by Chant, Zoe
“Let’s go say hi to the Sheriff,” Jared suggested when they’d finally made it to the large town square.
There was a fountain at the center of it, where a beautiful dragon spread its wings above the steadily falling water.
All around the square, flowers grew, every garden an explosion of scent and color.
Many of the houses here were decorated in such a way that she immediately knew what sort of shifter lived there. On one wall, she could see a mural showing groundhogs. Another house was decorated with a cheetah, while next to it, a family of cat shifters lived.
The houses were all clean and every garden well cared for. Chiara wondered if they’d interrupted some sort of contest. She’d never seen quite so many flowers before.
The house directly to her left was surrounded by a low wall, with a gate that had roses growing along its wrought iron arch. The roses were in full flower, their scent almost overwhelming. From behind the low wall, she saw clumps of daylilies in bright colors.
She smiled at the man who came stepping through the small gate now. He was in his fifties, with gray hair and an imposing, still-strong body.
That had to be the sheriff Jared had mentioned. Automatically, she turned towards him with a smile, holding out her hand—and then she yanked it back with a small cry.
His eyes.
His eyes were yellow-gold. She’d seen those eyes in a hundred nightmares. They’d haunted her, ever since that night when she’d had her first run-in with the supernatural world.
Those were the eyes of a werewolf.
At her cry, the sheriff immediately straightened, one hand going to his holster as he turned, instinctively looking for an attacker.
At the same moment, Jared’s arm came around her, his worry flooding through the mate bond.
It’s all right. He’s the sheriff. Jared trusts him, she reminded herself.
Even so, her heart was still racing, remembering the terrifying encounter that had set this all off.
“Sorry,” she said breathlessly. “I didn’t want to scare you. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
Jared’s arm tightened around her. “Shit, I forgot. I should have warned you. I never told you that Sheriff Banner is a werewolf.”
“It’s all right,” she said again, taking a deep breath before she forced herself to meet the sheriff’s golden eyes. “I was just startled.”
Sheriff Banner had relaxed, apparently realizing that no fire dragon was about to attack from the sky. Very cautiously, he took a step forward.
“I take it you’ve had a run-in with some other werewolves,” he said wryly. “I’m very sorry to hear that. Wish I could say it’s all just prejudice, but it’s true—there’s quite a few of us that don’t like rules much. But whatever you’ve seen, I promise you that you’ll be safe in Mountain View. The dragon’s peace alone makes sure of that, but I like to think that I do my share as well.”
“You do more than your fair share, Sheriff,” Jared said and reached out to shake his hand. “I’m sorry, Chiara, I should have warned you.”
“It’s all right,” she said again. “Really.”
Now that she had time to look at the sheriff and saw the way he acted around Jared, she immediately felt calmer.
She remembered very little from the night months ago—snarling teeth and golden eyes filled with rage. That werewolf had been like a monster from a childhood nightmare, a creature made of anger and hunger, reaching out for her purse.
She could barely even remember how she’d escaped that moment. There had been some sort of loud noise nearby—an engine backfiring, maybe, and the werewolf had run.
She hadn’t carried much money with her anyway.
But the sheriff didn’t look like a monster. Apart from his eyes, he looked completely normal. He reminded her of her dad, actually.
They both had the same grizzled, gray look, the weathered face of a man who loved the outdoors, and the same sort of easy confidence and air of authority.
Of course, there was something a little wild about the sheriff.
His eyes, she decided.
They weren’t the eyes of a monster—but they were the golden eyes of an animal that was born to roam free.
What made a werewolf choose to settle down in a small town? And more—to choose the side of the law, instead of robbing people during the full moon?
“I’m not going to keep you,” the sheriff said. “Everyone else will want to meet you too. And I’ve got my roses to tend to—I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
“His roses were quite successful at the spring fair.” Jared grinned. “I have no doubt that means that your rivals will be trying especially hard.”
The sheriff nodded towards the house next to his own. It was surrounded by a fence of wrought iron, covered all over with climbing roses in white, pink, and red.
“If I don’t step up my game, I’m going to lose to her next time. Truth be told, I’m quite certain I’m going to lose. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t make her work for it.”
“Sheriff,” Jared said, his eyes gleaming, “have you ever considered simply asking her out on a date instead?”
As scary as the werewolf sheriff had been at first, seeing him at first speechless, and then flushing a bright red did a lot to make Chiara feel at ease.
“How—why would you—it’s not—” the sheriff sputtered.
It most definitely is, Chiara thought in amusement.
But instead of saying that out loud, she nudged Jared’s shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll have a little housewarming party soon, so I get to know all our neighbors. You should come too, Sheriff—and bring a date.”
“I would be honored to attend,” the sheriff said, once he had recovered a little. “And I, uh... I will think about it.”
“Perfect,” Jared declared, still grinning widely. “That’s settled, then.”
More and more people had begun to gather in the square. Everyone seemed eager to get to know Chiara—and find out who the two new shifters by Jared’s side were.
It took them a while to make the rounds. There were no more unfortunate surprises for Chiara. The sheriff was the only werewolf in town, it seemed—but there were shifters in Mountain View Chiara wouldn’t have thought possible.
There were dog and cat shifters, and the lions and cheetahs she’d already seen earlier. But there were also groundhog shifters, falcon shifters, and a little boy who told her earnestly that he was a spider shifter.
“Don’t be silly. You’ll be a cat like the rest of us,” his older sister, who looked to be around ten years old, said. She rolled her eyes at him as he pouted. “He doesn’t shift yet,” she told Chiara. “But I can shift. Want me to show you?”
“Of course,” Chiara said, watching attentively as the girl turned into a little tabby, who meowed proudly and then raced off.
Chiara bit back a grin as she turned back to the little boy, who looked after her with both envy and annoyance.
“She doesn’t know anything,” he said sulkily. “I’m going to be Spider-Man when I grow up. That’s why I don’t shift yet. But I could if I wanted.”
“I think it will be great to have Spider-Man around in Mountain View,” Chiara said earnestly. “I bet the sheriff would love his help.”
The boy beamed at her, his earlier envy already forgotten. “I’m going to catch criminals in my net. And swing from houses. It’ll be much better than being a cat.”
Jared laughed softly and tousled his hair. Then he knelt down until he was at face level with the child. “Want to know a secret?” he said in a staged whisper.
The boy nodded eagerly.
Jared leaned forward to whisper into his ear, although Chiara could still hear his words.
“My mate can’t shift at all, but she still defeated a dragon. So no matter what your sister says, you just keep going to school and learning all you can.”
“And then I’ll go and hunt dragons together with the sheriff when I grow up,” t
he boy declared, staring up at Chiara with delight.
“That’s right,” she said, smiling helplessly.
It seemed that there were problems even in a shifter town—like being the only child in a family of shifters who couldn’t shift.
It was reassuring to realize that families here worked the same way as they did everywhere.
But even if the boy grew up unable to shift, he’d be just as welcome in this town. She could see it in the way Jared took care to reassure him.
And Jared was right—they had defeated a dragon together, griffin shifter and human woman. This little boy could be anything he wanted when he grew up.
Maybe he wouldn’t be able to turn into a literal spider—but she didn’t doubt that Sheriff Banner would gladly welcome a local non-shifter’s assistance.
“Jared!”
From behind, a male voice called out for them. Instinct made Chiara turn around.
There was something in that voice which sounded familiar. She could hear a strange undercurrent of power. It wasn’t unlike the way the chimera’s voice had boomed, echoing through the cave.
The man who made his way towards them now looked neither grumpy nor annoyed. His voice didn’t echo eerily. But it carried through the square, and people happily made space to let him pass.
“Gregory!” Jared grinned, getting back up. “Where’s your mate?”
Chiara watched as Jared hugged the newcomer.
She’d heard that name before. This had to be Gregory, the storm dragon, who commanded the element of air.
“She sent me out to come and fetch you. She’s eager for all sorts of news—and company, of course.”
Gregory gave Chiara a curious look. With broad shoulders and light brown, windswept hair, he looked just how she’d imagined him. Where Zane had looked powerful but scary, he looked powerful but friendly, his eyes warm as he sized her up.
And then his eyes moved on to Jared’s parents, and he froze. Wide-eyed, he stared at them for a second.
“Jared,” he then said softly, “is that—”
Jared came forward, grasping his shoulder. His joy was so infectious that Chiara found herself laughing softly as she watched the encounter.
“I have so much to tell you,” Jared said, his voice full of emotion. “So much. Let’s go.”
***
Chiara settled back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. Gregory’s mate looked as if she was due any day now, which must have been why she was so eager for company.
“I’m going crazy, just waiting day after day,” Naomi said and laughed as she rested a hand on the curve of her belly. “I was so excited to hear that Jared had found his mate and was bringing her home. With Braeden and Alyx leaving, I was afraid I’d end up really bored. But I didn’t think...”
Her voice trailed off as she looked across the table to where Jared’s parents were seated. Awed, she shook her head.
“This is more than I’d ever dared to hope for.”
Marianne nodded, giving her son a look full of overwhelmed joy. “I still can’t believe it. For us, it feels like it was yesterday when we were forced to send him away and seal the caves—and us inside them. But here we are.”
“It’s a beautiful town.” Dean gave Gregory a respectful nod. “You and your parents have built an incredible community here. I am so grateful to your parents for doing what we couldn’t—for giving him the loving home he deserved.”
Marianne was wiping at her eyes again, but then reached out for her wine glass. “There’s no use crying over the years we lost,” she said resolutely. “Our baby’s alive and has grown into a brave young man. The first champion of the light this world has seen in thousands of years. And we still have so many years ahead of us.”
“Years to get to know each other, and to build new memories.” Chiara raised her own glass. “I hope you’re considering staying with us. We’d both love to have you close.”
Jared’s father laughed softly. “We’re not going to intrude on a newly mated pair.” He winked. “We’ve missed out on a lot of Jared’s childhood, but we’re not going to miss out on the grandparent experience.”
Chiara found herself blushing, even though she couldn’t help but smile in response.
It was true, after all—she did want a family of her own. They both wanted that.
“You’re going to be the best grandparents I can imagine. And the most youthful ones,” she pointed out.
There was one good thing about the eternity they’d spent frozen in stone. They hadn’t aged at all during those years, and looked at most ten years older than Jared.
They’d be just the right age to keep up with an entire gaggle of exhausting grandkids, to take them on fishing trips to mountain lakes, or long flights to the coast.
“Any time you two need a babysitter, we’ll be right here.” Marianne smiled as her as if she’d read her thoughts. “But my mate is right. We’ll return to our own home. You need your privacy.”
“But there’s no need for that,” Jared protested. “We’d love to have you here. And with me as the griffin of light now, there’s no need for you to hide in that cave anymore.”
“That cave was our home,” his dad said. “And there are many secrets hidden there... It will still need a pair of guardians.”
“How about we decide what we’re going to do with our lives once we’ve had time to make up for everything we’ve missed?” Marianne rested a hand on her mate’s arm. “Those are not decisions we need to make right now.”
Dean’s shoulders relaxed. “Of course. You’re completely right. So much has changed... Let’s take a few weeks to catch up with the world.”
Through the bond, Chiara could feel Jared’s relief. She was relieved as well. She’d really had enough of caves now. Obviously she’d understand if Jared’s parents wanted to go back to the home they knew and loved, but she hated to think of them all alone in that mountain when they had such a lovely little community here.
“That’s a deal, then,” Jared said firmly. “For now, you’re staying here, and I’ll introduce you to all my friends. And if the chimera calls—well, we’ll deal with that when it happens.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He and his dad shook hands, grinning at each other. Chiara’s heart filled with warmth again as she looked at them. They both had the same jaw, the same stubborn set of mouth when they were facing a problem—and the same dimples when they smiled.
And she’d seen Jared’s devotion to his own duty. She’d heard people gently chide him for being such a workaholic. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that his dad was just as firmly devoted to what he saw as his own duty...
“And now,” Naomi declared, “we’ll show you the garden. It’s where Jared and Gregory learned to fly.”
Her hand curved around her belly again. Chiara thought that she knew what Naomi was thinking: that soon, another little dragonet would learn to fly in the same garden.
And who knew... Perhaps, in a year’s time, that dragonet would have a griffin playmate. Another generation of dragons and griffins growing up together in Mountain View.
Another generation that would learn to fly together and play in the currents of air among the mountaintops.
When she turned her head, she saw that Jared was watching her. He reached out for her hand when everyone else got up. For just a heartbeat, he pulled her against him when everyone else was filing out.
“What do you think,” he murmured. “Do you think you could deal with a winged toddler?”
“One?” she asked in return, sliding her hand to where his heart thudded reassuringly in his chest. “I want at least three.”
Chapter Twenty-Six: Jared
Jared couldn’t help but beam with pride when he and Gregory got to show off the ridiculous contraption they’d built one summer when they couldn’t have been older than twelve.
It involved a harness, a repurposed pair of skis that must have been ancient already when they’d found them in th
e attic, and a long rope.
Marianne could barely hold back her laughter when she shook her head at them. “Please tell me this didn’t end with any broken arms.”
“Hey. It’s perfectly safe,” Jared said, pretending to be insulted by her distrust. “After all, it was invented by me!”
“And me,” Gregory added, grinning at him. “This was the world’s first ever dragon- or griffin-powered waterski resort.”
It was really just the lake behind Gregory’s mansion. But during their childhood summers, they’d felt like adventurers.
“Do you remember? I was so certain that by the time we were adults, this would be an Olympic discipline.” Jared laughed and shook his head at himself. “I’m not quite sure how I imagined the dragon- or griffin-powered would go over in the human world...”
“I’m pretty sure you didn’t think about that at all.” Gregory nudged his shoulder with an amused sound, then added, “But neither did I. In any case, we had fun, and that’s what matters.”
“I’m glad I’m at least getting a warning,” Chiara muttered at them, although she was smiling, too. “I guess I know what to expect now.”
“It’ll take a few years until they start being nothing but trouble.” Gregory wrapped his arm around his pregnant mate, giving her a tender look. “And we’ll enjoy what quiet time we’ve got left.”
“You’re joking,” Naomi declared, “but I look forward to the crazy antics. Don’t take too much longer, do you hear me? There are lots of people here who want to meet you.” She curved her hand around her belly again, smiling dreamily as she looked at the lake.
One day that’ll be me and Chiara, Jared thought as he looked at the two of them.
And then there’d be another generation of dragons and griffins growing up together, becoming best friends.
***
By the time the sun was starting to set, they’d explored most of the shifter town. It had been a glorious day.
Jared had sometimes dreamed of the day when he’d first get to introduce his mate to his friends—but he’d never dared to hope that he’d do so with his parents by his side.
