“We’re a family,” Shale whispered back “I know I’m moving too quickly here. You don’t have to say anything back, but I need you to know that we belong together. That means your mom as well.”
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. Still crying. There was no way she could stop the waterworks. Her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest with emotion.
Something vibrated between them, making her give a little squeal. Georgia stepped back.
“My phone.” He shrugged. “It can wait,” he added, taking her hand. “For now, we only have one nurse to take care of your mom. I will hire more staff. You will need to assist with it. If you don’t mind.”
“Of course, yes. I…”
His phone began to vibrate again. “What could be so important?” Shale said.
“You’d better answer it.”
Shale’s jaw was tight. He swiped the screen and said, “Hello. Yes…” He frowned as he listened to the person on the other side. “Are you sure?” He listened intently to whatever it was that they were saying. “What are you getting at?” Shale muttered a curse. “I hope he hasn’t done something stupid.” He listened again for a beat or two, then barked. “Keep me informed.” He swiped the screen again, looking deep in thought and very worried.
“What is it?”
“I’m not sure.” Shale shook his head. His whole body vibrated with energy. “It might be nothing.”
“What happened?” Something had happened. That much was apparent.
“Your friend, Macy, and my brother, Sand went back to your place to pick up some of your things.”
“Macy?” It was Georgia’s turn to frown.
“She was at your mother’s facility when the males arrived there earlier. A team came back here with your mom. Two of the males stayed behind to pick up some of your things. You made a list.”
Georgia nodded. “I had told Macy I was visiting my mom today. That’s why she was at the care facility. I hope you don’t mind?”
“No. That’s fine.” Shale nodded once. “They went through to your place to fetch some of your things and that’s where it gets complicated.”
“How so?” Georgia swallowed thickly.
“They disappeared.”
“Who did?” Georgia looked perplexed. “You’re not making sense here.”
“Sand and Macy. One minute they were there and the next they were gone.”
“Like magic?”
Shale chuckled but quickly sobered. “Not quite, Michigan.” He took to frowning and looking very worried all over again. “The male who was with them went to check on a noise he heard outside. Sand stayed inside with Macy. When the male returned a minute later, they were gone. No signs of a struggle. He didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. He didn’t see anything out of place.” Shale looked contemplative. “Do you think that your friend would…” he shrugged, “hook-up with Sand?”
“Do you think they…that they,” she widened her eyes, “you know…decided to get some quiet time together?”
“I wouldn’t put it past Sand. He’s a horny bastard but…” Shale shook his head. “I’m concerned because he normally takes his duties really seriously. It’s not like him to just fuck around like that. Yet, at the same time, I wouldn’t put it past him either.”
“Macy did spend the night with Rock but,” Georgia shook her head. “it wasn’t normal behavior for her. She’s more of a relationship type. I can’t see her making a habit of it, but,” she shrugged, “who knows? Do you think they left to go and…have sex?” she whispered.
Shale chuckled softly. “People have sex all the time. It isn’t such a big deal. Only, Sand should know better and usually does.” He got a little animated. “He’ll be in big shit when he comes back.”
“You still look really worried,” Georgia said. “I can see you’re making light of this, but you’re not completely buying it.”
“I’m hoping he has gone off to have sex with your friend because the other option is too worrying to contemplate.”
“What is it? What else could have happened?”
“The hunters got them. That is my concern. Word got out about our boys. About their chest markings. Hunters may have come in and…staked your place out. They saw an opportunity and got to them.”
“Yeah but, without a sound? How is that even possible?”
“That’s just it ‒ and it gives me hope they’re just fooling around. We’ll know for sure in a day or two, at most. If they’re gone for longer, we know it’s something more sinister.” He put his arms around her and squeezed. “I’m sure it’s just Sand being Sand. I know you haven’t noticed, but he’s a charmer.”
She giggled. “I hadn’t noticed at all. I’m sure they’ll turn up really soon.” Anxiety churned inside her though.
* * *
A couple of weeks later…
Shale came back inside, worry clouded his eyes. He forced a smile as soon as he saw her. “Did you get the boys down okay?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “They’re fast asleep for their afternoon nap, like clockwork. I take it that there is still no news?”
Shale shook his head. “Three private investigators on the case and still nothing. It’s like they vanished into thin air.”
Worry churned in her gut for both Sand and Macy. “I wonder where they could have gotten to.”
Shale shook his head. “The hunters have them. There’s no other explanation.”
She nodded. “Do you think they’re still alive?” She bit down on her lip, trying to hold back the emotion that welled up.
Shale nodded, he squeezed the back of his neck and pushed out a heavy breath. “I hope so, Georgia. I really hope so.” His jaw tightened for a few moments. “My brother is worth too much alive.”
“And Macy?” Her voice was shrill.
“Sand wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but he can be rash. Shit! I wish I knew where they were so that I could help them.”
“I know. Me too.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t cry, Texas.” Shale hooked an arm around her waist. “Please sweetheart, you know it kills me when you cry. I can’t take it.” He placed a kiss on the side of her mouth.
“I know, I just…I worry.” She sniffed, blinking hard.
“Yeah, Sand will die to protect Macy and they need him so…I’m sure they’ll be okay. He’s tougher than he looks.” Shale smiled, it reached his eyes. His features softened despite their conversation. “On a lighter note, I have news that I think will help you feel at least marginally better.”
“What news is that?”
His smiled grew bigger. “The Joyces’ adoption of a little girl went through this morning. She was born a couple of days ago.”
“What?” she half yelled, quickly putting a hand over her mouth and listening for a wail. When no sound came from the monitor, she went on. “How do you know?”
Shale shrugged. “I’ve stayed in touch.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Stayed in touch, my ass.”
“Okay, I may have put in a good word with the adoption agency and with the birth mother of the child. She’s only sixteen. She was on the street.”
“Was?” Georgia raised her brows.
Shale shrugged again. “She has a place to live now and she’ll get an education. She’s a good kid who was down on her luck.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?” Georgia’s heart swelled. Her eyes filled with tears all over again. This time they were good ones.
“Yeah…well.” He gave a rueful grin.
“No, I mean it. You’re a good guy, Shale. One of the best…and I love you so much.” It still felt weird saying it, since they’d only just started doing it. It felt good though too. It felt right.
“Anything to make you happy, Wyoming.” He winked and she giggled. “When are you moving in with me? This whole ‘your room or mine’ thing is getting old fast.”
“After we’re mated.” She bobbed her bro
ws.
“Three more weeks and then you’re in my arms every night from dusk till dawn? I can’t wait.” His voice became animated.
She laughed. “We sleep together every night now already. It’s just a stupid formality.”
“One I can’t—”
There was an almighty crash. Glass splintered…noise and chaos erupted. Shale spun to her, shielding her with his body. She would have been thrown off her feet if it weren’t for his strong arms banding around her.
It went from chaos to calm in an instant. “You okay?” Shale’s expression was concerned. He cupped her chin in his big hand.
“Y-yes.” she managed to mutter.
“You’re not hurt?” he growled.
She shook her head. They both turned to what had caused the ruckus. A dragon lay in a heap on their living room floor. One of the sofas was on its side. Their coffee table was no longer. It was a splintered mess under the dragon. “What in the—?” she began.
“Sand!” Shale boomed.
The dragon lifted his great head. Its eyes were filled with confusion for a moment. Then they rolled back in its skull, his head crashed back down.
“By claw!” Shale yelled, running over to the downed creature. “Sand!” He shouted.
Georgia watched as the dragon folded in on itself, until a man lay on the ground. He was panting heavily and groaned every so often.
She walked over to them. “I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “It’s him!”
Shale continued to try to rouse his twin. “Sand.” He rubbed his back and shook him. “Brother, please!”
Sand finally lifted his head again, still panting. His eyes were hazy, as if he was drunk or something.
“He’s exhausted,” Shale explained. “Where were you?” he tried again.
“Macy,” Sand muttered. “Mace…” he said again.
“Where is she?” Georgia yelled, crouching next to Sand. “What happened to you?” She looked over at Shale. “What can I do to help him?”
“Need a team of males…need to go back…” He pulled himself up, looking stronger.
One of the babies cried over the monitor. “That’s Gossan,” she muttered absently. He had become the lighter sleeper of the two. Then again, she could hardly expect him to could sleep through the commotion of a dragon crashing through their house. “I’ll go…” she began.
Sand gave a groggy smile. “Gossan, after father.” He shook his head “The old man must be thrilled.”
“He is quite. You still haven’t—”
“And my other nephew?” Sand asked, just as both boys began yelling over the monitor.
“Granite,” Georgia said. “We named him after your brother. He stuck his neck out and gave permission for my mom…”
“What?” Sand scowled. “I thought I was your favorite, Georgie. I’m hurt.”
“Stop with the bullshit!” Shale growled. “You should lay back down. I’m calling for a healer.”
“No.” Sand shook his head vehemently. “Assemble a team of males. We need to go and rescue Macy. She is safe, but not for very long.”
“Those hunters!” Shale snarled. “We can’t just head off to god knows where, to—”
“It’s not the hunters who have her.” Sand shook his head, a deep frown marring his forehead.
Then the babies began screaming in earnest, drowning out whatever it was that Sand was saying. Georgia got up to go to them, her heart pounding.
Slave Dragon is out on pre-order now
About the Author
Charlene Hartnady is a USA Today Bestselling author. She loves to write about all things paranormal, including vampires, elves and shifters of all kinds. She lives on a couple of acres in the country with her husband and three sons. They have an array of pets including horses and a gecko named Pickle.
She is lucky enough to be able to write full time, so most days you can find her at her computer writing like mad. Charlene believes that it is the small things that truly matter, like that feeling you get when you start a new book, or when you look at a particularly beautiful sunset.
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Also by Charlene Hartnady
The Chosen Series:
1# Chosen by the Vampire Kings
2# Stolen by the Alpha Wolf
3# Unlikely Mates
4# Awakened by the Vampire Prince
5#Mated to the Vampire Kings (Short Novel)
6#Wolf Whisperer (Novella)
7# Wanted by the Elven King
The Program Series (Vampire Novels):
Book 1: A Mate for York
Book 2: A Mate for Gideon
Book 3: A Mate for Lazarus
Book 4: A Mate for Griffin
Book 5: A Mate for Lance
Book 6: A Mate for Kai
Book 7: A Mate for Titan
The Bride Hunt Series (Dragon Shifter Novels):
Book 1: Royal Dragon
Book 2: Water Dragon
Book 3: Dragon King
Book 4: Lightning Dragon
Book 5: Forbidden Dragon
Book 6: Dragon Prince
Water Dragons (Spin-off to The Bride Hunt):
Book 1: Dragon Hunt
Book 2: Captured Dragon
Book 3: Blood Dragon
Book 4: Dragon Betrayal
Earth Dragons :
Book 1: Dragon Guard
Book 2: Savage Dragon
Book 3: Dragon Whelps
The Shifter Night Series:
1# Untethered
2# Unbound
3# Unchained
Complete Box Set Books 1 - 3
The Feral Series:
Book 1: Hunger Awakened
Book 2: Power Awakened
Demon Chaser Series (No cliffhangers):
Book 1 Omega
Book 2 Alpha
Book 3 Hybrid
Book 4 Skin
Demon ChaserBoxed Set Book 1-3
Excerpt
Book 1
Untethered
Chapter 1
Ana should never have agreed to coming to a place like this. The restaurant was a hive of activity. Every single table was taken. It was the best place to go to in town, so it wasn’t that big of a surprise that even the waiting area and the bar were full. Crystal glasses, linen serviettes, the whole nine yards. It wasn’t easy to get a table in here. The Red Mole was normally booked at least two weeks in advance. She’d only ever eaten here once for her best friend Edith’s thirtieth birthday a couple of months ago.
Ana’s heart beat faster. Her hands felt a little clammy and a knot formed in her stomach. Who was she kidding? The knot had been there the whole day. It had just grown and tightened since walking in. She stopped for a second to catch her breath. Then stayed there, hand resting on the wall, for another five just to be sure.
Was this normal nervousness or … something else?
Was she about to …?
She put a hand to her belly. Her breathing remained a little elevated, but nothing out of the ordinary. I have this. I do! Doctor Brenner had given her the go-ahead. It was just a stupid little date. Ana sucked in a deep breath and kept walking in the direction the hostess had pointed her. The table in the corner … to the left and …
There.
Right! Okay!
She could breathe a little easier since he looked just like his online picture. A suit, dark styled hair and a megawatt smile. Her da
te stood up … good god, he was tall too. In short, he was really good-looking in a neat, professional kind of way. His profile said he was an accountant, he looked like an accountant. It was a positive start. She willed her hands to stop shaking.
He stepped around the table and took a few steps towards her. “Hi, I’m Brett. You must be … Ana.”
She said her name simultaneously, a nervous giggle escaped. Brett put his hand out and she shook it. His hand was soft, as was his skin. Please don’t let my hand feel sweaty. Please don’t let me embarrass myself.
Brett let go almost immediately, a smile still on his face. “It’s so good to meet you. You look exactly like your picture.” He gave her the once over and she could tell he liked what he saw. She had decided to go with a plain black figure-hugging dress. It came to just above the knee. Ana had taken the time to do her hair and to put on a little make-up. In short, she’d gone to a lot of trouble.
“So do you.” Her voice was a little high-pitched.
“For a few minutes there, I thought you were going to stand me up.” He arched a brow.
Ana smiled and shook her head. “I might be ten minutes late, but I would never not show.” At least, not without telling him first. The thought of canceling had crossed her mind once or twice today.
“Here, allow me.” Brett pulled a chair out for her.
“Thank you.” She smiled at him as she sat down and he smiled back, taking his own seat opposite of her. So far so good. The knot in her stomach eased its hold just a smidgen and she could breathe a little easier.
The waitress came around to the table and took her order. A glass of white wine. Something light and easy, just like she hoped the evening would go.
Ana saw a tumbler of whiskey on the rocks already on the table. It was dripping with condensation. It looked like Brett had not only arrived on time but most likely, he’d arrived early. Another server came to the table with a basket of breads and a plate of different kinds of butter. “Truffle, herb and regular.” He pointed at each of the creamy mounds before walking away.
Dragon Whelps: Earth Dragons Series: Book 3 Page 20