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“Sebastian made sure the clan thrived through smart and honest business practices,” he’d said. “And I’ve made a vow to continue that legacy, no matter how challenging it may prove.”
“I have complete faith in you.” Immense pride swelled for the man I loved. “You're strong, determined, and fiercely protective of those you care about. You’re the alpha this clan needs, Evan. It will continue to thrive under your leadership.” He’d wrapped his arms around me tighter, and we’d fallen asleep in each other's embrace.
I managed to finish my assigned reading in time to go help Abi with dinner. When I headed down to the kitchen, I found her already getting to work on the big family meal. Lucas and Cynthia were now back home for good, and we all had dinner together each night as a family. It’d come to be a routine that meant something to all of us, and a way to strengthen our bonds.
“I must have slept wrong,” I told Abi while she was chopping vegetables at the island. I stretched, a sharp pain rippling down my spine. “I don't understand how dragon wings can cause so much pain when they haven’t even sprouted yet.”
I had yet to have my first shift, and my fangs had only appeared that one time during the claiming. I groaned as I grabbed a knife and began chopping.
Abi chuckled beside me. “Think of it like when Sofia’s teething. It's a sign that your wings are there just beneath the surface, maturing and getting ready to make their first appearance. As your dragon side becomes stronger and you learn to shift, the pain will become less noticeable and eventually fade altogether.”
I sure hoped that was the case. I hated the idea of feeling this pain for who knew how long. “So, what am I supposed to do about it in the meantime?”
“Take warm baths, use heating pads, anything to soothe the muscles around your wings. Evan should be helpful in that department.” Abi winked. “Most of all, be patient. Your body is adjusting to something completely new.”
That was the understatement of the year. Two months in, and I wasn’t used to any of it yet.
While I attempted to ignore the pain and keep chopping, my thoughts drifted to Jax, as they often did. We hadn't seen or heard from him since he left, and I was growing more and more worried. Evan had tried to assure me that Jax knew he was welcome here, that our home was open to him if he wanted, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn’t right, that he was out there feeling lost and alone.
“Abi, do you think Jax is okay?” I said.
“Physically, yes. I have no doubt Tomas would use it against us if he’d found Jax. But he’s been through a lot, Mariah,” Abi said gently. “He's a strong man, and I’m sure he'll come to us when he's ready. We have to give him time. He has healing of his own to do.”
“Time. Maybe you’re right, but it just feels like we're abandoning him when he needs people the most.”
“Sometimes people need space to figure things out for themselves.” Abi placed a hand on my shoulder. “Trust that Jax knows what he needs.”
As I soaked in the bath later that evening, I couldn't shake my unease over Jax, but I knew Abi was right. Jax was a grown man and would make his own decisions, but the thought of him out there alone weighed on my heart. He’d done so much for me, been a true friend, and risked his life countless times. More than anything, I hoped he’d make peace with the past and find his way back to us soon.
* * *
The morning sun streamed through the windows, beams of light casting a glow on Sofia as she crawled from one end of the family room to the other. I smiled when she reached up and swatted at one, trying to catch it in her chubby little hand. She explored her surroundings like a true adventurer, always curious. It seemed like just yesterday she was barely able to lift her head, and now she was into everything, her tiny hands grasping at whatever caught her attention. Before long, she’d be learning to walk, and her first birthday wasn’t too far away, either.
“Morning,” Abi called as she strolled into the room, a warm cup of tea in her hand. The early autumn days were growing shorter, the air finally cooling off from the intensity of the summer heat.
“Good morning to you.” I gave her a smile.
“Did you get that bath last night?”
“I did, and Evan came through with the massage.” Plus a whole lot more. My cheeks warmed, and Abi must have taken notice.
“You and Evan better be careful, or you'll have another little one crawling around before you know it,” she said, smiling before coming to sit beside me on the couch.
I chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear, but she made a good point. For the entirety of our relationship, Evan and I hadn’t had to worry about birth control, knowing I could never get pregnant as a human. But I wasn’t human any longer.
My hand came instinctively to my belly as I considered the possibility. Evan was too busy these days for us to think about a baby, much less have the conversation leading up to it. The fact that I could have children with him now filled me with so much joy, but I wasn’t sure we were ready, either.
I still hadn’t had my first shift, and I was having a harder time adjusting to everything than I think everyone had hoped. There were days when I fell apart completely, when I let myself think about what’d been done to me against my will, but they didn’t happen as often anymore. More often than not these days, I was just frustrated that I hadn’t been able to shift, even partially, since the night Evan claimed me. But he insisted there was no rush. We had plenty of time for everything. Our whole future was ahead of us.
“Don't jinx us, Abi. We've got enough on our plate as it is.” But as soon as the words left my mouth, something stirred within me. That’s when I realized this wasn’t the first time I’d felt something. Not movement, exactly, but different from the way my dragon moved around in my chest.
I bit my lip, doing some mental math. “Abi, does going through this change… becoming a dragon… cause you to miss periods?"
Concern was etched on her face. “Not that I’m aware of, no. I’ve never heard of that happening. Then again, you’re a special case here. The first human to be successfully changed.” She paused, eyes widening as she fully grasped the meaning of my question.
“Wait.” She sat up straight. “Do you think…?”
“I don't know,” I said, my hand shaking slightly where it rested on my lower belly. “Everything has been so chaotic lately, and I didn't even realize until now how long it’s been…”
