The Phoenix King's Forgotten Daughter

Chapter 9

We were finally able to go home around 3 that day. The doctor told me she wanted me to come see her after my first shift once we agreed we left. Owen drove his truck again and I was wearing some clothes from the pack. When we finally got home I went to bed still tired from my first attempted shift. Owen made me dinner and woke me up to eat in bed. I devoured the whole meal. Spaghetti in meat sauce with garlic toast and a side salad. His bear purred the whole time making sure I ate the whole thing.

The next week went by in a blur as I recovered and Owen prepared for winter. I nearly slept the whole time but I was becoming more functional every day. On the seventh day I was my normal self again. Helping Owen stack wood he chopped making lunch. Picking apples in the orchard Owen and his pa planted when we were young.

I saw a shadow cross overhead. A very large one. My whole body tingled. “Owen!” I shouted. The huge figure loomed over us. Descending upon us. Owen crashed through the surrounding trees panting. His heart was racing. He shivered and looked up. The dragon landed in the neighboring field where we grew wheat.

The dragon shifted and before us stood our mate. “Reed.” I held Owens hand as we walked toward the edge of our property. There was a crate half crushing some wheat. It has a rope tied to it and.the other half circles our mate. He turns his body covered by the wheat but completely naked. He looks around for us making eye contact.

“Mine.” Reed says as he walks toward us. Owen and I echo him and we all embrace.

“I never thought I'd be hugging a naked man in a wheat field,” Owen said out loud. I immediately laugh and Reed joins us.

“I have clothes in my crate,” Reed motions to it. He walks over to it pulling the rope with him. “Is this your wheat?” Owen nods. “I'm sorry I crushed it.”

“It's ok we need to harvest it soon anyway. Probably tomorrow.” Reed nods. I'm grinning like a fool. And I noticed Owen is too. We're all sort of giddy.

“I'll need to shift to move this but my dragon is exhausted. We flew straight here hes very excited. We've waited a long time for our mates.”

Reed’s back was to us, he had said this in such an odd way. Owen and I looked at each other. I didn't know anything about dragon shifters other than that they existed. Owen looked less confused than me but we both had the same question.

“Reed,” Owen began, Reed humed to show he was listening. “How old are you?”

Reed had paused and then tugged a shirt over his head. Turning he adjusted his waffle knit long sleeve T-shirt. “I'm 125 years old.” he was blushing a bit. “I'm actually rather young in dragon years. Most dragons don't find their mate until they're 200.” He avoided our eyes.

“Here I was worried you would be 500 or something.” My poor attempt to lighten the mood. Owen looked slightly perplexed. “Come on bear man let's get those apples on the wagon maybe we can get this crate loaded too. Then our poor mate can go home and rest.” I walked back towards the apple trees. Reed and Owen followed me. It was still early morning but if we got home soon I could make and can apple butter. Owen hmms in pleasure muttering about apple butter and honey biscuits.

Reed had followed me to the crate and Owen brought the wagon over. “Reed, can you strap me into the wagon?” Owen asked while I finished filling the crate I was picking for before Reed came.

“Sure.” Owen stripped then shifted into his bear. It had been a while since I'd seen his bear. His bear's eyes were black and his fur black. His snout was honey brown though and I walked over to him. I smiled and petted him. He leaned into me, purring loudly for me. Reed stood behind me. “Wow. I've never seen a bear this close before.” He reached his hand out to Owen. And Owen licked it. Nudging his hand with his snoot.

“Let's get this loaded, you'll need to strap him in, I can help you.” Owen walked over to the wagon and got into harness, as best he could being a bear. I found the straps for his shoulders, making sure they weren't crossed, then laid them over either shoulder. Reed had wound the waist strap and buckled him in. Then came around the wagon to get the other side of his shoulder strap. Once we had Owen in we loaded the last crate into the cart. Filled it with some more apples that we picked on our way to Reed's crate.

“There's room but do you think it's strong enough? There's a lot in this crate.” Reed states walking over to his rather large crate. I peer inside of it.its a lot of books, some clothes and one wool blanket that is very soft. It's been used to wrap something in it. “It's a portrait of my mother.” Reed whispers.

Owen huffs his bear huff. And links me. Tell our mate I can handle it. I'm a bear.

He's dead on his feet. Can you take.him the apples and the crate? I asked. Chuckling. Owens huffs in response and walks forward. Lining the cart up with the crate. I roll my eyes at him.

“He says he can handle it.” I say Reed and I manage to lift the crate Onto the cart. It wasn't that heavy. But I can see why Reed thought it wouldn't have been manageable. I re-adjust the apples. And make sure everything is adjusted correctly. “Get in the cart, Reed.”

“I can walk.” He protests and starts walking. I look at Owen and shrug. He huffs and starts walking. He nudges Reed in the leg. “What?”

“He wants you on the cart.” I answer Reed's question for Owen. Giving him a ‘i told you so look’ he rolled his eyes. “You're dead on your feet. Dragon boy. I can see it in your eyes as soon as you sit down you’ll pass the f**k out. It's time for you to rest.” His jaw ticked and he looked at me.

“I don't think I like this 2 vs 1 dynamic.” I laugh, Owen huffs and Reed climbs onto the wagon. He sat down next to the apples in the back and Owen started walking. I walked beside Owen. After about 10 minutes we heard snoring.

The walk home was uneventful. Reed had slept the whole time. Owen and I unloaded everything and once the crate of Reed's things were unloaded we had to move him inside. Owen grinned at me and picked up Reed. I smiled and adjusted Reed's body placing his head on Owens shoulder and his hand on Owens chest. I then snapped a picture of the three of us. “Aww first family photo.” I showed Owen the picture and we both stifled our laughter.