Dante was a very old dragon and the most powerful in the realm.
His mate, Jace, was a Mediator for the entire Conclave, and a strong bear shifter in his own right. He would’ve probably led the bear shifters if his fate hadn’t led him down another path. Nadie was one of the seven lightning-struck women and best friends with Becca.
Nadie was also a succubus and had far more magic than anyone knew. Liam had always been able to sense it, ever since he’d met her after she had mated Jace and Dante. She hid her power well from others. And that was good. It was always smart to be underestimated in a fight. And with war constantly on the horizon, especially within their own realms, she was a good asset to have.
Dante opened the door before they even had a chance to knock. Of course, Liam had figured the dragon knew they had arrived the moment they stepped onto his land.
“You’re hurt,” Dante growled out. Jace was there in the next instant, bandages in hand, tugging Alec inside. Nadie was there, as well, even as Dante’s eyes roamed behind them, checking for threats.
Liam appreciated that since he wasn’t in the mood to deal with more fighting at the moment. They needed to make sure Alec was safe, the same with the kit. His wolf rode him, wanting blood, needing to make sure Alec was okay. Craving to care for the young fox. He inhaled through his nostrils, trying to calm himself.
“Here, let me have her,” Nadie whispered, her hands outstretched.
The kit burrowed into him more, and Dante raised a brow at Liam.
“All right. It’s okay, little kit. Nadie’s good. She’s going to help you and make sure you’re okay. Plus, you’re going to need to shift back. You know it’s not good to stay in your animal form for too long.” He tapped her on the nose gently, and she nuzzled into him again before letting out a little yip and turning towards Nadie. Nadie smiled with kind eyes and took the kit from his arms, nuzzling her chin on the fox’s furry little head.
“We’ll take care of you. Our little babies are going to want to meet you, too. First, let’s get you all cleaned up. You’re so brave, little girl.”
Nadie started walking away, and the little kit looked over her shoulder at Liam. He gave her a tight nod, not knowing when he would see her again.
“We’re going to need to find that kit’s family,” Liam said.
“We will. And then you’re going to tell us exactly what happened. And if you need my help.”
Liam shook his head even as he explained what had happened.
“We can do this. We were just surprised about the innocent and needed to take care of that before we took care of the rogue.”
“I can smell him on you. I didn’t go down to the site, so I couldn’t tell. He smells of Alec but not.”
“I didn’t realize dragons were so good at that.”
“Dragons are good at a lot of things,” the big man said, his eyebrow ring twinkling under the light. “I take it this rogue is family?”
“Blood—not family.”
“Understood. If you need us, we’re here. Any of us. I understand you need to take care of things in the family. Don’t do anything stupid, though. At least, try not to. And a piece of advice?” Dante continued, closing the door behind him. “Don’t wait too long.”
Liam froze. “Excuse me?”
“I almost waited too long because we were looking for our third. You’re not waiting for a third. Are you?”
“Dragons really do know more than they tell.”
“Sometimes. Figure your shit out, Liam. You’re not doing anyone any favors by waiting.”
And then the dragon stomped off towards the back of the house, probably to check his security.
Liam just stuck his hands into his pockets, wondering what the fuck they were going to do.
The rogue was still out there, and they couldn’t stay for long. However, Alec needed to be healed, and without going back to their Pack to have their healer do it, it was going to take the night.
And that meant their hunt would have to begin again in the morning.
They were going to have to eliminate Alec’s brother. Even if it might kill them both in the process.
Chapter 4
Liam made his way through the dragon’s lair, doing a final perimeter check along with Dante. With any other man, with any other dominant now that he thought about it, they might have been a little annoyed that Liam was double-checking their work. Dante wasn’t like that. He had his mates and his babies in the house, and therefore, any extra help and pair of eyes to make sure that the place was safe were good. At least, that’s what Liam figured since the dragon hadn’t roasted him for daring to question anything.
“I’m setting you and Alec up in the guest house,” Dante said after a moment. Liam looked over and nodded. “Thanks. We can get our own accommodations if it’s too dangerous for us to be here.”
Dante shook his head. “We have a guest house for a reason, and I have really damn good warding.” The dragon winked.
Liam really didn’t want to think about what exactly would happen if someone breached the wards when they didn’t have permission. Considering that Liam had seen Dante set someone on fire while still in human form just with the smoke from his nostrils, he really wanted nothing to do with that. It wasn’t that Dante was cruel. However, if you messed with his family or his loved ones, you paid the price. And assassination attempts against his mates made for a very steep price.
“We appreciate it.”
Dante nodded, his eyes narrowing. “Good. And I’m going to repeat my offer to help with this rogue if you need it.”
“I would take you up on it if it were anyone else. This one? I think Alec needs to face it.”
“I understand that. As someone who has dealt with family members who have been on the wrong side of the line regarding what is true and right, I completely understand.”
“We’ll be out of your hair in the morning, Alec should be healed by then.”
“Jace and Nadie worked their magic on your not-mate. And your little kit is sleeping in the nursery.”
Liam ignored the dig and the push from the temperamental dragon. “Is she okay there? Has she shifted back?”
Dante nodded. “Yes, to both questions. She’s sleeping now. One of my twins is watching over her.”
“Your child’s not much older than she is.”
“I have a dragon shifter and a bear shifter as children. They’re always going to be protective of a little kit. The child hasn’t spoken as of yet, but she’s healthy and whole. She’s sleeping now in her human form, and we had spare clothes for her.” At Liam’s questioning look, Dante shrugged. “We have a lot of friends with plenty of children. Our nursery is filled to the brim with spare clothes, toys, and food.”
“I guess that makes sense.” The Pack was like that too, though not in any parts of the den he regularly visited. Hunter was his only friend who had children. The rest were still single, waiting on their mates. Now that their Pack was functioning somewhat again, and the darkness had finally been clawed out, people were starting to find their mates and have babies again. Once Liam and Alec finally got off their asses and entered the circle to find their place within the Pack in terms of title, the Pack would become even healthier.