CHAPTER TWELVE: KIT

KIT ROLLED his eyes. He noticed he was the only one who didn't flinch at that sound.

Connie chuckled at Kit's reaction.

"Grace? Chris?" Michail sighed heavily. "Hudson is right. As turned shifters, you are stronger physically than Kit. Even when he is officially mated, that won't change. And I am stronger than both of you because I was born a shifter. Kit is at the bottom of the ladder."

"Gee. Thanks."

"Welcome to the paranormal world, where strength, hierarchy, money, and social standing are everything," Michail said. "You will have some of those things as their mate, but you will always be only one step above human. I'm not saying that to hurt you, child. It's just the truth."

"I'll tell you like I told Kit—you are important to him, so you are important to me. He needs to be safe, so his parents need to be kept safe." Hudson held up his hand when Chris opened his mouth. "If you were used against Kit—if you were hurt—do you know what that'd do to him?"

Chris shut his mouth abruptly.

Hudson nodded. "Exactly. It'd destroy him, and I will avoid that if at all possible. I'm sending dragons to protect you. Period. I'd like for them to be welcome in your commune, Alpha."

Kit's gaze snapped to his pops.

"Yes, Kit. Your pops is their alpha. Michail has already said he's an omega. Your mom doesn't give off alpha vibes, but your pops does."

"Is that true, Pops?"

"According to Michail, yes. Apparently, even as a human, I was very much an alpha. When I was changed, those characteristics were—I don't know exactly how to phrase it," Chris said. "Transferred maybe? Anyway, that's what happened."

"So, as an alpha, would you disrespect Kit's people in such a way by not welcoming them into your territory?" Hudson asked. "And make no mistake, my dragons are Kit's people. This is Kit's court too."

Chris stared at Hudson, his mouth tight. "You fight dirty."

Michail snorted. "Of course he does. He's a dragon."

"I'll do whatever is necessary to assure Kit's peace of mind."

"And if I refuse your dragons? Are you going to send them into my territory, anyway?"

"Yes. It would make for an uncomfortable situation for all, of course. I rather hope we can avoid that."

Kit could literally see the steam coming out of his pop's ears.

Finally, Chris huffed. "For Kit's sake, I'll agree to it. But I want you to understand something. While they're in my territory, they obey the laws of my territory. My rules are not outrageous, though, and I'll gladly go over them when they get there."

"May I have a copy of those rules now?" Hudson asked. "I'd like to see them too."

"Sure. I'll have it emailed to you later," Chris said. "I also need you to understand that my commune is a safe place for others that society has turned its back on."

Kit waved his hand at himself. "I'm a perfect example. I don't conform to social norms. I have long hair. I wear makeup, heels, and jewelry. I'm a guy who's not afraid to wear a skirt." Kit shrugged.

"And you look damn sexy in one," Connie volunteered.

"You bet your ass I do." Kit winked at Connie.

Hudson nodded too.

"I like what's considered feminine clothing like skirts, heels, lace. But I also like masculine clothes like leather." Kit then winked at Hudson. "Yeah, I said leather. Anyway, my point is, my parents never tried to mold me into something I wasn't. That's all Pops is trying to say."

"I understand, and I promise you whoever I send will be open-minded and accepting," Hudson promised.

"Not all dragons are, though," Michail said quietly. "In fact, most of them are very old school. I was concerned. Kit wasn't raised to conform."

"My court is not like that. I am not like that," Hudson stressed.

"And quite frankly, if we tried to make Kit fit into what we thought was appropriate, then we don't deserve to be his mates," Connie added. "Making him change would mean Kit wouldn't be the person we both have come to care for."

"I can tell you right now, if you had tried? I certainly wouldn't have come here, threat or no threat. I wouldn't have let either of you in my life, either," Kit said.

"You're assuming, Kit, that they would have gracefully backed off. Which was why I was concerned. Dragons are notorious for being unable to take no for an answer. They take what they want and damn the consequences," Michail said.

"It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission? Is that what you're saying? Yeah, ask me how well that would've gone over." Kit crossed his arms and glared at Hudson and Connie. The very idea made him want to throw hands.

"We would've never done that," Connie insisted. "Hudson may be an Ancient, but most of his court isn't. I don't know if you've noticed that or not. A lot of us are considered young dragons."

"They help me resist my more primitive urges," Hudson admitted. "Which means my court follows a more modern line of thinking. I understand you didn't know that, Michail, so I understand your concerns. But I'd never do something I purposely knew would make Kit unhappy."

"He means that. And to be fair, he told me he wanted to send dragons back with you guys, and I agreed to it." Kit looked at Michail. "Lennox might have transferred his obsession on to me, but don't assume you're safe, or that your mates are safe."

Kit didn't want to think about what absolute destruction Lennox could create in his parents' lives if he could get his hands on one of them. So maybe Hudson had been a little heavy-handed in dealing with his pops, but their safety was paramount.

"Who are you sending?" Chris asked. "Can I meet with them while we're here?"

"Most certainly," Hudson said. "But I don't know who I'm sending yet. I'm going to ask for volunteers because I don't know how long this assignment is going to be, but I will have an answer before you return home."

"Okay." Chris rubbed his hand over his face. "Okay. I guess I should also tell you that my commune has several werecreatures who live there. I don't turn away anybody just because they're not a feline."

"Oh, so it's mixed?" Connie asked.

"Yes, outside of the feline shifters, there are a couple of wolves, a few bears, and some witches. Two vampires too. A mer."

"That's a nice makeup of powerful individuals," Hudson mused. "I'm surprised at the mer. They usually prefer the ocean."

Chris nodded. "True, but we have a large lake on our land, so that helps."

"This actually makes me feel better. You're not as…" Hudson trailed off.

Chris smirked. "Not as helpless as you first thought?"

"Okay, yes. But having a few dragons around will only increase your power."

"It certainly makes me feel better," Kit admitted.

"And that's why we're doing this." Chris looked at Michail, who nodded. Chris exhaled roughly. "We know what Lennox is capable of."

So did Kit, thanks to Gaura. "Now that we have that settled, how about we show you around the property?" Kit asked. "There's a community pool, tennis courts, and two lakes."

Michail perked up.

"Did you bring a bathing suit?" Hudson asked. "If not, I'm sure we can find something that would fit."

"It's California. Plus, we're near the ocean. Of course we brought bathing suits," Grace joked.

"We can fish and hang out at the lake today, if you want, then tomorrow we can take you to the ocean," Connie volunteered. "We have jet skis too."

"Sold!" Michail laughed. "These two love the water. Grace especially."

"Mom taught me how to swim," Kit said, standing up. "Why don't we all go get changed and then meet back here in twenty minutes? How does that sound?"

"Why don't we make it forty minutes?" Hudson asked, also getting to his feet. "That way I can ask the kitchen to make a picnic basket, and we can stay at the lake longer."

Kit loved that idea. "That's perfect. Mom? Dads?"

"Lovely idea," Grace said.

Chris nodded. "We'll meet you back here, then."

Everybody said goodbye, and Kit's parents left. Connie pulled his cell phone out and started tapping away.

"What are you doing?" Kit asked as he wandered over.

"Sending out a mass email requesting volunteers. We should know something by the end of the day at the latest," Connie said as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. "I know we keep asking you this, but how are you doing?"

"Do you mean in regard to how my pops reacted to your dragons being in his territory?"

Hudson joined them and rubbed his hand up and down Kit's back. "Yes."

"I think things got a little heated there, and my pops may have felt like he got outmaneuvered, but I'm okay with how things went."

"I hope there isn't resentment on his side, but I would understand it," Connie said.

Hudson shrugged.

"I don't think so. If he was well and truly pissed, he would've fought a lot harder. In fact, he would've made it as unpleasant for your dragons to be there as possible," Kit mused. "Instead, he agreed to accept them. He'll treat them good."

"He better." That was all Hudson said.

"He will. He's not like that. And I appreciate you giving them a little extra time so they could talk."

"I figured they would need that. There have been a lot of things thrown at them over the past twenty-four hours," Hudson said.

"Not to mention bringing up the past," Kit said.

"There is that," Connie agreed. "Hudson? Do you want me to contact Stella about that picnic basket you volunteered?"

"I'll do it. I'm also going to check the garage for fishing poles and tackle."

"Sounds good. Do you need me to come with you?"

"No, that's not necessary. This won't take but just a minute." Hudson did change into some trunks, an old T-shirt, and sandals first, though.

Kit and Connie were both ready when he returned. Kit's parents were just arriving.

"Hey, are you ready to go?" Hudson asked as they drew near.

"Yes," Grace said.

"Let's stop by the kitchen, and then we'll be ready," Hudson said.

Grace exclaimed happily when she saw the three huge picnic baskets. Chris and Connie grabbed one each, and Kit took the other. Hudson led everybody out to the garage, and he, Michail, and Grace handled the fishing equipment and tackle boxes.

"Is that skiing equipment?" Kit asked, staring at something off to the side.

Hudson looked to where Kit was staring. "Oh yes, I forgot about that. You want to take that too?"

"Absolutely."

They picked up what was needed, then walked to the lake with the boathouse. They stowed everything on the boat, got in, and took off.

They fished for a little while but released what they caught. Kit never said a word when Hudson baited his hook for him, although he was more than capable of doing that. And getting the fish off. And cleaning it. And cooking it over an open flame. He grew up hunting and fishing, after all.

They swam, then took turns skiing. After that, they were absolutely ready for the stuffed picnic baskets. They returned to Hudson's house right at dark, cleaned up, and had dinner. Then they watched a movie with Kit's parents in Hudson's private quarters.

Right as the movie was going off, Hudson's cell phone beeped, and he read the message. "Chris? I have three volunteers. Two are males, but one is a female. Is that going to be a problem?"

"Absolutely will not be a problem."

"Good. Dobrogost, Markus, and Roisin are the dragons who volunteered. They are all mistress or sir level, so around six hundred years old. Would you like to meet them tomorrow? I can invite them to have breakfast with us if so."

"I'd like that," Chris said. "I'll have a copy of my territory rules also for you and them. I only have two cabins that are available, though. Will the two males be okay sharing? It's a two bedroom."

"They should be fine. I'm sure they won't mind," Hudson said. "Dobrogost works in construction, and his nickname is Dozer. Markus is an electrician, and his nickname is Watts. Roisin is a mechanic, and her nickname is Wrench."

"Nice," Chris said. "I have a shifter learning to be a mechanic. Maybe your dragon can show him something?"

"I'm sure she'd be pleased to. I'll be supporting my people while they are in your territory. They don't have to worry about getting a job, so please feel free to use them if you need to. No one wants a bored dragon on their hands, trust me on that."

"We'll treat them like family," Michail said. "I'll make sure they feel welcome."

"Thank you. That means a lot," Hudson said. "I would also like to offer the use of my personal jet to take you home. It'd be faster."

Chris frowned. "That's not—"

"It would also probably be safer," Grace said, laying a hand on Chris's knee.

"Chris? Your child is my mate. We're going to be family. Family should take care of each other," Hudson said. "Let me do this for you."

Chris sighed. "Dragons."

Michail nodded. "Yup."

"Thank you, Hudson. I accept your offer. And yes, we're going to be family." Chris stood and held out his hand. "Welcome to my family." Then Chris grinned. "Son-in-law."

Kit hooted.

After Chris shook hands with Hudson, he turned to Connie and stuck his hand out too. "Welcome to my family, my other son-in-law."

"I think you'll do just fine dealing with us." Laughing, Connie shook Chris's hand.

"Now that we have that settled, how does everybody feel about going to the ocean tomorrow?" Kit asked, still grinning. Look at his pops getting the last word in. Hudson still looked shocked. Kit was loving it.

"That sounds wonderful," Grace said excitedly. "I can't wait."

Kit looked at his two redheaded dragons. "I guess we're gonna need lots of sunscreen, right?"

Connie stuck his nose in the air. "We're fire dragons. We don't burn. We do the burning."

Kit eyed all that red hair. "If you say so."