Chapter One
Melanie Hall-MacLeod brushed the cheek of her five-month-old daughter, Annabel, one more time before looking up at her sister-in-law and saying, “Remember, she’ll only go to sleep if she has her stuffed green dinosaur. And Jack needs his baby blankie.”
Her sister-in-law, Arabella MacLeod, raised an eyebrow, which also raised the scar near her temple. “Have you temporarily forgotten the last five months? You know, when I was here at least three times a week helping out with the twins?”
Before Mel could reply, the third woman standing near the door, Evie Marshall, interjected, “Give her a break, Arabella. This is the first time she’ll be away from her babies for an entire night.”
Ara replied, “Yours and Bram’s cottage is a five-minute walk from here. We could probably hear Tristan if he shouted.”
Melanie was about to set them straight when she felt Tristan’s presence at her back before he rubbed up and down her arms. His touch soothed some of her tension and she leaned back against his muscled chest. His arms went around her and she let out a sigh. The world could be ending and Tristan’s touch would still ease her worries.
His deep voice rumbled, “If you two have everything you need, then maybe you should go.”
Evie raised an eyebrow. “You are aware that we’re watching your children for free, right?”
Tristan said, “And?”
Evie shook her head and Melanie jumped in, “Ignore him. We’re extremely grateful for you two volunteering to watch Jack and Annabel. I’ve spent every moment either taking care of them or finishing my book. A night off, despite my mother-half worrying, will hopefully refresh me for the shit storm to come after the book releases next week.”
Evie tilted her head. “I don’t know if it’ll be that bad, Mel. After all, the reception of the article about mine and Bram’s mating ceremony went well. Not one attack, and if anything, more people are ‘dragon watching’ more than ever before, hoping to catch a glimpse of a flying dragon.”
Mel leaned more against her mate’s chest. “A mating ceremony is one thing, but a book humanizing, for lack of a better word, the dragon-shifters is another. Doing that might push for equality, which many most definitely don’t want. Permanent change can be scary, especially if it involves giant dragons maybe moving into your neighborhood.”
Evie adjusted the sleeping Jack in her arms. “Nothing you’re doing is breaking the law. Besides, even if people become upset, you’re safe here. Bram would never allow anything to happen to you.” Tristan grunted and Evie rolled her eyes. “Or, I should say, Tristan won’t allow anything to happen to you.”
Mel sighed. “I know, but what happens if it fails? I’d one day like my children to be able to see their grandparents and uncle.”
Tristan squeezed her gently and said, “Soon, my little human. We’ll find a way.”
“I hope so,” Mel whispered. She’d been on Stonefire’s land for a little over a year. While phone calls and video chats helped, she missed her parents and younger brother so much it hurt.
Evie gave her a sympathetic look before straightening her shoulders. “Right, then, Arabella. Let’s leave the two lovebirds alone. I’m sure they have lots of catching up to do.”
Tristan said, “Yes, so only call if it’s an emergency. I plan to keep Melanie very, very busy.”
She elbowed her mate. “My definition of an emergency and Tristan’s vary. His involves blood and dying. Mine includes things like high fevers and uncontrollable crying. Call if you need anything.”
Arabella finally spoke up again. “If we don’t know how to handle something, Bram will.” Ara looked to Evie. “Let’s go before Melanie thinks of another reason to keep us here.”
Evie nodded. As the human woman and the dragonwoman walked away, Mel shouted, “Thank you! Remember to call!”
Evie raised a hand in acknowledgment. Soon, the two women disappeared behind a cottage.
She sighed. “I hope everything goes okay.”
“It will.”
Tristan walked them back a step inside their cottage and shut the door. Melanie turned in his arms. “You checked your phone, right? It’s fully charged?”
Tristan raised a hand to her cheek and brushed her skin with his fingers. “Yes, love. Fully charged, although Bram knows what he’s doing.”
She placed a hand on Tristan’s chest. “It’s just, with Jack and Annabel gone, it feels like a part of me left with them.”
One corner of Tristan’s mouth ticked up. “If you’re like this now, what are you going to do when they’re old enough to live on their own?”
Swatting his chest, she frowned. “That’s a surefire way to ease my worry. You’re the worst, Tristan MacLeod.”
He chuckled. “And yet you’re the one who agreed to be my mate.”
His gaze turned heated and Mel’s heart rate kicked up. “You have your moments.”
Leaning down, Tristan brushed his cheek against hers. “Then I’ll make sure this is one of them.”
As one of his hands rubbed down her back and rested on her ass, heat spread through her body. “You’re not even going to try to woo me first?”
He massaged her bum. The feel of his warm, strong hands molding and sculpting her flesh sent a jolt between her legs. With each squeeze, it became harder for Mel to stand upright.
Even after being mated a year, all her dragonman had to do was touch her and she turned wet and needy. Not that she would ever give in easily to him.