11.

Wilson

H umans are such an oddity. They’re always so much braver than anyone gives them credit for.

As we look at Meredith and her steel resolve, I'm filled with pride. She's truly going to do whatever it takes to save her clan, as well as her husband, and she's going to do it with all the ferocity of a dragon. We bring her outside of the town gates, introduce her to everyone, and make a plan.

"We'll bring her to the caves," I tell everyone. "She can fill them in. The clan can make a decision. They can return here and defend their home, they can stay in the caves, or they can come to Fablestone. They will always have a place with us."

"Always," Cameron nods.

"I appreciate the gesture," Meredith says. "And I will ask my clan, but I can promise you now that we're going to want to stay with our home. We've already lost enough. We don't need to lose even more."

I understand this, and I respect it, and I think that the rest of my clan does, too.

"We're going to be here for you," Julie says, stepping forward. She hugs Meredith. "I don't even know you, but I feel like you're family."

Meredith smiles. "That's because we're both used to putting up with fussy dragon men."

All of the dragonslook shocked, but the human mates laugh. Of course, they do. I look to Sabrina, and she smiles over at me, then at Reece. She’s so happy with us, and we’re so happy with her. She truly completes us.

“We’ll help you in any way we can,” I promise.

“Take an oath,” Meredith says, and I nod. It’s not a dragon’s oath. She’s not a shifter. It’s an oath by a dragon, though, and that’s just as good. We both know I’m not going to go back on my word. No matter what Clan Thunderstorm might be facing, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help them.

I’ll do whatever it takes to save Thunderstorm.

“I swear to you, Meredith of Clan Thunderstorm, that the Fablestone Clan will not rest until your clan is saved.”

She smiles, and she nods. For a moment, I think she’s going to hug me, but instead, Meredith moves to Sabrina, and she wraps her arms around her.

“I don’t want to hug your naked mate, you know,” she whispers, “but thank you.”

“Anything for your clan,” Sabrina says. She means it. We all do.

It doesn’t take long before we all shift, except for Reece. He and Sabrina ride on my back. The other dragons each take a rider. Donald carries his mate and Meredith both. Then we’re off. We soar up, flying over the trees, and we head for the caves Meredith has described.

It feels uncomfortable to be up in the air like this. I feel exposed and vulnerable in ways I’m not used to. Anything could happen up here, and it has already happened to our brethren.

Thunderstorm is supposed to be the clan that’s smart. We’re the warriors and they’re the brains. That’s how this partnership works.

If someone was clever enough to get the jump on the others, then it can only mean one thing: Clan Thunderstorm is in danger, but so is Fablestone.

When we reach the caves, we stop at the entrance, landing one by one, and shifting just as fast. Soon we’re all huddled on the cliff’s ledge, looking into the entrance of the cave she’s directed us to.

“Stay behind me,” Meredith says. “They’re going to be scared.” She walks forward, and as promised, we all stay as far behind her as we can, which isn’t far. The ledge of the cliff is only about ten feet from entrance to edge, which means it’s a tight fit even in our human forms.

“Call to them,” I say. “Let’s make sure everyone is accounted for.”

We already know there are going to be losses and casualties. This clan has been attacked in ways no one ever should, so it’s going to take all of our energy and all of our power to make sure they’re okay.

And I don’t know what we can really expect when we enter.

“Thunderstorm!” Meredith yells into the cave. Her words echo. “It’s Meredith. We’re safe. Fablestone is here.”

For a moment, I don’t think anyone is here, but then, one by one, the dragon shifters and their beloved humans emerge. One by one they come and gather at the entrance to the cave, and I stare at them in disbelief.

There are far fewer in number than I expected.

“I’m Wilson,” I finally say as I stare at the faces of the shifters and their beloved humans. “I’m the clan leader.”

“I’m Darrin,” says a man, stepping forward. He holds out his hand so I can shake it, but I don’t. Instead, I pull him into my arms and hug him.

“Ryker’s brother,” I say. “I know.”

“My brother is gone,” Darrin says, taking a step back. He turns to Meredith, who nods. There are tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I tried to make him hide, but he wouldn’t,” she whispers.

Darrin rubs his hand against her cheek. It is a gentle gesture: not a romantic one.

“Of course, he wouldn’t. My brother is braver than he gives himself credit for. We’ll find him. They must have left something behind.” He turns to me. “We don’t know very much about the group that attacked us. We believe they may have emerged from Lucky, the poachers and scientists who were attacking our clans years ago. We’d be grateful for any help you want to offer. Lucky didn’t target us nearly as much as they targeted you. We mostly got off easy with them.”

“None of us got off easy,” I say.

“Either way. We’re grateful you came.”

“Our clan is your clan,” I tell him, and I mean it.

“Good,” Darrin says. “Can we get our children to Fablestone? Will they be safe there?”

“They’ll be safe,” I agree. Together, we plan which children will ride with which shifters, and we start to send them toward Fablestone. There’s always a risk with flying, but it’s going to be safer than having them stay here.

“I don’t want to send trouble to Fablestone,” Darrin says.

“I don’t believe you will,” I promise. “Our shifters will do whatever it takes to protect your young ones while we figure out who is doing this – and why.”

“We haven’t been bothered with poachers in four years,” he says. His voice cracks. His heart is breaking, but so is mine.

“I’m aware.”

“We thought we’d never have to face anything like this again.”

“The problem with being a dragon is that the problems never stop.”

“If only we could just sit around and hoard our treasure, right?” Darrin smiles.

“Let’s return to Thunderstorm,” I say. “We can scour the town and figure out where Ryker and the others were taken. Surely, there are going to be cameras or other clues that can point us in the right direction.”

“Of course,” Darrin says. “Let’s go.”