The Child

Chapter 19

Kane

“Marie, you have two mates. Not one.” Brutus grins like a kid at Christmas.

“What?!” Joey roars so loud it shakes the ground.

Before I can even process that I am Marie’s second mate, Joey grabs me and throws me to the ground. He grabs my shirt collar and punches me square in the jaw, breaking it. Next he lands a punch to the nose, causing an awful crunch. My claws extended and started digging into his arms that were sprouting scales. I know I am no match for a dragon so I try to show him I am not a threat. I look to my right and see that Brutus is holding Ollie to his chest, ready to run with him in an instant.

“Marie is MINE!” He roars inches from my face while still holding onto the collar of my shirt.

Marie comes running up and pulls Joey off of me. She hugs him around the waist, laying her head on his chest. Once he calms down, Marie helps me up, giving me a reassuring smile. She ushers me to a chair and runs to the kitchen, grabbing a wet kitchen towel.

She comes back and runs her fingers through my hair, pushing my head back gently so she can get a better look at the damage. Little does she know, my jaw is almost completely healed and same with my nose. She runs her hand down to my cheek, looking into my eyes. The intimate gesture causes Zeus to purr loudly. Joey is standing there the whole time with his arms on his chest, sneering at me. I feel his eyes burning into me. Marie slowly starts cleaning the blood off my face. I have never in my life felt so loved, as I did having Marie take care of me. But if she is my mate, why can’t I feel the pull? We have to get answers.

“Damn Joey, you have a mean punch,” I laugh once Marie is finished. Marie is standing there looking concerned that another fight would break out. I notice Josh is standing at the front door, ready to step in if need be.

“No fighting!” Marie glares at both of us. She sits back at the table, folding her hands.

“Everyone sit back down. We are going to talk about this like civilized people,” Marie demanded. Joey starts to chuckle, and I can’t help but laugh. It’s hard for two strong beast to be “civilized” over a mate. However, I don’t know if I am really Marie’s mate because I am not feeling anything except for a mild attraction to her.

We both take a seat on either side of Marie, while Brutus holds onto Ollie, making sure he is safe from the ruckus. He long canines are shining in a threatening way that makes me remember his demonic appearance last night.

“If you are both my mates, there is a reason. Let’s get Tally here and maybe she can sort out what is going on. Joey, be nice. I understand you are angry, but you need to calm down. We will get answer. However, I need to ask Bru a few more questions before we get Tally,” Marie says gently. She seems to be the only one taking this in stride. Brutus was sitting there with Ollie, ready to answer whatever question was thrown his way.

“My first question is why did you try to attack Kane when we first met him?” Brutus smiled sheepishly at his mom.

“I smelled evil on him. The scent was subtle but enough to put me on edge. After you calmed me down, I realized it wasn’t him I was smelling, but someone else. I am just not sure.” I glance at Marie, worrying who it could be. I tried to scoot my chair closer to her, but Joey glared at me so I stayed still. I am an Alpha for f**k sake! I am sitting here walking on egg shells because a dragon is being over protective. I can’t help if she is my mate too. The Moon Goddess has plans for us, I am just not sure what. Then again, the Moon Goddess never makes mistakes.

“Ok, that makes more sense. Why did you look like you just crawled out of hell when you came running out of the house?” Marie asks with curiosity.

“I am going through a transition. Puberty, if you will. Once I reach full maturity I will look completely different when I shift to my other form. I will look like myself most of the time, just bigger. However I will change into a guard dog when I feel a threat. Hopefully I will reach full maturity before this battle starts.” Brutus puffs his chest out, ready to fulfill his duty. I shutter to think what his mature form looks like.

“I need some air,” I hear Joey say before he stomps out of the cabin.

“Joey!” Marie yells as she follows after him. This sharing a mate with my friend is not going to be as easy as I thought.

Joseph

Marie has a second mate?! How can this be? I am a dragon! I don’t share mate my mate. My other half roared in my head. Jealousy and anger were all I felt. I walk down the steps of the porch, shoving the Beta out of my way with my shoulder. I huff over to the clearing next to the cabin, preparing to shift. Then I hear my angel calling me.

“Joseph Boyd! You stop right there!” Marie yells as she chases after me. I stop and turn to face my mate. She has tears in her eyes as she runs up to me, throwing herself in my arms. I slowly wrap my arms around her, digging my nose in her hair. Her scent wafts through my nose, calming my beast.

“We will figure this out, Joey. Please, calm down and come back inside. I can’t do this without you,” Marie pleads as she pulls back to look up at me. Tears are streaming down her face, causing my heart to break. I place my forehead gently on hers, as I wipe her tears away with my thumbs.

“I am sorry, angel. This is a lot for me to take in. I have never known a dragon to share a mate. It’s unheard of. We are selfish creatures by nature. But if this is what is necessary to protect you and Oliver, I will try and come to terms with it. I will do anything for you,” I quietly confess. I would do anything for her. And Oliver. I wrap her in my arms again, kissing the top of her head. She steps back then gives me a beautiful smile.

“And I would do anything for you, my dragon.” Grabbing my face and pulling me closer to her. Her lips gently touch mine, sending tingles through my body. I can’t resist and push harder against her full lips. I bite her bottom lip gently, causing her to moan softly. I grabbed her perfect ass, pulling her up so her legs go around my waist. Our kiss gets more heated by the second, making my c**k ache to be inside of her. However, the moment dies when someone clears their throat. We both turn are heads, gasping for breath. Standing in the clearing with us is Richard, Tally, and Hollie. Tally is buried in Richard’s chest giggling uncontrollably.

“Umm, we can wait inside. You guys seem very busy,” Hollie gives me a disgusted look. Tally is full on laughing at this point, causing Marie to blush ten shades of red.

“Don’t worry girlie, it’s hard to resist your mate,” Tally says as she looks loving at Richard. Marie’s jaw drops at the realization.

“You are mates?!” Marie squeals in excitement, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She runs over to Tally engulfing her in a tight hug.

“Welcome to the family!” Marie chirps then turns and kisses her dad on the cheek.

“I’m happy for you, dad. You deserve love, even after mom.”

“Thank you, pumpkin. I am glad you are so willing to accept my mate,” Richard says as he pulls Tally to him again.

“Well we are glad you are here. We have some things to discuss, and maybe you can answer some questions for us. Let’s get inside.” I begin ushering the group inside, away from anyone who might be watching.

“Why are you here, Hollie?” I give her a suspicious look, and she blushes at me.

“I actually came to see Brutus. I don’t know why, but I feel drawn to him. I felt he needed me, so here I am.”

We all walk in the kitchen, when Hollie stops abruptly in the doorway. Her eyes settle on Brutus in his human form. He looks up as she walks in. They whisper at the same time.

Mate.