Hidden Fate

22

“It is.” Mikah hurried next to me to stand before his parents and pulled the blanket down from the sweet baby’s face. “I’d like for you two to meet your grandson, Thorn.”

My heart ached with such happiness. My attention drifted to my mate, whose mouth had dropped open. He moved toward the hallway, his arms wrapped around his body as a mixture of emotions swirled through him. You’re right. My magic can be used for good. It can be used to help people instead of hurting them.

A sob built in my chest, but not from sadness. I was so damn glad he was finally seeing himself in a different light.

Vlad and Theron were right behind him, and Saphira remained in place. The corners of her mouth tipped upward as she rocked back on her heels. “Seriously, you’re going to give the guy a big head, and it doesn’t need to get any bigger.”

I gave her a look of warning as I watched my mate experience something unique.

“You don’t have to name him that.” Thorn’s voice was deep and emotional.

“I know we don’t.” Mikah stared at his son in his arms. “But we want to. My wife and child wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you and Everly. It was a no-brainer which name to choose when we realized he was a boy. Emily and I agreed it would be one of your names for doing what you did for us, especially when you didn't have to.”

“Hey!” Saphira winked. “I held one of her legs, so you should’ve considered naming the baby Saphira, even for a moment.”

Everyone chuckled, and for an instant, Thorn and I felt content…as if we truly belonged.

Then Theron cleared his throat. “I hate to ruin this, but our group should get going. The sun is rising, and we need to get back to the others so we can head out.”

That reminder had my stomach hardening. Even when we felt like we belonged, we didn’t. Not only that, but the warriors could show up at any time without any notice.

Vlad nodded. “Congratulations on your new addition. Having a child, especially now, is truly a gift.”

“It’ll be best for Emily to shift into her dragon when she can,” I said. I remembered how disconnected I’d been with my dragon until we’d merged. “She shouldn’t rush it, but if she starts feeling antsy, that will help her connect with her dragon.”

Come on, babe. Thorn reached a hand toward me, waiting for me on the steps.

“Let me go check on Emily one last time.” I pivoted back to the room. “I just need a sec.” I quietly opened the bedroom door and heard that Emily’s heartbeat was stronger. She was asleep, lying on the bed with a fresh, clean white comforter surrounding her. She was going to be fine.

I shut the door again and made my way to my mate. As we got ready to leave, Mikah, baby Thorn, Katla, and Volos sat on the couch in the living room.

When I took Thorn’s hand, Edna said, “Don’t leave. Head back to the house and stay. After what you’ve done for us, that’s the least we can do to repay you.”

Hope sprang to life in my chest. We didn’t have anywhere to go. Allowing us to stay would help us more than she realized.

“Are you sure?” Theron asked carefully. “We don’t want you to do something you aren’t comfortable with.”

“Not only that, but the later we leave, the more thunder members will see us.” Vlad chewed on his lip. “We can’t risk word getting back to Drake and the warriors.”

“No one should be up if you leave now, but that will change soon.” Edna patted Theron’s arm. “But after we learned what happened to your thunder, no one will be tempted to say anything. We don’t want the warriors here. Though most people know we have a safe house, they have no clue where it is. I did tell them it exists because fear for Mindy and two older couples was taking hold of our thunder. When I confirmed we had a backup in place, some semblance of control replaced the fear. They won’t risk our thunder, not after Mikah, Mindy, and I tell them everything you’ve done. They’ll want you to stay, and it’s my call.”

“And we’ll back them.” Katla now had the baby in her arms. “I’m so sorry for the way we reacted. But Mikah, Mindy, and Edna wouldn’t lie, and because of you, we have a grandbaby.”

Vlad and Thorn looked at each other, uncertainty lining their faces.

“If anything seems off, I’ll let you know.” Edna placed a hand on her heart. “Please trust me like I trusted your group when I opened our safe house to you.”

She had us there. Though she trusted Theron, we could’ve been forcing him to use his resources. Having us here was a leap of faith.

I think we should trust her, I connected with Thorn. I believe she would tell us if something didn’t seem right. Besides, can we risk not having a safe place to stay? Leaving could be worse.

Thorn pursed his lips. “Okay. But if even one person isn’t behind it…”

“We’ll let you know.” Edna crossed her heart. “I promise. Our community is tight, and I can read my people. I just need to sleep after being up all night. Then I’ll talk to them before bringing over the couples and Mindy to stay with you.”

The house would be full, but it was worth the crowd if we got to stay. I smiled. “Thank you.”

“Now go on, before more people get up.” Edna pointed at the front door. “I’ll visit you later, after the conversation happens.”

That was all we needed.

As we walked down the stairs, Mikah popped up, looking over the banister. “Thank you all again. It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“You’re welcome,” Thorn growled, though surprise swirled between us as we hurried outside and climbed back into the truck.

As soon as the truck pulled away from the neighborhood, my eyelids grew heavy. I laid my head on Thorn’s shoulder, and he wrapped his muscular arm around me. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sounds of his breath and heartbeat while his scent hung around me.

You know…after we handle Drake and save our people, maybe you and I can live near your university so you can get back to school and become a doctor. Watching you tonight was damn sexy, and you made me so proud. His fingers stroked my arm, and both my skin and heart tingled.