He saw her lips move. I love you.
Seath grinned.
He was going to fight for his beautiful family.
“Daddy, look out!” Zander yelled.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Seath danced back when Romus flew towards him. Those deadly fangs missed Seath by inches.
He rolled away as Romus struck again. Seath ducked and dodged, never taking his eyes off the lethal sea serpent.
When the giant serpent lunged at him again, Seath skidded to the side and made a running leap.
His dragon exploded out of his skin and Seath flew up and clamped his jaws around the serpent’s neck.
Romus heaved and managed to throw Seath off. Seath righted himself and aimed a ball of fire at the monster. But Romus could move with almost blinding speed.
With a hiss, Romus jerked up and bit down on Seath’s leg. Seath roared in pain as the monster slammed him down violently on the ground. Seath twisted away before Romus could slice his fangs into one of his wings.
If Romus shredded his wings, he would no longer be able to fly.
Seath scrambled up and limped away. He couldn’t afford to underestimate the enemy. Romus was faster and stronger than his guards. He was also more cunning and savage.
Romus’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction when he saw the blood running down Seath’s leg. Seath was injured, and the pain would slow him down.
The giant serpent lowered his head to the ground and flicked his tongue out, tasting the scent of Seath’s blood.
Seath and Romus moved at the same time.
Seath spewed fire at the serpent’s head. Romus launched himself at Seath and coiled his long, serpentine body around Seath’s torso.
Seath tried to fly but he couldn’t move his wings. The coils tightened as Romus wound himself around his prey.
Seath growled and panted as he struggled to breathe. His air supply was being choked off.
As his eyes closed, he heard Storm’s loud, triumphant bellow in his head.
His dragon mind reached out to his brothers, and he heard Sky roar. It’s done! Hawke is dead.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Seath’s eyes snapped open. He realized how hard his brothers had fought. Sky and Storm had battled Hawke to the death, so that he could save Piper and Zander. His brothers had defeated and destroyed the black dragon. Now it was up to Seath to save his family.
Seath twisted and writhed as he fought to free himself from the deadly serpent. Romus was strong and ruthless, but Seath knew that Romus wasn’t intending to kill him. Seath was worth more to Romus alive than dead.
Seath closed his eyes and let his body go limp. He stopped struggling and breathing, and just collapsed in a motionless heap.
Romus froze for a beat. Seath could feel the coils begin to loosen around his body.
Seath forced himself not to move. He listened intently and quietly elongated his claws.
As Romus slithered over him, Seath held his breath.
He had only one chance. His timing had to be perfect and his aim true.
Once Seath was sure that he had Romus exactly where he wanted him, he thrust his claws out and stabbed deep into the serpent’s body.
Romus hissed and thrashed wildly.
But Seath held him down.
Blood spurted from the wound. But neither Seath nor Romus moved.
If Romus moved, he would be dead. Seath’s claws would rip right into his heart.
They both knew that Seath’s claws were less than an inch from Romus’s beating heart.
All Seath had to do was push his claws an inch deeper and he would pierce the serpent’s heart.
Very slowly, Romus turned towards the grandstand and nodded to his guards. The guards released Piper and Zander, and Seath waited until his mate and son had rushed to his side.
Romus hissed a command and Seath saw a rock roll away to reveal the exit at the top of the far wall.
Seath kept his claws in the serpent’s body. He would crush Romus’s heart in an instant if he tried anything funny. He lowered himself to a crouch so that Piper and Zander could climb onto his back.
Once Piper and Zander were safely on his back, Seath yanked his claws out of the serpent’s body and launched himself into the air. He soared towards the exit and flew out of the Dome.
Water slammed into him. Seath swam quickly through the dark tunnel and shot upwards to the water surface.
He could breath underwater, but Piper and Zander couldn’t. They were still clinging to him, but he had to get them to the surface quickly.
Seath could see sunlight at last and he pushed harder towards the surface.
Finally, he burst from the water and soared into dry, warm air.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Once Seath landed on the beach, Piper slid off his back and took Zander into her arms. The boy threw his arms around her, and she could feel his small body trembling with cold, fear and relief.
They were both dripping with seawater. Piper knelt in the sand and hugged her little boy with all her might. She felt Seath’s strong arms around her and she looked up and gave him a wide, watery smile.
She tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she swiped the tears furiously away from her eyes.
Two magnificent dragons were flying towards the shore. Sky and Storm shifted back to human form once they landed and came up to them.
Seath stood up and went to his brothers. “You killed Hawke,” he said quietly.
Sky nodded. “Storm delivered the killing blow.”
“Death is too good for him,” Storm snarled. “I should have prolonged his suffering instead of ripping out his heart.”
Seath made a sound of approval before turning back to Piper and Zander. “Let’s go home,” he said softly. Hugging them both, he told Zander, “I’m so proud of you, son. You’re a very brave boy.”
“And a fierce hippogriff,” Piper added. “Zander shifted and fought Romus to protect me.”
Sky and Storm both came and heaped praises on Zander. Zander looked up at his dad, Uncle Sky and Uncle Storm with shining eyes. “Can we go home now?” he asked.
“Where are we?” Piper asked, looking around the empty beach. “How do we get home? I don’t even know how to get to Shadow Point from here.”
“Don’t worry,” Sky answered, smirking. “We know the way.”
“Yeah. Our mates are back in Shadow Point. We will always find our way back to our families,” Storm said.
Zander wanted to ride with Storm, and Storm promised to show him some cool tricks that he could do with lightning.
Piper looked apprehensive. “Lightning? Isn’t that dangerous?”
Storm smiled and assured her that Zander would be in no danger. “I’ll keep him far away from the lightning,” Storm said. “He can see his name from a distance.”
“His name?” Piper blinked. “What do you mean?”
Storm chuckled and winked at Zander. “I told you I can do some really cool tricks with lightning. I’m going to spell your name in the sky!”
“Ooh! Can you really do that? That is awesome!” Zander jumped up and down. “You’re the coolest, Uncle Storm!”
Seath rolled his eyes when Storm grinned smugly. “I told you guys I’m the coolest,” Storm bragged to his brothers.
Zander giggled when Storm picked him up and put him on his shoulders. “Ready? Hold tight now. I’ll take off on the count of three.”
“One, two, three!” Zander whooped with glee.
Storm shifted and took flight. Zander laughed delightedly as Storm glided into the air. Piper saw that Storm was flying very carefully, keeping his flight smooth and steady.
“We’ll fly behind them,” Seath said. He took off with Piper on his back.
Seath and Sky flew behind Storm, making sure they flew just a little lower than Storm to provide a safety net for Zander. But Piper saw that Zander had his arms securely wrapped around his Uncle Storm’s neck.
Zander was a smart ki
d. He was a survivor, a fighter. And he was a hippogriff. She had to remember that her son was a shifter. He could fly and he was strong and fast. He knew how to protect himself.
Piper could hear her son’s excited laughter. He seemed to have forgotten his ordeal altogether. Instead, he was so excited and happy to be with Seath and his brothers. The boy was resilient and cheerful, and he focused on the present and the future. The past was far behind him.
Piper smiled. She was his mother, but she learned so much from her son.
The rays of the setting sun glittered through the clouds and Piper literally saw the silver lining in the clouds. The clouds were edged with gold and silver, and Piper marveled at the beautiful, breathtaking sight.
In the distance, a flash of lightning zigzagged through the clouds and Zander shouted, “I see the letter Z! Z for Zander!”
Piper grinned at her son’s joy and excitement. The boy had his eyes firmly on the horizon. He was looking forward, not backward.
Yup. That’s what she should do. Keep looking forward.
Because she had so much to look forward to.
Piper stared at the three strong, spectacular dragons around her, and she suddenly realized why Zander was feeling so safe, secure and happy.
They were surrounded by family.
They were surrounded by people who loved and cared for them, and who would always protect them and fight for them.
They had a family and they had a home.
As they continued their journey towards Shadow Point, Piper realized that she was truly going home.
EPILOGUE
Piper poked her head out of the kitchen and saw Zander running around the house with his two cousins, Naomi and Ophelia. Seath and his brothers were keeping watch over the rambunctious, screaming kids. The three dragon daddies took turns following the children around, as they chased one another around the house.
“Don’t worry,” Leia said as she checked on the cake in the oven. “Let the men babysit the kids.”
Emilia grinned as she placed the huge tray of lasagna on the table. “Everything’s ready. I think your guests should be arriving anytime now!”
Piper went to hug her two amazing sisters-in-law. “Thank you! This party wouldn’t have been possible without your help! Thank you so much!”
“Please, that’s what family is for,” Leia answered, hugging her back.
Piper released the two women and smiled. Leia and Emilia were her sisters-in-law and best friends. She felt so lucky to have them in her life.
Her sisters-in-law had come to the house early in the morning to help her prepare for Zander’s birthday party. Together, they had baked a big birthday cake and prepared all the food and desserts.
While the women bustled around the kitchen, Seath and his brothers had been busy putting up the birthday decorations. There were colorful streamers and balloons in the living room, and Seath even crafted some amazing balloon animals to guard the towering pile of birthday presents. Piper realized that her mate was a man of many talents.
Seath had done up all the repairs around the house, and this cozy house was their home now. Zander and Seath were BFFs, and father and son were practically inseparable. They did everything together. Seath was a great dad. He was a wonderful husband and father. He was protective, nurturing, loving and patient. And Piper just fell deeper and deeper in love with her mate every single day.
The doorbell chimed loudly. “The guests are here!” Piper gasped.
Piper hurried out of the kitchen to see Seath throwing the door wide open to welcome their guests.
“Come in, come in,” Seath boomed.
Cheerful greetings were called out as their friends and neighbors trooped into the house. Piper smiled as she received enthusiastic kisses on the cheek and warm hugs.
They had invited all their neighbors and close friends to the party, and their little house was filling rapidly with people and voices.
Piper gasped when she saw Gramma and Ne-ma staggering into the house under a mountain of presents.
“Where’s the birthday boy?” Gramma hollered.
Zander squealed and ran to hug Gramma and Ne-ma. Gramma and Ne-ma were fixtures in Shadow Point, and they knew almost everyone in town. The two kindly grandmothers had helped Seath and his brothers immensely when the Fireblood brothers first arrived in Shadow Point. Seath had been so excited to introduce Piper and Zander to Gramma and Ne-ma. When Piper finally met the two vivacious little old ladies, she loved them at once. Gramma and Ne-ma exuded love and warmth, and they were just brimming with energy and zest. They were active around the town, and they loved helping their neighbors and friends. Zander had been so thrilled when Gramma and Ne-ma performed a magic trick for him. In fact, Zander had asked his dad to drive him to town so that he could deliver the birthday invitation personally to Gramma and Ne-ma at their inn.
Piper zipped back and forth, making sure everyone had something to eat and drink. She turned around when Seath tapped her on the shoulder. He pushed a drink into her hand. “Take a break,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Let’s enjoy the party.”
Piper smiled and looked around the noisy, crowded house. Joyful chatter and laughter filled the air.
The kids were happily playing party games with Gramma and Ne-ma. From their excited and enthusiastic shouts and squeals, Piper suspected that the two little grandmothers were having way more fun than the kids.
There were shifters, witches, hybrids and humans all gathered in her house. They were eating and laughing together, and Piper realized that this was just a slice of life in this beautiful, amazing little town. Her life was so full and happy here in Shadow Point.
Piper leaned back in her mate’s arms. “I’ve never had a party for him before, so this is Zander’s first birthday party,” she said softly.
“And what a party it is.” Seath pointed. “Look at Zander! Just look at that grin on his face.”
Piper gazed at her son and saw just how happy he looked.
“We are so lucky,” she whispered. Laughing, she added, “I never thought I would be living in a small paranormal town, living such a happy, beautiful life.”
“I love you,” Seath whispered. “I love you, Zander...and our baby.”
Piper gasped. She had been planning to tell him tonight. “You...how did you know?”
Seath nuzzled her neck. “Your scent changed when you got pregnant.”
“I was going to tell you tonight. I wanted to surprise you.” She punched his arm. “But...you can’t surprise a shifter. You guys can sniff everything out!”
Zander came running up to them and leaped into Seath’s open arms. “Hey, buddy,” Seath said, grinning. “Are you having fun?”
“Yes!” Zander giggled.
“Zander, would you like to have a sibling? Do you want to be a big brother?” Piper asked, stroking her son’s cheek tenderly.
“Yes!” Zander nodded eagerly. “I’ll be the best big brother!”
Piper hugged her mate and son with fierce pride and happiness. There would soon be a new addition to their family. And their family would just keep growing.
“I love you,” she said, keeping her arms around them. “I love our family so much!”
More Books from this Author:
BEAST BEARS
Billionaire Boss Bear
Billionaire Chef Bear
HEARTS ON FIRE
The Werewolf's Baby
The Dragon Tycoon's Bride
The Dragon’s Match
The Wolf’s Mate
STORM DRAGONS (Scifi Alien Weredragon Romance)
VORIK
WOLVES HOLLOW
Alpha Next Door (Book 1)
Beta's Baby (Book 2)
Savage Wolf (Book 3)
BRIDES fur BEARS
Bad Bear (Book 1)
Brave Bear (Book 2)
Brash Bear (Book 3)
Big Bear (Book 4)
Mail-Order Bear (Book 5)
Dating Agen
cy Bear (Book 6)
Guardian Bear (Book 7)
GRAY BEARS series
Marrying The Bear (Book 1)
Loving The Bear (Book 2)
Mating The Bear(Book3)
Tempting The Bear (Book 4)
Taming The Lion (Book 5)
Embracing The Lion (Book 6)
GRIMM BEARS (Fairytale Shifters)
Red and the Bear (Book 1)
Snow and the Bear (Book 2)
Gretel and the Bear (Book 3)
BEAR HEAT series
Bear's Bride (Book 1)
Bear's Kiss (Book 2)
Bear's Claim (Book 3)
Bear's Baby (Book 4)
Bear's Heart (Book 5)
Bear's Match (Book 6)
DRAGON HEAT
Taken by the Billionaire Dragon (Book 1)
Desired by the Billionaire Dragon (Book 2)
BEAR BRIDES
A Bride For The Bear
A Date For The Bear
A Wife For The Bear
A Mate For The Bear
Billionaire Bear Shifters Romance
Taken By The Bear
Owned By The Bear
Saved By The Bear
MISTY VALLEY SHIFTERS
Growl For Me
Fight For Me
Purrfect For Me
MATE series
Alpha Mate
Bear Mate
Vampire Mate
Wolf Mate
Wild Mate
Dark Mate
Blood Mate
BEAR COVE (A Small Town Love Story)
Bear My Heart
NORTH WOLVES
To Kill A Wolf
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
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