Chapter Eight
Juni
“What if they don’t like me?”
“Juni, you’ve already been talking to mom on the phone. You know that’s not gonna happen.”
Doesn’t mean it won’t, though I kept that to myself.
Kyson had poo-poo’d every outfit I’d tried on, though it led to a couple of steamy bedroom bonding sessions when he peeled them off me.
In the end I ordered what he deemed as rugged enough for the Cinders group outfits online.
They weren’t the old Juni, that’s for certain, but the new Juni just shook his head, washed them, and dolled them up a bit.
Juni style. A little flourish and glimmer never hurt anyone.
After an hour or so on the highway, we turned onto a well-maintained mix of gravel and dirt and drove down it for a couple of miles. Then there they were. All five thousand bodies within who knows what distance poised as the biggest roadblock I’ve ever seen.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” Kyson exclaimed, slamming the truck into park. “Asking my mother not to do something is like directly ordering it to happen.”
“Is this all of your family?” Holy shit, this was complete insanity.
“I’m afraid so. Plus, the whole damn Canadian side too. Fuck, Juni, I’m sorry.” Kyson turned to face me. “If you want to leave, we can, but they’ll likely follow us.”
“Well, best to get it over with then. Trial by fire and all that, I guess.” My words conveyed a certainty I nowhere near felt.
“Just remember no matter what, I love you.”
“Let’s hope I still feel the same way when this is all over,” I teased but the shocked look on Kyson’s face as I hopped out of the vehicle and into what I hoped was his mother’s arms was more than worth it.
“Juni, welcome to the family!” Someone shouted. Cheers and warm wishes rang out, shaking the earth beneath me. Either that or we were in the midst of an earthquake that no one cared about. Guess when you can take to the skies as a means to escape you didn’t harbor the same fears as others.
“Wow, I can’t decide if I snagged the most eligible dragon or if this is a consolation party for me.”
Felicia laughed. “Oh, Juni bug,” she hugged me again, “you’re gonna fit in just fine. Keep my boy on his toes and your wit intact and you will persevere, son.”
Son.
She hadn’t a clue how much it meant for her to call me that.
As we meandered through the crowd they each introduced themselves. “If there’s a pop quiz later, Ky, I’m gonna fail.”
He chuckled. “No worries, darlin’, we don’t expect you to remember anyone but this fine woman right here.”
Rows of tables and chairs had been set out and at the very front of them sat an elderly woman with a knowing smile on her face. Had I seen her somewhere before? Did she know me?
“This is our clan elder, Nuri. Nuri, this is my mate…” she cut him off.
“Juni. I’m old boy, but I’m not dead.” She eyed me up and down, appraisingly. “You don’t screw around, do you Kyson?”
“Excuse me?” As soon as Kyson said that a hush fell over the crowd.
“How long have you two been mated?”
“About three weeks, why?” I was staying out of this. Kyson could banter with her all he wanted but I planned to stay on her good side. At least, that’s where I hoped I was.
“He’s carrying your eggs already.”
“What?” I squealed so loud I jumped.
“Two, if I’m not mistaken.” And the mountain rumbled again with claps and whistles. Me, I was so shaken I nearly fell, but as always Kyson’s arms wrapped around me and kept me safe.
“Really, Nuri? You’re not bullshitting me, are you?” Kyson’s hopeful words came out in a rush.
“Me bullshit a bullshitter. I know you, Kyson, saw the shenanigans you got up to as a youngling. Your mate will lay the eggs come late spring and by end of summer you’ll welcome two healthy dragonets. Now, will somebody get me a damn drink?”
I was spun around like a fair ride bouncing from one set of arms to another, but I did notice that someone had slid a drink in front of Nuri. She sipped it and happily chatted away with the person beside her like she hadn’t just turned my world upside down.
Two eggs.
Lay in spring.
Holy shit!
Everyone moved around, gathering food, cooking various meats. Not sure I cared to know what animal gave their life for this, but I had a sudden craving for a very rare steak.
They were all so happy. Nothing like my life had been, bouncing from point A to point B, rarely making eye contact with another human outside of my circle of friends. More acquaintances, I guess, since I haven’t heard from a single one of them.
Did I miss them or my past life?
No. The answer came so quickly it jolted me.
The Cinders clan welcomed me with open arms—literally and were happy I was here.
Granted, I hadn’t said much, my brain was still working through Nuri’s shocking words.
But I felt better here, more at peace if that makes sense.
No one here knew I had money, so they weren’t after that, unlike my so-called friends, who used to stick me with the bills every time we went out.
These people wanted nothing from me except to be a good mate to Kyson and father to our children.
That much I could promise I’d always do my best with.
“Come on, darlin’, I want to show you something.” Kyson tugged my hand and led me away from the party. We walked for a bit in the crisp, cool air forest air. Heaven on earth, was the first thought that came to mind as I took in the lush scenery surrounding us.
A slight breeze whistled through the trees.
Douglas firs, cedars and maples with ivy winding up them.
The crunch of dried pine needles beneath our feet as we walked and the birds overhead were the only sounds.
How long have these trees been here? If I cut one open and counted the rings would that tell me how old it was?
Thoughts the old Juni never would’ve had but new Juni was very curious about.
The greenery opened into a clearing where a large slab of concrete rested. “Is this?” Could it be already?
“It is. What do you think?” Kyson walked on it, seemingly measuring the distance as he counted his steps aloud. “Spot on to the measurements I gave them.”
“Oh, Kyson,” I burst into tears, and my fierce dragon scooped me up.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“Absolutely nothing,” I managed to choke out. “Babies. Two.”
“I know!” He swung me around, his bright smile lit my soul. “I’m so unbelievably excited. Are you?”
“I think so, or I will be. It’s just a lot to take in.”
“Can you feel our dragon? He’s doing figure eights inside me.”
Mentally I reached out to him. I swear, the big blue beauty was dancing like he’d lost his mind.
Are you happy, dragon?
I am, mate. You weren’t the only one rescued when we found each other.
No truer words have been spoken, dragon, Kyson agreed with him. We love you, Juni.
And I love both of you like I’ve never loved before.
“Thought we might find you two here,” Felicia said as she and Kyson’s dad, Otis, walked up to us. “We can’t wait to have you both home.”
Home.
“And with more babies to spoil soon,” Otis added. “Juni, you are a breath of fresh air and we’re happy you’re here, son.”
Again with the son, these wonderful people were killing me. My feet had a mind of their own as I rushed to Otis and hugged him. “Thank you.”
Felicia was in tears as she stood beside us. “I know we’re a lot, Juni, but family is everything to us. No one thinks twice about jumping in and helping out so if you need anything all you have to do is ask.” She and I hugged as Kyson and his dad embraced one another.
“This city boy will probably wear out his welcome asking for too much.” That right there was at the top of my fear list. Not being pregnant or giving birth, though that ran a close second.
But wearing out a welcome with these amazing people who basically adopted me.
Not sure my heart could survive that rejection.
“Not a chance, sweetheart,” Kyson’s arms found me again. “Now, what timeline were you thinking on having the house done, dad?”
“Well, get your lazy ass up here and help and we can likely knock it out in a month. Would be nice to have Juni up here around the other pregnant mates so he doesn’t feel so alone.”
“Oh my gosh, that would be wonderful!” I hadn’t even thought of that, but knowing I have a million and one questions already it would help ease some of the pregnancy trepidation.
“You still got an empty room at your house? I’m not leaving my pregnant mate in Bellingham.” My fierce dragon glimmered in the sunlight, his scales surfacing as our protective dragon took over.
“Even if we didn’t we’d make room,” Felicia assured us. “Now, let’s get back to the party before all the meat is gone.”
That craving hit me again as my tummy rumbled. Soon, little ones, I mentally sent to our babies.
Babies.
Two.
How long would it take for me to fully grasp that?
“Juni!” Kayden hollered as he ran up to me. I scooped him up, up, and away as he called it. “You sit by me?”
“I absolutely will if there’s room.”
“Juni, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Azure, Kobalt’s mate and this little monster’s mother.”
“Grr,” Kayden growled, showing his tiny fangs. “I’s a dragon, not monster.”
“You’re my monster and I love you,” Azure tickled him and his giggles filled the air. How could I not smile when such a sweet, trusting soul chose me as his friend. “Why don’t you run and play with your cousins while mommy and Juni talk.”
“’K,” he kissed both our cheeks, “but I sit by Juni.”
“I’ll save you a seat,” I promised. He smiled and wiggled out of my arms and off he went.
“Our house is closest to yours,” Azure said. “Kobalt and Kyson are the oldest two and they were thicker than thieves until Kyson moved away. Having both of you here will make my life a lot easier.”
“How so? Well, besides having Kyson around to keep Kobalt busy.”
“Because, now I’ll have a new bestie, and we are both pregnant at the same time. Make sure you use it to your benefit,” she winked.
“As in?” This was getting good. Who knew I’d learn so much today.