Page 8 of Dragon's Revenge

Erwan swallowed past the tightness in his throat, the same one he always experienced whenever he realized all over again that his own father had tried to kill him. Repeatedly. “He’s wanted me dead for a long time, so yes, it fits the pattern.”

Jermon leaned forward. “It also explains how the Murphys knew about the attack. We know they were in communication with Cladhaire. We found that out the night the Murphys tried to abduct Erwan. It’s not a stretch to consider that if Cladhaire tipped off the dragon slayers, the Murphys would’ve known. They knew the attack was coming, and they had to choose to either let us die or come to our defense.”

“I agree, but why did they choose to stand with us?” Erwan shook his head. “That part still doesn’t make sense.”

Jermon threw up his hands. “Maybe to see if you were still a white dragon. Or to try and butter up to you and make us believe they were on our side so they could learn our weaknesses. The added bonus would be getting rid of the dragon slayers, or at least some of them—though why the dragon slayers never considered this was a setup is beyond me, but that’s a whole different story.”

As out of left field as his brother’s theory sounded, something about it rang true to Erwan. It connected a few more pieces of the puzzle. “It doesn’t even sound that outlandish, to be honest. In a weird way, it kind of makes sense.”

“It certainly sounds like something Cladhaire would do,” Emma agreed, and how Erwan loved them all for consistently calling his father by his first name rather than bestowing any honorifics on him.

“I agree that it’s a possibility, but do we really think they have Rhene?” Palani asked. “Why would they go after him?”

“To get to me,” Erwan said softly. “If the dragon slayers knew about the Dragon Council, they may have noticed Rhene and me attending. Without a clan to protect us, we were the weakest links to get to. And then I suddenly disappeared and Rhene was on his own…without any dragons around him to have his back. With dragons, the slayers always have to worry about magic, but not with Rhene. He has magic, but they may not know that…and it’s a different kind, one they may not be able to read.”

“I hate to say it, but it would also explain why we haven’t heard anything from anyone,” Jermon said. “Surely if the Murphys had gotten their hands on him, they would’ve either killed him”—he shot an apologetic look at Erwan—“or they would’ve reached out to us for, like, a ransom or something. But we haven’t heard a peep, even though we know he’s still alive.”

Fuck, Jermon was right. Erwan’s blood ran cold at the thought. “Then what do they plan on doing with him?”

“I can think of only one thing.” Emma’s voice was barely above a whisper. “They’re after the White Dragon. They want to get to you, Erwan…and Rhene is the key.”

Palani sat up straight. “If you’re right, does that mean a second attack is coming? Will they try to attack the Hightower pack again?”

“More like the Doyle clan, but yes,” Emma said. “That would be my guess. But they’re not after the wolves. They have no beef with them. It’s us they want. Dragons.”

“Unfortunately for them, there’s a whole lot of wolves in between them and the dragons,” Sivney said, sounding ice cold and determined as fuck. “And we won’t let them get anywhere near all of you.”

“Don’t forget that we’ll soon have as many as thirty-five extra omegas to protect,” Erwan said.

Then he froze. Oh fuck. Was that why they hadn’t heard anything? If the dragon slayers knew what went down at the Council, they knew about the incoming dragons. They could be simply biding their time, waiting for the dragon omegas to arrive. Because once they had, the majority of the remaining dragons worldwide would be in one location…on Hightower pack land. Judging by the gasp Jermon let out, his brother had come to the same realization.

“What?” Palani asked, looking from Erwan to Jermon and back. “What conclusion did you come to?”

But Kean had already connected the dots. “They could be waiting for everyone to get here…and then make their move. We may have less than a week before they attack again.”

Sivney rose, and despite his short stature, he radiated authority. “Then we’ll make sure we’re fucking ready for them.”

ChapterFour

He had to do something. Adar had no clue what, but he couldn’t stand by and watch everything fall apart. He wasn’t angry with Delton though. How could he be when everything between Adar and Oliver had been at the expense of Delton? He’d paid the price again and again, and Adar couldn’t blame him for walking away.

But he also couldn’t let it happen. So how could he convince Delton to give them another chance without disrespecting his wishes and boundaries? He had no clue. And he wasn’t gonna ask Oliver. It would only upset the omega, first of all, and second, Adar doubted Oliver would know what to do. He was as much part of the problem as Adar was.

No, if he wanted help—and he did—he had to ask someone else. Someone who knew the situation and knew them, at least well enough to offer solid advice.

He cringed. Was there really no one else? But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t come up with any other name. Fuck. Well, in a way, it was only fair he’d have to embarrass himself in front of an omega. Served him right for not respecting Delton’s feelings. Adar wasn’t the type to dwell on regrets, but he sure as fuck had a few now.

Without giving himself time to reconsider or back out, he set course for the main house, where he found Sivney in the kitchen with his mates and daughter.

“Am I interrupting?” Adar checked. It didn’t seem like it, but he needed Sivney in a good mood, so he’d better check.

“That depends on whether you need me alone or if I can stay here since I want to spend some time with Abigail,” Sivney said.

Sure, why not? Did it really matter if Adar humiliated himself in front of one man or three? At least the little girl was too young to remember. “That’s fine.”

Sivney gestured at the seat across from him. “In that case, grab a seat. What can I do for you?”

Adar had run various scenarios through his head, but none of them had made his mortification any less, so he decided to bite the bullet. “I need your advice on how to win Delton’s heart.”

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