Heart Awakens
Angus
It had been a long flight, and I was tired and hungry.
All I wanted was some food and a nice soft bed to crawl into.
Yet, here I was, traveling with my brothers and the Dragon King, Krispin Adair.
I was a Blue Caste dragon, Guardian Protector of High Garden.
I was one of the king’s personal guards.
I still reeled at the fact that Krispin had elevated me to such a position.
Two months ago, my father, our dragon circle leader, had ordered me and my triplet brothers, Aaran and Addison, to find our youngest brother, Roarke, and bring him home. My father had arranged for him to mate with the leader of a neighboring circle.
When we’d located Roarke, we learned he had been injured defending the king’s mate and had almost died.
The king had saved him, which made him the king’s brother, and on top of all that, he had found his fated mate—the vampire Devin.
Needless to say, Roarke hadn’t been about to give Devin up, and in the ensuing conflict, the king had called my other brothers and me to serve as his guardians.
“What’s wrong with you?” my brother Aaran asked. “Usually I’m the quiet, brooding asshole.”
He was right; he usually was an asshole. Aaran, Addison, and I were identical triplets, and while we all looked the same in our human forms, our dragons were different. In addition, we had distinct personalities.
Aaran was a Red Caste dragon, a warrior, and the most stoic and reserved of us three.
I think it had to do with hanging around our father.
Alister MacNair was a hard, serious man who loved his family but had a hard time showing it, unlike our da, Owen.
Dragons were always male, inherently gay, and could get their male mates pregnant.
My da was soft-spoken, generous, and kind-hearted.
He always showed us love and caring, but if you pissed him off, he could kick ass if he needed to.
Addison took after him. He had many of Da’s traits, but that could also be because of his caste.
Addison was a Purple Caste dragon, a healer.
He was a pacifist by nature, but like my da, if you pissed him off, look out.
Then there was me. I was the oldest, but still young for a dragon, only a little past my first millennium. Dragons were immortal creatures. This didn’t mean we couldn’t be killed. It only meant that we didn’t die of natural causes.
I was the most laid-back, and if I said so myself, I had the best personality. I loved to laugh and have a good time, but I was still serious about my duties. Being a protector came naturally to me; growing up, I’d had a definite sense of right and wrong and had always stood up against the wrong.
Aaran tapped my leg, waiting for an answer.
“Nothing. I’m just tired and hungry,” I replied.
Aaran looked like he didn’t believe me. In truth, I’d been restless and hadn’t been getting sleep. My dragon always seemed on alert, like he was waiting for something.
“Tell me again, why are we here?” I asked to divert Aaran’s gaze.
“Cam and Jackson’s Alpha wanted to honor our presence in his territory. Many paranormals now know that dragons have stepped out of the shadows,” Krispin said.
Cameron and Jackson were close friends of Krispin and were wolf shifters. Jackson was, in fact, the head enforcer for the pack here in Belle Fort.
I nodded as we pulled onto a street littered with cars. This must be the place. Krispin maneuvered the SUV into the empty spot in front of the large cabin. I was glad they’d left one open for us. The people milling about stopped and stared as we got out of the car.
A large, handsome man stepped out the front door. He had dark brown hair, light brown eyes, and exuded power and authority. As he stepped forward, he wore a broad, welcoming smile that showed off his twin dimples. He extended his hand in welcome to Krispin.
“Welcome to the Belle Fort Wolf Pack. I am Alpha James Ellis. This is my mate, Lydia Ellis,” he said, indicating a gorgeous blonde.
“I am King Krispin Adair, King of Dragons. This is my mate, Ben Adair, and my son, Callum. It is a pleasure to meet you, Alpha,” Krispin said, shaking his hand.
“Please call me James, Your Majesty,” James replied.
Krispin smiled. “Then please call me Krispin or Kris. This is my brother Roarke and his mate, Devin, and our other brothers, Angus, Addison, and Aaran.”
I was shocked. Krispin had called me his brother. I knew he had adopted Roarke into his line to save his life but acknowledging us as his brothers was a great honor. I felt shock and surprise from Addison and Aaran as they straightened their spines and stood tall.
“It’s an honor to have you all here. Please come in,” James said with a wave of his hand.
The area was beautiful. There were plenty of trees I was sure would be nice for a wolf to run among.
The house was a large cabin. It was rustic on the outside, but the inside was modern and well-decorated.
As I walked through the house, my dragon became agitated.
He was anxious. I didn’t understand why.
I pushed on, ignoring my beast. James led us to the back, where the aroma of grilling meat reached my nose.
My stomach growled in appreciation. We hurried to get our food.
Every kind of meat was available: burgers, steaks, sausages, pork chops.
It was quite a spread. I turned to see Roarke piling a plate high with food.
“Ro, I’m sure you can come back for seconds,” I said, laughing.
“It’s for Devin and me. I need to make sure the boys eat,” he said with a smile.
I grinned and shook my head. Devin was pregnant with twins, and Roarke had been plying him with every kind of food imaginable. He finished taking his fill and ran off to find Devin.
I was getting my food when I heard a shout. I dropped my plate and rushed inside to see Roarke pick up Devin and run up the stairs. He called for Addison, who quickly followed.
“Maybe you were right. Maybe we should’ve gone home,” Aaran said with concern.
“He’ll be okay. Our nephews just want to make an appearance.”
James came down the steps looking pale.
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
He nodded. “I just saw nothing like that before. The thought of a man giving birth blows my mind.”
Aaran chuckled. “Yeah, I hear it’s quite an experience.”
We stood in silence, and time seemed to stand still. I couldn’t believe my nephews were coming into the world. I wondered for a moment what it would be like to greet my sons. I mentally rolled my eyes; I needed to find my mate first. I often dreamed of what that day would be like.
“How much longer do you think it will be?” James asked, breaking the silence and pulling me from my thoughts.
I looked at my watch; it had been about twenty minutes. “Dragon births are usually really quick, but the labor is also more intense than a normal birth. I would say anytime now,” I replied.
Abruptly, my dragon took charge. I couldn’t stop him; something was causing him to stir.
I scanned the room again, looking for the source of my unease.
I froze, my eyes locking on the most beautiful little man I’d ever seen.
His light blue gaze latched onto mine, and I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.
A scent of roses filled my nose, and I became instantly hard.
I was sure that if I hadn’t been wearing my sporran with my kilt, I would have flashed everyone.
I felt my heart pounding rapidly in my chest; it hammered like it had just learned to beat.
I knew this man was my Cardia—my heart, my fated mate.
I took a step toward him, keeping my gaze on him.
I was mesmerized, and I needed to get to him.
A massive roar sounded.
Roarke’s voice shook the house and pulled me from my trance. I looked about the room; the wolves were all frozen with fear; even the Alpha stopped talking.
I simply smiled and looked at Aaran, who smiled back. Our nephews were born. I turned back around to face my Cardia, but he was gone.
Addison came running down the stairs with a huge grin. I had to focus on the babies now. I’d find my Cardia later. My dragon snarled at the decision, but I forced myself to join Addison.
“Are they here?” Aaran asked.
“Is Devin okay?” I asked at the same time.
The Alpha also joined Aaran. I knew he was eager to ensure that no dragons had been harmed in his territory.
“They are all fine. Devin is doing well, and the babies were born, but get this.” Addison paused. He was always one for dramatics when he was excited.
“Devin had a boy—and a girl!” Addison said with excitement.
“A girl?!” Aaran exclaimed. The Alpha looked confused.
“Yep, a girl! Ronan MacNair, of the Golden Caste. The first dragoness ever to be born!” Addison exclaimed proudly.
“I have to go call Da. Father really is going to shit kittens,” Addison said with a laugh and ran off.
This was incredible. I was in shock. What did this mean?
Significant changes were happening in our world. It seemed after thousands of years of no dragons finding their mates, I was next to find mine. I just had to find out where he’d gone.