“We’ve got all the time we need, Dad,” Chiara said. “I promise. And I’m never going to leave again. Everything will be all right now, you’ll see.”
As if on command, Gregory approached and landed, his eyes going from Chiara’s father to the wrapped-up feather in Jared’s hand.
As soon as he shifted back into his human form, Chiara’s dad flinched. “Where the hell did you come from?” he demanded. “What is this place?”
“I am Gregory Drago, the storm dragon.” Gregory bowed. “Welcome to my home. Welcome to Mountain View.”
“Dragon, huh?” Her father didn’t look at all convinced, but Gregory didn’t seem fazed by that.
Instead, Gregory reached out to shake his hand. “Now you may see me when I shift,” he said earnestly. “Welcome to the family.”
“Dragons and griffins and werewolves,” her father muttered, looking around in obvious confusion. “I’m not sure I’m made for this...”
“Give it time,” Chiara said, winding her arms around his. “Let’s get you some coffee, Dad. I’ll make pancakes, the way I used to. You remember that?”
His eyes softened. “I remember,” he murmured. “The best pancakes I’ve ever had.”
As they turned towards the house, Gregory suddenly stiffened. For a moment, there was such panic in his eyes that Jared hastily moved forward, energy prickling along his skin as he got ready to shift to defend his mate and her father.
Then Gregory gasped, and his eyes went wide. “It’s Naomi!”
“Is everything okay?” Jared demanded. “Did the firebird scare her?”
“No, it’s not that.” For a moment, Gregory stood motionless, his eyes on his mansion that overlooked the valley on the other side of the town. His eyes were dazed. “It’s—it’s the baby!”
“Is everything all right with Naomi?” Chiara asked worriedly. “What happened?”
“It’s—it’s coming! The baby’s coming!” Gregory’s mouth snapped shut. All around them, the wind picked up, leaves and petals whirling through the air as Gregory’s element broke free.
A second later, without another word, Gregory shifted, the powerful, silvery body of his dragon hastily rushing back towards his mate.
“Fuck me,” Chiara’s dad murmured, staring open-mouthed at the storm dragon. “It’s real. It’s really real!”
“It’s all real,” Chiara said, her own eyes lingering on the house where Naomi was waiting for her mate.
Jared moved to her side, and as he wrapped his arm around her, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
Soon, there would be another dragon in Mountain View.
And maybe, this time next year, it would be joined by a tiny griffin...
Epilogue: Chiara
They weren’t quite finished with redecorating the house yet, but they’d decided that the second floor could wait for a few more months.
After all, there were more important things in life than picking new colors for the guest rooms.
Like turning the generously sized but terribly boring living room from something that looked like a sterile hotel lobby into a warm, inviting place. It had been one of the first rooms they’d tackled, and they’d already spent countless evenings in it, catching up with Jared’s parents and Chiara’s dad.
And today—today, their remodeling of the house would have its reward.
Pleased, Chiara looked around. Everything looked perfect—but not like it had come straight out of a magazine selling overpriced high-rise apartments to people who’d never even use them.
They’d gone with a warm color scheme to go with the lovely hardwood floor. Instead of pristine furniture that was all glass and steel and chrome, they’d gone with wood painted white, and large, comfy sofas in a light shade of cream.
Paired with the huge windows, the room was filled by light now—and not just because it seemed that wherever they went, the light followed them.
The new centerpiece was a golden statue of a griffin, perching on a marble plinth. It had been a gift from Jared’s parents.