Page 7 of Hidden Fate

The moment they noticed Thorn and me, shock registered on Elliott’s face. His steel blue eyes widened as we landed in front of them. Thorn released Peter, who fell with a loud thud.

Peter winced and groaned as he reached behind to rub his tailbone.

“What thehell?” Elliott asked as he stalked to his father. “You ran away without bothering to tell yourkids?”

Hissing, Peter jerked his head up. “Yes, I did. Because mykidsare fine hanging around with fire-breathing dragons who knock out their only living parent!”

Elliott shrugged. “Can you blame us? If Thorn had tied you to that chairandknocked you out, you wouldn’t have gotten away. If you’re going to get mad at anyone, get mad at yourself. It’s not our fault you’re more pleasant when you’re unconscious.”

Your brother is strange, but he’s growing on me,Thorn connected as he moved to stand beside me.

Brushing a loose strand of her dark brown hair from her face, Eva huffed. “El, I’m not sure you’re helping.”

Seeing them standing side by side in the sunlight reminded me of how similar they looked. The same shade of eyes and hair, the same nose and mouth, and the same fair skin tone. The only differences were that Elliott was taller and his hair was cut much shorter but long enough for his bangs to hang permanently in his eyes.

“Me?” Elliott puffed his chest. “I’m not the idiot who ran away, thinking I could get past badass dragons.” His attention flicked to Thorn, and he rubbed his hands together. “Though that’s about to change, since I’m ready to be one myself.”

I sighed, and the sound was more dramatic in dragon form. We’d promised that Thorn would change him when we got back. We had a lot more problems now than when we’d left, so I’d completely forgotten.

Is he expecting me to do it now?Thorn connected, humor and annoyance washing away some of his anger.While in dragon form and with Peter sitting right in front of me after he tried to escape?

Yes.My brother had a one-track mind that I firmly blamed on video games. He couldn’t focus on anything other than what he wanted most in the moment, and right now, that was to become one of us. His need for instant gratification was why I’d forced him to take a few days to think about it.

The sounds of human footsteps caught my attention, and I glanced over my shoulder to find Saphira, Cassidy, Vlad, and Errol approaching. The others must still be shifting, but these four would want to know what was going on.

Vlad took in Peter as he slowly climbed to his feet, and then he looked at Thorn and me. “What happened?”

“Dear old Dad tried to run away.” Elliott rolled his eyes. “I should’ve known he didn’t actually want to watch Eva and me play video games. He’s never wanted to before.”

“You get engrossed in them.” Peter scowled. “Both of you.”

At least he hadn’t done something horrible to them, such as knock them out, like I’d feared.

“You two go ahead and shift.” Cassidy gestured toward the tree line where we’d shifted earlier. Our clothes would still be there. “We’ll keep an eye on him.”

Errol headed to the front door and glanced back. “I’ll grab Sol, Theron, and Hydra some clothes while you three handle this.”

“Maybe we could do more than just watch Peter.” Saphira smacked the back of her hand against her palm. “I could do what Thorn’s had the pleasure of doing several times now.”

Peter grimaced. “My head just stopped hurting a few days ago. No need to knock me out again.”

“Oh, but I think there is.” She grinned, showing every one of her teeth. Saphira was a gorgeous and scary woman, and I loved seeing Peter shiver underneath her gaze.

Come on, Ev,Thorn connected, his wing brushing mine.

My head spun as our fated-mate bond thrummed between us. The bond was intense in both forms since we were two parts of the same soul.

As we headed for the trees, Brenton and Tyson stepped from between a red cedar and a sweetgum. My talons almost gave out when I saw that the younger dragon shifter was awake. His warm olive eyes locked on me, and he slurred faintly, “I heard that you picked up my ass and got me away from Drake.” Dark circles lined his eyes, showing that the tranq was still affecting him.

My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected a thank you. I would have done that for anyone because it was therightthing to do. The fact that I liked him had made the risk more worth it. I blew out a breath, seeing as I couldn’t speak in this form.

Brenton beamed, his emerald irises sparkling. “Come on, son. Let’s go get you something to eat and drink to help you recover from the tranquilizer.”

Thorn and I flew over the trees a little ways to where we’d left our clothes. We landed and pulled back our dragons, and I heard Errol giving Theron, Hydra, and Sol their clothes.

As soon as Thorn and I were dressed, he pulled me into his hard chest. His lips were on my neck, and he breathed me in deeply. My temperature rose.

I spun around in his arms and stared into his face.Are you okay?

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