Chapter 9 The Guardian’s Vow #2
“I was just bringing sweats out; I wasn’t sure if you needed them,” James said.
I looked up to see him on his back deck, his wife by his side. They had a look of wonder on their faces. I realized it was probably the first time they’d seen a dragon, let alone two.
“Thank you, but we packed a couple of bags before we made our way here. I’m Angus, and this is Aaran. Thank you for allowing us to stay here,” I said.
“You’re welcome. King Krispin said it was important—” James started.
“James, Lydia, what are you doing outside?” A small woman asked.
“Aunt Toni, we didn’t mean to wake you. We’re just greeting some guests. They’re here from the Dragon King,” James said, whispering the last part.
Aunt Toni’s eyes rounded, and her mouth formed the shape of an ‘o.’ I smiled at her expression, and Aaran laughed aloud. James turned back to us.
“Angus, Aaran, this is my Aunt Toni. She, my uncle, and my cousin are staying here,” he said, his eyes hardening as he spoke.
I wondered why his eyes would harden. Was it something about his cousin, or was it the fact that they were staying here?
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. I apologize for the late hour and for waking you,” I said formally. Toni smiled and nodded her head.
“Why don’t we go inside, and you can tell me why you came. I have some tea ready,” James said.
We followed James, his wife, and his aunt into the home. As soon as we entered, my dragon came alive. I smelled roses. The aroma filled my body. I closed my eyes and groaned, my cock hardening at the scent.
A slap on my arm brought me out of my trance. I looked up to see the shocked faces of our guests and Aaran.
“He’s here,” I said, and Aaran’s eyes widened.
“Who’s here? What is going on?” James asked. His alpha power was ready to intercept a threat.
I swallowed and regained my composure. “The reason we’re here is to find someone. More specifically, my mate.”
James’s eyes widened for a moment. He turned and looked at his own mate. They appeared to be having a silent conversation, and I wondered if bonded wolves had a mind link like dragons did. That would allow them to speak telepathically.
“Aunt Toni, would you get Uncle Danny?” James asked. She looked at him for a moment and nodded.
“Please sit down. I know who you’re looking for,” James said. I began to speak, but he raised his hand and continued. “We need to talk first.”
Aunt Toni and another man entered the room as we took our seats. They joined us at the table. Lydia poured us all tea and took her seat. My dragon was getting agitated. From the firm line on James’s face, I wouldn’t like what he had to say.
“This is my Uncle Danny,” James said. I nodded at the man in acknowledgment. James was taking too long; I was getting ready to tear through the house to find my mate.
“They have a son named Embry—” he started to say.
“Why are you telling them about Embry? Who are these men?” his uncle interrupted, glaring at James.
“Uncle Danny, please.” James turned his gaze to me. “Describe your mate,” he said.
I closed my eyes and pictured the angel in my mind. “He’s small, only about five-three or four, has olive skin, raven-black hair, and the most beautiful light-blue eyes,” I replied.
James’s aunt and uncle inhaled sharply, and I stared at them.
“Is that Embry? Is my mate your son?” I asked.
They weren’t the ones to answer; James did. “Yes, that’s Embry. Three days ago, he told me he’d seen his mate, but he’d run.” He paused for a moment and appeared to be collecting his thoughts.
Tears streamed down the faces of Embry’s parents. I thought the worst.
“What happened?” I demanded.
“Embry is an omega wolf. He’s smaller and physically weaker than others in the pack. He has always feared large men. He’s been getting bullied for a while, and we didn’t know it. We thought he was just shy.” He looked at me, pleading with his eyes that I would understand.
“What happened to my mate? I don’t think I’ll be able to hold my dragon at bay much longer. Please, just tell me.”
“That day he ran from you, he was cornered by the men who’d been bullying him. They punched him in the stomach. I stopped it from going any further. Embry shifted into his wolf and took off,” James said.
“The wolf howl,” I whispered, thinking back to that day and hearing the mournful sound in my memory.
James slowly nodded, hearing my whispered words. “I talked to him that night. That’s when he told me about you,” he said.
James stopped talking and looked at his aunt and uncle. “He’s scared to tell you both. He’s scared of people knowing he’s gay.”
“We love him. We don’t care if he’s gay, straight, or purple! We just want the best for him!” his aunt huffed.
James turned back to me. “He’s also scared that you might find him lacking. He’s not as powerful as you, and he fears your size. He knows you can overpower him—”
“I would never hurt him, and I definitely don’t find him lacking!” I said, cutting James off.
“Good,” he said. He sighed, and his eyes shone with tears and pain.
“Yesterday evening, Embry was attacked. He was badly beaten. He was near death and has been unconscious ever since. We have an idea of who’s responsible, but we don’t know for sure.
We found him in an alleyway and brought him here.
Lydia is a doctor and has been watching over him. ”
I stood up, sending the chair flying behind me. “Where is Embry? Where is my mate?”
Aaran also stood and placed a firm hand on my shoulder, willing me to calm.
I didn’t want to calm down. I wanted my mate, and I’d destroy this entire town to get to him.
James stood. “Follow me. I’ll take you to him,” he said.
We went up the stairs and entered a small room.
There, on the bed, was my angel. I raced to him and kneeled by his side.
He was broken, beaten. Bruises and swelling marred his beautiful features.
I growled low in my throat as I gently brushed my fingers over his face.
Every part of him was injured. His arm was bandaged and in a pink cast.
I’ll kill whoever did this. For the second time in less than a day, I lifted my hand to cut my palm and gift my blood.
“No, Angus. You can’t. It will force the bond,” Aaran said, stopping me.
I snarled at him. “I need to heal him.”
“We’ll call Addison. Angus, you heard the Alpha: he’s scared of you. Don’t force him. He needs to get to know you,” Aaran said, pleading.
My brother was right. Since Embry was my mate, if he drank my blood, it would start the bonding process. It would heal him, but it would take all choice away.
I nodded. “Call Addison.”
“I’ll call him now. I’d offer my blood, but I think you would kill me if I did,” he said, grabbing his phone.
Damn straight, I would. Nobody’s blood but mine would go into my angel’s body. I stared at my mate while Aaran was on the phone.
Don’t worry, my angel. I’ll protect you, I thought.