11. Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Kier
The elevator ride to the top floor seemed to take forever. I kept arms wrapped tightly around his middle and his around me. His breath came in deep gulps, like he was desperately trying to maintain control. Heat radiated from his body, and I felt the ripple of his scales through his shirt. He held back his shift, but his grip was slipping.
“I’m here. I’m safe,” I whispered.
I’d known that a threat to one’s mate could cause an alpha to lose control. I just never expected that reaction to be about me. No one in my life had ever cared how I was treated. To see my mate nearly shift in a building all because someone was rude to me was jarring.
When we finally made it to the roof, Tav leapt away from me, and I thought for a moment he might shift and take off right then. Instead, he gripped the railing that went around the top of the building, taking deep breaths of the cool air.
“How often, Kier? How often does that sort of thing happen?”
I sucked in a breath. “Not that often.”
“How many times?” He gripped the railing until smoke curled from the metal.
“A few. It’s the same family. I just know that when they come to headquarters, it’s going to be a rough day. I’ve gotten used to it, Tav. I—”
His fists slammed down on the railing, and I jumped. He took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry, Kier. I’m not angry with you. It’s the situation.”
“I know.”
He pinched his eyes closed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to scare you. I would never hurt you, Kier. Even when I’m this close to losing control. You’re safe with me, always.”
I laughed softly. “I’m not scared of you, Tavian. Seeing you throw that jackass to the floor was rather sexy, even though violence is not really the answer.”
“It was today,” he said firmly. “I’m going to speak to that family. And my father. This will not be tolerated.”
“I don’t want to make waves,” I said.
“You are my mate. This is not making waves. This is righting a wrong. What they are doing, how they treat you, how they treat any non-dragon is wrong. We are not speciesist, Kier. That behavior will not be tolerated in this clan.”
“I know, I just...” I hesitated. “All my life, I’ve been in the background—quiet, unassuming. I’ve never had what you have, Tav. I am not elite. I am not top tier.”
Tav let go of the metal and turned. He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks. The heat that radiated from his palms was warm against my cheeks, but it wasn’t burning. “You are the very best thing in the world, and I won’t have you making yourself smaller anymore. Do you hear me? You can make all the waves you want, love.”
I nodded.
“Is there...” He faltered. “Have you been trying not to make waves with me? In my home? Is that why you haven’t made any changes to our home or...”
I looked away. “Making someone else’s space my home does not come naturally, Tav. So yes, I have been just accepting what I have and not questioning anything.”
Hurt flashed across Tav’s face, making my stomach tense.
“Baby. You are mated to a dragon. You will be nesting—should be nesting soon—and with that will come certain instincts. Instincts that I’m afraid you are trying to override and ignore. My home is your home. Change whatever you want about it, I want you comfortable.”
I bit my lip. I hadn’t let myself think too hard about all of this. It seemed everything was moving so fast, and I hadn’t yet come to terms with the massive changes sweeping through my life. “I worried about the nesting, too.”
“I’m not asking you to change any part of you, Kier. I’m just asking you not to fight against it. Okay?”
I leaned into him, letting my head rest against his broad chest. The scent of him enveloped me and my wolf calmed.
“Okay. I’m not asking you to change anything either,” I said with a small smile, “but maybe don’t throw clan members onto the marble floor.”
Tav chuckled and wrapped his arms around me. “Yes, I suppose I’ll have to answer to my father for that one, though he won’t accept that asshat’s behavior any more than I will.”
We stood together for a long time. Our bodies pressed tightly against each other. Our scents mingling and our hearts beating in sync.
“I’ve never come up to the roof,” I said.
“Really?”
“It’s gorgeous up here. Maybe once I get my wings, we can come up here to take flight.”
Tav kissed my cheek then inhaled deeply as if he drew sustenance from my scent. “I’d like that.”
“Did you have a nice visit with your friends, at least before that whole commotion?” I had frozen when Tav’s friends came into headquarters. Perhaps I should have engaged in conversation with them, but instead, I’d reverted to being just the receptionist, checking them in and sending them on their way. I hoped they didn’t hold that against me.
“Yes, actually. We came to see if we could take you to lunch. They want to get to know you.”
“Oh, yeah? I mean, I have some work I need to catch up on after being away. Apparently, we’re hosting a dinner with the members of Dragon Flight Academy Five—one of their elite groups.”
“Yes, I heard about that. You’re organizing it?”
“It is my job.”
“Well, maybe we can have lunch tomorrow, since I’ve already eaten up most of your lunch hour—and mine.”
I put my hand to Tav’s cheek. “Thank you for defending me, mate.”
Tav’s eyes burned with passion, and a slow rumble echoed from his chest. “Always. I will always defend you. I’ll always fight for you, no matter what. You are the most important person to me.”
“I feel the same. I was so alone before you, Tav.”
I rested my cheek against his chest and let him hold me. Perhaps he was right, and it was time that I fully embraced this new life I found myself in—especially if these instincts to make my own space were part of the nesting instinct. Denying that wouldn’t be good for my children, the ones I likely carried.
“Maybe I need to go shopping. Our house needs more pillows.”
“Pillows?”
I bit my lip. My face heated, and it wasn’t because of the warmth Tav gave off. “Sometimes I like to nap in my wolf form, and I like having pillows.”
Tav let out a boom of laughter, throwing his head back. “I love that. Of course we can get more pillows and fluffy blankets too.”
“Ooh. I love fluffy blankets.” I hugged him tighter, raising my chin to look into his eyes. “You are an amazing mate, Tav. I have a feeling you will spoil me if I let you.”
“Of course I will.”
“I think you’ll have to talk to your dad before he comes over for dinner tomorrow,” I murmured.
Tav chuckled. “My phone is already vibrating in my pocket. I’m sure it’s him, having heard about what I did.”
“I’m sorry. You’ll get in trouble.”
“I won’t,” he said with a grin.