Theo
Everyone in the room stared at Gemma and Theo standing beside Ivan, holding hands.
The baby that Gemma was carrying was proof they were true mates. Anyone who had any doubts because of Phoebe’s claims were now convinced.
“Now, we have another matter to settle before our celebration can begin. Phoebe has been petitioning to become a member of the elder council. I wish to address that issue at this time,” Ivan said. The tone of his voice changed. Before, he was happy, but now he sounded very official and grave.
However, Phoebe completely missed the entire change in mood. She happily moved toward Ivan and the other council members, as she thought she had been accepted.
Ivan turned toward her. “This war with the wolves happened because their chief sought to be powerful. He wanted everyone to think of him as a god. That type of power corrupted the entire pack and cost many lives. That is a great lesson here. You do not seek a position on the council for the betterment of the dragon shifters. You only seek to increase your own personal power. For that reason, your petition to join the elder council is denied for eternity.”
Hushed whispers broke out in the crowd of people. Usually, such words are not said in public. Those types of censures were kept private.
Ivan held up his hand and waited for everyone to quiet down.
“Furthermore, I have learned something of interest while having a conversation with the current leader of the wolf shifter clan,” he said.
At these words, Phoebe’s face paled, and she swayed on her feet as though she was going to faint.
“He told me a member of our clan had contacted him about the whereabouts of their white wolf. This individual claimed the mating between the wolf and her dragon shifter was just a fake, so the dragon shifters would be forced to protect her. However, this member told the wolf that they would not protect her when the dragons discovered the truth. In addition, this dragon shifter told the wolves that the best way to capture the white wolf was to take someone she cared about as hostage.”
After taking a deep breath and calming himself, Ivan continued. “This kind of behavior would never be tolerated among our people. This kind of betrayal is abhorrent to our customs and values. It is made even worse because the only reason this occurred was because the traitor wanted power. And with Gemma out of the way, she thought power would be hers,” Ivan said, his voice rising in anger.
He turned to the ghost-white woman whose arms were held by two of the members of the security team.
“Phoebe, as your punishment, you will serve two years in our jail. Afterward, you are to be exiled from our clan. We cannot tolerate this type of treachery among us,” Ivan declared, his voice harsh.
He nodded to the security guards, who pulled a screaming, kicking Phoebe through the crowd, and out of the room.
Once she was gone, everyone turned back to Ivan.
“Now, my friends. We celebrate the great news we have received,” Ivan decreed.
The ugliness associated with Phoebe was quickly put behind them as the dragon shifters began to celebrate the peace and the new member of their clan, who would be arriving soon. Gemma was congratulated by everyone, including Madeline.
Theo found Gemma in the rose garden a few days later, cleaning out the weeds, tearing out the dead plants, and planting new ones.
He sat beside her on the ground and said, “You know. We’ve never had a formal date. I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me?”
“Hmm, let me think about it,” Gemma said. “Would it involve high speed chases, NASCAR, old warehouses, or the mall?”
“I’m afraid not unless that is what you are really into,” Theo answered, laughing.
“Then I would love to go on a date with you,” she replied.
Theo pulled her on his lap and kissed her, making them both forget about dirt, flowers, and weeds.
“I’ll be back later to get you. I have a few things I need to take care of,” Theo said and winked at her as he left.
Gemma thought he had been so sexy and handsome before. Now that he had realized they were mates and that he was going to be a father, all of the stress, guilt, and self-loathing had been shed from him like old dead scales. He looked a hundred years younger and was even sexier than he had been before.
When the sun began to set, and the moon was about to show her beautiful face to the world, Gemma went inside to get ready. After she showered, she pulled on a white lacy blouse and a pair of jeans. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and put in a pair of jade earrings that matched the jade dragon necklace she never took off.
Theo arrived just as she was heading down the stairs.
He took her to a yacht where the servers were just setting out dinner with sparkling glasses of grape juice.
They ate, and then Theo said, “Gemma, I’ve been meaning to ask you a question.”
“Uh-oh. What is that?”
He pulled a box out of his pocket and opened it. A diamond was set in a gold band. On one side was a tiny wolf etched into the gold. On the other side, a dragon.
Theo got down on one knee in front of Gemma and held out the ring.
“Gemma – my love. Will you marry me?” he asked.
She smiled widely, her heart flip-flopping and her stomach exploding with dancing butterflies.
“Of course,” she said.
