Page 17 of The Dragons’ Eternal Mate

“I think a small degree of that is understandable, considering who you were raised by.” I shot him a look, and we both sighed through a sarcastic scoff.

But Bastian shook his head after a moment. “I am nothing like him. I allowed his attitude to rub off on me. It didn’t hit me until recently just how bad it had gotten. I wanted to please that man, but he’s willing to hurt people to get what he wants. I can’t—won’t—be like that.”

“I imagine it was quite the shock.” I picked up my soup, blowing across the surface and then taking a sip. It was so simple, but the taste was exactly how I remembered. That familiar comfort warmed me inside and out. I quickly dunked the sandwich into the soup, embracing the simple joy of what Bastian had made for me.

He snorted. “It was… like the ground had been ripped out from under me, and I landed on broken glass. All I can do is try to fix it, though. It’s the best I can do to show the horde that I’m not like him, that I would never hurt them like he did.”

Silence surrounded us again, mainly because I was feasting on the grilled cheese and soup, devouring them. I didn’t realize how hungry I was, and when I picked up the mug to have another sip, it was empty.

“There’s more in the pot. Hold on.”

I smiled when Bastian stood, taking my mug and refilling it for me. My stomach didn’t feel hollow, which was something after surviving on protein bars and water for a few days now.

As Bastian walked back over to me, I asked what’d been lingering in my head. “How do you want to go about fixing things with the horde? I have confidence that you can, but you should know that it’s going to be a lot. He’s done so much harm.”

Bastian placed the mug of soup in front of me again and took the empty plate, sinking into the dining chair once more.

“I’m going to be a better Alpha than my father. I’m going to listen and take responsibility. I’m going to divide the power the way I should have long ago.”

I couldn’t help but snort. “You’re aware that the bar is extremely low. All you need to remember is not to try to murder people. And look at that. Oh my God, you’re way better!”

Playfully shoving me, Bastian narrowed his eyes. “And I’m going to listen to you. You’ve been a threat to my father since we met. I think it’s because he knew—maybe in the back of his head—that you were going to change me, make me better, less… restrictive, less set on keeping everything the way it was.”

My mouth dropped open, and I stared at him for a moment. Still, a smile slowly spread across my face, because I could really see that Bastian was trying. He had good intentions, and he was willing to listen. That spoke volumes. The sincerity in his expression made my insides feel… mushy? It was hard to put my finger on it.

“Well, keep up stuff like this”—I gestured between us, still grinning at him—“and I think you’ll be on the right path.”

He nodded, looking me dead in the eyes, his hand reaching out to rest over the one of mine that was on the table. “If I’m walking beside you, I know I am.”

Bastian

“There is no way your father would do something like that!” Eric insisted. He was an older dragon, around the same age as my father, and I was willing to bet money on them having been friends in their youth. They were both the same level of exhausting.

News of the scout’s visit had spread around the horde, and several dragons had congregated in the dining hall. It seemed that I couldn’t be allowed to enjoy a sandwich with Rowan for longer than a few moments. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to snap at him.

It had been two days since I had fed Rowan and insisted she get some rest. Since then, I had made it my personal mission to ensure she was well fed. While I wasn’t a brilliant cook, I excelled at grilled cheese and simple pasta dishes. Her focus was Ma, my focus was my mate.

My clan and I were all sitting around one table, Rowan in one of the chairs, Orsen sitting on the table itself with Nix standing next to him, Greylen and I also seated.

“Cyrus has betrayed this horde,” Orsen growled, shaking his head. “You all know what happened to Ma!”

A few dragons muttered. Most of them were deeply upset by her attack, as they should be, but too many were willing to look past it for some reason. As if that alone wasn’t a deal-breaker.

“How do we know what he did wasn’t an accident? He could have been going after someone else. Reports say Ma stood in the way. Alpha Cyrus hasn’t been allowed to give his side.”

My stomach turned. Did they really think that mattered? Going after someone else was just as fucking bad.

“He hasn’t been able to tell us his side of things because he fled like a guilty coward,” Nix pointed out. “Innocent people don’t flee with their tails between their legs.”

Eric grimaced, and I offered Nix a discreet nod.

“He was our Alpha. We need to hear him out!” someone shouted.

No, I’m done with this shit.

Griffin had been doing a damn good job keeping those who were voicing their dissent away while Rowan treated Ma, but after the scout’s visit, even he couldn’t keep them at bay.

My hands balled into fists. I wanted nothing more than to put my foot down and scream at these people, to remind them that I was the Alpha, but that would make me no better than my father.