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George looked away.
He'd failed his son just as much as his daughter.
Tristan growled. "If you're going to leave again, then just do it. The longer you stay, the more Arabella will get her hopes up. And while Finn is her mate and can protect her with most things, I will protect her from you, if need be."
Silence fell. George had no defense.
Maybe it would be better if he left.
His dragon did speak up. Our grandchildren.
Before he could decide whether to reply to his beast or not, another knock sounded. From the corner of his eye, George saw a human male in his sixties enter. George had seen him once before, but didn't recall his name.
The male spoke with a Scottish accent. "Tristan, leave us be."
"You're human, Ross. It's not a smart idea to be left alone with George. In a physical fight, he'd still win."
"I know what I'm doing, lad. Leave us."
Tristan didn't move. After a few beats, he sighed. "It seems like our clans are full of stubborn humans these days. But I'll be right outside the door. That's not up for negotiation."
Tristan left and the human male spoke again. "I'm not scary, George. At least look at me, aye? I'm a wee bit more interesting than the floor."
Out of curiosity, he glanced at the smiling male. The human was entirely too cheerful for George's liking.
Not that he had a chance to say anything, even if he wanted. Ross sat next to him on the bed and continued. "You don't know me, but we have something in common, you and me. My wife was murdered as well."
That piqued George's curiosity. "But I saw you with her a few days ago."
"No, that's my second wife, Lorna. I lost my first wife, Anne, many years ago. She was murdered by a stalker."
"That's not the same at all," he bit out.
Ross raised his brows. "How so? She reported the stalker, but the police did nothing. I could've moved away, and I didn't. For the longest time, I blamed myself." Ross fell quiet for a few beats before adding, "It took loving Lorna to realize there was little I could've done. From everything I've heard about your wife, there's little you could've done yourself. She was flying with Arabella to a hunting site, aye? And the hunters attacked them en route."
At Ross's words, George closed his eyes. He'd imagined the situation a thousand times, and each time he wanted to rip his heart out of his chest if it meant he could switch places with Jocelyn.
He finally replied, "Even if both of us couldn't have prevented what happened to our females, what I did afterward was worse."
Ross looked away and clasped his hands together. "Staying after my wife's death wasn't easy. But even so, there's something you're overlooking."
The human's confidence sparked irritation inside of him. "And that is?"
Meeting his eyes, Ross stated, "You stayed until Arabella pulled through. I'm not a doctor, but I bet that saved her life. So, aye, running away was shameful. But at least you helped your daughter when she needed it most. She is here today partly because of you, and not just because you shagged her mother, either."
The human was strange, and George ignored his reference to Arabella's conception. "It's not that simple. My son told me how Ara suffered for nearly a decade afterward. My running away played a big part of that."
"Perhaps. But you're here now, staying in your daughter's house. Ara used to be a lonely lass, but she has more love and family than ever before. However, I'm of the opinion that she could always use a wee bit more, especially from a father she assumed was dead." Ross stood. "If you ever need to talk and sort out yourself regarding what happened to your mate, come find me. However, only you can find the will to live and start over with your children. The question is whether you want to forever punish yourself and deny your grandchildren a relationship, or are you going to face your fears and guilt to maybe have love in your life again. The choice is up to you."
With that, Ross left the room.
As George sat alone on his bed, a flicker of hope flashed in his chest. Ross could be talking out of his arse, but George's gut said he wasn't.
Although why a human Scot would care about his happiness, George had no idea.
His dragon whispered, You've forgotten, but I haven't. It was like this many years ago on Stonefire.
George knew full well he didn't have the strength to face everyone on Stonefire.
