by Jenna Payne
“Hey,” the woman said when she got a good look at Jen. “Aren’t you my brother’s girlfriend?”
“Brother? Girlfriend?” asked Jen in a baffled tone.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the woman replied with a kind smile. She extended her hand and introduced herself. “My name is Jessie. I’m Jack’s sister, his one and only sibling.”
Jen was surprised. But now that she looked at the woman closely, she did resemble Jack closely. “Uh, it’s nice to meet you, Jessie. I’m Jen,” she said, shaking the woman’s hand.
“I know your name, Jen. We’ve all been waiting to meet you, actually.”
“Really?” Jen said, feeling nervous.
Jessie laughed. “Don’t worry, we don’t bite. Unless you’re an enemy, of course.”
Somehow Jen couldn’t make herself laugh at the joke. Before she could react, though, the pretty woman took her hand quickly and dragged her out the door. “Come on, Jen. Everybody’s just dying to see you!”
A lot of heads turned when Jen came out into the well-lit patio that led to the massive garden. Flying dragons were still frolicking in the air above the crowd.
She saw Jack strolling toward her and Jessie. He had a big smile on his face. “I’m so glad you decided to join us, Jen,” he said upon approaching. “And I see you’ve met my sister already.”
“Yes,” Jen said, not knowing what else to say.
Suddenly, Jack clapped his hands and everybody fell silent. Even the playing dragons stopped what they were doing and turned to them.
“Good evening again, everyone! I would like you all to meet my queen, Jen Smith,” he said proudly in a loud voice.
Everybody broke into a huge cheer, chanting about eternal love and the power of dragons.
That evening, Jen felt as if she was trapped inside a fantasy that she wanted to wake up from as soon as possible. She was warmly welcomed, but she knew she didn’t belong there. Besides, she would never be happy and at peace living with a bunch of half-human monsters.
*****
The first week was the most difficult, as Jen tried to adjust to life in a faraway place, with dragon shapeshifters all around her. She was okay most of the time as Jack was making an extra effort to make her feel at home and to show her how much he cared about her. His sister Jessie was also a huge help, her bubbly personality always cheering her up and making her forget about the reality of the situation.
Nevertheless, she was still quite determined to find a way to escape. Throughout the weeks that followed, she tried to blend in and get to know more of the others. As she did, her fear began to subside especially since they usually transformed into their dragon selves in the evening, during which she locked herself in her room.
She’d submitted her resignation letter at work through email, making up an excuse about a sudden health condition. She’d also kept in touch with her best friend Melissa, though, without letting her in on the actual truth. It was hard being vague but she’d simply asked her friend to trust her until it was the right time to reveal the truth.
One late afternoon, she was having tea with Jessie and a couple of other women on the patio by the garden.
“Billy is really, really hot…” the blondie said, pointing out the muscular man who just came from a swim at the lake.
“You mean really, really wet!” the brunette beside her said, giggling.
Everyone in the group laughed. Jessie whispered to Jen, “These young girls are totally boy-crazy so don’t mind them, okay…”
“No problem at all,” Jen whispered back. She was actually pleasantly shocked that she was getting along with most of them and even starting to have fun. Perhaps she was getting the hang of it already, living life in secret and being amid these dragon shapeshifters.
The man called Billy was crossing the field, dripping wet in just a pair of swimming shorts, when a taller man suddenly came forward and punched him on the face.
The women gasped as they watched the brawl between the two. In just a few seconds, the men let out bloodcurdling roars mixed with sounds of anguish and pain as they transformed into their dragon forms. They lashed out at one another with their clawed hands and sharp fangs while their enormous reptile-textured wings scratched and pounded against each other.
An alarm rang out somewhere. Jessie bared her sharp teeth and vicious tongue, her eyes now ablaze with seeming fire. She jumped from her seat without warning and charged onto the garden after the fighting dragons.
“Jessie, don’t!” one of the women cried out.
Jen clutched her chair tightly as she watched in alarm. She saw Jessie transform and join the skirmish.
Before Jessie could get seriously hurt, though, a familiar dragon arrived. He was bigger and more majestic, with his greenish brown skin reflecting the sunlight in daytime. Without any trouble, he separated the three and angrily threw them in various directions. The three dragons scrambled away and hid behind some thick trees and shrubs.
The huge dragon who’d come last stood in the center of the garden, his chest heaving. He walked slowly toward the group of women, his intense red eyes fixing on Jen whose face had paled. All of a sudden, the dragon’s eyes mellowed and turned back to their original gray color.
Jen knew it was Jack. She waited for his next move.
He seemed to calm down as he stared at her for a minute. Then after a while, he turned around and ran to the dense cluster of trees toward the back.
Jen’s heart was hammering wildly. She couldn’t believe she’d just witnessed an actual fight among dragons who were supposed to be family. She couldn’t believe that she’d seen Jack in his dragon form again, which she’d initially thought was a dream a few weeks back.
Something inside her stirred. She was even more confused than ever. Even though it should be clear to her now that she had to get out of there as soon as possible, greater confusion gripped her heart and mind. Her emotions were in turmoil.
That evening, the resident doctor checked on her again. He happily told her that the baby was well and healthy. The ultrasound showed that it was also a normal fetus, a little bigger than usual, but looked perfectly like a human being. Jen sighed in relief. Thank God it didn’t have wings yet.
“Jen…” a low male voice called to her from outside her bedroom door after the doctor had left.
She knew it was Jack. “Come in.”
Jack went in, looking quite regal even in just a pair of chinos and a white polo. He was truly handsome, although there was a worried look on his face.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” he gently said. He sat on the bed beside Jen who was lying down. She felt like a servant next to him, since she wasn’t made up at all and was ready to go to bed.
“It’s okay,” Jen lied. “You don’t have to apologize.”
“You want to go, don’t you?” Jack suddenly blurted out. “You want to leave me.”
“Sorry?” Jen said in surprise, her heart beating faster.
“I can tell, Jen. Despite all our efforts, you still don’t feel like you belong, like this could be your home too.” Slight anger flashed through his face, but he was apparently controlling his emotions.
Jen felt a bit scared. She didn’t want to trigger him to change into a dragon right then and there. She quickly reached out to touch his cheek. And to her astonishment, the simple gesture actually relaxed both of them.
“You have to understand that this is all still a lot for me to process,” Jen answered slowly and softly. “I do care about you, Jack, but I need more time.”
“I understand,” he replied, nodding. “I will wait no matter how long it takes. Just say you’ll stay and marry me after our baby is born.”
Jen hesitated. “Aren’t you just after the baby?” she asked. She couldn’t help asking. The past days she’d been thinking about it a lot.
“Of course not,” Jack quickly answered. He took her hands in his and kissed her on the lips. “I love you, Jen. Is that so difficult to believe? Whether th
ere’s a baby or not, my feelings would remain the same.”
Jen simply nodded. “I need to rest now,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
“Rest well, my love,” Jack said. He gave her a peck on the cheek, stood up, and left the room. She felt his absence acutely.
*****
ONE YEAR LATER
Jen went through the photos in her cellphone, many of which showed the home and lifestyle of the dragon shifters. She’d taken the photos surreptitiously. Her mind was racing, filled with thoughts of ambition and success. She even had some audio clippings that would support her claim about this secret lair. The question was, would she dare to expose these people who had welcomed her like one of their own?
She stopped moving through the photos when she got to the image of her newborn son. She clearly remembered that day when she’d felt the first pains of labor. Jack had stayed by her side the whole time until their resident doctor had helped her deliver.
Jen sighed, putting down her phone and glancing toward the crib in her bedroom where little Brennan lay asleep. He was three months old now, a precious bundle of joy that she never knew could capture her heart and entire being as he had. It was amazing how motherhood had given her so much joy despite all the challenges. The love and happiness were fast overcoming her desire for fame, wealth, and success in the world of science.
But after being in a career hiatus for long, there was still a huge part of her that yearned to become successful in her field. For many years, her talent and skills as a scientist had not been fully utilized or recognized, but now she had the best opportunity to fulfill her dreams. She only had to execute her original plan and expose this community of dragon shifters.
A knock on the door broke through her thoughts. She turned around, hiding her phone in the nearby drawer as she did.
Jack entered the room, looking tired but still good-looking and kingly. He’d actually been a hands-on dad the past months. Actually, he’d been the perfect father.
Something tugged at Jen’s heart as she gazed into Jack’s eyes. He strolled across the room and kissed her on the forehead.
“How are you, my love?” he asked gently, rubbing her shoulders and then taking her into his arms for a sweet embrace.
“I’m good, thanks,” Jen answered. The past year she’d been trying to control her feelings for him so that she’d have the courage to come out with her planned expose in the future. Nevertheless, his unchanging ways with her and especially his love of their son had seized her heart completely. She knew it, although she still wouldn’t admit to it.
“Jen… about our wedding…” he began.
Her heart skipped a beat as he once again brought up the subject of their marriage. She knew he’d just waited for her to give birth. It had been three months now that she had been evading the conversation, but she could not go on doing that forever.
Little Brennan suddenly burst out crying, making them both turn around anxiously. Saved by the bell, Jen thought.
Jack got to the baby first, lifting him from the crib and cradling him in his arms. He even began to hum a lullaby as he rocked the baby gently.
Jen watched them speechlessly, her heart torn and her mind in chaos. You’ve got a wonderful husband-to-be, Jen, a voice insider her whispered. Why are you even thinking about leaving him?
She had no answer to that question, except for the fact that he was not completely human. But did she still honestly still think that he could harm her and their baby one of these days or cause her trouble, after all this time, after all his love and kindness? So far he’d shown greater control around her, and had avoided transforming into his dragon self.
Soon the baby was asleep again, looking very much at peace in his daddy’s arms. Brennan hadn’t shown any signs of being a dragon shifter yet. According to Jack, most of them started out that way. Physical manifestations began at puberty, but of course they had been prepared as children by their parents.
In a subtle way, he was also telling Jen that they needed to do the same with Brennan. But first, Jen had to accept the reality first and embrace her new family and life.
As soon as Jack put the baby back down, the door burst open. Jessie came in looking excited, a beautiful black dress in her hands. Her dark hair was braided neatly while her sparkling brown eyes shone with excitement, brightening up her pretty face.
“Oops, sorry,” she immediately said as soon as she saw Brennan in his crib. “I didn’t realize my adorable nephew was sleeping…” She tiptoed to the baby and gave him a peck on the cheek.
Then turning to Jen, she laid out the dress she was carrying on the bed. “Look, I had the perfect dress made for you for tonight’s party!”
Jen looked at her in surprise. “You didn’t have to do that, Jessie. I mean, you’re the celebrant, after all.”
“Yes, but you’ve been so busy being a mom lately. I want you to have the time of your life tonight. Besides, our dear friend Ginny made dresses for me and all of our other close friends. It’s her passion!”
Jen gazed at the lovely long black dress with silky drapes and beaded top. “It’s really beautiful,” she said in awe. “Thanks so much.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Jessie answered with a wave of her hand. “Anything for my sister.”
Jen felt horrible deep inside. Here she was plotting to escape and expose the whole community of dragon shifters, while Jessie considered her as family.
“Anyway, I’ll give you two some private lovey-dovey time now,” Jessie said with a wink. “See you later!”
“Jessie really loves you,” Jack said after his sister left the room.
“Oh, she’s like that with everybody,” Jen said.
“No, she really does,” Jack told her. “She likes you a lot more than any of the other women I ever dated. And to think you’re the only full human I’ve been with.”
“I appreciate it,” Jen said, smiling at the awkward compliment. “She’s a great person.”
Jack quickly approached her and literally swept her off her feet in seconds. “It’s been a long time since we had alone time together, Jen,” he murmured into her ear, his lips grazing the outer lobe and sending a tingle down her spine.
With her heart beating fast, Jen pulled out of his embrace and slid back on her feet. “I’m kind of tired,” she whispered. She tried to ignore the disappointed look on his face.
“Okay,” he nodded. “I’ll let you rest. We can catch up tonight during the party.”
Jen tried to avoid his eyes as she slinked backward. He simply bowed and walked out of the room.
*****
The spacious garden was decorated with sparkling lights that seemed to reflect the twinkling stars in the evening sky. The colorful flowers, along with the multicolored fabrics draped around the trees and bushes, added to the already festive mood.
As Jen consciously made her way toward one of the garden tables in her new black dress, a strong gust of wind rushed past her. She slightly turned, expecting to see a dragon flying by. She was right. It was actually one of the younger, more playful ones who loved experimenting with their newfound dragon skills.
By this time, she wasn’t shocked anymore. These dragons had become a regular part of her daily life.
“Jen, there you are!” she heard Jessie’s cheery voice greet her. The strong-willed, vivacious female dragon shifter bounded to her with an excited look on her face. “Oh, my gosh! I knew you’d look fabulous in that dress!”
“Thanks,” Jen said shyly.
“I’ve actually seen a lot of men giving you meaningful glances,” Jessie teased. “If my brother catches them…” She paused dramatically, shaking her head. “I don’t know what he’d do to them. He’s crazy about you!”
Jen laughed, although her insides were churning in mayhem. In her mind, she could picture the backpack she’d filled up with her things and some of her baby’s belongings. She was actually feeling guilty already. But she was determined to escape that night.
&nb
sp; “Did Jack see you already?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh, my! His eyes are going to pop out of their sockets for sure!”
Jen couldn’t help giggling. At that moment, Jack appeared by her side. She caught a whiff of his favorite musky scent even before he spoke.
She felt his hands slinking around her waist, his lips brushing against her neck. “Were you girls just talking about me?” he asked in a joking tone.
“Don’t be assuming!” Jessie said in haughty tone, although her eyes were twinkling with laughter.
“Yeah,” Jen agreed. “Why would we talk about you?”
“I don’t know,” Jack said, embracing her even closer. “Maybe because you’re crazy about me?”
Jessie laughed. “Gosh, let me just leave you two lovebirds alone! See you around!”
Jack, laughing, then turned Jen around to face her. His eyes swept over her body and then focused on her face. “You are indeed beautiful, my love,” he whispered. “I will definitely get used to waking up beside you every single day…”
Jen laughed uneasily, knowing where the conversation was headed once again. “You know, I’m really getting hungry now,” she said, trying to veer the topic away. “Can we get something to eat, please?”
“Of course,” Jack answered, taking her by the hand and leading her to the buffet table.
After a while, Jen actually almost forgot about her plans as she found herself enjoying the company of Jack and his family and friends. When he had to entertain some other people, she excused herself to check up on little Brennan in the bedroom.
Alone in the room, she watched her baby sleeping soundly, her heart pounding wildly as she pondered on what to do next.
There was no time to think anymore. She had to do it now while everyone else was preoccupied, or she wouldn’t have another chance.
Quickly she rushed to change into a comfortable black shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers. Then she took her backpack before bundling up her baby in a comfy blanket and carrying him close to her chest. He whimpered a bit but she cradled him closely and gently rocked him back to sleep.