And as they exited the security building and Lachlan headed toward his cottage, he wondered what constituted madness for a dragon-shifter family.
Cat laid out the last of the food she, Connor, and her mother had brought to the great hall and wondered if it'd be enough.
Between her family, the MacKenzies, Finn's family, and Chase and Layla McFarland, she doubted the spread would last very long.
Her mother snorted and said, "Don't worry, Cat. I have more keeping warm in the wee kitchen in the back. But if there's one thing I learned with five children, it's that you always hold some in reserve just in case you need it."
She smiled at her mum. "Especially with Connor."
Her mother laughed. "Aye, although all of you eat your weight in food. Or, at least you did when you were younger."
Connor's voice came from behind her. "I heard that. And you're wrong—I eat the most. It's why I'm the tallest."
Cat rolled her eyes. "That's not how it works."
Her brother winked. "Says the shortest of us all, the one who sometimes forgets to eat when lost in an art project."
It was true—she lost track of time when an idea struck. That's why she had alarms everywhere. Sometimes it took two to get her head out of the clouds. "I'm the same height as Mum. It's called genetics."
Connor swiped a roll, and their mother raised her brows before saying, "Take anything else from this table before the others get here, Connor Archibald, and you'll eat last, only getting whatever wee scraps you can find." Amusement twinkled in her mum's eyes as she added, "And who knows, maybe you'll start shrinking without so much food."
As her brother tried to play the wounded son—his hand over his heart as if he'd been stabbed—Cat couldn't stop smiling. Aye, because her brother was an idiot sometimes, and she couldn't help it. But also because her mother had been feeling better the last few weeks, acting almost like her old self.
She and her siblings knew their mother had suffered an illness for over a year, but not much more than that. Her mum refused to elaborate. But she was tired a lot and was too thin, and until recent weeks, had been even quieter than normal.
And since Cat couldn't very well corner any of the doctors and demand answers because of privacy rules, her mind kept coming up with possible scenarios. Dragon-shifters didn't get cancer, but there were always other diseases that could make them quite ill and even die.
Stop. Not tonight. No, she wouldn't worry about that for once. This evening was all about a little fun.
Well, for her and the other dragon-shifters, anyway. She wasn't entirely sure Lachlan would enjoy it.
She wanted to see how he did when surrounded by the craziness of the four families. She hadn't lied when she'd told him his formality would annoy almost everyone on Lochguard. And many of those attending the gathering weren't exactly what she'd call tactful.
And she hoped their bluntness taught him to trust her word when it came to fitting in better with the Scottish dragons. After all, that was part of the reason he was here early—to learn how to better bridge between Lochguard and the human visitors who would attend the art exhibition.
However, all thoughts of the project vanished as her youngest brother, Jamie, rushed into the room and shouted, "Everyone's just about to come in! Can I start the music now?"
Her mother answered, "Aye, as long as it's not some sort of booming dance music to give us all headaches, then you can start playing it."
Jamie raced over to the little computer-slash-deejay station on the side of the room. Cat murmured to her mother, "Clever to have him occupied for the night."
Her mum laughed. "I love all my children, but Finn said this DDA lad was somewhat reserved. I thought it best to save him from Jamie, at least for tonight."
She smiled and glanced at her youngest brother. Jamie loved to talk, so much so, even their grandfather Archie would find ways to excuse himself.
And considering her granddad had once dropped a boulder on his neighbor's barn over a minor dispute, he wasn't exactly the model of decorum.
Which reminded her. "Granddad isn't bringing his, er, thruple tonight is he?"
Her mother looked at the ceiling. "No, thank goodness. He said he couldn't make it tonight."
Her grandfather was in a complicated relationship with another female and male. The three were inseparable.
And while Lochguard was used to it, she doubted Lachlan would be.
To be honest, she'd rather like to be the one to explain that situation to him. Maybe then he'd show some surprise for a change.
Or any emotion, really. His cool demeanor—or was it a façade?—only irritated her, and she had no idea why. She'd certainly met reserved people before.
Her dragon spoke up. It's because he's keeping his true self tamped down. He showed us what he could be with that one outburst, and you want more of that side of him.
Rather than discuss the point with her inner beast, she focused on her twin siblings, Ian and Emma, as they walked inside the room and stopped near them. Emma said, "You should see that human male. Didn't you say he was stuffy, Cat?" Her sister fanned herself. "Something must've happened because he's looking dead sexy tonight."
She blinked at her sister's words. Had Lachlan finally decided to show more of himself to Lochguard? It was only a matter of time before her family or the MacKenzies would force it out anyway.
Or, so she thought. Lochguard had a reputation for helping people find their true selves.
However, before she could ask her sister for more details—to better prepare, Cat told herself—people filed into the large room.
First it was Finn and his mate, then Faye and Grant. And then right behind them was Lachlan, and Cat nearly did a double take.
He wore jeans and a button-down top, the sleeves rolled up to nearly his elbow, revealing the dark hair of his muscled forearms.
Between that and the peek of his chest where he had a few buttons undone at the top of his shirt, he seemed more male and less…DDA employee.
Even his gait seemed more relaxed.
Then he met her gaze from across the room. But while he'd relaxed his appearance, Lachlan's eyes were impassive as ever. He may be dressed casually, but that bloody façade was still in place.
Obviously the MacKenzies hadn't gotten to him yet.
And devil she was, she couldn't wait to see how he reacted when that lot finally turned their attention toward him.
She crossed the room to Lachlan and smiled. "I wasn't entirely sure you'd come."
He murmured, "I didn't really have a choice."
The tall, ginger-haired Fraser MacKenzie smacked Lachlan on the shoulder. "Aye, but you'll have a good time. It's my mission for the evening to make it happen."
Cat resisted a groan. She liked Fraser a lot, but he could get into trouble. Some of his dares over the years were legendary. He'd tamed a little since finding his mate, but not entirely. While she wanted the MacKenzies to rattle Lachlan a wee bit, Fraser would probably go overboard without the influence of his twin brother or his mate.
However, before Cat could look to either of the two calming influences for reassurance, Fraser's mate—a human female named Holly—spoke up. "Leave him be, Fraser."