Starlight Star Bright (The Men of Dragons' House Book 1)

by H. M. Wolfe

  ''I love that kid as much as I love his father.'' Alasdair heatedly whispered, spreading his fingers and running them through the older man's dirty-blond strands.

  ''I don't know what or how my life would have been like without the two of you in it.'' Ardan's hot breath fanned against the redhead's neck as he lightly kissed it.

  ''Don't even think that you can get me out of your hair, once you gave me attention. I'll stalk you forever, and your dreams will be plagued by my small, round, tempting ass.'' Alasdair seductively purred, grinding his hard length against his husband's crotch and driving him crazy with desire.

  ''Hey, folks! What does a boy have to do in this house to earn himself breakfast?'' Lorcan's voice put an abrupt end to the two men heated, make out session, leaving them both hard and dripping.

  The kid didn't stick around for an answer, heading to the kitchen instead. Once there, he started to take out different ingredients from the fridge and pantry, a small smile, so much like his father's, playing on his well-contoured, pink lips. Spitfire was right; he mustn't, under any form, let the Crispin brothers or Brett see how much he was hurting inside.

  Maybe, Lorcan thought it was about time to put everything behind him and move on. He needed to start living again, not just existing, as he'd done over the past three months. He'd start hanging out with his cousins Gavin and Natalina, and all the other kids in their group, Lazarus included. The smile grew wider on Lorcan's face, as every time he thought about Dargon, the boy's pet dragon, or whatever it was. He was a cute, playful, and endearing creature.

  ''You have such a beautiful smile, my son. I haven't seen it in a while.'' Ardan spoke softly, kissing the kid on the forehead.

  ''I was a little bit down, but Spitfire's words of wisdom showed me the right path to follow, so I was smiling my thanks to him.'' Lorcan circled his father's waist with his thin arms and putting his head on the broad, muscular chest.

  ''Thank you, husband, of mine,'' the man turned to the redhead who was just stepping into the kitchen, ''for taking care of my son's soul just as you do with mine. With you by my side, everything around me, blossomed turned into a beautiful garden."

  ''Guys, I have something to tell you.'' Lorcan started, blushing, while he was fighting the lump in his throat. ''Spitfire knows. I already told him, Pater.'' he turned to Ardan. ''I'm...I think I prefer men. I even fell in love with one, but he took my feelings and threw them to the dogs of hell.''

  ”How dare he to do something like that?'' his father spoke, in a more sad voice, than revolted. ''I'm so sorry for not being there for you when you needed me the most...''

  ''Had you known, you would have reacted very badly to the situation.'' Alasdair took his husband's hand between his own. ''Not that you weren't right to, but Lorcan didn't need more drama in his life at that point.''

  ''When did you became so wise, Spitfire?'' Ardan pulled the redhead closer, softly kissing him on the lips.

  ''Mmmm, you taste delicious,'' Alasdair darted the tip of his tongue over the full, rosy lips, ''but I'm also hungry for real food, and no one has cooked breakfast.''

  Smirking, the older man disentangled himself from the embrace, and, helped by his son and husband, cooked a delicious omelet, rivaling Vincent's. His moves were gracious, and the swaying of the man's hips made while he stirred in the pan made the redhead's mouth water.

  Even as he was facing the stove, Ardan felt the Spitfire's stare. His turquoise eyes lightened from behind, and a peaceful, gentle smile graced his features. He was at the right place and the right time, surrounded by friends and family, and having the love of his son and husband.

  ''Breakfast is served, boys.'' the man turned, pan in his hand. ''Dig in.'' he continued, filling the plates with the deliciously smelling omelet.

  ''It tastes divine.'' Lorcan let out a soft sound of appreciation, closing his eyes. ''Now that's a good reason to wake up fifteen minutes earlier.'' he flashed a toothy grin.

  ''That was exactly what I thought.'' Alasdair nodded, his dark-green eyes shining with affection. ''There was no way you will skip breakfast again, young man. You need all the nutrients you can get.''

  ''Once again, you are right.'' the kid high-fived his father's husband. ''I have to go now, guys. See you in the evening. I'll go to Uncle Dunstan's after classes and hang out with the bunch. Do homework together, stuff like that. Have a nice day, you two!''

  With those words, Lorcan stepped out of the house, determined to make that day the first one of his new life. It was going to be fun, he thought.

  ''H

  ere comes Lorcan, son of Ardan.'' Gavin greeted his cousin with an ancient Celtic style, grinning with all his teeth. ''It looks like you started this day the right way, man. You're glowing.''

  ''Well, Spitfire woke me up fifteen minutes early. Pater cooked an omelet. I came out to him. So yeah, I guess it was the right way to start the day.''

  ''Uncle Ardan cooked an omelet before or after you came out to him?'' Evan Brentano-Ballard philosophically scratched the back of his head. ''Because only the one Uncle Vincent cooks beats your father's omelet. It is a reward in itself.''

  ''Well, genius, you just answered the question.'' Natalina ruffled the blond boy's rebellious curls, making him blush.

  ''Oh, look what we have here. It's that pathetic fag and his even more pathetic little friends.'' Marvin, one of the Crispin brothers, said, stepping close to the little group.

  ''Hello, losers.'' Melvin, the other brother, snickered. ''What's new in your little, meaningless world? Run and hide freaks. There's no place for creepy little creatures like you in this school, amongst us, elites.''

  ''You don't even know the meaning of creepy little creatures.'' Lazarus' quiet voice sounded somewhat eerie, making the brothers take a step back.

  ''Hey, coward! Why don't you talk to us? You are hiding behind your minions, letting them fight your battles? Are you too much pussy to fight like a man?''

  ''The reason my cousin doesn't reply,'' Gavin spoke in a calm, relaxed voice, scratching the back of his head in Evan's philosophical manner, ''is that a real man like him doesn't give any importance to some snotty five-year-olds like you.''

  ''What do we have here?'' Brett made his appearance, joining his cousins. ''The little fag, so desperate for attention, and his fanatic supporters. Haven't you given up yet?''

  ''Come on, guys, let's go to class.'' Lorcan finally spoke, his voice calm and steady. ''Unlike others, we come here to study hard, learn new things and become better versions of ourselves.''

  With those words, he turned around and left. He was followed by his cousins and friends, leaving the three cousins behind. They appeared helpless in their frustration and anger, as it was for the first time in months when their victim didn't show signs of pain. He didn't even flinch at the multitude of insults they threw at him; neither did his shoulders slump. One thing was sure; they had to devise another strategy; the little fag had started to become immune to the old one.

  Thorvald Pedersen was heading to the school's entrance, followed by Namir, his animal half, who was invisible to everyone else, when he felt a sharp sting right through his heart. It soon became an unbearable pain, making him stop and inhale sharply while opening the mind link with the snow leopard that was rubbing against his feet. However, the beast ignored him, purring happily and exposing its belly.

  It hadn't happened before, and it made Thorvald question the teachings of his invisible protector, a magical creature just like him, a dragon-vampire hybrid. According to that Lazarus guy, the animal, and the human form, that wasn't typically separated in the Otherworld, experienced the same emotions and felt the physical pain when one of them was hurt. Only one event, the hybrid also said, could make the animal acting differently: finding their mate.

  Thorvald shook his head incredulously. That was the moment he'd been preparing for since the separation, three years earlier. But it was too soon, he thought, his seventeenth birthday was only a couple of weeks ago. As the blond, well-
built boy was leaning against the wall, the pain in his heart subsided a little, while Namir continued to harbor the same relaxed, playful attitude.

  ''Hi, what's wrong? Why are you still in the hall? Class should start in less than five minutes.'' the sound of a worried boy's voice brought Thorvald back into immediate reality.

  ''Um, this is my first day here, and I arrived a little later, so I couldn't make it to the principal's for the class orientation guide and the whole shebang.'' he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

  ''Oh, I see. In that case...'' the other boy shrugged, sighing in defeat. ''There's nothing you can do to avoid detention, the rules are stringent. Unless...'' he paused.

  ''Sorry, I didn't properly introduce myself. Thorvald Pedersen, nice to meet you.'' the blond, long-haired boy extended his hand.

  ''Lorcan MacNamara.'' the smaller boy took it only for a second. ''You are probably older than us, but it's better to accompany me to my classroom than to get caught in the hall after the class starts. And you'll change your mind, for sure.''

  ''Thank you for saving my pathetic ass.'' Thorvald grinned, following the other boy to the classroom. ''I can't change my mind about someone who helps me like you did.'' he continued in a warm voice.

  ''That remains to be seen,'' Lorcan replied in a flat voice. ''We're here.'' he continued, opening the classroom's door.

  When the English teacher, Mrs. Carrothers, came in, the dirty-blond boy explained his situation in a respectful, but determined voice. With his excellent hearing, Thorvald captured the snickering, deprecating comments whispered by the Crispin twins and their minions. A strong need to go to their corner and teach the brats a hard to forget lesson threatened to take him over, when it was suddenly replaced by a new feeling, something he'd never experienced before.

  Thorvald closed his eyes, trying to link with Namir, but, for some reason, the leopard had shut himself down. Instead, the shifter sensed another supernatural presence, one who he could identify with precision: Lazarus, his mentor. The voice speaking to him was reassuring, and it confirmed what his animal half was trying to tell him earlier: it was the time for them to meet their mate.

  And then, it hit his nostrils, making his heart soar: the sweet, inebriating scent of a vulnerable kid screaming for love, needing to be protected. All his senses alert, Thorvald focused on identifying the source of the delicious smell, and when he finally did, the boy couldn't believe it: Lorcan, the kid who'd helped him, was the one the Fates had chosen as his mate.

  Through the mind link he opened, Lazarus confirmed it, filling Thorvald's heart with love and a strong desire to protect the other boy, healing his aching, bleeding heart. However, the next second, Namir roared in anger inside his head, growling threateningly. At first, the teenager didn't understand the sudden change in his animal half's attitude, but when he did, anger surged through his body like an electric current.

  Thorvald turned his head to the corner the Crispins, their cousin Brett and the group of minions occupied, giving them a poisonous glare. The boy's hands balled in fists under the desk until his knuckles turned white, the bones almost piercing the skin.

  Lazarus sensed the danger, and calmed the snow leopard shifter down, explaining to him that the laws of the human realm differed very much from those applying to the Otherworld. Not that Thorvald was an expert in those, either. He hadn't completed his education at the Sanctuary, before being sent to live with his human family.

  The bell rang, marking the end of the class, much to the shifter”s relief. He hoped the recess would offer him the opportunity to be in his mate's company. However, the odds seemed to be against him, as the smaller boy appeared surrounded by the members of his pack.

  ''Guys, this is Thorvald. He's new here and almost got himself in trouble the very first day.'' Lorcan flashed a toothy grin in his direction. ''Let's give him a warm welcome!''

  ''This school is big enough for everyone.'' a curly, blond boy flatly spoke. ''And, as long as Mister Big-Boy-Bad-News here doesn't mess with any of us, I welcome him. Stay out of our way; we'll stay out of yours,'' he warned, then spun on his heels, heading to the cafeteria.

  ''What Evan said.'' a kid resembling Thorvald's mate a lot also spoke, joining the blond and his shy twin brother.

  ''I don't understand...'' the shifter started, a hurt expression on his face. ''I didn't do anything to those boys. Why are they acting like that?''

  ''It has nothing to do with you personally. They only want to protect me. It seems that none of them realizes I'm a big boy who can take care of himself.'' Lorcan weakly smiled. ''And even if I couldn't, I have Spitfire for the job. He would kick your ass hard if you try to mess with me.''

  ''Spitfire, what a cute name for a dog! I have a snow leopard named Namir, that's Hebrew for leopard, and...''

  ''You know, Gavin and Evan were right. You really are bad news.'' Lorcan let out a disappointed huff. ''Come on, let's take you to the principal's office. I don't want to see you in one of my classes anymore.''

  ''What did I do wrong now?'' Thorvald asked, in a half-confused, half-frustrated voice. But the other boy ignored the question, impatiently gesturing to him to pay attention to the direction of the principal's office.

  ''You called Spitfire, a dog without asking first what or who he was,'' Lazarus answered via mind link.

  ''And what is it? Judging by the tone of your voice, I screwed up pretty badly.'' Thorvald said in a small voice, contrasting with his imposing physique.

  ''He's the husband of your mate's father and his best friend. You didn't ask, just assumed he was talking about a dog. In Lorcan's book, someone who makes assumptions is the kind of person he avoids at all costs. I know you are an alpha, and your behavior is connected to that status, but things don't work that way here in the human realm. I'm afraid you still have a lot to learn, young leopard.''

  Lazarus closed the mind link, letting Thorvald reflect on his words. The hybrid was right, he thought, there were still a lot of things he didn't know about the laws governing the human realm. Here, mating was far complicated than in the Otherworld, but it didn't matter.

  The boy promised to learn everything he needed to know about the world his mate lived in, and use the new knowledge to conquer his heart. He was going to do things right, no matter how long it took.

  ''D

  id I ever tell you how much I love that son of yours?'' Alasdair purred in his husband's ear, sliding a hand under the older man's black, silk bathrobe, running it up and down his chest, which was covered with a fine dusting of black hair.

  ''You mentioned it, once or twice,'' Ardan hummed, eyes half-closed and relaxing under the action of his Spitfire's tender touch. ''A day.'' he continued, smirking. ''In fact, I think I'm starting to get jealous of you talking my ears off about said son.''

  ''He takes good care of our needs, creating perfect conditions for us to spend a pleasant, quiet evening together.'' Spitfire seductively whispered. ''I mean, what can be better than me, you, a thick blanket and all these medical journals...''

  ''Yes, especially the fascinating medical journals,'' Ardan said in a somewhat off voice. ''You know, I haven't been feeling well lately.'' he continued.

  ''What...what's wrong with you, babe?'' worry poured from Alasdair's voice. ''Since when and why haven't you told me anything? Did you see a doctor, do you need a recommendation? First, we have to schedule a general evaluation, to establish the exact cause of the discomfort, or pain, or whatever it is...''

  ''The general evaluation you are talking about...doesn't it include a physical examination?'' Ardan's voice was uneasy when he asked the question. ''You know how uncomfortable that makes me feel, and I was thinking...can you perform it?''

  ''Of course,'' Alasdair sighed in relief. ''Let's go to the bedroom. It offers better conditions for...'' he innocently started, then the realization made him grin: his dear husband wanted to play. ''So be it.'' he thought, heading to the bedroom.

  ''Should I remove all my clothes o
r just the robe?'' Ardan asked in an innocent voice, making his husband gasp in awe at the sight before him.

  ''Lay on the bed, my love, and let me take care of the rest.'' Alasdair ruggedly whispered, putting a hand on the older man's chest and enjoying the silky feel of the hair against his skin. ''Second thought, stay like that for a few more seconds, the view you offer is too precious not to admire it for a while longer.''

  The redhead took his time, looking at Ardan from all possible angles. He took in every delicate curve the muscles made under the bronzed skin. Every line, dimple, even the scars Alexander's craziness had littered it with. Then, Alasdair locked his dark-green eyes with his husband's turquoise eyes. Spitfire's heart jumped with joy when he saw the trust and confidence written on the other man's face and the light in those stunning eyes.