The Chosen One Universe Volume Three: An MM Paranormal Fantasy Shifters Series

by Macy Blake

  Dalinda met his gaze and smiled, her face lighting up. “My baby!”

  Draco groaned. “Mom.”

  But he moved toward her anyway because she’d held out her arms and the smile on her face was impossible to resist.

  “Don’t Mom me Draco. You will always be my baby.”

  She wrapped him in her arms, and he hugged her as tight as he could.

  “You’re wasting away to nothing, Draco. Do you not eat? What have I told you? You have to keep up your strength! This many mates will take a lot of energy.”

  She pulled away and squeezed his biceps. “See this? Puny. Son, you must take better care of yourself.”

  He was plenty big enough, ate more than enough to sustain himself and the needs of his mates. She had to fuss, though. He tried not to scowl at her.

  Sawyer, on the other hand, was biting his lip. Henry was staring at his feet, his shoulders shaking. The brats. How could they laugh at him at a time like this?

  “And are you just going to stand there like a lump, Draco? Who are these glorious creatures? So rude. I know you were raised better.”

  “Mom,” Draco whined. “Come on.”

  She huffed and turned to Henry. “Let me guess, you’re the mage. Henry, right?”

  “Yes ma’am. Henry Jerrick. It’s so great to meet you.”

  “And I am Dalinda Volsunga. Let me get a look at you.”

  She held out Henry’s arm and looked him up and down before giving Draco a knowing look. “Oh, he’s gorgeous, my son. What a perfect mate for a dragon. I’ll speak to you later, young mage. My son clearly isn’t eating well. I’ll instruct you on the proper care and feeding of a dragon mate.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “And you,” Dalinda said. She turned to Sawyer and grabbed both of his hands in hers. “You must be Sawyer.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “I knew you were meant to be his, you know. He spoke non-stop about you. Constantly Sawyer this and Sawyer that. His crush was such a sweet thing to see, and a first for my normally cautious and reticent child.”

  Sawyer grinned and glanced at Draco before turning back to his mother. “Well, it was mutual. I absolutely adore him.”

  “Well, of course you do. How could you not? However, it does not appear that my son is looking out for you as well as he should be. I don’t want to insult you, dear, but you’re a little thin and extremely pale. We should probably get some food in you.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Sawyer said. “I’ve been a little under the weather, but I promise, Draco and my mates are taking very good care of me.”

  His mother gave him a look, but she smiled at Sawyer and looped his arm through hers. “I’m sure you think so, dear. I’ll be having a talk with my son about this later. Now, I see Augustus over there and would love to remake his acquaintance. It’s been many years. Would you mind escorting me, sweetheart?”

  “I’d be honored,” Sawyer said.

  He led her away and Draco tried not to groan. He was in so much trouble already.

  “Don’t worry about her, son,” Blaise said. “You know how she gets. Nod and smile.”

  Blaise gave Draco a quick hug before turning to Henry. “Are those your wards?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Impressive.”

  Henry beamed and Draco felt a little tension leave. If his dad was impressed, it would go a long way toward soothing the savage beast that was his mother.

  “Son,” Joash said. He held out his arms and Draco stepped in for a hug. He’d always had a special bond with his middle father, and they spoke weekly. “You look good. Don’t mind what your mother says. You’ve been flying a lot, haven’t you? Look at those arms. Fantastic.”

  “Yes, sir. Training with Andvari. We’re developing a new fighting technique.”

  “Excellent.”

  “What’s this?” Volos said. “A new technique?”

  Draco’s third dad had kept his attention on the wards and the surrounding guards. Always on the lookout, much like Andvari and Loch. Volos was extremely overprotective and the main reason Draco and his sister hadn’t gotten away with much when they were young. “We’re working on a way for Andvari, my vampire mate, to best use his blades while we fly.”

  Volos looked intrigued. “Tell me more.”

  “After we meet the others,” Joash said. “Don’t be a heathen, Volos.”

  Volos wrapped his arm around Joash and kissed him to shut him up. Draco’d learned the technique at his father’s knee. It was the only way his dads got in a word edgewise with his mother. He often found it useful with his own mates.

  Henry leaned against him and smiled.

  “I like your dads.”

  Blaise smiled. “And will we get to meet your fathers, young mage?”

  “Yes, sir. They’re coming by later. Dad has a patient so they can’t stay long, but they’re going to come for a little while. They really want to meet everyone.”

  “Excellent. Tell me more about these wards,” Blaise said as he led Henry away.

  “Draco! Are you planning on introducing me to your other mates or are you going to stand there like a lump all afternoon? I swear, I taught him better manners, Augustus. What can you do once they’re out of the house?” Dalinda sighed and tossed her red hair over her shoulder with an annoyed flick.

  Joash chuckled and patted Draco’s back. “Sorry, son, you stepped right into the trap of that one. Go on and introduce her and let her do her thing. I’m going to grab a seat and catch up with Augustus.”

  Draco hurried to do as she asked. He led her around the pool, meeting each of his mates in turn. She approved of Andvari and his weapons, cooed over Loch’s blue hair, and wrapped Saeward up in a hug the likes of which the hippocamp had never seen. He actually had tears in his eyes when she pulled away. “Draco, make sure Saeward has my number. You call me any time, sweetheart.”

  Saeward actually sighed.

  Times like these he remembered just why he loved his mother so much. “I’ll make sure he has it, and I’ll even make sure he uses it.”

  “Such a good son when you remember your manners. Now, there’s one more, isn’t there?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Eduard stood by the back door of the house, having a quick conference with Viv about dinner. Draco led her over, excited for her to meet his final mate. He should have known his mother had something on her mind. The clues had all been there, if only he’d caught them in time.

  “Eduard Eastaughffe,” Dalinda said.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “I wish I could say the same.”

  “Mother,” Draco growled.

  Eduard looked concerned. “If I’ve offended you in some way—”

  “Do you know what I wish for, Eduard?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “I wish to buy a home near my precious son and his new mates. I wish to have the opportunity to be close to him, so that I might enjoy more of their company.”

  Eduard suddenly had a very guilty expression on his face.

  “Eduard?” Draco asked.

  His mother turned her glare to him. “Are you so unaware of your mate’s actions, my son?”

  “Mom,” Draco growled again.

  “He purchases every property for sale within a hundred mile radius!”

  “Not a hun—” Eduard tried to explain, but his mother cut him off.

  “Might as well be!” His mother turned her ire back toward Eduard.

  “I was unaware that you—”

  “I’m sure you were! Frustrated at every turn. Nowhere acceptable for my family. What am I to think, Eduard? You do not wish for me to spend time with my son and his mates, is that it?”

  “Mother, enough,” Draco said. “My mate focuses on keeping us safe. Do not doubt his motives. I forbid it.”

  She turned her glare to him and flames lit within her eyes. “Pardon me?”

  “You heard me, Mom.”

  “I’m n
ot sure I did.”

  “I forbid it,” Draco repeated. “No one speaks to my mates that way. Not even you.”

  The flames deepened.

  His own fire built in response.

  “Mrs. Volsunga, come look!”

  Sawyer hurried over, and Draco prepared to fight. He would not let her speak rudely to Sawyer. He wouldn’t allow it.

  “Son.”

  His father’s hand touched his shoulder as Sawyer darted their way. Sawyer was unaware of the tension, hadn’t so much as glanced their way since the first introduction. Draco was constantly aware of Sawyer, even in his current state of anger.

  “Dalinda, control yourself,” Blaise said sternly.

  His father rarely spoke in such a tone to his mother, and she turned her glare to him. But only for a moment. One look at Blaise and the flames dimmed. “Yes, my love,” she said gently.

  Sawyer ran over with a rock in his hand. But not just any rock. One his other father had formed with his flames. Joash had taken up art in recent years, finding ways to use his flames to change forms, mold them into other beautiful objects.

  His mate skidded to a stop beside them, holding out the rock for them to see. “Look,” Sawyer gasped.

  “It’s lovely,” Dalinda said. “My mate has such a great talent.”

  “He said you hadn’t seen this one yet. Can you believe it? He said I could have it.”

  She smiled and Draco’s anger eased even further. “He rarely gifts his creations. You have been honored, my boy.”

  “I know,” Sawyer gasped once more. “I’m going to figure out a great place for it. I’ll talk to Cecil. I want it in a place of honor, because oh my god, it’s so beautiful. Can Draco do this? Draco? Can you do this?”

  Draco arched a brow at him.

  “Yeah, probably not. You don’t have the patience. But that’s okay, you’re great at melting marshmallows and you know that’s more important to me.” Sawyer leaned into him, then turned wide eyes back to his parents. “I mean, I will treasure this but, oh goddess, I’m sorry.”

  His mother’s bright, booming laugh quieted them all. “You remind me of Draco’s sister. Such a delight.”

  Sawyer shrugged. “Well, I mean, I’m just me.”

  “Indeed you are. Come, young man, let me show you the appropriate way to show my mate thanks. I don’t believe my son has shown you the proper ways to interact with dragons.”

  Draco groaned and his father chuckled behind him.

  “You got off easy that time, son,” Blaise said. “And you need to be sure to thank your father for his quick thinking.”

  Draco looked across the yard to where Joash stood with Augustus. He nodded and his father smiled before returning his attention to the conversation with Eduard’s father.

  “She’s terrifying,” Eduard gasped. “Absolutely wonderfully terrifying.”

  Blaise chuckled before wrapping an arm around them both. “And that, boys, is the true power of being mated to a dragon. Have you not found it to be true yourself?”

  Eduard glanced at Draco and nodded. “It’s intense. No one messes with us.”

  “Exactly. And his mother is feeling antsy. Her son and his mates are in danger and she finds herself unable to simply resolve the problem by terrifying someone into submission.”

  “She’s no delicate snowflake,” Draco grumbled.

  “No, she is not.”

  “I will find a home for you all,” Eduard said. “I’m sorry I caused—”

  “No,” Blaise said gently. “You protect your mates by keeping any newcomers away for the time being. It is a good plan. Excellent tactics, Eduard.”

  “Well, we have a lot of vampires to house, and I thought it would be a good idea to have them spread out in their down time. Not keep everyone grouped together. And, well, it just…”

  “It’s smart. There is a human adage, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

  “Yes,” Eduard said. “I have heard it.”

  “And if you are as wise as I think you are, you know that it is foolish.”

  Eduard nodded. “Not in our world.”

  Blaise tightened his hold on them both. “Keep your friends close, and slay your enemies before they get a chance to inflict harm on you and yours.”

  Draco grinned and Eduard groaned. “That’s where you got your bloodthirstiness. And here I thought it was your mom.”

  “Nope,” Draco said. He looked proudly at his father. “He’s a lot scarier than she is. Just don’t tell her that.”

  Blaise laughed and his arm around Draco tightened. “Yes, please don’t. I worry what would become of me if it got out that she wasn’t the scariest of us all.”

  Draco sucked in a breath, feeling the last of his anger dissipate.

  “You are doing well, my son. Don’t let your mother fool you. She’s proud of you as well.”

  “I know she is.”

  “She’s already put out a call to all of the aunties.”

  Draco groaned again.

  “The aunties?” Eduard asked.

  “All of the other dragon moms she knows.”

  Eduard visibly gulped. “And, um, what did she tell them?”

  “They are ready to go to war for you and yours,” Blaise said. “Your mother has deep bonds in the community. She is highly respected among our kind for her wisdom and generosity. She gives without asking for anything in return.”

  Draco’s throat tightened and he looked once more toward his mother. “But she asked this time.”

  “She did. And they are all prepared.”

  Draco leaned into his father’s touch once more, and then left him with Eduard to keep discussing strategy. He’d seen the gleam in his father’s eye. He’d grill Eduard about his thought process, and Eduard would enjoy it since he wasn’t being challenged by his mother’s tone. He went to her and wrapped his arm over her shoulder. She leaned into him, wrapping her arm around his waist, never pausing in her conversation with Sawyer and Augustus. They had similar temperaments, and each were champions at wordless apologies.

  They’d butted heads so often over the years, but he never doubted her fierce devotion to him. He should have invited her sooner, made it a priority to introduce her to his mates. It had to have hurt, especially if she knew they’d gone to see the griffins first.

  “Son, show me your home.”

  Draco turned his attention to her, pulled from his thoughts. “Sure, Mom. Whatever you want.”

  She huffed at him and he grinned back.

  “So much attitude. I raised you better.”

  “No, you didn’t,” Draco said. He winked at her and guided her toward the house. “I learned attitude from you.”

  She scoffed, but Draco knew she was pleased.

  He led her through the kitchen where Viv had the rest of the staff jumping at her command. He showed her the formal dining room, then the entry where Eduard had hung some of his favorite art. Then the office and library. He opened the door to their bedroom and she poked her head inside.

  “Excellent. You’re able to stay together. I was concerned, son.”

  “Eduard had the bed made for us.”

  “I like your griffin.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t have thought to buy up all the surrounding land.”

  “I wouldn’t have either.”

  “Although it frustrated my plans, it was necessary.”

  “I’ll tell him you said so.”

  “Draco,” Dalinda paused and her eyes filled with fear. He reached for her hand.

  “Mom.”

  “I am frightened for you.”

  “I am, too.” He could only speak his deepest truths to her. She’d see through any lie he attempted anyway.

  She squeezed his hand tighter. “I’m asking your aunties to send cousins. They can stay nearby and partner with the vampires. He is very fragile, Draco. You need all the help you can get.”

  Draco would like to argue, to say that
she was wrong, but she wasn’t. They both knew it.

  “He’s stronger than he looks.”

  “No doubt, if what the rumors say are true. Is he really?”

  “Yes, Mom. He’s the son of the mother goddess.”

  “Impossible.”

  But it wasn’t. And she knew that, too.

  “My son, mated to the son of the Mother.”

  Draco grinned as she puffed up a bit. “Yep. Talk about the mother-in-law from hell, huh?”

  Dalinda cackled. “Worse than me?”

  Draco wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. “No one is worse than you.”

  She laughed and tucked her arm through his. “You’ve built a wonderful life here, son. I know there are challenges ahead. A battle I cannot fight for you approaches. I would give anything to take this burden from you.”

  “But you can’t. I know, Mom. Calling the aunties… I can’t believe you did that for me.”

  “Well, they all just want gossip about your mate, and they know they can bribe it out of their children.”

  That was only part of it, though, and they both knew that as well. “Just as my sister and I are your greatest treasures, so their sons and daughters are to them.”

  “Yes. But Draco, don’t ever forget that it is noble and honorable to fight for what is right. The world is out of balance and the magic must be restored. That task lies with you and your mates. Ours to help keep you safe so you can do what you must to help us all.”

  “I understand.”

  “I brought the Chosen One a gift. I would like to give it to him now.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Draco wondered what she was up to this time, but she didn’t give him time to wonder. Instead, she went into the library and sat down in one of the leather club chairs.

  “Bring your fathers and your mate. Ask Joash to bring my bag.”

  It only took a few minutes to go get Sawyer and his fathers. Draco didn’t miss the look his dads shared before they followed him and Sawyer upstairs and into the office. Joash handed a bag over to his mom. Draco couldn’t believe he hadn’t even noticed it before. His attention had been on his mom and her reactions.

  “Mrs. Volsunga? You wanted to see me?” Sawyer asked.

  “Yes, dear.”

  Draco couldn’t help that his heart skipped a beat. She never deared anyone unless they were in trouble. His dad touched his shoulder once more as Sawyer went to sit in the other chair.