Chapter 6
Vanya
I’D SPENT THE DAY WITH Jessa and her babies, cooing over my niece and nephew until they were exhausted and fast asleep in their cribs.
“Can you believe Mom kept our cribs from when we were babies?” Jessa asked with a laugh, walking over to the mirror in the corner of my room.
“Ah... yeah I can, actually,” I said with a laugh. “Mom’s sentimental in that way. You know that.”
Jessa was dressed in a long, flowing sapphire blue dress that accentuated her tiny waist and abundant curves.
I couldn’t help what came out of my mouth next. “Your boobs look so amazing in that dress. Are you sure Carlak is okay with that much cleavage being on display?”
Jessa glanced down at the mounds of flesh poking out from her scooped neckline, then laughed. “He doesn’t get a say in my wardrobe,” she answered, poking out her tongue. “But the worst part is this isn’t even half of them. Since breastfeeding the twins, I’ve gone up two cup sizes!”
“I’m so jealous.” I stared down at my own flat chest.
Jessa scoffed. “Well, I’m jealous of you, Miss Skinny Mini. Enjoy the fact you don’t need to wear a bra. It must feel amazing.” She sighed with another glance down at her ample breasts.
I turned around to check out the back of my dress and smiled at my sister. “Well, I suppose there are pros and cons to both.”
Jessa and I were complete opposites when it came to our physical forms. We didn’t even look like sisters, let alone twins. I was the dark to her light. She was bright and curvy, and I was pale and waifish.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jessa asked me suddenly. “You’ve seemed a little... off today.”
“I’m fine,” I managed to say, but my sister knew me better than that.
She sat on the couch and stared at me, undeterred. “You’re not, that much is clear. What’s going on, Van?”
I shook my head. “Stop it, Jess. My makeup’s done, and if you make me cry, I’ll be mad.”
She stared at me a while longer before sighing and standing up, admitting to temporary defeat on my behalf. “All right... but I’ve spoken to Carlak about staying here for a few weeks so we can talk. I’ve missed you and I’ve missed my home.”
I charged at my sister and hugged her tightly.
“Whoa.” She giggled as she hugged me back.
“I’ve missed you,” I said as I fought back the wave of tears that threatened to spill and ruin my makeup.
“Well, I’m not going anywhere,” she assured me, pulling back and squeezing my hands. “You’ll be begging me for some peace and quiet after a few days, mark my words.”
“Doubtful,” I countered. “Very doubtful.” As we smiled at each other, there was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
It was Anselm, dressed in his finest black suit. He looked absolutely smashing. “Are you two ready?” he asked as he stepped into the room.
I kept hold of my sister’s hand and walked over to our brother. “This reminds me so much of our twenty-first.”
Anselm nodded. “Yeah, me too. Boy, how things have changed, hey?”
I glanced at Jessa, then back at Anselm. “For you two, maybe.”
Anselm’s eyes widened, then he stumbled. “Oh, I didn’t mean... I’m sorry, sis.”
I reached out and squeezed his hand too. “It’s fine. One day I’m sure things will change for me too.” My heart certainly knew that it would, but my stubborn head was mired with negativity. It felt like things would never change.
Jessa slid her hand around my arm and grinned at me. “Well, shall we get this party started?” she offered.
Anselm arched an eyebrow. “Same entrance as always?”
I chuckled. “Why not?” I wasn’t one for being the center of attention, but when I was one of the triplets, I never worried about facing the world. When we were together, I felt strong, like I could handle anything—even if I wasn’t ready.
We walked down the hallway and toward the doors to the small balcony. My breath hitched in my throat, and I stopped, unable to take another step before asking the question on the tip of my tongue. “Have either of you seen Jaegar yet? Is he here?”
Anselm frowned at me. “I haven’t, but don’t worry, sister. He won’t ruin the party. Despite everything, I think you’re going to like him.”
I sucked in a breath and nodded. I wasn’t afraid of that.
I’m afraid of the opposite being true.
My heart raced.
Am I ready to meet the man who I think could be my fated mate?
Anselm stepped forward and opened the doors, pushing them wide and holding out his hand to me. The sounds of the crowd from beneath built to a roar, until suddenly there was a round of shushing, and the room fell silent.
I glanced at Jessa, and together we walked out onto the balcony that overlooked the enormous ballroom, smiling and waving as the festive space exploded with a deafening round of applause. My belly tightened and dropped as I searched the room expectantly for an unknown face.
“Let’s go,” Jessa said, tearing me away from my perusal, and down the steps into the ballroom below.
Why can’t I see him? What does he look like? I thought I’d know him, or feel him, straight away. Maybe Jaegar isn’t the fated mate I’d thought he was?
Mom and Dad were waiting at the bottom of the steps to give us hugs and kisses and to say “happy birthday” for the second time today.
Kayla stepped up next to Anselm, looking pale but beautiful. No one else might have noticed, but it seemed obvious to me that morning sickness was likely wreaking havoc with her.
“Oh, your dress is lovely, Kayla,” I said, giving her a warm smile.
Carlak stepped up to draw Jessa into his side. “Happy birthday, Vanya. You look as beautiful as ever.”
“Doesn’t she?” Jessa said, grinning at me with her normal levels of pride and happiness.
“We all look beautiful,” I responded, gesturing to all the women in the group. “And I’m just so glad we’re all here together for such a special milestone.”
“Speaking of,” Carlak said, “Anthony and Charity were asking for us. Shall we go speak to them?”
Jessa nodded and headed off with Carlak at her side.
Then Anselm bowed out with Kayla to go and speak to other guests and perform the usual meet and greets.
And that meant I was left with my parents and a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I felt so incredibly left out that it set off a pang in my heart that almost had me clutching at my chest.
I’m alone.
Mom’s gaze slid behind us, and a huge smile lifted her lips. “Vanya, come and meet Jaegar. I know you’ve been wanting to make his acquaintance.”
I froze and a whole-body shiver coursed over me, making the hairs on my arms prickle. My breathing grew shallow, and my stomach instantly filled with the sensation of a million chaotic, fluttering butterflies.
“Are you okay?” my mother asked with a look of concern.
But before I could answer her, I looked over my shoulder and slowly turned around. There, before me, standing next to Uncle Damon, was the man from my dreams. He had long, beautiful dark hair, and eyes as bright as the sapphires in my father’s crown. “It’s you,” I breathed, my heart in my throat.
He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
My father reached out to grab my arm, shocking me.
Any words Jaegar had planned to say were lost to a feral warning growl.
My father responded in kind, not letting my arm go.
Jaegar’s eyes flashed from blue to silver in a mere second. He looked strong, predatory, and incredibly handsome as his inner dragon reared up within him.
My heart jumped with adrenaline, racing inside my chest like a prized stallion. If I didn’t stop this, we’d end up with two fighting dragons in a room filled with people. “No!” I found the courage to say and put out a hand toward Jaegar. “Stop. He’s my dad. He won’t hurt me.” I tugged my arm, but my father refused to let go. Then help came from an unexpected place.
“Stavrok, let her go,” Mom said, her voice soothing. “Jaegar’s not going to hurt her. You know that. Now, calm down.” Mom tugged at Dad’s arm until his fingers loosened their grip.
I stumbled toward Jaegar the moment I was freed.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me to his side so fast I was seeing stars. His arm went around my body, holding me so close, protecting me and shielding me from the world.
In such close proximity, I could smell his skin and feel his heat beneath his shirt. I didn’t know this man, but as a soft moan left my lips, I tucked my nose into his neck and took a deep breath.
It’s him. My mate.
My heart sang. I knew it beyond doubt. He smelled like home.
This time Jaegar’s growl was more like a rolling purr, and he wrapped his second arm around me as well. “I found you,” he said, sounding as though he was panting or in shock. His chest was rising and falling too fast, and although part of me was afraid that he’d shift, the dragon shifter part of me was blissfully happy at the fact.
Mom walked closer, despite my dad calling out to her. “Jaegar, sweetheart...” she was saying softly. “Can you control yourself? Or do you need to get outside?”
Jaegar was trembling and the sheer power that it took to hold his dragon inside made me smile. He was so impressive.
“I. Don’t. Know,” he admitted, each word punctuated with a labored and desperate pause.
Mom continued. “Vanya... darling... I think you’re going to need to wake up and help Jaegar out here. I’m not a dragon, but you are. Do you know what he needs?”
I opened my eyes and stared up at him. My blood was hot, flowing in my veins like lava, and every part of me was intoxicated by the mere scent of him. I’d found him.
Finally. He’s real.
“He’ll need to shift,” Damon interjected from beside us.
I hadn’t even realized he was still there.
Jaegar wasn’t growling at his father, which was interesting, but his hands tightened on me.
“Do you want to fly with me?” I whispered. “We could both go.”
“My. Clothes. Queen. Cass,” Jaegar gritted out as he battled for control.
Damon chuckled softly. “She won’t care if you tear them to shreds, but if you have the control, Stavrok might have somewhere nearby that you can both safely disrobe before shifting.”
Jaegar nodded in a jerky fashion. “Yes. Please. Now .”
Mom began to walk backward. “Come on. The south balcony. Quickly!” She gestured toward us, encouraging us to follow.
But Jaegar didn’t move.
Somewhere deep in my foggy, intoxicated brain, I knew he needed my help. It was my turn to step up and guide my mate. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” I said to him, lurching after my mother. “Jaegar. Please .”
That got him moving. He followed me by sheer force of will, still clinging to my hands, refusing to let me go for a single moment.
Mom and Dad hurried ahead, pushing open the doors to the balcony, then pulled the curtains shut around us once more.
I burst through the curtains and inhaled sharply as the cold air blasted me in the face. It was an incredibly welcome relief to the fire I felt blazing inside.
Jaegar was already undressing, tugging at his clothes urgently as he tried to disrobe without ruining what I had to assume were very new clothes.
He was out of his jacket, vest, and shirt, the items thrown back toward the door over his shoulder. Then he set to work on getting out of his pants.
I stood back and let my gaze soak in the wonder that was my mate. He was magnificent. So huge, broad and muscular. He was literally what dreams were made of.
He momentarily turned away, so I only saw the clench of his too tight, too perfect ass, before he leapt into the air and shifted into a massive, silver-tipped dragon. Spiraling up into the air, he hovered, waiting for me.
I stared up at him, mesmerized and shivering as the cold began to seep into my body.
“Vanya?” Mom called out. “Are you going too?”
Heedless of whether my parents were watching, I simply nodded my head and unhooked the clasp at the nape of my neck, letting the dress slither to the ground. I wasn’t wearing a bra, and my nipples were already tight and hard. I didn’t bother with my black lace panties. I just let my dragon rise up inside my body, tearing the material apart as she broke free. I flapped my wings, and with a song in my heart, I took to the sky, chasing my fated mate into the clouds.