Even then, I only pulled it back slowly.

  I knew if I saw her naked body, I would cave. I’d carry her to the shower myself and have my face buried between her tits in a matter of seconds. Fuck. I wanted that so damn badly, but I also knew our situation was littered with tension. I wasn’t going to make it worse.

  I’d be taking a shower long after she was dressed and done with her room. In the meantime, I had to piss and needed to find another bathroom.

  The mattress groaned beneath my weight as I stood up and headed toward the door. Just as soon as I opened it, Roman was there with his fist in the air as if he was about to knock.

  We openly stared at each other. Though, he was no longer wearing his emotions on his face and I had no clue what he was thinking.

  “Dawsyn just got in the shower,” I said, assuming he was looking for his daughter.

  He glanced toward the bathroom door, then grinned as I heard Dawsyn yell, “Don’t go with him!”

  Before I could figure out what she meant, Roman grabbed my shoulder. “Let’s go have a chat.”

  I should have seen that coming. He seemed rather attached to his daughter. Though, I didn’t blame him. I hoped one day Dawsyn and I would have a little girl just like her. If I were a lucky enough bastard for that to happen, I knew I’d be the same way Roman was currently being.

  Even though I knew Dawsyn wasn’t happy about her father coming to get me, I went with him. She had to know there was no avoiding this.

  He let go of my shoulder once I exited the bedroom and led me to another set of stairs at the end of the hallway. These went straight up and into an office.

  “Have a seat.” He pointed to one of the chairs in front of his desk as he walked around to take his own seat.

  I sat with my back straight but shoulders relaxed. Did I want to get along with my mate’s family? Of course, but I wasn’t going to cower to anyone, either.

  Dawsyn was mine, and there wasn’t anything anyone could say or do to change that. Well, except Dawsyn.

  I just hoped Roman could understand that.

  He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers over his lap, looking me right in the eyes. I felt his alpha power, but it didn’t seem as if he was trying to challenge me, so I kept his stare.

  “I was lucky when I found my Cait,” he began. “She didn’t have any family and her best friend already belonged to my pack. There were still some obstacles, but this was where she was always meant to be. Right here in East Texas with me and the pack.”

  He paused, but I kept quiet. I had a feeling I knew where he was going, but I wasn’t going to help him get there.

  “When Dawsyn was born, I’d never been more terrified in my life,” he continued. “She was this tiny little thing, and I was responsible for keeping her alive. It was my job to protect her and provide for her. To make sure she knew how to handle whatever life might throw at her. She’s my little girl.”

  Only she isn’t so little anymore, I thought.

  He cleared his throat. “Never did I think I had to prepare for her finding a mate in a dragon or that by doing so, she’d be put right in the middle of a battle she shouldn’t be fighting.”

  “I never asked Dawsyn to fight,” I said. “In fact, I’d rather she not, but your daughter isn’t the type to be told what to do.”

  His laugh was strangled. “She’s more like her mother than I hoped she’d be, but at the same time, she’s so much more than I could have wished for.” He paused and glanced out the window. “I understand that you two had a mate bond, and I know you’re aware of the ramifications from your brother—”

  “He’s no brother of mine,” I interjected sharply.

  Roman’s eyes pinched at the sides briefly, but he continued. “From the forced bond she took to save River. I also know by looking at my daughter and seeing the way she watches you that it doesn’t matter if that bond returns or not. You’re still her fated mate.”

  I fucking hoped so. “And she’s mine. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.”

  He raised both brows. “Anything?”

  “Anything that she asks of me,” I specified. If Dawsyn told me she wanted to stay here at her pack after Knox was dealt with, then that was what we’d do, but only if that was what she wanted. Not because her father made us feel like it was what we should do.

  I had no doubts Dawsyn loved her pack, but she’d left for a reason, and I wasn’t going to force her to return.

  “Very well,” he said. “Her mother and I have spoken, and we support whatever Dawsyn wants to do. I just need you to know that sometimes what our mates want isn’t always the best choice. I need to know that if she’s putting herself in danger, you’re not going to be afraid to step in and stop her.”

  “You mean, regardless of how much she might hate me in the moment, there may come a time when I have to force her to sit out of the fight?”

  He grinned. “Precisely. I’ve done it for my mate and don’t regret that choice to this day.”

  “I will always put the safety of Dawsyn above all else,” I said, leaving it at that. Promising to control my mate wasn’t something I could do. Not to her.

  Though, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t if there were no other choice.

  “That’s all I can ask for.” He stood and I did the same, but before I could say anything else, he added, “Well, that’s not exactly true. I’d love to ask for the two of you to stay here, but my mate said I wasn’t allowed to do that.”

  I grinned. “I hear you, but I’m not the one you should be not asking.”

  Where we lived would be up to Dawsyn. If she chose here, then I’d have to figure out what to do about my dragon, but as long as we were with our mate, then I knew he wouldn’t mind staying hidden if that was necessary.

  “Let’s go downstairs, so my daughter and mate can quit yelling at me.” He gestured toward the door and I headed back into the hallway ahead of him.

  “Makes me a little more thankful that dragons can’t communicate the same way,” I said.

  Roman shrugged. “It’s more of a benefit than anything else most days.”

  As we headed toward the other set of stairs, he glanced at me again. “Thank you for bringing her back to us.”

  “I would have looked for her until I died.”

  “And that’s the only reason I don’t want to kill you right now.” His face was devoid of any emotion, and he brushed past me without another word.

  So much for thinking our chat had been more of a positive one.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  DAWSYN

  My mother had tried to distract me by having my aunts and their mates over to say a quick hello and goodbye to me, but nothing could make my mind stop wondering what the hell my father and mate were talking about upstairs.

  When Dad’s voice had sounded in my mind and told me that he was borrowing Cillian, I almost ran naked out of the shower to stop them but decided better of it.

  I drummed my fingers on the table over and over until Beatrix finally smacked my hand. “Quit your fussing. Your father won’t hurt him, and I’ve been watching Cillian. Unfortunately, he’s impressed me. It seems that boy would do anything for you, and I’m sure that includes listening to Roman toss idle threats at him.”

  That had a smile lifting on my face. Cillian was the perfect mix of sweet and strong. I knew he could burn the world if he wanted, but he also cared deeply about many different things. Most important being me.

  Knowing that had been one of the things keeping me calm lately.

  Footfalls sounded in the hallway, and it was my father who appeared first. Alone.

  “Where’s Cillian?” I asked, standing up and looking behind him.

  “He’s coming.” Dad went to Mom, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pressed his lips to the side of her head. Even after all these years, he couldn’t enter a room without touching her first.

  Ten seconds later, Cillian walked into the kitchen. I gave him a onceover, and he seemed fine. Not angry or annoyed or anything in between.

  I was nice, my dad’s voice sounded in my head.

  You’ve given me no reason to believe that without Cillian confirming so.

  I glanced back at him, and my father grinned. He knew what he’d been doing and was proud of it.

  My fingers laced through Cillian’s, and I looked up at him. “Did you want to take a shower before we go?”

  He cringed a little. “Probably should.”

  “I’m sure we have some clothes you can have, too,” Mom offered, stepping away from my reluctant father.

  She pulled my mate away from me, and just like that, he was now alone with my other parent. This was just such a great morning.

  “We leave in five minutes,” GiGi said loud enough that I knew my mother and Cillian would have heard her, then she huffed. “I’m going to go wait outside. I don’t need to be present for whatever gush fest the two of you are about to have.”

  I’d had no intentions of doing that with my father now, but when I looked at him again, his eyes were much softer than they’d been since I’d returned home.

  As soon as Beatrix went out the back door of the kitchen, Dad came over to me and grabbed my hand before gesturing for us to sit at the table together.

  “I’m sorry that I didn’t handle last night as well as I should have,” he said first, surprising me. I was pretty sure the only person I’d ever heard him apologize to was my mother.

  I didn’t reply immediately, because telling him it was okay to turn his back on me didn’t sit right in my chest.

  “You’ve never walked away from me before,” I said instead.

  His eyes cast down. “I know, and I knew it was wrong as soon as I’d taken my first step in the opposite direction, but I let fear continue to push me away. Since the moment you were born, there’s been nothing I’ve wanted more than to keep you safe.”

  I squeezed his hand. “You can’t do that forever, Dad.”

  “I know. I also know that you’ve grown up to be an incredible woman, and I’ve kept you too close for too long now,” he admitted.

  “But you also taught me how to protect myself and be smart in all sorts of situations.”

  He finally grinned again. “You always were an excellent fighter during trainings. You know, people haven’t always treated you differently because you’re the alpha’s daughter or because you have the alpha gene. You’re powerful in your own right, Dawsyn. Nothing I taught you can take away from that. I’m sorry if I didn’t make you see that truth before, but I hope you feel it now.”

  I had thought I was already feeling his words, but it wasn’t until I heard them leave his mouth that I felt my chest rise and shoulders push back.

  All my life I’d wanted to be something more, and I never thought I could be until I left home. I briefly thought that if only I’d known… Yet, the path I’d taken and the feelings I’d had, they’d all led me to Cillian. I couldn’t have any regrets about that.

  I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around my father’s neck. “Thank you, Dad. For everything. Even all the things I didn’t realize at the time that you were doing for me.”

  His hands pressed against my back, and he rested his head against mine. “Always, baby girl. No matter how old you get, where you live, or what you do, I’m always here for you.”

  I pulled back enough that I could see his face, keeping my hands on his shoulders. “Even if I’m in a different realm.”

  “Even then,” he promised, then winked. “Doesn’t mean I’ll be happy about it, but I’ll get over it. Your mother will make sure of that.”

  I chuckled. “She always does.”

  “Who always does what?” Mom asked as she strutted into the kitchen as if she hadn’t been standing in the hallway listening for most of that conversation.

  “Oh, nothing,” Dad said.

  My cheeks began to hurt, and my heart was fuller than it had been in far too long. Everything was nearly perfect, aside from the dark spot in my chest where the connection to Knox still festered inside me.

  My mom walked around the smaller kitchen table and came up behind me, hugging me from behind. “You’re an incredible woman, and you’ve found yourself a rather respectful mate.”

  I wanted to grumble that he was a little too respectful, but I didn’t think my father would appreciate that.

  “Thanks, Mom.” My head leaned back against her shoulder, and my hands were still entwined with my dad’s. We stayed like that, quiet in each other’s company, just soaking up the warmth of our little family until Cillian came back downstairs.

  When he entered the kitchen, he came to an abrupt stop, then backed up until I called for him.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, freshly showered, wearing fresh jeans and a new light-grey shirt. He smelled as if he needed to be licked from head to toe.

  My heart began to race, and I had to let go of my dad’s hands because…just no. I stood up from the chair and I nodded toward the back yard. “We should go before Beatrix leaves without us.”

  Mom made an awkward noise from behind. Awkward for me, at least. I had no doubts that she knew why I was eager to leave.

  Cillian stepped toward me, but then turned to my father and shook his hand. “Thank you for letting me stay in your pack and trusting me with your daughter.”

  Fuck, he really was respectful. I was merely ready to bolt and there was my mate, making nice with my parents.

  Dad nodded. “That trust only lasts until she gets hurt.”

  I rolled my eyes and turned to say goodbye to Mom whose arms were already open and waiting for me. “Be safe and trust your instincts. We don’t know what that extra boost of power you had is from. I wish we had more time to figure it out, but I understand that you don’t. Just be careful.”

  “Always.” I hugged her tightly, then turned to my dad before things could get too emotional.

  His embrace was quick as well, but he held tightly to my biceps and kept me close a beat longer. “You know who you are, Dawsyn. Never forget that.”

  A heaviness settled over me, and I nodded. I may not have known all the words to explain who I was, but in my heart, I agreed with him.

  I was Dawsyn Chase. The daughter of two alpha wolves and the mate of a dragon, but more than those things, I was…something powerful. I’d sensed that for a long time now and it was why I’d wanted to know if there had ever been Luna Marked children before. I’d thought that I needed to figure out what that something was to feel whole, but coming home made me realize that wasn’t the case.

  I needed to believe in myself and know that I was capable of so much more than I’d yet to realize, but I would when the time was right.

  Cillian was already at the back door by the time I pulled away from my father and I took another, longer look at him. I had no idea where the clothes had come from, because my mate was taller and broader than my dad, but damn, I still wanted to lick him.

  The tips of his still-wet hair hung over his forehead, and his skin glowed. Though, not as bright as it did back home where he didn’t have to conceal his dragon.

  The shirt fit snugly across his chest, and the jeans made me want to pinch his ass cheeks.

  I shook my head, once again wondering how the hell I resisted him for those first couple of weeks.

  Temporary insanity is my vote, my wolf chimed.

  You don’t get a vote, I said as I walked out the door with Cillian, a grin on my face.

  I sensed my wolf’s disagreement, but she went back to her meditating, which I was okay with. Breaks from having a voice in my head were sometimes nice, and figuring out what our extra strengths were would be helpful before we got back to Drago.

  “About damn time,” Beatrix grumbled with her back to us as she began to open a portal. “Let’s go.”

  I glanced up at Cillian to find him smiling at me. “Ready?” he asked.

  “More than.”

  GiGi snorted, then just as we stepped through the portal into the attic of Spell House, she added, “You say that now, but soon you’ll be begging me for a merciful death.”

  “Beatrix!” My father’s bellow was the last thing I heard before she followed us through and closed the opening.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  DAWSYN

  Cillian’s chest was rumbling as he stood ramrod straight next to me. “What did you mean by that?”

  GiGi smirked. “If you thought breaking a bond was going to be a joyride, you’re not as smart as I thought you were. I’ll literally be ripping her soul apart, thanks to those dragon scales of yours.”

  “My soul?” I swallowed thickly.

  She nodded and headed toward a table where there were stacks of books. “I’ve been doing research and, while there is nothing that specifically mentions dragons, I know how to read between the lines. Plus, with the scales and blood I already had, it was easy to piece everything together. I can unfortunately understand why the dragons have remained hidden for so long.”

  “So, this isn’t just magic that needs to be broken?” I asked. “Knox isn’t my fated mate. How can he be tied to my soul?”

  “Because dragons have unique energy, which you stupidly absorbed and made worse by being in Drago for as long as you were.” She snapped her fingers and looked back up at me. “Speaking of which, River is going to murder you if you don’t call him soon.”

  “I don’t have my phone and haven’t had access to one,” I explained. Though, it wasn’t necessary. She didn’t care.

  “We’ll start with you sitting in that chair over there,” GiGi said to me, then pointed to Cillian. “Move those large crystals so that they’ll be in a circle around Dawsyn.”

  She went back to reading, and my eyes met Cillian’s. There was a deep crease between his brows and his lips were pressed thin. “You don’t have to do this. We can kill him and that will solve the problem.”

  GiGi tsked from across the room. “Not true. If Knox dies, his spirit will still be tied to her until she dies. Your chances of reigniting your fated mate bond are already low. They’ll be nonexistent if she doesn’t do this before the lizard is dead.”