The questions loomed In his mind:What will I do if I locate Morlie in this mass of scales?
Get our mate.
His wolf didn’t hesitate.The beast was very clear about what it wanted.
Chanin wanted the same thing.However, what the man knew compared to the wolf was the situation had to do with diplomacy.Tact.Deep within Chanin’s core, he yearned for his mate.He desired to have her in his arms and have more than a small taste of her skin.He wanted to sink his dick and fangs into her at the same time.He’d try to make Morlie his mate in every way.
But, if he charged into Drahk territory without permission and laid claim to her, regardless of the fact everyone on the preternatural council knew she was his mate, the council wouldn’t view his actions well.He would expect everything from a confrontation with several dragon-shifters to a face-to-face with Aodh.
Chanin didn’t fear clashing with Aodh because they were both solid and competent leaders who didn’t give over to unbridled anger unless provoked.Nor was he afraid of facing off with a dragon because he was faster and vicious enough to hold his own, but without a couple more packmates at his side, he wouldn’t be able to beat a mammoth beast.The power of their wolves’ jaws and the sharpness of their teeth made their species the only ones able to take down a dragon if the scaly beast didn’t take flight or assault them with fire first.
Creating a conflict was not why he was there that day, but if he laid eyes on Morlie, Chanin wasn’t responsible for what he would do.
~YH~
“Never has a day taken so much out of me.”Kai dragged through the door and headed toward the steps leading up.They appeared like the stairway to heaven to her.Every cell in her body was exhausted.She felt like every step required so much effort she wanted to groan.The giant-size steps didn’t help.
“The walk was nice.Thank you.”Morlie paced herself up the stairs, matching Kai’s.
Kai glanced at her sister.“It was a great afternoon.I feel a little guilty watching the Drahks work so hard and go about their day getting things done, and I’m not contributing.”
Morlie frowned.“Everything they do seems to take so much strength...even Eilidh can sling a boulder without breaking a sweat.”
“True.”Kai continued up the last few steps.“But I am not used to being idle, you know that.”
Her sister nodded.“I do.You have worked hard for years in collections and caring for me and our parents.You deserve a little time to rest.”Morlie faced her.“Did Aodh say something to you about working?”
She shook her head.“No.The opposite.He wants me to eat and sleep.”
Morlie tipped her head to the left and stared at her.“Sleep and eat?Well...I can understand the eating.Honestly, I feel hungry a lot lately.You think it’s because we lacked food for so long?”
“That probably has a lot to do with your increase in appetite.”Kai noticed that her sister was enthusiastic when it came to eating.Not just when Tana brought them food, but when Kai had asked her to stop by the gallery kitchen for a snack before they went on their walk, her sister agreed eagerly.Morlie had eaten the food Tana brought out to their table with as much enthusiasm as Kai had.
Kai was happy to see her sister looking so healthy that she had regained her desire for substance.She knew why she was so hungry, and it gnawed at her heart that she had not told Morlie.It was past time she did so.
“I require a nap.And I know Eilidh asked you to join her and her friends tonight, but do you mind if we sit here for a second?”
“Sure.”Morlie lowered herself to the top step but shifted so her back was against the railing wall, leaving ample space for Kai to sit.
Exhaling, Kai sat and mirrored her sister’s position along the opposite wall.Kai glanced at the open door in the fading sunlight as she bit into the side of her bottom lip and tried to formulate the right words.
“Everything alright, sissy?”Morlie lifted her hand and rubbed their mother’s ring around her neck.
Parents.
“Yes.Things are perfect for me.”Kai smiled, hoping to reassure her sister.
A shadow moved through her sister’s eyes, eyes that looked so much like their mom’s.It made the ache in Kai’s chest tighten around her heart.She felt like an idiot for speaking with such bliss when Morlie was in such a fissure in her life.From sickness to wellness to discovering herself bonded to a stranger because of a marking placed on her without her consent.
How can I be so insensitive?How can I tell her about the baby?
It was the same war that had been waging inside her all day.Part of her mind said it wasn’t fair to Morlie to heap another piece of coal on the fire of happiness and force her sister to watch the beautiful blaze.In contrast, Morlie had nothing but uncertainty.
Then, the part of her mind recalled the issue between her and her sister regarding Morlie’s age.Kai wasn’t trying to go backward with Morlie.
“Sissy?Kai?”Morlie placed a hand on her knee and drew her attention.
Shifting her gaze from the view, she looked at her sister.“Morlie, I’m pregnant.”
