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And if Finn and the others helped him, he could still work on fulfilling his vow while not throwing away his possible second chance at happiness.
His heart squeezed. Fuck, it was harder to take the leap than he wanted. And yet, he wanted to. Oh, how he wanted to.
Squatting back down, Finn gently squeezed his shoulder. "I vow we'll help you with your mission, Alistair. With two, or more, clans working together, we'll get it solved a hell of a lot quicker. Right now, I'm more concerned about the fate of one of my clan members. I won't ask again, so here's my last time: Do you want Kiyana as your mate?"
Maybe he should've anguished longer, hesitated, and wrung his hands. But with the weight lifted from his shoulder a little—Finn always followed through on his promises—Alistair nodded. "Aye, I think I do."
"Right, then we need to take care of this soon. Layla will help you as much as she can in containing the mate-claim frenzy until you're ready." Layla nodded and Finn added, "Ara and I will keep Kiyana at our cottage for the night. Tomorrow morning, I expect you to show up early and be ready to explain yourself to the only person it matters—Kiyana."
"Aye, I'll be there," he stated.
"Good. Then I'm going home. I won't contact the other clans for help until we talk a bit more in depth about all of this. But I will help you any way I can, I promise."
"I know you will, Finn."
Finn gave him one last long look and then left him alone with the clan doctor.
As Layla asked him questions and explained how they’d keep his dragon silent, he barely paid attention. His mind whirred with his decision and what it meant for the future.
Even though he wanted to jump right into the sudden change in his life, it wouldn't be easy. While he'd apologize first, Kiyana would want the full truth.
And even if it tore open his heart to bring up the past and answer her questions, he would do it. Otherwise he may end up alone and never have a chance with the human female.
A few weeks ago, that wouldn't have bothered him. But now, knowing there was a chance to have the life he'd once dreamed of, he didn't want to end up alone. His dragon deserved better, and maybe one day, he'd forgive himself for not fulfilling the vow himself and accept he did, too.
Chapter Six
At some point, Kiyana had fallen asleep out of exhaustion. So when she woke up in a strange room, it took her a second to remember everything that had happened.
But as her eyes fell on a portrait of Finn and Arabella's three children, it all came crashing back.
The kiss with Alistair, his refusal, and her staying with Lochguard's leaders.
She wanted to focus on the rational side of it all. After all, few humans experienced even the beginnings of a mate-claim frenzy with a dragon-shifter. That was something she could maybe write about one day, interview others who'd gone through it, and put together a full picture.
And yet, her usual zeal for research didn't rush forth.
Maybe if it'd ended differently—who could turn down hot, dirty sex with a dragonman?—she would be smiling and thinking of who to talk to or what information she needed to form a proper thesis. Something along the lines of how mate-claim frenzies worked, if they produced happy marriages, and so much more.
However, it ha
dn't ended with sex and bliss the evening before. Alistair had pushed her away even when she agreed to it, and she'd suggested it not out of academic curiosity, either. No, Alistair Boyd had a pull over her she'd never felt before. Almost as if she learned more about him and discovered his secrets, she might fall in love with him.
Not that it mattered.
While she didn't think she could ask for a reassignment, Kiyana would just have to find a way to stay as far away from Alistair as possible.
Which meant she needed to get up and talk with Finn and Arabella. If she was to continue her job, she would need their help.
However, forcing herself out of bed wasn't easy. She'd much prefer to stare out the window for a while, thinking of nothing and everything.
Of course a baby growled and something scuttled past her door. Arabella's voice was gentle yet firm. "Freya Jocelyn Anne Stewart, get back here right now."
Another growl, louder this time, came through the door. Unable to ignore her curiosity, Kiyana tiptoed quietly to the door and cracked it open.
Her jaw promptly fell open. A tiny golden dragon stood at the end of the corridor, in front of a window with her wings outstretched.
I thought dragons didn't shift until they were older. Glued to the spot, Kiyana watched as Arabella inched forward. "You know jumping out of the window isn't safe and you can only do it when Daddy is waiting for you below. Since Daddy is busy right now, you can't jump out of the window."
