Chapter 13 Hearts Entwined
Hearts Entwined
Angus
Iwas livid. James and his men needed to find the man who hurt my mate, or I was going to take matters into my own hands. My dragon agreed. No one hurt our angel and got away with it. I entered the foyer and saw Jackson and another man standing in front of James.
Jackson was an imposing sight. He was a large black man with impressive muscles and bulk.
He was the head enforcer for the pack and was one of my king’s good friends.
The other man stood about six-one and also had a large frame.
He had a bald head, robust features, and a black goatee.
His arms sported tattoos, and he wore a leather vest. He looked like a big biker.
Jackson tilted his head in acknowledgment of me. The other man’s eyes widened slightly at my presence, but he continued to speak with James.
“Alpha, when we went to collect Tom, no one was there. His scent was faint and days old. Then we went to find Rick and Chad. Rick was also missing, and Chad claims he has spent no time with them or even spoken to them since the restitution meeting.”
“And you believe him?” I cut in. I knew James was the Alpha and in charge, but this was my mate.
The man narrowed his eyes at my interruption, apparently taking offense at my interruption. Well, fuck you, buddy, I thought. I’d kick his ass.
Luckily, James stepped in, feeling the tension. “Angus, this is my beta, Brian Ness. Brian, this is Angus MacNair, Dragon Guardian, and Embry’s mate,” James said.
“His mate?” Jackson and Brian said at the same time.
“Yes, Embry is my mate, and my question still stands. Do you believe this Chad?” I asked, undeterred.
Brian faced me and swallowed slightly. “I do. He didn’t smell deceitful. Chad would be a good guy if not for Tom and Rick’s influence. He’s a little quiet and has always wanted to fit in.”
“He’s right.” A soft voice sounded from behind me.
I turned to see my angel. He walked up to me, and I immediately opened my arms to him and pulled him to me.
I was pleased that he was getting more comfortable coming to me.
It was quite a change from his initial impulse to run.
“Chad usually left m-me alone if Tom and Rick weren’t around.
He even tried to help m-me once,” Embry said.
I nodded slightly and turned back to the others. “Do you think Chad knows where the two could have gone? It also begs the question—if Rick wasn’t involved, why did he leave with Tom?” I asked.
“Rick was always j-just as cruel and nasty as Tom. He probably sympathizes with him,” Embry said.
Brian and Jackson looked on with somewhat confused looks on their faces. I wondered why, but James could answer that question.
“Embry, how long have they been harassing you?” James asked softly.
I felt Embry shrug in my embrace. “A w-while. I didn’t want to b-bother you and make the pack think of me as a whiner,” he admitted quietly.
“You could never bother me, Em. You’re my cousin, and I love you. I want to see you happy,” James replied. He looked at me when he said the last part.
I nodded. I would make him happy. It was my sacred duty.
James gave me a small nod and turned to address Brian and Jackson. “I want them found. Send trackers to locate them. Tom was the one who beat Embry, almost killing him. His life is now forfeit,” he commanded.
“Yes, Alpha!” they responded in unison. They quickly left to carry out their alpha’s command.
“I’m going to finish my meal,” James said, then was gone.
I looked down at my beautiful little mate. I smiled at how small he was. He gazed up at me.
“Did you get enough food, Angel?” I asked.
“Yes. I don’t think m-my stomach could handle much more,” he replied. “Can we—”
He stopped, seeming to collect his thoughts. When he didn’t continue, I prompted, “Can we what, Angel?”
“Can we go shift? My w-wolf he…he wants to meet your dragon,” he said.
“Absolutely. My dragon is eager to meet your wolf. Do you know of a spot where we can change? I worry that with the sun still being out, humans may freak if they see a dragon.”
He grinned. “Yes, I know a spot,” he said excitedly. He pulled away and grabbed my hand. “Come on.”
I laughed at his excitement and followed him. I loved holding his hand. I could do this forever.
I was falling in love with my mate.
Thirty minutes later, we were walking through the mountain forest. We traded questions as we continued to learn more about one another. He loved to read and enjoyed country music, which differed greatly from my passion for action movies and hard rock.
“Do you like sports?” he asked as if he were scared to hear the answer.
I laughed. “I do like sports, but probably not the sports you’re thinking of. I like the caber toss and Maide-leisg.”
“Caber toss? Isn’t that where you throw a tree? It’s p-part of the Highland games, right?”
I laughed harder. “Yes, it’s part of the games, and it’s where we throw a huge, tapered pole made of wood.”
“What’s maid-a-leash?”
I smiled at his pronunciation. “Maide-leisg is sort of a one-on-one tug of war, but you use a stick. Each man holds one end of the stick and whoever lifts their opponent off the ground wins.”
“Interesting. I’d like to see the Highland Games. I think. I’m not m-much of a sports person. My dad loves f-football. I’d prefer to find a book to read,” Embry said.
“I’m not much for football unless we’re talking Aussie footy. Now that’s football,” I replied.
We continued to walk in silence for a bit. I wasn’t worried. I knew Embry would have another question.
I wasn’t wrong.
“You said you lived in Colorado. Do you live with your f-family?”
“Yes, with my brothers and my king and his family. My parents still live in Glenfinnan. Although, I think they may join us, as their sons and grandchildren have moved here,” I replied.
At the mention of children, he stiffened, and I winced. I should have known better than to mention them. That seemed to be a subject he didn’t want to broach.
“Can I really get p-pregnant?” he whispered.
“Yes, Embry. It’s the way of dragons. We can only have children with our Cardias—our hearts—fated mates.
That’s why the mating heat comes so strong; we yearn to reproduce.
I should probably tell you, it will most likely be more than one baby.
Dragons rarely go into more than one heat, so we normally have twins or triplets.
My parents were shocked when the heat hit them again and they had my baby brother, Roarke,” I explained.
“Two or three? W-what—what if I’m not a good father? What if they have m-my stutter—or w-worse, turn out to be an omega?”
I stopped our walk and turned him to face me.
“Angel, there is nothing wrong with you being an omega. Omegas are special and a blessing. You are special.” I paused, wanting him to fully hear what I was telling him.
“I don’t know you very well, but what I know, I love.
I know you’re kind and caring. You will be a fantastic father.
As far as your stutter, have you noticed it gets better the more time you’re with me?
And even if our children have a stutter, we’ll still love them. ”
“You l-love me?” he asked with wide eyes.
“I do, Embry. I love you.” I smiled and leaned down and took his lips in a gentle kiss.
I pulled back, and he had a dazed look on his face. If I pushed him further, I’d claim him. I stepped back.
“Are we close to where we can shift?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
He nodded. “Only a few minutes. My wolf wants desperately to meet your dragon. He keeps jumping in my mind.”
“My dragon is the same way. He’s itching to take control and show off for you.”
“B-before we shift, um—can I ask how big you are when you are a dragon?”
I smiled. I was an impressive sight as a man, and as a dragon, I was huge. “I’m around fifteen feet high and twenty feet long. I have powerful wings and large claws—but know I will never, ever, hurt you.”
“I think I know that. I’m just trying to prepare myself,” Embry replied. He waved his hand. “We’re here!”
We had entered a clearing. It was large and had small rock formations surrounding a small lake with little waterfalls flowing into it. Trees encompassed the glade. It was a gorgeous sight.
“It’s beautiful.” I gazed down at my angel.
He wore a broad smile. Taking a step back, he undressed. I felt my cock stir. I needed to calm down and take a deep breath. I longed to take him so much. I briefly wondered how my brother Roarke had lasted five months before he’d mated Devin. I prayed it wouldn’t be that long for us.
I looked up, and there Embry stood, gloriously naked. His tan skin contrasted with the black hair surrounding his cock. It was large for his small stature. It filled as I continued to stare at him.
In a flash, toned skin and dark hair transformed into a light coat as he shrank into his wolf. He was about the size of a boxer. There wasn’t a stray black hair on his body; white fur covered every inch.
I stepped forward and reached down to run my hands through Embry’s fur. It was soft. He wiggled beneath my touch and rubbed up against me as if he were a kitten arching its back, yearning for contact. Then he stuck his face in my crotch, reminding me he was a canine.
I laughed. “Hey, baby, as much as I love your head in my lap, I’d prefer you in your human form when you do.”
He yipped like a chuckle and jumped up on me. I allowed him to push me to the ground. Immediately, he covered my face with wolfy kisses. I loved his exuberance and giggled at the softness of the wet kisses. He jumped off, stepped back, and sat down, tilting his head.
I knew what he was silently asking. I stood and stripped out of my own clothes. I stepped back from him and allowed my dragon to take over.
I grew, and scales covered my body. I stretched onto my back legs and unfurled my wings; my dragon loved to stretch. I looked down and saw the little wolf. If Embry had been in human form, I’m sure his jaw would’ve dropped open.