Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Maverick had not been to many magic rituals, never one that invited someone into the clan. He was more curious than nervous, taking in the spell circle as they set it up with unique charms and spells placed strategically around. Isaac had described what would happen and drawn diagrams of where they’d stand and who would be closest to them. Maverick felt like he had enough of an idea of what was to come to be comfortable with it. There was only so much prep that could be done before you had to go to trial.
“You look handsome,” a familiar voice purred. Alder. Isaac’s cousin and the biggest voice of protest for their mating. Maverick promised Isaac he would avoid the man at all costs, but he’d been so focused on the event set up, he hadn’t been paying attention. There were so many people in the yard, it was hard to keep track of one mage.
“Thank you,” he replied gruffly. At one point during the week, Ozen had sent Maverick some clothes, but for the ritual, Isaac’s father had procured him a set of robes to match Isaac’s. The fabric was light and loose enough to be comfortable, tied with a belt along his middle. The colors were all nature based, whites and creams because of the family’s connection with air. The cloak was silver, along with the robe accents, and there was decoration along the edges and on the hood. He didn’t hate it, though he could tell Isaac was uncomfortable when he was getting ready that morning. He’d disappeared twenty minutes ago with his mother and hadn’t returned yet. Maverick had been distracting himself with people watching while awaiting Isaac’s return, but it was starting to irritate him. Where the hell was his mate?
“You know, I never would’ve considered Isaac settling down with someone like you. He’s so… stubborn.”
Alder said it so disdainfully, but Maverick happened to think Isaac’s stubbornness was a gift. If he wasn’t as stubborn as he had been, he never would’ve convinced Maverick to go along with his plan or helped him on his journey to better himself. Maverick needed someone with as much backbone as he had, otherwise he’d steamroll right over them.
“I don’t know much about dragon matings, but it’s not too late to back out. The family ritual is pretty permanent, and I wouldn’t want you to feel like you’re stuck with him just because of all that drama about you saving his life.”
Maverick’s gaze cut to the mage beside him and narrowed as Alder continued.
“I never would’ve guessed he was suicidal. I mean, I get it, his life kind of sucks, but still. It’s an affront to the goddess to do something like that.”
Fury expanded in his chest and fire escaped his lips on his exhale. Isaac’s cousin wasn’t seriously trying to convince him to give up his mate. Saying such cruel things about those who struggled and were forced to believe they had no other option to get free of their troubles. To think someone was beneath him for believing that.
“It’s strange that you’d say that while pulling a dragon’s tail,” a rough voice said as someone new stepped up beside him. “Dragons are possessive of their mates. Do you think you’d survive if he thought you were trying to drive a wedge between them?”
The air crackled with lightning. The mage beside him was obviously unstable. His threatening behavior and the comment seemed to get Alder to pull his head out of his ass and realize the kind of danger he was in.
“Alistair… When did you get here?” Alder asked, looking around apprehensively. “I didn’t think you’d be coming.”
Alistair. Maverick knew that name. Isaac’s eldest brother, the one with PTSD. Isaac had warned him about the mage. He was easily set off and suspicious of most people. Isaac didn’t want them meeting unless he was there, too.
Too late for that, unfortunately, but he did tug at their connection and speak telepathically to his mate.
“Your brother has arrived. He might hurt Alder.”
“As long as it’s not you, I don’t care,” Isaac snapped in his head. Maverick bit back a snort and waited. “Ugh. Fine. I’m on my way. Don’t say anything about my hair.”
His hair? Why would he comment on his hair? He adored the pink.
Pushing that aside, he gave his focus to the mage beside him. Alistair was hyper-focused on Alder, and Maverick wasn’t sure he was even aware of what was going on around him. He saw a threat, and that was all he could focus on. Maverick was no expert on PTSD, but he was very familiar with being locked on the hunt and unable to pull out of it on his own.
“Where’s his mate?” Maverick demanded, looking at Alder. Alder shook his head rapidly, his face pale.
“I don’t know. I didn’t know they were coming. Please don’t let him hurt me.” He reached for Maverick, and though the gesture was out of fear, not out of seduction, Alistair saw it as a threat and bared his teeth menacingly.
“I won’t let you hurt my brother. Stay away from his mate.”
The sky went dark, and the wind whipped around in a frenzy. Static made their hair stand on end as lightning gathered above their heads. Shit. Maverick could take Isaac’s lightning now, thanks to their bond, but he wasn’t protected against everyone else. And from the look on his face, neither was Alder. Unfortunately, unstable mages didn’t have the same protections dragons did if they lost their temper. They didn't have animal instinct to blame. If Maverick didn’t step in, Alder would die. Being an idiot didn’t make it okay.
Giving his animal his skin, he knocked Alder away with his tail and moved to stand in front of him. Drawing his magic forward, he covered his body in the scales he used in battle, better protecting himself for what was to come. Alistair was too unstable to pull back, and Maverick just gave him a much bigger target.
“Alistair!” Isaac’s voice ripped through the wind just as Alistair's eye’s turned pure white with electric energy. A bolt of lightning shot towards Maverick and Alder, and Maverick gritted his teeth and grimaced as he awaited the pain.
It never hit. Isaac darted in front of them and threw his arm up, catching the bolt and drawing it into his core. Maverick felt his pain and roared, wrapping himself around his mate protectively. He felt the tug on their bond, Isaac borrowing his magic to better control what he was doing. And then, with a deep breath, Isaac’s opposite hand pointed in another direction, sending the bolt away harmlessly.
Isaac swayed, leaning heavily against Maverick’s side from the effort of what he’d just done. Maverick nuzzled him, checking him over, but he couldn’t get himself to shift back. Not while an unstable mage still stood a few feet away. Alistair looked stunned, though, and no longer in danger of murdering people. His hands shook as he reached for his brother, and he jerked away again when Maverick gave him a warning growl.
“Touch my mate and die,” he warned.
“Maverick, don’t be an asshole,” Isaac demanded breathlessly. “He didn’t mean it.” He looked at Alistair and smiled sadly. “I know you didn’t mean it. But you really need to get some help, Al. I don’t want you ending up in jail.”
Alistair’s eyes swam with unshed tears, and he shook his head. “I didn’t– I thought–”
He thought they were a threat. Maverick had thought the same thing that day when he’d accidentally hurt Isaac. He had needed rehabilitation. So did Isaac’s brother. Forcing himself back into human form, he put his hand on Isaac’s lower back, allowing him closer while still protecting him. Isaac saved him once by offering him that patient acceptance he didn’t realize he needed. He couldn’t refuse the same for Isaac’s brother.
“I know. I understand. It’s okay,” Isaac soothed, his hands up like he was calming a wild animal. He moved slowly when he approached and Maverick was ready to pull him out of the way if necessary, but Alistair didn’t lash out again. He dropped his head onto Isaac’s shoulder when they were close enough and clung to him while Isaac murmured reassurances in his ear.
When Alistair eventually looked up, his eyes were red rimmed, and he looked exhausted and heartbroken. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
Maverick nodded. “I know. I was the same way not that long ago.”
“You were? What helped you?” Alistair asked, a tinge of desperation in his tone.
He tipped his head toward his mate.
“Isaac.”
Isaac smiled at him, though the smile was tinged with sadness for his brother. His hands moved to his brother’s shoulders, and he leveled him with a look.
“I’ll help you too, if you want. You aren’t in this alone.”
The refusal was obvious, and Alistair stepped out of Isaac’s hold with a shake of his head. “You’re newly mated. You should be enjoying that, not worrying about me. I’m going to… I think I’ll sit this one out and watch, if that’s okay. I’m tired.”
Sadness thrummed along their bond. Maverick wished he could fix it, both for his mate and for the man suffering, but they couldn’t do anything until Alistair was ready. Isaac showed up when Maverick had reached rock bottom. He either made a change or lost everything. He wasn’t so sure that would have worked any earlier. Alistair would need to reach that point of no return to finally accept the help Isaac offered.
“When he’s ready, we’ll host him at our home. There is plenty of space there.”
Isaac shot him a tremulous smile and nodded before turning back to his brother. “It’s alright, Al. You’re here. That’s all I care about. How about you sit down with Charlie? He can tell you about his restaurant. I’ve heard it’s doing really well.”
Isaac stepped away to guide his brother to the deck to sit. Maverick let him go, allowing the siblings their privacy for the time being. They needed a moment. His willingness to let his mate go proved he’d moved past the worst of the possessiveness brought on by mating. It boded well for the ritual itself.
“No, I’m not alright! He almost killed me! He shouldn’t be allowed around people!” Alder hissed. Maverick looked over his shoulder in time to see Alder shove to his feet, glaring at another cousin Maverick was unfamiliar with. He dusted himself off, muttering to himself. Maverick intended to walk away, since all this happened because Alder had caused trouble, but he only got a few feet before Alder grabbed his arm. “Wait. I wanted to say thank you. You saved my life.” He looked up at Maverick, a pout on his lips as he asked, “Can I stay with you? I’m afraid of what Alistair will do if he corners me alone.”
“No more than you deserve,” Maverick answered in a growl. “Had he not stepped in, it would have been me you would have had to face. And not even Isaac could have saved you. Cause trouble for my mate and his kin again, and I won’t be so patient.”
Fox snorted from his perch on the rail of the porch nearby. “That’s what you get for pulling the dragon’s tail, Alder! Maybe you should go home before you get hurt!”
Maverick was unwilling to listen to them anymore. He shook off Alder’s hold and walked away. He wanted his mate and to get this stupid ritual over so he could take him home. He hoped this wasn’t a precursor to what they would face once they got home. He could only be so patient before his patience wore out.