Page 89 of Edge of Darkness

“Did you do any of that to them?”

“No. But I also wasn’t with my mate.”

“Nevertheless, you know how to treat a human. Why do you think you would treat Kit, who is your mate, harsher than you would treat some random human?”

“Because, dammit, every time I smell his scent, especially if he’s aroused, I lose control of my dragon,” Connie growled.

“Have you shifted because of that?” Kage asked.

“No, but only because I stopped him,” Hudson answered.

Kage nodded. “I can see where a sudden shift could be problematic. Connie would certainly destroy whatever was near him. And possibly hurt anybody around him. But Connie? Do you really think if Kit was in danger from you that your dragon would force a shift?”

Connie opened his mouth, then closed it. Shocked, he looked at Hudson. “You always stopped me before anything could happen, but we never let it go far enough to see if Iwouldactually shift.”

“Because we thought it wasn’t safe, but Kage does have a point,” Hudson said. “Your dragon knows who Kit is to you. I don’t think he would do anything that could possibly harm Kit. Does he want Kit to see him? Of course.”

“He wants to be seen more than anything,” Connie said.

“As does mine. But scaring the shit out of Kit to the point where he would be afraid of our true form would be counterproductive,” Hudson mused slowly.

Hudson’s dragon grumbled softly in his head.

“We let our human emotions dictate this,” Connie whispered.

“Which is understandable,” Kage said. “I can see why both of you would be concerned, because after all is said and done, paranormals are stronger than humans. But I think the both of you forgot what a mate is to you.”

“Our soul bond.” Connie reached across the table.

Hudson immediately took his hand. “Our everything.”

“I think part of the problem is your dragon is a primitive creature stuck in a human body. Just like me, you have a human form and then your true form. But unlike me, your true form is an actual animal.”

“What are you getting at?” Hudson asked.

“Didn’t you tell me that the dragons of old just kidnapped their mates and made off with them? Your dragons are fighting their instincts because your human sides are telling them that’s not the way to do this without causing massive problems.”

“Holy shit,” Connie whispered. It suddenly all made sense.

“Honestly? Regardless of how fast or slow your intimate relationship goes, I think you need to let Kit see both of you in dragon form as soon as he’s comfortable enough to do so. I think your dragons will quit giving you fits once that happens. My friends, don’t you see? Your dragons want to be acknowledged.”

Hudson blinked in surprise.

“What? Don’t look at me like that.”

“That was incredibly deep,” Hudson said. “For you, I mean.”

“Austin has been a bad influence on me,” Kage groused. “Okay, seriously. Stop looking at me like that. Keep it up and I won’t tell you the rest of what I know,” Kage threatened. “We haven’t got to the feeding part of a human.”

“Feed them. I mean, what’s so hard about that?” Connie asked.

Kage snorted.

“Okay, what?” Connie scowled.

“Do either of you have a romantic bone in your body?” Kage demanded.

Hudson groaned. “We’ve discussed courting Kit.”

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