Page 52 of Dragon's Revenge

One quick text later, Palani and Kean came running—literally—from the Hayes pack lands. “You think he’s on his way?” Palani asked, still panting.

Erwan nodded. “It feels like he’s trying to send a message through the bond, but I’m not sure what he means. He’s not scared, so I doubt we’re in danger.”

“You’d sense it if we were,” Kean said, putting his hand on Erwan’s shoulder. “Gods, I hope you’re right and that your man is coming back.”

Your man. Two simple words that meant the world to Erwan. “Amen to that. It’s been…rough without him.”

Kean caressed Ainle’s little cheek with his finger. “I can’t even imagine. And I bet this one has missed him too.”

“I feel better when Ainle is near, as if a part of Rhene is still with me,” Erwan confessed.

“That makes sense because he is a part of him,” Palani said. “Come on, let’s find a place to sit.”

They installed themselves in the kitchen of the main house, which slowly filled with more and more people. Word was spreading, and the pack and the clan were drawing near. Ainle woke, and Erwan fed him his bottle before handing him off to the other two Hightower brothers, who were all too happy to play with their nephew.

Around dinner time, Sivney kicked them all out and told them to move to the meeting barn, as it was getting dangerously crowded. Within half an hour, food arrived from everywhere, people bringing all kinds of items that were placed on two large tables, forming a buffet. Drinks arrived, more people brought dishes, and by nine that evening, the barn was packed. The mood was optimistic. People laughing and sharing stories with each other, enjoying each other’s company. Erwan let it all happen, his dragon too restless to do anything else.

Lidon arrived with his other mates and their kids, and as before, playpens were set up for the kids to play while adults took turns watching them. Inflatable mattresses made for beds, and everywhere, kids simply lay down and fell asleep, a cozy blanket tucked around them to keep them warm. Ainle slept, had another bottle, then played some more.

Erwan had him on his knee, the baby curiously looking around the barn, when Hakon walked over on his cute little legs. “Hi, Uncle Ewwan.”

The kid still couldn’t say hisRs, and it was adorable. “Hey, buddy. How’s life?”

“Today was fun,” Hakon declared.

“Yeah? What did you do?”

“Fishing. With Papa.”

“Papa Lidon took you fishing? I bet that was fun.”

Hakon nodded enthusiastically. “We caught a fish. A weally big one.” He held his hands about two feet apart, and Erwan grinned.

“That big, huh? Did you catch it, or did Papa?”

“Me. But Papa helped. He’s weally stwong.”

“That he is.”

Hakon stepped closer, looking directly at Ainle. “He’s beautiful.”

“Ainle, you mean? Yeah, I think so too.”

“I’m gonna mawwy him.”

Erwan almost choked on his breath. Surely, he’d heard that wrong. “What did you say, buddy?”

“When I’m big, I’m gonna mawwy Ainle,” Hakon patiently repeated, not taking his eyes off the baby.

“Is that so?” Palani kneeled next to Hakon. “Why?”

Hakon looked at his father as if Palani had asked a really stupid question. “Because he’s beautiful, Papa. And he’s mine.”

The last was said with a little alpha growl that made Erwan’s heart skip a beat and sent shivers down his spine. Okay then.

Erwan and Palani shared a look. “We’ll see how Ainle feels about that,” Palani said with a little laugh, clearly unsure of how to handle this either.

“Why?” Hakon asked, frowning. “He’s my mate.”

---