by Jana Leigh
Lagon, of course, knew this was a lie, but the Alphas had been hurt, and they were feeling like they should not be lying in a bed waiting for word about their Pack. They were feeling helpless. It was a bad place to be when you were Alpha, so Lagon cut them some slack. He even went so far as to bow his head to show them respect also. The Alphas relaxed against their pillows that were propping them up. Lagon knew that not many people were allowed in here while the Alphas recovered. To show this much weakness could be detrimental to their leadership. Wolves and other animals instinctively would want to Challenge them. No matter if they were the Chosen or not.
That was why there were so many guards around the building and compound to keep people out. They could scent wounded shifters and though they may not want to, their primal instincts would take over. Quin, although the strongest wolf, would not be able to handle a challenge right now.
“So what is so important that we will not want to rip you limb from limb?” Quin said and folded his arms across his body. Jaden did the same thing and Cami growled at them again. Lagon wanted to laugh and the two Alphas. He was a dragon, a dragon sent by the Gods. They could not hurt him. He gave them the respect that they deserved for being the Alphas and strong wolves, but if he wanted, he could rip them limb from limb too. Of course, he had no plans on doing that because the Gods would then kill him. He was here for a specific purpose. To protect the children of the Chosen.
Lagon walked until he stood in front of the Alphas bed and stood straight. He raised his hand and snapped and a scroll appeared in his hands. Both of the Alphas sat up more.
They looked at him in surprise. “Hang on. You are a shifter of some kind, I can scent it.
I have not been able to place it, but you are a shifter. How is it that you have magic as well?”
“Because I am not your normal shifter. In fact, I am one of a kind. Made for one purpose only. Although the Gods have graced me with two mates because of my destiny.
The destiny that intertwines with yours and your families.” Lagon continued.
Quin and Jaden frowned but did not interrupt. Cami stepped forward and laid her hand on his arm. He felt the acceptance from her flow though him, and he knew all would be fine.
Lagon unrolled the scroll and handed it to Quin. The Alpha raised his eyebrows but read what was on the paper out loud.
My Dearest New Council,
We realize that we have given you a huge task to complete. In some ways, it must feel overwhelming to try to fulfill your destiny. We know that you will succeed, just as we know that you will face great peril in the months to come.
Now is the time for your final gift from us to help you along the way. We will be unable to help you any more in the future, what happens is all up to you. Use your gifts wisely, for they were chosen for each of you with care.
Lagon is the only one of his kind, although you may be tempted to use him in other ways, we implore you to let him do what he was meant to do. If you take him off his task, someone will suffer.
“It is unsigned.” Quin said and looked at Lagon questioningly.
“Well, you can"t expect the Gods to actually sign something like that. It is assumed.” Lagon said waving his hand and the scroll disappeared.
“So what are you and what it your task?” Jaden smirked at him.
Lagon threw back his head and laughed. “I can"t show you inside. I am going to walk outside. Just stay where you are and look out your window.” Quin rolled his eyes and waved. Cami held the door for him and whispered, “What are you doing?”
“Just watch the window.” He smiled and walked outside. Lagon went to the side of the house and looked around. There were a few guards who nodded at him but then turned away. When no one was watching, he shifted. The only ones who could see him were the children and the Council members, so he was not too worried about being seen and scaring the shit out of people.
In his dragon form, he stood the height of the top floor windows. Lagon walked around the house gently until he was standing in front of the Alphas window, which Cami must have opened. He leaned forward and looked inside and then took a deep breath and blew smoke from his nose into the room. Cami was standing the closest and began giggling and laughing. Quin and Jaden fell out of their bed and scrambled to grab their mate away from a perceived threat. Cami just slapped them away and walked closer to the window.
“So cool.” She murmured and reached out her hand and petted his long snout. Jaden and Quin yelled at her to stop and demanded that she return to their side. “Babies. It"s just a dragon.” She said and continued to pet him.
“A dragon?” Quin bellowed and looked at Lagon. “Get your ass back in here.” Lagon nodded and went back to the side of the house, shifted and dressed. Smiling he walked back up to the Alphas door that was standing open waiting for him. Cami squealed and jumped in his arms when he came in and started asking him a million questions at once. Lagon laughed and set the small Alpha on the ground and turned to her mates.
“What the fuck was that?” Jaden said with a look of awe on his face.
“My dragon.” Lagon replied slowly like Jaden was stupid. “So here"s the deal. I am a dragon, my purpose and only purpose is to protect your children. Of course, now that I have mates, I would protect them too, but I can"t overstep my bounds. I am allowed to protect my mates in human form and only human form. I have studied for years and am good at wielding a sword. However, in my dragon form, I will protect your children with my life. No one can see me, but the Council members and the children. To everyone else I am invisible. The humans could not deal with me. I am the Keeper of the Chosen"s Children. While you are doing what you have to do, I will make sure that nothing happens to them. I am their Guardian.”
Cami clapped her hands and said, “I knew the children liked you for a reason. Every time you walked into a room, they would stop what they were doing and demand your attention. This is so awesome! We have a dragon on the Council!” Quin and Jaden looked at each other, then back at Lagon, and began laughing. Cami turned and put her hands on her hips and glared at them. “What the heck are you to laughing at, and I would make it good, the couch is calling your names.” Quin held up his hand and continued to laugh. “No, we are not laughing at Lagon. We are laughing at the picture of our children crawling and playing with a big dragon. The Gods sent us a big babysitter?”
Jaden and Quin began laughing again and Lagon smiled at them. “No, not a babysitter.
A Guardian. Although I like playing with the children. I refuse to change diapers, unless they are my own, so don"t go firing the nannies quite yet. In the coming months, things are going to get dangerous. The children must be protected. You can"t worry about them when you are in a battle. That is what I am here for.” Quin and Jaden nodded and then Jaden asked, “And your mates. Have you claimed them yet?”
Lagon shook his head and said, “Trinity just woke up. I have to talk to them about a few things before we mate. I am asking for permission to reveal myself to the rest of the Council and then deal with my mates.”
Quin and Jaden nodded and then held out their hands to him. Lagon reached over, shook them, and smiled. “So no other questions?”
“Oh, I have a million. But I can wait.” Quin laughed when his mate bounced up and down.
“I know, go back outside and change and let"s scare the shit out of the rest of the Council. Everyone needs a laugh right now.” Cami said and clapped.
Lagon looked at the little Alpha, smiled indulgently, went back outside, and changed.
He went to the Alphas room and peaked his head in. Quin and Jaden laughed when Cami squealed again and clapped her hands. “Jo and Tey first. I heard them go next door a few minutes ago.”
Lagon nodded and rolled his eyes at the Alphas who shrugged and smirked at him. This was embarrassing, but entertaining. Lagon guessed the introduction to the New Council was either going to be difficult or easy. This was proving to be fun.
Lagon heard Cami talking to her frien
ds and waited until the window was opened. He stepped to the side and then listened as Cami explained that they had a new member of the Council, Lagon and how he was different. She explained everything but that he was a dragon. Cami called his name and he stepped around the sill and blew smoke out of his nose. Tey and Jo jumped. Jo shrieked and ran behind her mate who stood stunned.
Cami clapped, laughed, and said, “Say hello to our new dragon.”
“Holy shit!” Tey muttered and then looked at Cami.
“People to meet and make scream. Come to dinner tonight with your questions.” The Alpha said and laughed again when Jo peaked out from behind her mate and smiled at him. “Too cool.”
Lagon laughed and went to the next window. They all pretty much went the same way.
Cami would walk into the room and lay it all out and then Lagon would step around to the window and scare the shit out of the Chosen. Cami found it humorous; Lagon just went along with it. It seemed to make the air around the compound lighter somehow, the Chosen were laughing. Cami got the greatest kick out of showing the babies his dragon form. They were not scared. They wanted a ride.
By the time he reached his mates window, he was getting tired. He looked inside and Cami walked in and gently woke his mates and then pointed out the window and walked out, shutting the door quietly. His mates turned and saw him in his form for the first time and smiled. Trinity threw open the window and held out her hand. He leaned in so his mate could touch him.
Lagon closed his eyes and allowed his mates to pet and touch him. He savored their touch. It was amazing to feel them run their hands over his scales. His mates murmured to him how pretty he was and Lagon felt his heart grow. He leaned back and then motioned with his head that he was going to shift back. They nodded and settled back again in the beds they had pushed together. Trinity leaned against her mate, feeling more comfortable with them every moment she was with them.
Lagon entered the room and smiled. “Hello, sleepy heads.” He teased and then sat on the bed next to Trinity. He put his arm around her and pulled her close to him until she was almost on his lap.
“The doctor said you should shift again a few times.” He said and looked at Blaze who looked even better than before.
Blaze nodded and looked at Trinity pointedly. She smiled and then shifted. He laughed when she got caught in her hospital gown again. Blaze rolled his eyes and shifted also.
Lagon scooted so he was in between them and petted both of his mates. They were beautiful.
Just as suddenly as they shifted, they shifted back. Lagon smiled when Trinity scrambled to get the gown. He threw it on the floor and looked at her with amusement.
She frowned then scurried under the covers.
“Lagon!” She chided and then turned away.
“Don"t hide from us, baby. I love the way you look and your soft skin.” Lagon said and then moved his hand across her bare back.
Trinity shivered and looked over her shoulder at her mates. They were both sitting up staring at her intently. She licked her lips and noticed that they followed her tongue as it slipped across her lips. She did not know what to do. She had never even kissed anyone. How was she supposed to do this? Trinity cleared her throat and said softly,
“Um, you are my mates, right?” She asked and both of them nodded their heads. “Well then I can tell you anything, right?” She asked and they responded again with a nod of their heads. She could sense their arousal. She knew that they could sense hers but she had no idea what to do with it. “Well, I, uh, haven"t done this before.” She said quietly.
Blaze made a noise deep in his throat and pulled her until she was sitting across his lap, with her feet in Lagon"s lap. “It"s okay, little one. If you don"t have much experience, it"s okay. We just want to be with you. I won"t lie and say that I have never had another woman and I am sure that Lagon would say that too. But you and Lagon are the only ones who I will ever make love to again. You and Lagon are my mates, which means that we were made for each other.” He said and smiled at her gently. She looked at Lagon who was running his hands up her legs and smiled and at her and nodded.
She snorted and covered her mouth with her hand. “I did not mean I have little experience. I meant I have NO experience, like I have never even kissed anyone. My parents and Spencer kept me very sheltered. I was never allowed to date or go out with anyone. So the opportunity never arose. I know I probably seem stupid to you but I really don"t know what to do. All of this is new to me. I mean, when we were sleeping together and I was in your arms, I felt at home. A feeling I had never felt before. I wanted to kiss you, but was afraid that you would not want me to.” She finally looked up and saw the expression on Lagon"s and Blaze"s face and grimaced.
They looked shocked. “What?”
Lagon recovered first, leaned forward, and smiled. “I think Blaze and I are just a little shocked, baby. I knew that you had never been with anyone, but never realized you were this innocent. I am in awe of the fact that we will be the first and last men to ever kiss you and touch you. It is an honor to be your mate.” Trinity smiled and looked at Blaze who was grinning. “Ditto.” He said and she giggled.
“So who do I kiss first?” She asked and then sat back and watched as her men looked at each other and smiled.
“Well, a first kiss is a big deal.” Blaze said and leered at her. “Maybe we should all kiss and then it will be like we shared the first kiss.” She looked at them and shrugged her shoulders. What did she know? Both of the men leaned forward and kissed each side of her mouth. They both ran their tongues across her lips until they met in the middle and then kissed her together. She opened her mouth slightly and ran her tongue over their lips like they had hers and soon they were all kissing. She wanted to laugh as she thought about what they looked like.
Trinity pulled back first and grinned at her mates. “My first kiss.” She whispered and her mates looked at her lips.
“There will be a lot more firsts after we go and see your parents, little one.” Blaze promised and smiled. “Let's go.” He said and his gaze held a promise for later. She grinned and slid from the bed with Lagon"s help. Blaze stood on his own, which made Lagon very happy. It seemed at least his mates were on the mend. Soon they were going to have to pitch in and start helping the rest of the Pack.
Together they walked slowly to her parent"s room. When Blaze opened the door and she saw her parents, Trinity let out a cry of relief when she saw they were awake and alive.
Slowly she walked to her mother"s bedside and sat down.
Lagon and Blaze introduced themselves and chatted for a few minutes before telling them to take their time. Lagon had a few things to take care of and Blaze wanted to go and find his friends to say hi.
Trinity nodded and smiled up at her mates. They both leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips before leaving. Her mother smiled and held her hand, approving of her mates. Her father announced after they left that he approved of her mates. Trinity smiled and then started to talk to her parents after what seemed like a very long time.
Chapter 11
Blaze walked gingerly down the corridor with his mate. They discussed plans for later tonight and agreed that they would make things special for their mate. They separated with a heated kiss with promises for later that night, and assignments to make their temporary room ready.
Blaze"s first stop was to the doctor to make sure it was safe to claim their mate. The doctor assured him that Trinity was fine as long as they were not rough. She would be sore for a few days, but Blaze had protected her.
Blaze walked out of his office with a smile. He knew they had been lucky. When he felt the first blast, Blaze had curved himself around Trinity so she would be protected. A door had blown in front of them and landed on them when they fell, taking the brunt of the blast. They had been lucky. All of them but Spencer and Oliver had been standing close enough to the door.
Ryan and Ariel had told him the whole story earlier when he had woke up. He was p
roud of his friends. They had stepped in and helped the Alpha female when she needed it. He found his friends in a room at the far end of the hall. They were talking with the Alpha males and Beta. Blaze stood at the door and knocked softly.
“Come in.” Ryan said and smiled at his friend.
Ariel came and hugged him gently and then leaned back and smiled up at him. “Hello handsome.” She said and laughed when Ryan growled. “Down boy.” She said and slipped back to her mate"s side.
“We were just talking about what we are going to do for the next few days.” Ryan said and said. “Blaze is my second and your New Council member, he should hear this.” Quin nodded and then said, “What we say here stays in this room. Cami is the only other one who knows right now.” Everyone in the room nodded, Jaden looked grim, and Blaze knew there was something big going down.
“I have been challenged.” Quin said grimly and looked around the room at the astonished looks on everyone"s faces.
“Wait. Who?” Devon demanded. Quin could tell his friends and Beta"s temper was brimming. They had been through a lot together. He hated to tell Devon that one of the men who they had brought over with them all those years ago had suddenly decided that he was going to be Alpha.
“Mike.” Jaden said and took his mate"s hand. Neither of the men was afraid to show their feelings in front of people. They loved each other as much as they loved Cami.
Blaze looked on and hoped that he and his mates would grow to be just as close. Ryan and Ariel stood quiet while Devon began cussing. He talked about the wolf who challenged Quin. He was an Enforcer. Blaze frowned and thought of all the men he had been working with over the last few weeks. They had agreed with the Alpha to help provide the protection for Jordan since she refused to stay at the main house. As time went on, they had offered to help with the gates also. It seemed that everyone was being run ragged at the time. Mike, he thought. He was the large wolf with green eyes. Blaze remembered him and he frowned. He never got the vibe the wolf was anything but committed to the Pack.