Finding Faith (Return 0f The Dragons Book 1)

by Grace Brennan

  “Fi, I’ve told you that wasn’t your fault—”

  Fiona held up her hand. “No, Liv. Don’t. Stop making excuses for me, okay? You’ve been doing that our whole lives, and it just spurred me on. I’m not saying that to make you feel bad. I’m just saying, I felt like you were being condescending to me, and it made me want to act out worse. And no, I didn’t have a clue what Greg really was, and maybe he already suspected we’re dragons, but I still shouldn’t have told him. And I should have listened when you tried to warn me about him. Instead, I gloated about how I had a man for once, one who wanted me and not my beautiful, perfect sister.

  “I was horrible to you, and I’m only sorry that I didn’t realize it until we were locked up. I haven’t gone back to that wretched version of myself, I promise. I’ve just been worried. That experience scarred me badly. I barely sleep. It’s hard to eat. My mind never stops replaying every single moment. You’ve been recovering faster than me, and I was worried that because you were, you’d make the same mistake I did and trust the wrong man.”

  “Fiona…” she began, heart aching as she searched for her words. “I know you’ve been going through a rough time, but I didn’t realize it was that bad.”

  Her sister gave her a faint smile. “Don’t go taking that on yourself too. You didn’t cause it, and there’s nothing you can do or say that will help. I just need time. But if I seemed relieved this morning, it was because I was worried he would hurt you, and you’ve been hurt enough. I don’t want to see it happen again.”

  “He won’t hurt me, Fi. Cody’s a good man. One of the best I’ve ever known. So please don’t worry about me. Be happy for me instead. I’ve found my mate, and he’s an amazing man.”

  Fiona’s eyes widened. “He’s your mate? I didn’t know that.”

  She gave her a faint smile. “I didn’t either. My dragon just told me today.”

  “That changes everything, Liv.”

  “It does?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Of course. I won’t worry about you and him so much anymore. Mates would rather cut their own hearts out than hurt each other.” She smiled, some of the shadows leaving her eyes. “I’m truly happy for you, Liv. You deserve so much to be happy.”

  “Thank you. And you deserve it too, you know that, right?”

  Fiona shrugged, her smile dimming just a bit. “It’ll take me more time to realize that, but maybe I will someday.”

  Before she could reply, her sister drew her in for a hug, holding her tightly for a long moment. Tears filled her eyes, and she tried to blink them back, but she couldn’t. Like Fiona, she hated that it had taken a tragedy to reach this point, but she was incredibly glad they had.

  Her sister pulled back, her eyes glistening with tears of her own, and gave her a tremulous smile. Without another word, she ran back inside, and Olivia stared after her with a heart so full, she thought it might burst.

  She and Fiona were finally starting to build the relationship she always wished they had. It wasn’t all her sister’s fault that things had gotten so bad between them. Clearly, the way she’d coddled her hadn’t done any good, and she knew there were other things she should have done differently.

  But they were finally coming to a good place, and despite how much her heart hurt from the way her sister was suffering, she still felt an impossibly large amount of pride. Her little sister was growing up, and though it had taken some hard truths and hard situations to make it happen, it was beautiful to witness.

  And history hadn’t been repeating itself. Fiona wasn’t upset or jealous over Olivia finding Cody—she was just worried, which was more than understandable.

  Olivia had finally found her faith. Now, all she wanted was for Fiona to find peace.

  Chapter 17

  Cody

  Cody was trying his damnedest to concentrate on the cabinets he was building, but his mind wasn’t cooperating. All he wanted to do was think about Olivia—his mate.

  It was still hard to believe. He actually had a mate. And she was Olivia, the woman he’d felt an incredible pull to from the moment he saw her. The absolutely gorgeous woman he wanted with an ache that only grew stronger with every passing moment.

  It made complete sense when he thought about it, but he’d never even tried to put two and two together. He was the first of his people to find a mate.

  He’d wanted to tell everyone the moment he got home the night before, but he had to deal with the brewing shitstorm with Pops, and by the time he was done, it had been too late.

  Speak of the devil… His grandfather walked in, and he narrowed his eyes as he watched him go straight to the rocking chair he’d been working on.

  “What are you doing in today, Pops?”

  Halting in the process of reaching for the sandpaper, Pops turned a dark scowl on him. “What, am I not allowed in the family business anymore, either? I must not even be a member of the family at all at this point.”

  Exhaling heavily, he shook his head. “I don’t want to get into this with you again. I’ve already told you why it’s not a good idea to move back in. Besides, you were the one who moved out in the first place.”

  “That was before I knew there was a threat! You need me there to give you guidance. You’ve never faced anything like this before. You don’t know how to handle it.”

  “Like you’ve ever faced something like this? I know you haven’t, so don’t try that line on me. Even if you had, you can still give me advice without us living in the same house. And how about you give me a little bit of credit? I can handle this. I can lead the troop. Either you think I’m incredibly incompetent, or this is just you trying to control my life again.”

  “You’re too soft to be a true Silverback, boy. Axel should have stayed. Maybe then, with him in charge, I wouldn’t worry so much.”

  “You only say that because you think he would have been easier to manage than me,” he replied, refusing to let his grandfather’s taunts get to him. “You never really knew him at all, just like you never knew me or your own son. Axel never would have let you try to run his life either, Pops. I let you get away with it for far too long. He wouldn’t have even let you try.”

  Pops just tightened his mouth as he shook his head, ignoring that Cody said, as he always did when he knew he was right. “I warned you. I told you strangers are bad right now, and I told you to stay away from that little bitch from the beginning. Now look what you’ve brought down on our heads!”

  Fury washed over him as he straightened and turned to face his grandfather. “And I told you not to ever talk about my mate like that. I’m serious, Pops. Never. Again. You still have a place in the troop and in this business, but I will strip you of both faster than you can blink if you disrespect her one more time.”

  Pops let out a gravelly laugh full of disbelief. “You’re calling her your mate? Have you turned delusional? Our kind don’t have mates, you know that. Maybe I need to call a meeting with the troop, let them know how unstable you’ve become.”

  “It’s not a delusion. I know that historically, our kind haven’t had mates. But my gorilla told me she was mine yesterday, and I’m inclined to believe him. Everything I feel for her is perfectly aligned with the way shifters feel for their mates. And as the mate of the rightful Silverback, you will treat her with the respect her position demands.”

  His grandfather studied him closely for long moments. Finally, a look of shock filtered into his blue eyes, and Cody knew he believed him. “Your animal actually talked to you? And you found a mate? I… I didn’t think that was possible.”

  “Yes to both. And apparently, it is possible. Maybe you don’t know as much as you think you do, Pops. So how about you leave me to live my life and lead the troop the way I see fit? No more interference from you. I mean it. And when Olivia comes to live with us, like I hope she will, you will be on your best behavior. I won’t tolerate anything less. Understood?”

  Subdued, his grandfather sank back into his seat. “Ye
s.”

  That was all he said, but Cody figured it was the best he was going to get. Pops would see soon enough that he meant what he said. He’d tried to stay respectful and loyal to his family, but when it came to keeping his troop safe, and most especially to anything Olivia related, all bets were off.

  They worked in silence for a while, and then a bang from outside caught his attention. Walking to the back door, he pulled it open, a smile immediately stretching his lips when he saw Olivia.

  “Hey, you,” he said, walking toward her. “I didn’t know you were here. I would have given you a ride if you’d told me you were coming to work on your truck.”

  Looking up from where she was peering into the engine of her truck, she returned his smile, her green eyes bright in the sunlight. “Hey. It’s fine, Carlie brought me in. I wanted to get the truck fixed and back home.”

  “You get that spark plug changed out?”

  Frowning, she nodded. “Yeah, but it’s still running rough. I’m pretty sure it’s the coil pack, so I’m going to have to run back down to the parts store.”

  His eyebrows rose. “You know what a coil pack is?”

  Her smile turned teasing as she looked back at him. “What, because I’m a woman, I’m not supposed to know what that is?”

  Damn, that was beyond hot. The fact that she knew how to fix vehicles, and the way she looked right now, grease already on her hands as she fiddled with the engine.

  Pushing his hands into his pockets, he shrugged. “Most women wouldn’t. Not trying to be sexist, I’m just sayin’.”

  “You’re not exactly wrong,” she replied with a light laugh that sent a bolt of warmth through him. “I’m different than most, though.”

  He trailed his eyes down her body and back up again. “You can say that again.”

  Laughing again as she caught his perusal, she shook her head. “Not what I meant.”

  “I said what I said, and I won’t take it back. You’re beautiful.”

  Wondering if she’d stop him and hoping she wouldn’t, he leaned in to kiss her. Her eyes darted around for a second, and he knew she was thinking about the fact that they were in public.

  But she didn’t stop him. In fact, she met him halfway, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning her body into his. His blood caught on fire as they kissed, slowly at first, then deeper, long, open mouth kisses that stole his breath.

  When they finally broke apart, they were both gasping for air, and he pressed his forehead to hers as he sucked in oxygen. As they stood with their arms wrapped around each other, a thought popped into his head that quickly turned into a desire he couldn’t ignore.

  “What are you doing after you finish fixing your truck?”

  Pulling back slightly, but leaving her arms around him, she met his gaze and tilted her head. “I don’t have any plans. I was thinking about going home and reading. Why?”

  “I was wondering if maybe you’d like to come to the compound with me.”

  Her eyes widened. “The compound?”

  “That’s what we call our lands. It’s just a bunch of houses and a meeting hall, but we have a large fence around it to keep wondering humans out. I thought maybe we could go back to my house and get some lunch.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Get some lunch? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

  “What? No, I’m not coming on to you. I really did just mean—” pausing, his eyes narrowed as he took in her barely suppressed laughter and dancing green eyes. “You’re teasing me.”

  “Just a tiny bit. And yes, I’d love to.”

  The corner of his mouth curled up. “Good. I’ll wrap up inside, and once you’ve fixed the truck, we’ll head out.”

  “Okay. Oh, by the way, we’ve decided to do the full renovation. I was going to come inside and tell you when I was done with the truck.”

  “That’s a good choice. I’ll feel better about your sister and friends living there it it’s fully done.”

  She arched an eyebrow again. “My sister and friends?”

  Fuck. He hadn’t meant to word it like that, and he didn’t want her to think he was trying to push her into something she wasn’t ready for. Stupid, stupid, stupid. A slip like that could set them back, considering everything she’d been through.

  “I mean, I’ll feel better about all of you living there. I worded that wrong.”

  She gave him a look that said she didn’t buy a word of his backpedaling, but since she didn’t look mad, he was going to take it.

  “I get it. I’ll feel better about it then, too.”

  Leaning down, he kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll let you get this finished. I’ll meet you out here when you’re done.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Reluctantly sliding his arms from around her, he turned and walked inside, his thoughts still consumed with her. She seemed happier, more at peace, than he’d ever seen her. He’d thought she was amazing before, but this version of her was one he absolutely loved.

  Her happiness was his happiness.

  “So… your mate, huh?”

  Startled out of his thoughts by his grandfather’s gruff voice, he stopped and eyed him suspiciously. “Yes.”

  Pops nodded slowly. “You’re different with her. Happier.”

  Folding his arms, he cocked an eyebrow. “You were watching us?”

  “I wanted to see for myself. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt, and I won’t push anymore women on you. If you think she’s all you need, then I’ll leave you be.”

  “How generous of you,” he replied, unable to hold back his sarcasm.

  But his grandfather either didn’t catch it or just didn’t care, because he only nodded, going back to his work. Blowing out a breath, he quickly put up his tools, and then walked to Lindsey’s office. She’d be the one mostly coordinating the reno of the dragons’ house, and he wanted to get her started on it.

  The moment he walked into the office, she snatched his arm and pulled him deeper inside, shutting the door behind her. She was practically vibrating, a huge smile dominating her face.

  “Did I just hear that right? Olivia’s your mate? You have one? Our kind can have one?”

  Resisting the urge to ruffle her hair like he had when they were kids, he nodded. “She is. My gorilla told me yesterday.”

  “He talked to you and told you that you have a mate? Oh my God, Cody, this is amazing! I’m so happy for you. Why didn’t you tell me last night, asshole?”

  Giving her an exaggerated wince when she punched him in the shoulder, he shrugged. “Because last night was nothing but fighting and bickering with Pops.”

  “That’s an acceptable excuse, I guess, although you could have told me after. And didn’t I tell you he’d want to move back in so he could run your life? Totally called that.”

  “Well, he’s not allowed, as you know. And he’s under orders to behave himself with you, the troop, and especially with Olivia. I told him I won’t tolerate his usual hate and conniving, and he’ll be out on his ass if I catch wind of it.”

  Her brown eyes widened almost comically. “You threatened to throw him out of the troop? I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  “I guess meeting my mate brought it to the surface. And it’s a threat I will carry out if he gets out of hand.”

  “Your mate,” his sister breathed out, clasping her hands together. “So romantic. Is it everything normal shifters say it is?”

  “We’re normal, Linds. We’re just a little extra is all.” Knowing she’d argue with that, as she always did, he quickly continued. “And it’s what they say it is and more. I don’t think I can even describe it.”

  “I knew Olivia was special the moment I met her. I just didn’t realize how special she was.”

  Letting out a squeal that hurt his ears, she suddenly threw her arms around him. Laughing gruffly at her exuberant hug, he squeezed her tighter, hoping that one day, she’d find her mate, too.

  No one deserved it mor
e.

  “Okay,” she said, pulling away and blinking rapidly in a way that made him think she was getting rid of tears. “Why did you really come in my office? Because I know it wasn’t to tell me about Olivia. You can be a little dense sometimes, so I know you probably wouldn’t think about how much I’d want to know about that.”

  Rolling his eyes at her words, he ignored her insults. “Her and the other dragons are going with the full reno, so work up the paperwork and get it all organized, would you? I want to get started on it as soon as possible.”

  Frowning when she didn’t respond, he watched as her eyes widened, wondering what he said to put that look on her face. Running his words back through his mind, he cursed himself as he realized what he said.

  Slapping a hand over her mouth just as she was opening it, he shook his head. “Do not repeat that. Ever. To anyone. Fuck, I’m an idiot. That’s her secret to tell.”

  Reaching up, she grabbed his hand and pulled it away. “She’s a freakin’ dragon?” she whispered, so softly he barely heard her. “And of course I won’t tell anyone. I’m kind of offended that you think I would.”

  “I just don’t want anyone else to know, Linds. Like I said, it’s their secret to tell. Not mine.”

  “Well, I won’t be telling anyone. I’d suggest you watch your own words from now on, though.”

  Frowning at her, he just shook his head. His sister, with her rapid-fire words and smart mouth, was exhausting sometimes.

  But apparently, she didn’t care whether he answered her or not. “I didn’t know they even still existed. I have so many questions.”

  “Maybe I’ll answer them later. At least, the ones I know,” he said, glancing at his watch. “But for now, I’ve got a lunch date, so I need to get going.”