Page 8 of Starting Over (D.O.A. DRAGO #1)

Rain sat on the toilet seat dressed in a sweatsuit Jude had gotten from the clothes Jude had bought him a few days ago.

Rain had tried to tell the man no, but Rain remembered his exact quote, “I refuse to live with a funky man smelling like ball sweat for the forthcoming days. Now shut it and let me do this. If it makes this feel better, think of it as me doing this for me more so than you.”

Rain dropped his head down and covered his face with his hands, thinking to himself what a stupid, brainless fuck he’d been trying to leave the way he did. He’d not only upset Jude, who had been nothing but wonderful to him, he’d also made an ass out of himself in front of his mate.

Yes, he’d met his mate.

“What a way to do that, dumbass,” Rain muttered to himself.

In all the ways Rain had ever thought about meeting his mate for the first time, never once did having to be rescued from almost drowning make the list.

A hard knock had Rain jumping, as Jude snapped, “Quit pouting and get your ass out here. Your tea is going to get cold.”

Rain let out a loud breath and stood up, but didn’t move… that was until Jude shouted, “Now, Rain!”

Although he wished there was a way he could keep hiding out in the bathroom, there was no way he was even going to try it. No way.

Jude was scary as fuck when he was pissed.

The closer he got to the living room the slower his steps became. As scary as Jude might be, it was nothing compared to the fear he felt going out there and really getting a look at his honest to gods mate.

Jude stepped into his line of vision with a raised brow, crossed arms and toe tap.

Well, shit.

Rushing forward Rain didn’t look at any of the men standing in front of the fireplace, instead he sat on the couch quickly and started picking at an invisible string on his new sweat pants.

Because he wasn’t looking at anyone, Rain was startled when a hot cup of tea was put under his nose with a sharp, “Drink,” from Jude.

“Thank you,” Rain whispered as he took the cup, and sipped the hot liquid.

Rain was never much of a tea drinker, but he had to admit it was good. He had no clue what kind it was, but Rain could taste the honey in it and was thankful whoever made it had put a bit of milk to help cool it down just a bit.

“All of you guys have a seat. We have a shit ton to talk about and not a lot of time,” Jude stated.

Rain heard people moving and then he smelled him… his mate… sitting right next to him.

Oh fuck.

Rain didn’t look up. He couldn’t move.

“How are you feeling? My dragon didn’t hurt you when he lifted you from the water did he? I know he has sharp talons.”

Rain felt his cheeks heat at the question, but didn’t look up, as he answered, “I’m good and no, he didn’t hurt me, he saved my life. Thank you both.”

“I’m Wyatt.”

“Rain… but you already knew that.”

The heat he felt from his embarrassment now included his neck and ears. Oh gods, could he be more stupid.

“Yes, I did, but it’s still nice to officially meet,” Wyatt softly said.

“Well I’m Jude, but you already knew that I’m sure as well. How about you guys introduce yourselves so we can all be in the know?”

“I’m Tandris.”

“Asod.”

“And I am Ryan. It’s nice to meet you in person, Jude. I have some questions for you that I know my thunder and I would love answers to.”

Jude snorted, “That isn’t how this is going to work.

You guys have been hanging around my land watching Rain and me like hawks.

I know who you are… well, I didn’t know you were dragon shifters and I have a friend that is going to be seriously interested in meeting you, but I do know who you are and why you’re here.

What I don’t know is why you didn’t just come to the door and introduce yourselves.

Maybe we could have worked together and helped Rain end this shit a lot quicker. ”

“We don’t work that way,” Asod said, as if that answered everything.

Rain knew those words were a big mistake, and Jude’s next words proved Rain right.

Jude’s tone hardened, “Is that right, Asod? Well, I do. I’ve learned the hard way that people that hide away aren’t to be trusted.

So, I suggest you start talking about what you know about Danny Houdon, or I’m going to have some of the biggest and baddest men on your asses so fast and hard you’ll be begging for lube and a pillow for when they’re done with you. ”

Rain gasped at the threat, “Jude, maybe…”

Jude turned his hard glare towards Rain, snapping, “Don’t you even start, Rain. We haven’t even gotten started on that bullshit move you just made.’

“We’ve been a thunder and a team for centuries. Our way of doing things is like no other and works. Our track record proves this,” Asod stated firmly.

Jude snorted, “And that nonanswer won’t fly with me.

Trust me, I’ve been living with a shit ton of men that like to keep their secrets.

The problem here is that your secrets involve my good friend here as well as myself.

So, let’s try this again. Why did you not knock on my fucking door and tell us what the fuck was going on?

Why hide in the fucking woods in the middle of fall where I know you had to have been freezing your nuts off since I saw no signs of a fire. ”

Ryan snorted, “We’re dragons. We don’t need a fire. Cold doesn’t affect us as it does humans or even most shifters.”

“Well, bully for you,” Jude said, going into a stare off with Ryan.

Rain was nervous. He didn’t know if the two men were going to get up and start fighting or what might happen. However, he really didn’t want any of that to happen… especially if he was the reason.

Rain went to speak, when Wyatt ordered, “Ryan, stand down.”

The tone had Rain’s cock taking an interest and he did something he didn’t intend to do. He looked at Wyatt… really looked at the man for the first time… and holy fucking shit, was he sexy.

Wyatt was taller than him by about a good six inches which would put him at around six foot or six foot one.

He had a really stylish blond, almost military hair cut, however, the small spiked mohawk on top kind of said, bad boy, but in charge.

However it was his eyes… his very caring cobalt-blue eyes that were on him at this very moment…

those eyes had Rain drawn in so far, he wanted to melt into the man and never come out into the world again. “I’m sorry, Rain.”

Confused Rain asked, “Sorry for what?”

“Were you not listening? Wyatt was talking for a good two minutes, telling us how they were waiting and watching because Danny might come here to get to you. They didn’t approach us because it seems Danny has friends and family that might be living along this river and he didn’t want anyone seeing them and warning the asshole you might be here,” Jude said, then added, “What the hell were you thinking about so hard that you didn’t hear any of it? ”

Rain felt his face, neck and ears heat once again and wished a giant black hole would appear under his ass and suck him in.

“Interesting,” Jude said, before asking, “Okay, so now that you’re here what are your plans?”

“We’re probably just going to go back to our campsite and keep watching. We know Danny is coming for Rain. We need to be here in order to catch him before he does that,” Wyatt answered.

Rain’s head shot up, but not before Jude snorted, “That shit doesn’t even make sense.

Look, I saw one of you watching us… or at least I felt it.

People around here aren’t stupid. They watch, they see and they know anyone new that doesn’t belong.

Hell, I bet if you went to any store in this town and listened, they would be talking about me and telling stories they made up for lack of knowledge.

Granted it might all be in French, but the stories are making their rounds. ”

Shrugging, Ryan asked, “So, what does that have to do with us?”

“Because people saw you come into this town. Even if you’re not eating in town or shopping for food, they know you came into town and you didn’t leave.

Now they’re going to be looking for you, and by that alone they’re going to put two and two together and come up with sixteen.

I’m a stranger in a strange Canadian town that no vacationer ever comes to without a fishing pole, and now four more show up…

again, no fishing pole, that would mean to them we’re supposed to be together.

Yet, every time I’ve come into town it’s been alone, and I damn sure haven’t bought enough food for four guys your size. ”

“So, you’re saying we’re drawing attention,” Wyatt said in understanding.

Jude nodded, “Yes, and if Danny hears about the five strangers, with no reason to be here… well, let me tell you, he doesn’t have to be a mathematician to put those numbers together.”

“We understand that, but we don’t have much choice. We don’t have a cabin and getting someone to allow a complete stranger to use one isn’t going to happen,” Tandris said.

“No, but here’s an interesting fact about this part of Quebec. They don’t normally mind someone borrowing a cabin around here, if it’s for survival. However, you don’t have to worry about that because I think you guys should just stay here.”

“What? No, we can’t do that,” Wyatt quickly said.

Jude snorted, “Yes you can. There’s more than enough room for you guys and us.

I’ll just need to go and grab some groceries.

This way you are as close as you can be in order to get your bounty if he comes.

I know it will make Rain feel more comfortable…

and most likely safer. I have a feeling it’s why he did that stupid as fuck stunt.

Isn’t it, Rain? You left because you were concerned for my safety. ”

Rain looked at Jude, his voice shaky, as he answered, “You’ve been so good to me, Jude.

You’re a great man, and no, I don’t want Danny showing up and hurting you.

I figured with your mate coming, you’d be safe enough if he did show up.

I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.

Besides, you and your mates have a lot to talk about and don’t need an audience. ”

“If I don’t want an audience, I have no problem telling you.

If I hadn’t thought these guys would help us, I would have told Wiz to send in the cavalry.

Do I think Danny will find you? Honestly, I’m kind of hoping he does come looking.

This way we can get his ass back in prison where he belongs, and we can figure out where to go from there with you.

” Jude gave Rain a stern look. “If you’d have discussed this with me, instead of running off like a rabbit being chased by a wolf, you’d have known that.

Instead you take off in the middle of the night…

well, early in the morning, fall into an almost frozen river and damn near drown.

Had Wyatt not been following you, I don’t even want to think about what happened. ”

“I know. I’m sorry,” Rain said in a small voice.

Jude got up and went to Rain, clasping his cheek so Rain was forced to look in his eyes. It was surprising how gentle they were, when Jude softened his tone, “Besides, I don’t think your mate would have survived had you drowned.” He then turned to Wyatt. “Would you?”

Before Wyatt could say anything, the room began to fill with smoke… dark thick and terrifying smoke.