Page 28 of His Fate
Apparently they don't know Hank is a dragon. Which isn't too surprising considering the fact that he bears none of the traditional markings and is wheelchair bound. They would never suspect it and it is best for now they do not know.
"This here is Ron and Mary Caldwell."
"You own the cattle ranch outside of town?"
Ron nods as he bows in submission. "I do. My oldest boy works at Kady's as well."
I shake his hand. "We just placed a large order through your ranch and are very pleased with what we've received so far. I also know your son." I smirk a little as my eyes shift between Ron and Mary. "He is a bright young man but I believe my brothers and I terrify him."
"I bet!" Ron howls out a laugh that can only be wolf. "Ronny hasn't heard the call of the moon yet so he probably doesn't know what to make of you four."
Mary giggles as I shake her hand. "He'll learn." Then she nods toward a tall, lean man with dark hair. "This is my brother, Colt. We come from the Moon Goddess pack."
The introductions continue similarly.
Carol and Bill Higgins, owners of Wild Bill's and cheetah shifters.
Janet Spruce, town librarian and panther shifter.
Josh Adler, superintendent of the schools and kodiak shifter.
Sara and Robert White, owners of the local body shop, a wolf mated to a tiger.
And Harold Johnson, fire chief and lion shifter.
"Well shoot, I thought everybody was here." Jack says as he scratches his beard.
Kady pats him on the arm. "Will is on his way. Got tied up at the station."
He nods then looks at me. "Will is our chief of police. He and Harold are twins."
"Fascinating," Henrich says from my left. "As I understand it, twins born to shifters are rare, rarer still that they survive to adulthood."
I shoot him a look but Harold just laughs. "It is pretty uncommon but here we are. And you best believe after birthing us our mama, rest her soul, had no more cubs."
Everyone laughs, even my lips twitch, and conversation flows naturally as we head to the vast and heavily wooded backyard. We settle in and after a while Kady insists we eat, and I marvel at the “small barbecue” she modestly threw together.
There have to be at least seven cows, two pigs, and about a dozen chickens cooking over various fire pits, complete with gallons of potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, and about forty ears of corn on the cob. Not to mention enough pies and desserts to feed most of Ashland.
Kady definitely put on a spread fit for a house full of apex predators.
Explains why Jack is so happy and round.
Will Johnson eventually shows up carrying a briefcase. He's pleasant though much more gruff than Harold and seems to want to get down to business because as soon as the meal is cleaned up he takes a seat next to me and encourages everyone to gather.
"I'm not sure how much you know about Ashland but for a long time we had a much bigger population of shifters here." He sets his briefcase down between his feet and leans forward on his elbows, "Something about our little town drew us in and we had everything from birds to amphibians, small game to reptiles, big cats to wolves to bears and then some."
I quirk a brow and he nods.
"Only one dragon, until now."
That's what I thought. And thankfully, I don't have to be the one to betray Hank's secret because Jack pipes up.
"When'd we have a dragon before now?"
Will sighs. "Hank Timmons."
I watch the group's shocked expressions but settle on Janet, who is smiling to herself while fixing the hem of her blouse. Huh. She knew too and I have to wonder if there isn't something going on between her and my mate's father.
