Page 69 of Charming the Dragon
Too tired to protest, she nodded. However, before she was guided away, she sought Nathan’s gaze. He mouthed, “I’ll find you,” and then she was whisked down a nearby path.
Each step away from her dragonman only made Hayley more nervous. Because how would Nathan act now that they were back with his clan? Yes, he’d called her love and hugged her. But for all she knew, he’d close up again and the teasing, caring dragonman from the underground bunker system would disappear.
No.She had to believe he’d shown his true self and meant it about wanting her, no matter where they were.
Although her stomach would never settle until she was alone with him again.
Chapter Twenty
As Hayley was led away, both man and beast wanted to go after her, hold her close, and take care of her.
Dr. Sid’s bemused voice interrupted his thoughts. “She’ll be fine, Nathan. No one is going to steal her away from you in the next few hours.”
He grunted, but never took his gaze from Hayley’s retreating form. “I’m fine and wish you’d stop fussing.”
The doctor sighed. “You have bruised ribs on one side, hands rubbed raw from the rope, and who the bloody hell knows what else.”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
She poked him on purpose, and he grunted. “I thought so.” Her voice softened a fraction. “I also need to ensure you don’t have any internal injuries, which means going to the surgery.” He started to protest, but she beat him to it. “You can’t protect her if you die, Nathan. So let me keep you alive.”
His dragon spoke up.She’s right. I don’t like it either, but we hid how much pain we’re in from Hayley. It’d be nice to get patched up.
As Dr. Sid continued her examination, softly tapping and poking his middle, pain raced through his body and he sucked in a breath.
“That does it. You’re coming to the surgery with me, even if I have to get some of the males to carry you.”
His cousin, Luke, appeared at his side. “I can look after Hayley, if you want.”
He winked, and Nathan narrowed his eyes. “She’s mine, arsehole.”
“No, really? I never would’ve guessed,” Luke drawled.
Sid snapped her fingers. “Don’t tease him right now, Luke. If my guess is correct, Nathan will take care of any perceived threats to Hayley, even you. Because she’s his true mate.”
Nathan’s gaze shot to Dr. Sid. “How the bloody hell did you figure that out?”
“I’m a doctor. I notice things.” She gestured for him to stand. “Now, come on. I need to determine if you have any internal injuries.”
Bram joined their little group. “Go with Sid, Nathan. If you have to stay at the surgery for more than a few hours, I’ll bring Hayley to you. The three of us need to have a chat, at any rate, and the sooner the better.”
He studied his clan leader. But as cordial and friendly as Bram could be most of the time, right now he looked like the formidable dragon clan leader he was.
His dragon also recognized their leader as being higher in the dominance scale and said,Just do as he says. The clan will protect Hayley with their lives, if it comes to it.
I still don’t like it.
You asked her to trust us. Now we need to do the same with her.
He mentally sighed.I hate when you’re right.
Which is most of the time, so you must always hate me.
Ignoring his beast, he nodded at Bram and Dr. Sid. “I’ll go. But let’s make it quick. Hayley and I have loads of questions and desperately need some answers.”
The doctor asked, “Can you walk, or do you need to be carried on a stretcher?”
“I can bloody well walk.”
