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I asked Bradley, “If you could have a Dragon, what color would it be?” His cheeks tinged pink.

I felt he didn’t think the answer was the macho one.

I rolled my eyes, “Brother, I’m out here asking you about a game and Dragons.

I am not going to judge you for the color of Dragon you’d like if their realm was still around. ”

He answered, “Pink.” I laughed, “So you want a Duchess? Or a real Dragon?” He kicked the ground with his shoe, “Well, a WereDragon.” I squeezed his shoulder, “No one would fault you for wanting a beautiful woman that turns into a Dragon. Do they have saddles like mom’s game?”

He answered, “It would depend on the flier. Supernatural’s wouldn’t need one, but humans would.

” I asked, “They had human fliers?” He answered, “Yes, there were some famous ones in their realm but obviously they lost out on that when they closed off. I wonder if they still had their games. They sounded fun. I wish they were still around.”

I encouraged him, “Uncle Aiden thinks they are.” He snorted, “Even if they are, they won’t come around.

Dad doesn’t think they are and neither does Uncle Bjourn.

They are more realistic than Uncle Aiden.

” I agreed, “That’s true on most things, but it doesn’t make Uncle Aiden wrong.

” He smiled at me, and I popped back inside.

I shook myself, “It was just a video game.” Oden encouraged, “Let’s join a patrol.” He probably needed to run. I popped to one and shifted. My cousin, Asterine Henderson, linked me, “Are you joining our patrol?” I answered, “Yup.”

My other cousin, Ashleigh Henderson, linked, “Could you not run so insanely fast?” I assured her, “You don’t need to keep pace with me.” She groaned, “That’s not true. The group will keep pace with you. You know what? I’m just going to fix this.”

Her brothers, and my cousins, Thaddeus and Cory, popped in. I teased Ashleigh, “You didn’t link all your brothers?” She answered, “The others were busy.” I took off with Cory and Thaddeus. We ran the whole territory before Oden was calmer.

We were winding down when we heard pups screaming. I linked the pack, “ROGUES! GET TO YOUR SAFE PLACES!” EJ linked me, “Where?” I answered, “Southwest side of our border. It’s three of them, we’ve got this.” Oden growled, “I’ve got this.”

He snarled and jumped over the frightened pups and ripped the wolves to pieces. I shifted back when EJ and Maverick popped to me. Thaddeus snorted, “You could’ve left some for us.” Cory agreed, “Yeah, there was one each.”

I replied, “I’ve had a weird day.” EJ admitted, “We’ve had a lower number of rogue attacks these last few years.

” I muttered, “Since the Resistance formed.” Cory asked, “Can’t we just keep calling them the blue circle group?

I mean, I know they have a name, but we called them that for so long and they didn’t correct us. ”

Oden growled, “No.” I sighed, “Just call them the Resistance.” EJ agreed, “Since mom thinks that it probably annoys the person behind it all that we didn’t figure out it was a ring and not a circle; just call them the Resistance. We don’t need them to have another reason to avoid us.”

Cory groaned, “But it’s their fault we didn’t know.” I laughed, “Somehow I doubt they feel that way.” Maverick chimed in, “Yeah, I’m guessing they don’t see it as their fault. When you think about it the circle as a ring is kind of obvious since that’s who we are fighting.”

Cory grumbled, “Then it should’ve been gold or something. Who wears a blue ring?” EJ shrugged, “It’s true.” Oden huffed in my head. Cassie popped in with Gia and Tory. Genevieve, Toby, Phil and Gage joined us.

Phil whistled, “A rogue attack, they are so rare these days.” He turned, “And what are you pups doing so close the border?” I was surprised they hadn’t slunk away yet.

Not that it would help since I saw them.

Oden agreed, “They probably knew we’d remember their faces.

” Cory offered, “I’ll pop the pups home. ”

I linked the pack, “The rogues are handled, resume normal duties.” My parents popped in. Cory went over to the pups and popped them away. Elise joined us and admitted, “These always shock me now. I’m so used to never having them.”

Ray called from just behind her, “Because we didn’t have one in Red Run for fourteen years.” That was true. Elise shrugged, “And most avoid this territory.” Our attacks were few and far between, more so in the last three years.

I walked back to the pack house. Phil nudged me, “You need to talk?” I snorted, “I had a weird experience in the game H had me try for the Dragon theme park. It’s super cool but…

” I trailed off and linked him, “Melanie was in there fighting with me. She had a white Dragon, but Bradley said there was nothing in the histories he’s read about a white Dragon. ”

He replied, “It’s just a game.” I agreed, “Yeah, but they asked Bradley about the Dragons, and you know how accurate my mom is.” I shrugged adding, “But it must just be my imagination or something that worked with the charm.” He asked, “Wait, what?”

Before I could say anything, Nana Blanch shoved a plate of muffins in front of us. She demanded, “Eat them.” Leo grabbed her from behind before she could fall down. He sighed, “Alyssa, I told you all those batches previous were amazing.”

She narrowed her eyes, “Those two girls said they weren’t the best yet.” I asked, “Have you been cooking all day?” She answered, “Yes.” Leo grumbled, “And drinking. She only paused for the lockdown. I thought I had my escape from the kitchen.”

Nana Blanch asked, “Are you not out of the kitchen?” He stared at the sky. I laughed and grabbed a muffin. I moaned, “This is delicious. Honestly, these are your best muffin ever and that is not a low bar.” She grabbed the plate back from Phil who was devouring them.

She shrieked, “Kaia and Hannah, you two get over here!” Leo followed along behind her catching the muffins before they fell. Hannah was hiding but Kaia had been in plain sight and froze. Hannah caught my gaze and put her hands up in prayer form.

She linked, “Please Alpha Alexander, don’t tell her I’m over here. I’ve tasted so many muffins today.” I snorted, “And they aren’t as good as the Nashville muffin?” She replied, “Not even close.” That surprised me.

Kaia told Nana Blanch, “I couldn’t possibly eat anther muffin today.” Phil snorted, “Poor Kaia. Nana Blanch is a shark scenting blood in the water.” Nana Blanch disagreed, “Of course you can. You left the gym thirty minutes ago.” She shoved the muffin under nose. Kaia sighed and took a bite.

She moaned, “This is really good. Wow. Definitely the best batch today.” She gave her a thumbs up and turned to leave. Nana Blanch asked, “Better than the Nashville muffin made by the drunk girl?” Hannah leaned forward from her hiding spot.

Kaia answered, “For sure.” She was lying.

Nana Blanch gasped, “LIAR! Leo, back to the kitchens!” He said, “Ok, I’m calling a kitchen hiatus.

People have to eat other things besides muffins.

Let’s get you…” He trailed off when my mom popped in.

She snapped the mated women and the one’s with boyfriends into sexy outfits.

All the men who loved to get dressed up were in sexy outfits too. Mom winked at me yelling, “SCATTER!” She popped away with Nana Blanch. Leo growled, “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Nana Blanch gasped, “LANGUAGE!” Her voice carried from the mountain.

Dad and Leo shifted and took off running. I laughed and popped inside. I watched from the window while everyone was enjoying themselves. Oden whimpered, “We could play these games with mate.” I snorted, “Sure. If we made sure Red Run was sedated.” He grumbled, “We could do that.”

We could. More than likely if I’d been with Melanie this whole time, they’d be used it.

I assured Oden, “Our time is coming. She’ll be home soon enough and then we can play these games with her.

” Soon, we wouldn’t be on the outside of the fun we’d be right there with them.

I couldn’t wait until that day. I’d been patient and soon it was going to pay off.