Flight Risk

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Tavian

Working at our clan’s headquarters was more difficult than it had been in the past. Sure, before our mating I knew Kier was downstairs, within reach at any moment, but he didn’t plague my thoughts like he did now. Back then Kier was a fantasy, a “what if.” He had been untouchable.

Now, I knew what he felt like in my arms. Under me. Riding me. Both in my human and dragon form. My dragon did not like being so far from our mate, even though we were just ten floors apart. Hell, technically, I was directly above him, and I could speak to him anytime via the intercom system.

We rode to work together. We went to lunch together. We went home together. Each moment with Kier was magical. I spent that time learning about him, his hopes, his dreams, his past. Being with Kier meant no more late nights, because there was no way I was going to work when I had my mate at home with me.

None of that was good enough for my dragon. He wanted to be with Kier every moment. Preferably naked, between the sheets. We could talk and learn about each other while we recovered.

Maybe even more so, my dragon wanted Kier in the skies with me. On my back or flying beside me.

The door to my office burst open. “Tav, you rascal!”

Thorne, James, and Kenneth strode in, smiles on their faces. I grinned when I saw them. The four of us had gone through school together, and we each held a different position within the clan.

“You know your mate downstairs checked us in? Didn’t even bat an eye when I mentioned the fact that he was now mated to the most eligible bachelor in the whole clan.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think anyone has ever called me that.”

“Please. Son of the Lord, heir to the clan. You were the most sought-after bachelor. And now you’re mated. Congratulations, man.”

Thorne stuck out his hand, and I shook it. Each of them took their turn clapping me on the back.

“And just think, it’s all because of me and the sacrifice I made. If I hadn’t been so selfless, so altruistic, you would have taken years before working up the courage to ask Kier on a date.” Thorne put a hand over his heart and stared at me with exaggerated pride in his eyes. “My little guy’s all grown up.”

I raised a brow. “I don’t remember it exactly like that.”

James rolled his eyes. “He’s been telling everyone how he orchestrated the whole thing. Acts like he talked to Fate herself and convinced her to bond the two of you.”

“It’s been a great pick-up line. Everyone thinks I’m a die-hard romantic.” Thorne tugged on the lapels of his suit jacket, preening like a peacock.

“It’s true. He got a handful of numbers last night. It was sickening,” Kenneth added.

“I thought you’d end that flight with a date if you were lucky. I never imagined you would end up mated already. I assumed you’d take forever to make a proper move.”

I shrugged. He wasn’t wrong. “Kier’s heat may have sped things up.”

The three of them sat down. They were comfortable in my office. We had spent many late nights working over whatever takeout struck our fancy.

“How are things? Eggs on the way?” Kenneth asked.

“Very likely,” I said. “We haven’t confirmed with a doctor.”

“What about his wings?”

“They’ll be coming.”

That was another thing I needed to speak with my mate about. Kier seemed to get nervous at the idea of sprouting wings and flying with the rest of the dragons.

“Kier has always struck me as the loner type,” James said.

I grimaced. “I don’t think he is, per se. He’s just been that way out of necessity. He’s part of the clan now.”

“Of course he is! I’m surprised your father hasn’t thrown a party to welcome him,” Thorne said.

I winced. “He’s tried to talk me into it, but Kier is resistant. He worries that he won’t be accepted. I want to give him more time. A lot has happened since our trip.”

“Nonsense. He was already one of us before you claimed it. This just makes it extra official. Why wouldn’t anyone be excited that you’ve found your mate?” Kenneth asked.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

“Let us at least take you out to lunch to celebrate. We want to get to know your mate, so we’d like Kier to come.” Thorne stood, like we had already decided to leave. I wasn’t going to argue. My dragon and I had spent enough time away from my mate. I ached to see him.

“That sounds like a great idea.”

It was near enough to lunchtime then that we could go. I didn’t have a strict schedule, but technically Kier was supposed to be at his desk until noon and back there by one. I doubted that rule was enforced, but he did need to be around to check people in.

The four of us piled into the elevator, chatting a bit about work that we needed to catch up on now that we had all returned from our travels. The bank of elevators opened up into the lobby.

Angry voices echoed through the open space.

“You think because you’re mated to one of the clan members now that you can just mess things up like this?” The angry voice echoed through the open space.

“Sir, there was nothing messed up. I have explained to you that your appointment had to be rescheduled—”

A fist slammed down on the marble counter of the reception desk. The clap echoed through the space like a crack of thunder. “Unacceptable, wolf. Fix this now before I speak with your boss. He’s not going to care that you’re—”

I didn’t give him a chance to finish before I had him by the throat. My eyes flashed, seeing a vibrant range of colors that my human eyes couldn’t take in. Scales erupted over my arms.

“You dare speak to my mate that way?” I snarled.

The man struggled, his feet kicking, his hands grappling for mine. I squeezed his throat. My friends surrounded me, ready to go to battle with this asshat. He was one of the men who worked as an accountant for the clan. His family had been with us for years. The fact that he held such prejudice against other species had me seeing red.

He choked out, “Tavian... I didn’t see you there.”

“Oh? Would your behavior have been different had I been here?”

“Of course—”

I squeezed harder. “Wrong answer. Regardless of who you are talking to and who was around to see it, your behavior is unacceptable. The fact that you spoke to my mate in such a way means that the consequences will be even larger.”

I dropped him, and he crumpled to the floor. “Get out.” My voice came out rough and gravelly as I barely contained control over my human form.

The lobby was silent, many people had stopped to gawk at us, others had come from their offices to see what was going on.

“This is... you can’t do this. Your father—”

“My father would not tolerate this level of disrespect to a member of the clan. Nor would he tolerate you treating my mate in such a manner. You will learn respect or you will find yourself out of this clan. Do you understand me?”

“Tav,” Kier said, stepping to my side and standing between me and the man. I gently pushed him behind me. Kier gripped my biceps. “Tav, don’t. It’s fine. He—”

“Are you all right, mate?” My gaze roved over him as if I would be able to see any emotional damage done by the fuckwad who dared disrespect my mate.

“I am not harmed. It’s fine—”

I growled. “It is not fine. Nobody speaks to you like that.”

“Kier, take him to the roof or someplace where he can shift,” Thorne said. “He’s going to need space.”

I breathed heavily, barely controlling my shift. The scales on my arms pulsed as if I was going to burst from my skin at any moment.

Kier tugged my arm. “Tav, come on. Come on.” My mate pulled at me again, putting more weight behind him.

Reluctantly, I went with him, if only to get him farther away from that piece of trash.

“We’ll take care of it,” Kenneth said. “Be with your mate.”