’d spent a couple of hours shadowing Wilmer as he took care of the animals, had hung around Sivney for two days to observe every interaction the omega had with pack members, and had quietly found a spot in the kitchen as Yitro and the others made food for everyone.

None of them were dragons, and neither was Delton, who Duff had spent two sessions with as well, with Adar present to protect Delton, which Erwan found sweet. If Duff’s focus was supposed to be the dragons, why was he only engaging with wolves? Was he scared? Intimidated? Or did he have some secret strategy, some underlying reasons they couldn’t see yet?

The only way to find out was to go along with it, so when Duff requested this meeting, Erwan had agreed. Even when Duff had insisted—he’d been polite but had made clear he wouldn’t accept any other outcome—it had to take place on Hayes land, not Hightower. What was that about? Erwan pondered it on the walk over, but no matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t figure it out.

When he arrived at Jawon’s House, he was no closer to answers. He’d have to find out during the conversation then. Or maybe not even then. Maybe Duff was determined to be mysterious on purpose as some kind of strategy to throw them off their game? Whatever.

He walked into the kitchen, immediately coming to a full stop. Lidon was fervently kissing Vieno. The omega’s legs were tightly wrapped around Lidon’s waist, his back pressed firmly against the fridge. Well, “kissing” seemed too mild a term for the intensity they shared. It was more akin to devouring, a kiss so fervent and passionate that it sent a flush of heat to Erwan’s cheeks, leaving him blushing and slightly breathless from witnessing it.

What did he do now? Lidon’s sexual appetite was well-known in both packs, but Erwan had never encountered it himself. Talk about awkward.

He cleared his throat, but Lidon didn’t suddenly let go of Vieno. No, he kissed him for a few seconds more, then slowly lowered him to his feet. “We’ll finish this afterward,” Lidon said in that deep voice of his.

Vieno wavered for a moment until he found his footing. “Yes, alpha.”

Only then did Lidon turn around and face Erwan. “Morning, Erwan.”

“Good morning.” Erwan shuffled his feet. “Sorry for interrupting.”

Lidon sighed. “Story of my life. Can’t remember the last time I fucked one of my mates without anyone needing me for something.”

“Well, it would help if you initiated these things at night in our bedroom,” Palani said, walking in and apparently having overheard that last line. “Instead of, you know, in the kitchen where anyone can come in at any time.”

Lidon quirked an eyebrow. “Is that so? I didn’t hear you complaining yesterday when I had you bent over the kitchen counter and half the pack walked in on us.”

Palani snickered. “Fair point. Then again, it’s damn hard to think when you’re balls deep inside me…alpha.”

Lidon shot him a grin. “You’re such a sweet talker.”

Palani took a little bow. “I do try.” He then focused on Erwan and gave his shoulder a little squeeze. “Good to see you. How’s Rhene doing?”

“He’s good.”

“Yeah? No lingering effects from his involuntary stay in Sweden?”

“Not that I can tell, but you know him. He wouldn’t say anything anyway.”

Palani sighed. “Yeah.”

“But I really do think he’s fine.”

“I’m a little worried, considering that was the second time he’s been kidnapped, you know?”

“He was kidnapped before?”

Erwan spun around. How had Duff snuck up on him like that? He was usually more aware of his surroundings. “Yeah. By…” Fuck, how was he gonna word this? “By Cladhaire and Baoth.”

“Your father and uncle.”

“I prefer not to think of them like that, seeing as how they tried to kill me and my mate. In my opinion, that should be enough to ignore any familial bonds.”

Duff studied him for a few beats, then nodded. “Fair enough.” He turned to Palani. “Who are you?”

Palani raised his chin. “Palani. I’m one of Lidon’s mates and his second-in-command.”

“I didn’t invite you.”

Palani didn’t flinch. “I don’t need an invitation in my own home.”

“This conversation is not pertinent to you,” Duff tried again.

“I’ll be the judge of that. The only one who can make me leave is my alpha…and I haven’t heard him speak up.”

An amused smile played on Lidon’s lips. “Palani stays.”

As if there had ever been any doubt. Erwan repressed a smile.

Duff let out a frustrated sigh, but when Lidon’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, he capitulated, sitting at the kitchen table. Vieno’s voice was cooler than Erwan had ever heard it as he asked if Duff wanted something to drink. “Water, please.”

“And for you?” Vieno asked, his tone much warmer as he addressed Erwan.

“Some tea, please?”

A few minutes later, they all had drinks and a slice of banana bread as they sat around the kitchen table. “So, what can we do for you?” Lidon asked Duff, who sat up a little straighter.

“I was hoping you’d be able to verify some information.”

“Hit me with it.”

Duff took a deep breath. “You are the True Alpha of your generation.”

Lidon waited a few seconds, then frowned. “Was that a question? Because it sounded like a statement.”

“It’s a question.”

“Hmm, okay. Yes, I am.”

“Has that been verified?”

Palani inhaled sharply, but Lidon put a hand on his arm. “Mr. Bás, I would advise you to watch your tone. While we’re happy to take questions, I do not take lightly to someone calling me a liar.”

Duff paled visibly, as anyone would have, considering Lidon had put some power behind his deceptively calm words. “I didn’t mean to… Yes, of course. My apologies.”

“But yes, it has been verified, both by my oldest male relative at the time and by the storyteller of our pack, Grayson Whitefield.”

“Thank you.” Duff hesitated as he looked at Vieno, then back at Lidon. “May I address your omega?”

“I don’t need his permission to talk to people,” Vieno said.

Frustration dripped off Duff in waves. “My apologies. I was wondering if… Can you confirm you’ve been designated the True Omega?”

Vieno nodded.

“Rhene mentioned you brought someone back from the dead.”

Every head in the room turned to Palani. Vieno’s voice was much softer when he said, “I can’t claim credit for that. I may have been the vessel, but that wasn’t my power. It was…” He swallowed. “It was a miracle.”

“But you’re sure he was dead?”

“Enar confirmed I was dead, and he’s a doctor, so yes, we’re sure,” Palani said. “I was dead, and then I wasn’t, and that’s all we know.”

“Wait, that was you?” Duff looked puzzled. “You’re Rhene’s brother?”

“Yes.”

“So your mate”—he looked at Erwan—“is related to the True Alpha. They’re brothers-in-law.”

“Yes.” Why did that matter?

Duff leaned back in his chair, some of the tension in his face leaving as if he’d figured out a problem. “That explains it.”

“Explains what?” Erwan and Palani asked at the same time.

“Why the True Alpha would align himself with dragons. It made no sense to me, seeing as how the True Alpha is supposed to be moral and good, and the dragons… Well, they’re not. But now I understand. It’s because you’re related.”

Palani held up his hand. “Wait. You think the only reason we’re in alliance with the dragons is because my brother is mated to one?”

“Why else would you be? We all know how the dragons betrayed the wolves and how immoral they are. The True Alpha shouldn’t want anything to do with them.”

Erwan clenched his fists, then released them again as a tense silence descended over the kitchen. Finally, Lidon spoke. “Palani, would you get Grayson? I feel we need his input here. We’ll need Emma too if she’s available. And Vieno, sweetheart, can you ask Sven to take over your lunch duties? We’re gonna be here a while. Let’s relocate to the living room, shall we?”

“Why?” Duff asked, seemingly as confused as Erwan was.

“Because it’s clear to me you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about, so we’re gonna start at the beginning.”

“The beginning?”

Lidon nodded. “The blood pact between the dragons and the wolves. We’ll go over every step until I’m convinced you have all the information.”

“But I already know all that,” Duff protested.

Palani snorted. “Somehow, I doubt that because if you did, you wouldn’t be asking these stupid questions. No offense.”

“None taken,” Duff said, but his face showed that he had, indeed, taken offense.

They moved to the living room, where Vieno served more refreshments as Palani made a few calls. It didn’t take long for Grayson to join them.

“Emma can’t come,” Palani said. “She’s nesting, Nadiv said, and unable to travel.”

Of course. She was about to deliver the eggs.

“We’ll manage without her,” Lidon decided. “Grayson, this is all you.”

“In the year of our Lord 840, King Laoch of the dragons and H?vding Olaf of the wolves entered into a blood pact, a solemn alliance between the two.”

Grayson’s voice was rich and Erwan found himself entranced as Grayson told the story of how the dragons and the wolves had aligned themselves, how they had sworn loyalty to each other.

“But then Arne, their storyteller, spoke a prophecy,” Grayson continued. “He said, ‘ The day will come when the wolves are in need, when the times are at their darkest and the survival of our species is at stake, that the dragons will break the oath they swore today. Fate will not look kindly on this and will take her revenge on the dragons. And when the dragons are dying, they will beseech the forgiveness of the wolves, upon which will depend their survival. But it will be the wolves to grant, and if they do, it will come at a price…and with a new covenant. ’ The storyteller has spoken.”

Erwan had heard the prophecy before, of course, but somehow, it hit him anew, especially the part about fate taking revenge on the dragons. Had that happened yet? Or was that still to come?

And what did that last part mean, about the dragons dying and beseeching forgiveness? Wait, he had… He sat up a little straighter. He had begged the wolves for forgiveness. When he’d realized how the dragons had failed the wolves, he and his brothers had bowed to Lidon and offered their servitude. Was that the new covenant? Or were they still waiting for something else? Why were these prophecies always as clear as mud?

Grayson walked them through the history of the alliance step by step, from the initial unease over Arne’s words to the Great Shame when the Doyle clan reversed course and abandoned the wolves. “In 1776, with the American Revolution about to ignite, Seamus the Librarian spoke these words: ‘ The dragons will be faced with the choice between honor and betrayal, and they must choose wisely. Old alliances will be reconsidered, with implications that will impact generations to come. But when the White Dragon and the True Alpha join forces, peace will reign. ’ It’s unclear if that last line referred to the White Dragon of that time or our times,” Grayson said.

Yup, clear as mud.

But Grayson wasn’t done yet, and Erwan was impressed since the storyteller shared all of this without looking at notes even once, as if he’d committed it all to memory. “On the day Erwan was born, Lucia, his mother’s servant, spoke a prophecy. ‘ One day, he’ll stand up against his father and make right what was wrong. When the True Alpha rises, so will your son, and he will bring justice and honor and peace, but it will come at a price .’”

That one was a little easier, as Lidon has to be the True Alpha that prophecy referred to. But that meant Erwan would be the one to bring justice and honor, and that was a heavy responsibility to carry.

“That vision was hidden from Cladhaire and Baoth, or Erwan may not have survived. As it was, only his mother’s powerful protective spells kept him safe.”

Grayson wasn’t softening his blows when it came to Cladhaire and Baoth and their misdeeds and evil ways. Where Erwan might have hesitated out of fear of reinforcing the prejudices Duff already held against the dragons, Grayson spoke the truth.

“When Erwan was sixteen, he manifested as a white dragon, though he didn’t know it at the time because his father kept the truth from him. Ever since, he and his brothers were raised without being allowed to use magic, hoping it would prevent Erwan from growing into his full powers. Over time, Cladhaire and Baoth became more and more comfortable using black magic, even on their own father, whom they killed.”

As always, Erwan’s heart stung when he thought about his grandfather, killed by his own sons. The very thought chilled Erwan to the bone.

Grayson then shared everything about how the wolves had declined in power, how shifting had become impossible for them, and how the Melloni gene originated. It had culminated in a civil war that had luckily been contained quickly but had still left lingering effects on the capital and its citizens. The pack had taken in multiple refugees, including Yitro.

“The Hayes pack grew too big, and the Hightower pack was established with Rhene in charge as pack alpha and Sivney Howell as his second-in-command. But when one of Rhene’s omegas got lost and Rhene ended up at Doyle castle, looking for him, it changed everything.” Grayson sent Erwan a warm smile. “The fated mates bond between Rhene and Erwan became the catalyst for change, and both packs, as well as the dragon clan, would be better for it.”

He walked them through everything that had happened, including all the events at the Dragon Council that he hadn’t even been present for. He must’ve combined accounts from several people to be able to give an overview like that, and Erwan was grateful he didn’t have to recount it himself. Living through it once had been stressful enough, especially the stand-off with Cladhaire and Baoth and discovering the red tent. Grayson left nothing out, including the bad parts. And boy, there were a lot of bad parts on the side of the dragons.

Finally, Grayson blew out a deep breath and ended his story. “The storyteller has spoken.”

Lunch had been served while Grayson had been talking, though Erwan hadn’t eaten much, too nervous about Duff’s reaction. Lidon had shown no such qualms and had wolfed down a big plate, as had Palani.

Duff, who had listened without interrupting even once, sat quiet and pale, leaning back in his chair as he nibbled on a sandwich. “As the storyteller, your oath forbids you to lie in your stories,” he finally said, his voice soft.

“Correct.” Grayson clearly didn’t take offense at that.

“So everything you have told me is true, even the parts you weren’t present for.”

“Yes. I verified all information from multiple sources until I had a complete picture that my wolf confirmed accurate. Such is my responsibility as the storyteller.”

Duff’s shoulders dropped. “There’s so much I don’t understand… How could all this be true when…?” He swallowed. “When everything I’ve been told all my life directly contradicts it? How can I know what’s true?”

Erwan held his breath. This was a pivotal moment. One wrong word now, and they’d lose Duff forever.

“You start with what you know to be true,” Palani said kindly. “Either because you’ve seen it yourself or because too many sources claim the same thing, so it can’t be fabricated. And then you go either forward or backward until you’ve found the next true thing. This is how we approach it in investigative journalism. So, what’s one thing you know to be true?”

A long pause. Then, “That Erwan is a white dragon. That has been confirmed by multiple sources.”

Erwan nodded. “I am…and if you want, I’d be happy to shift so you can see with your own eyes.”

“Thank you. I’d appreciate that,” Duff said, his voice shaky.

“Good,” Palani said. “Then start there.”