Page 5

Chapter 5

Malric

C lan leaders in the past had a lot more—or rather, a lot different —responsibility. They met with other clan leaders in person, all of them bringing their strongest guards in case a fight broke out amongst the dragons. It was all a show of power and wealth.

The expectations included being dressed in our best furs or whatever the fashion at the time was. I’d gone through more wardrobes than any person had any business doing in my years, and none of them were for me. Nope. It was all to play the part. We even had props… guards who were there as a show of force to show our strength and not for actual protection. I was so glad we’d moved on from that.

Nowadays, we brought our lawyers and we wore suits. Any disputes were handled via Zoom meetings and other digital nonsense instead of wings, talons, swords, and flames.

It was great… but also way less exciting.

There were even times I almost missed sword play. It had been a long time since I attached a scabbard to my belt and carried a mighty sword around. If I showed up that way now, they’d accuse me of being on the way to cosplay at a ComiCon or heading to a Renaissance faire.

At least in today’s age, my role as clan leader was more about making sure my members were happy and healthy, rather than fighting over territory or settling other disputes with violence. We were much more civilized now. Or at least we pretended to be.

“Did you wish to attend the fundraiser next week, sir?” my assistant, Olivia asked.

I groaned. “Must I?” I understood the value of fundraisers and my presence at them, but they were boring, and I always felt like I was on display. Why was it I couldn’t just write a check and stay home again?

She grinned at me, that knowing glance that told her she liked this small bit of power she had. “Yes. And it’s been quite a while since you went with a date on your arm. Perhaps we can find someone suitable to accompany you?”

My immediate thoughts went to Ollie. If I had to go on a date, why couldn’t it be with someone like him? No, not like him—him.

But no. That would be inappropriate. I couldn’t take my grandchildren’s manny as my date to a fundraiser. He wasn’t even a dragon. Asking him to be in a room full of high-powered dragons was unfair to him. There was no way that would be a good time for him.

Not that these events were good times for anyone. My dates were always one of my advisor’s sisters or a close friend. They were never anyone that I was actually interested in.

I’d never attended events with my mate. We hadn’t been very high up in the clan hierarchy when we were first mated. We were simply normal dragons living a normal life. Times had been much simpler when he was alive. Warmer, richer, more vibrant. Living without my mate was like living in black and white.

Ollie wasn’t slated to attend the event. He wasn’t an official clan member. Though now that he worked for Tavian and Kier, they could petition for him to have membership. Would he want that?

I, of course, would approve that… or maybe I shouldn’t. No, I should. A strong clan leader didn’t allow themselves to be controlled by their feelings.

Sure, it was dangerous for me to be so close to Ollie. Something about him… I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew deep in my soul that I was drawn to him in ways I hadn’t been drawn to anyone before. Not since…

No. I couldn’t let myself think like that. It wasn’t good for either of us.

Despite knowing we could never become anything, every day that I was away from him, my dragon grew more and more restless. My beast was ridiculous.

He hadn’t always been. I wouldn’t still be here if it weren’t for his strength. My dragon had remained stoic and uninterested ever since my mate passed. If he crumbled the way I had… things would not have… they’d be different and not in a good way.

What had changed? Suddenly, he was rumbling to life and causing all sorts of problems. All over an omega I had no right even noticing. Sure, he was attractive, but I’d met many good-looking omegas over the centuries. It had to be more than that.

“You should find a date, Dad,” Tavian said as he came into the room.

I hadn’t realized he was so close. That was how distracted I was. Had he been listening the entire time? Knowing him, he might’ve set the entire thing up. He didn’t like the fact that I was still alone, no matter how much I reminded him I wasn’t. I had him and his mate and my grandbabies. My life was filled with love.

Sure, it wasn’t the love of a mate, but fate had already given me that. I had that time in my life. Dwelling on the past was never the way to move forward.

“You know, just because we have heightened senses and can hear everything doesn’t mean it’s polite to butt into someone else’s conversation.”

“But it’s relevant to me. Since I’ll be sitting at the same table with you,” he said with a grin. That was a stretch and a half. “I know plenty of eligible bachelors we could hook you up with.”

My dragon came dangerously close to the surface.

“That won’t be necessary, Tavian. Olivia, I will find my own date. Or I will attend alone.”

Alone. Definitely alone. The thought of going with a random person for the sake of appearances made my stomach turn.

There were plenty of friends I could ask to go with me, and I supposed that wouldn’t be the worst idea. I’d done it countless times. Why was the thought of it so distasteful?

Objectively, being alone at these events meant I didn’t have to dance or fetch anyone drinks. I could sink into the scenery with no one knowing. It was perfect. But that didn’t sound good either.

Argh, I was a mess today. “Did you need something, Tavian?”

“Not really. Except that Ollie’s been working out so well. Things have been great for Kier and me. In fact, I just made arrangements with Ollie for him to watch the kids over the weekend. Kier and I will visit the Ebonshire Clan to do the ceremonial glad-handing. It’s a short trip, but it’ll be our first overnight away from the kids. We might even make it two nights.”

That was a huge sign of trust.

“That’s great,” I said. “You two deserve some time away.”

“Would you mind just checking in? I know Ollie will have things well in hand, but I’m sure it would help the kids to have a familiar face, and I would understand if he needed a little break. Three is a handful. Besides, you know they love their grandpa.”

Like I needed an excuse to visit the grandkids. Even if it meant coming face to face with the scrumptious Ollie and having to navigate those feelings.

“Of course. I’m there Friday nights for dinner anyway—I’d be happy to visit Saturday as well.” Then again, I didn’t wish for Ollie to think I didn’t trust him or that my son and his mate didn’t either. Based on what I’d seen, he was more than capable of managing the children.

“Great. I’ll get you the report of topics I plan on talking with Ebonshire about. I’ll be sure to give Lord Rhaziel your best.”

“Absolutely. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

He continued telling me about his plans, but I heard none of them. My mind was focused on Ollie and how I was going to be seeing him soon. Why couldn’t I get him out of my head?

“Dad.” Tavian’s hand settled on my shoulder, snapping me out my head. “Were you listening at all?”

“Not really, sorry. Start again, and I will focus. I promise.”

“What has your head in such a spin? Anything I can do?” Leave it to Tavian to think about how to help me when I was the one who’d just spaced out.

“It’s nothing. I think I need to let my wings out is all.” Getting altitude and possibly burning some shit would go a long way. Probably. Maybe. I hoped.

“It’s not because of the fundraiser?”

“No. Why? By all accounts it’s set to be our most successful yet.”

“I didn’t mean that.” Apparently, kids were never too old to roll their eyes at their parents. “I was talking about your lack of date. Real talk, Dad—we were talking, and we think it’s time you considered dating.”

“We? Who’s we?” If we included Ollie, I might as well find a cave to hide in for the next few centuries. But that was ridiculous. Why would he be talking about my lack of male companionship? He wouldn’t, but somehow everything always seemed to lead back to Ollie.

“It was at the staff meeting, obviously.” Another eye roll.

“Then have HR send someone my way.” Because sometimes you just had to laugh at yourself.

“If I thought you were serious, I’d be headed there now, but seriously, consider it. I’m not saying to hop on the dating apps and fill your calendar, but asking a nice omega out to dinner or maybe going to a human bar and seeing if you click with anyone?”

My dragon slammed into me. He wasn’t having any of that. It took all I had to push him back down.

“I think I will keep my life the way it is. I’ve had my time with my mate, and now I have the clan and the kids and…” Ollie’s name almost popped out. “And life is pretty good.”

“Dad, you deserve better than pretty good. You deserve to love again.” He pulled me into a hug, his emotions rolling off of him. “Think about it. Can you promise me that much?”

“Sure.” It wouldn’t go anywhere, but I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about this conversation even if I tried, so it wasn’t a lie. “But first, let’s get back to this weekend. Tell me about your plans with Lord Rhaziel again, and this time I’ll be sure to listen.”

And I kept my promise. My son had a really great head on his shoulders, and this weekend was going to be good for the clan… and for him and his mate. Carving out extra time for just the two of them was important. You never knew when the goddess would call your mate home, and you didn’t ever want to look back with regrets. This was something I knew all too well.