CHAPTER FOUR

A shton did not know what to make of it but hurriedly followed them. Will was asleep and Saphir carried him like he weighed nothing. This was Saphir the dreaded second in command who hated outsiders he wasn’t what Ashton had expected. He was an incredibly handsome man tall like the others but with an added fierceness that shown through. Everyone wants their leader to be fierce and capable and Saphir was definitely both.

His hair was darker than Roan’s fiery red locks. It was an auburn, a dark auburn with streaks of jet black. It also held that shiny radiance that was common among all dragon shifters. There was something about this man that set him apart from all the others, and it wasn't just his size and strength. There was a feeling and intensity that kept his eyes on the man. He couldn't look away. Saphir's eyes, like Roan’s, were penetrating, but unlike Roan's, his were an emerald green that looked to be on fire, smoldering a dark fire.

Saphir veered to the left moving swiftly along the wide hall until he reached a set of doors and without stopping or slowing walked toward them and they automatically swung open. Ashton double stepped to catch up since his short legs had difficulty keeping up with the large dragon. Without a word Saphir brought Will to a bedroom and laid him out upon a large bed. He quickly slipped off Will’s shoes and covered him with a thick blanket.

He then turned to regard Ashton standing at the door. “He needs his rest, Ashton. He was critically ill, and he is still quite weak." Ashton felt the need to explain his own plan and ability to provide care for his brother since listening to this guy telling him he was incompetent was not going down well.

“I can take care of my brother.” He stated sharply and crossed his arms over his chest. “Will’s townhouse is only a mile away from the clinic. I would stay with him and if anything, more serious arose I would take him to the clinic.”

“You’d take a fox shifter to a local clinic?” Saphir retorted with a shake of his head.

"One of the clinicians is a shifter. Winston has several of his people at the clinic." He countered.

“You’re willing to put your brother’s life in the hands of Winston Garlock when you can stay here, and he will continue to receive the very best care available.” He was making sense, but Ashton was not fond of staying in the dragon’s den.

"Winston has hired some good people." He tried to defend him, but Winston was not known to go out of his way for anyone who wasn't him. The guy's self-serving behavior was legendary. Saphir did not respond to that but merely nodded absently, tucked the blanket in around Will, and adjusted his pillow.

"I'll call Dr. Flynn and have him check on Will to make sure he's okay." Saphir glanced back at Ashton as if asking permission, and Ashton nodded.

“Thank you.” Ashton said and walked up to the other side of the bed and looked down at his brother. Will really wasn’t looking good, and he should have taken better care of him. Saphir came up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“He’ll be alright he’s just weak don’t worry.” He went from accusatory to supportive and considerate and his touch was strangely soothing. Before Ashton could respond the doctor came in and took over checking Will but not waking him in the process.

It was obvious that Will was not well, and he should have noticed that before insisting that they leave. Will was on board with getting out of there, but he could have convinced him to stay, and he should have. It shouldn't have taken Saphir, the dreaded dragon, to get Ashton to do the right thing.

"Come with me." Saphir gently urged him out of the room and into the large living area of what appeared to be a private apartment. "A nurse will stay with you, brother." He told him and then added to Ashton's surprise. "I'd like to take you to dinner. I don't think you've been eating properly since your arrival. Will is in safe hands."

“I shouldn’t leave him.” Ashton was torn because he was quite hungry, but he also had a responsibility for his brother.

“He’s going to sleep, and he won’t be alone. Let me get you something to eat.” Saphir was being so nice that it was concerning but he decided to take him up on his offer.

“Okay.” He stepped back and stuck his hands in his pockets, not sure of what was going on and waited to follow but instead Saphir held out his hand beckoning Ashton to take it. Ashton hesitated for a moment and then took the offered hand. Saphir looked pleased and held his hand in a firm yet gentle embrace. Things were getting weirder by the minute.

They went to the dining room, but Saphir took him to a smaller side room. It had only about five tables and lots of space between each table setting. They were the only ones in there and it was also serviced by a waiter. The big room was a serve yourself buffet with mass seating, but this was cozy and private.

The waiter told them the special which was meatloaf, biscuits and vegetables and it sounded good to Ashton. Saphir added salad and dessert to their order along with red wine. “Do you drink wine Ashton?” He asked.

“Yes, I do, thank you.” He loved a nice glass of wine in the evening, and he could really use its relaxing properties right now.

"I'm sorry that you were given the impression that you were not welcome here," Saphir said while pouring them both a glass of wine. "There has been an upheaval in the forest and on the mountain these last few months, and it has taken a toll on everyone." Ashton took a sip of his wine and nodded, not sure what to say.

"Many shifter communities within our area were affected and fled to the mountain for protection." Saphir paused when their dinner arrived. Ashton was getting the impression that the dragons were getting tired of taking care of their neighbors. They began their dinner, and Saphir picked up where he'd left off.

"We gladly took them in, but now, with the aid of the Hadden Coven, we have dealt with the evil that had been invading our lands. The shifters who came to us are now returning to their territories and rebuilding their communities." Ashton felt a strange emptiness in the forest, and he mentioned that to Saphir.

“When an area is cleansed, it can leave a sense of void until life begins anew. It won't be long before things feel right with the shifters returning to the forest and living their lives." Saphir stopped and looked at Ashton pointedly.

“We thought the trouble was over but then you and your brother were targeted, and no one was ready for another go around of the evil we already vanquished. I’m sorry if some including myself were less than pleased with the situation and it had nothing to do with you or Will.” Ashton could understand but still it didn’t make him feel terribly welcome.

"I don't know who set those traps or why they decided to go after us. I saw the video, and I don't recognize them." Ashton focused on their issue and did not get into whatever the mood was with the dragons.

"Johan mentioned that you recently got out of a serious relationship." Saphir prompted, and Ashton saw no reason not to explain himself. He began with his reason for being in the forest, believing that was the beginning of his current situation.

"I came to the forest looking for my friend Harley, who I believed was hiking. I hurt his feelings badly, and I worried for him, so I wanted to apologize. Will came with me because he was worried about me." Ashton forced a smile and dropped his head for a moment before continuing. He had only explained himself to Will, so this was still very fresh.

“He’s safe he was found by Conrad Smith a Hadden soldier and also his beloved. It is my understanding that he went back to Pittsburgh with Conrad.” Ashton was shocked, speechless for a few seconds and he just stared at the big dragon.

“Harley has a beloved?”

“Yes.”

“And he’s okay?”

“Yes.”

"That's a relief," Ashton explained the issue with Harley. "I can't believe I turned my back on my best friend just to try and make her happy."

He noticed that every time he mentioned Ally or the wedding, Saphir got a rather intense look, which was a bit scary. "I called off the wedding when I realized how much I was being controlled and how much I did not love that girl. I should have ended things sooner, but I didn't. My dad, Will, and Harley all said it was a mistake, but I wasn’t listening.” He paused, realizing that he was jumping around and probably not making himself clear.

“When were you to be married?” His tone was tense, and Ashton didn’t understand why.

“Saturday.”

“When did you all it off?”

"Friday." Ashton was feeling the coward that he was when he saw Saphir's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "I tried to do what was expected of me, but I couldn't. She's not my mate, and honestly, she is not a nice person."

“I’m glad you did the right thing. Never settle for anyone but your mate, your Fated match.” Saphir stated with considerable emphasis and reached across the table to place his hand over Ashton’s.

“Yeah, that's what Will, Harley, and my father tried to tell me, and I'm glad their words finally got through."

"So am I," Saphir said and then quickly asked. "How did Ally take it when you called off the wedding?"

“She actually seemed relieved, although she acted upset, screaming and crying, but I don't think it was genuine. Of course, I could be just trying to make myself feel better about the whole thing." Ashton glanced down and noticed that Saphir still had his hand over his. The contact was pleasant, warm, and secure.

It was a connection that felt personal and not just supportive. There was more there an emotion was present he could see it in Saphir’s eyes, but he had no name for it. His heart was telling him it was an attraction he was seeing.

Saphir seemed really interested in him, but his head was making it clear that a dragon such as Saphir, under normal conditions, would not give him the time of day. He didn't move, hoping that Saphir would continue holding his hand.

“Was her family upset?” Saphir continued his questions.

"Will said they were. I didn't see them or speak with them, especially her father. I paid off everything connected to the wedding and reimbursed her parents for what they had spent, so there was no financial issue." Saphir smiled. "I gave her all the money we'd saved for the honeymoon trip to New York along with the plane tickets, and she left with her friend Jordan."

“I’m sure that was expensive.” He commented.

"It was worth it to get away." That statement seemed to make Saphir happy, and it pleased Ashton, making him happy. "Are you thinking that her family had something to do with the traps?" Saphir nodded.

“Unless you know of someone else with a grievance against you and Will.”

"No, I can't think of anyone, and even Ally's family seems unlikely."

“What about Will?” That made Ashton smile.

"Will keeps pretty much to himself apart from family. He isn't dating anyone at present and has no troubles at work, so I doubt anyone would have a death wish where he's concerned. Will abhors conflict and drama." Ashton wished he had the answers the dragons were looking for, but he could not come up with anyone who might wish them ill.

They finished their dinner and Saphir poured him another glass of wine which he readily accepted. “It is best that you and Will remain here until we have a better understanding of who set the traps and why. If you and your brother are the targets, then you can be better protected here than back in Pittsburgh.”

"I appreciate your concern, but I think I'd prefer to deal with this, whatever it is, at home." Ashton didn't want to take up their time, especially after his speech about dealing with shifters for the past few months. The hand that was still holding his tightened, and Saphir's dark, burning eyes bore into him.

"Please let me help you. Stay for a day or two and let your brother fully recover, and allow us to find your attackers. I'm not asking for weeks, just a couple of days, and remember that the men who set those traps intended for you to die. This isn't a playful prank, Ashton. Will has nearly died." Saphir became deadly serious, and Aston found he could not deny his request without appearing silly and foolhearty at the expense of their safety.