Lives hadn't mattered as much as pounds and pence.
She hadn't thought of their history for a long time. While Layla didn't understand how such an event could translate to hurting someone you love, she'd long ago learned that the mind worked in mysterious ways. It was one of the reasons she preferred medicine to psychology.
She finally spoke up. "Something must've changed, aye? Or he never would've followed you."
Yasmin smiled as she stared at her mate. "When he told me he could never fully love me or it'd end up hurting me—maybe even killing me—that's when I broke it off and agreed to Mum's arranged mating. Only when I was truly gone did he realize how he'd been a fool and came after me. He watched and waited for the right moment to talk to me—difficult since I always had chaperones to interpret for me—and begged my forgiveness. Before I could answer, he asked me to be his mate and run away with him.
"I had nothing but the clothes on my back and my bag with a little money. And while Azar had been nothing but courteous to me, there was no passion or love involved. He was following his father's wishes, nothing more. And suddenly faced with a life with a male who'd be nice but reserved for decades, or finding a way to survive with a male who'd risked everything to tell me he loved me and wanted me as a mate, I chose Phillip."
"And even after all you've been through, you would've made the same choice, aye?"
Yasmin bobbed her head. "We've had quite the adventure." She placed a hand on her large belly. "But the bairn changed everything."
After a few beats, Layla asked, "Why didn't you come to me, Yasmin? You know I would've helped you."
Her sister rubbed her stomach in slow circles, keeping her gaze averted. "I heard you were made head doctor, and I knew that you'd probably lose everything you'd worked for if you helped me and Phillip. It's only a matter of time before Azar's clan comes here, demanding who knows what for restitution." Yasmin finally met her eyes again. "I didn't want to ruin your life, Layla."
"Oh, Yas." Leaning down, she engulfed her sister in a hug. Closing her eyes, she added, "I've missed you so much. And I'm hurt that you didn't realize I would do anything for you."
Yasmin tightened the hug, her voice wavering as she replied, "And that's the point, I did know that. Which was why I wanted to protect you."
Layla pulled back enough to meet Yasmin's eyes, doing her best to ignore the tears for a second. "I'm more than old enough to make my own decisions, Yasmin. Promise me you'll never hold back from asking for my help again."
A tear fell from her sister's eye. "I-I promise."
She nodded. "Good." Pulling her sister back into a hug, Layla let a few tears slide down her cheeks. "I love you, sister. And between me, Finn, and the Protectors, we'll make sure you're safe and can live here again."
They stayed like that for a few minutes, each holding the other and trying not to cry. Or, at least not cry more. It was only when a knocked sounded that Layla released Yasmin and stood up. Wiping her tears away, she cleared her throat and said, "Who is it?"
"It's Finn."
She whispered to Yasmin. "I'd trust Finn with my life. Don't be afraid of him, aye? He'll help you."
Once Yasmin nodded, Layla went to the door and opened it. Layla used her sternest doctor's voice as she stated, "You can have a few minutes, but she should rest after that."
If Finn noticed her red eyes—which of course he would, the male noticed everything—he didn't mention it. Instead, he bobbed his head. "That's about as long as I can focus anyway. My mate is using our daughter to try and heal an unstable dragonwoman. A few minutes away is about all I can manage before I need to check on wee Freya."
So Arabella was using her daughter with Aimee King. She felt a whisper of guilt at not being there for it, but then she remembered how Sid had had a silent dragon for more than twenty years. If any doctor could better understand Aimee and try to help her, it would be Sid Jackson.
Stepping aside, she allowed Finn into the room and shut the door. She walked back to her sister's bed, noting that Phillip was awake and standing protectively over his mate.
Layla motioned toward Lochguard's clan leader. "This is Lochguard's clan leader, Finn Stewart. Finn, I don't know if you remember them, but this is my sister Yasmin and her mate, Phillip Lamont."
Finn nodded at them. "Aye, I remember vaguely. They shared some classes with my cousins if I remember right." He looked at each of them before continuing, "But enough with formalities. I know some of your story, but not all. Tell me everything and then we'll think of what to do next."
Yasmin frowned. "That seems too easy."
Finn shrugged. "You lot have been away a while. If we can overcome dragon hunters, Dragon Knights, and exiled dragon-shifters hell-bent on revenge, negotiating a wee bit of diplomacy with the Iranian clan should be a piece of cake."
As Yasmin and Phillip told their story, Layla began to think things would be okay in the end. If there was a way to make things work, Finn would find it.
Chase stood in his white dragon form, watching a wee golden dragon baby frolic from one bush to the other, and decided this was indeed a good way to distract him while Layla visited with her sister.
His inner beast spoke up. Just remember that wee dragon is the clan leader's daughter.
As if I didn't already know that.
Still, as he watched little Freya run as best as a tiny dragon could, he put aside everything that could go wrong and focused on the good. He was helping several people—Dr. Sid, Arabella, and Aimee King—but it was yet another way he could help Layla, too. Aimee was her patient, after all. And if she healed even a wee bit from this event, it would make everyone sigh with a touch of relief.
Arabella MacLeod walked up to him in her human form, the rare bit of winter sunshine highlighting the scar on her face and the healed burns on her neck. The sight reminded him of how important this was to the dragonwoman. She'd had a long recovery herself from torture and a silent beast.
She patted his side and said, "Holly and Sid will bring Aimee to the window in a few minutes. It's best if you stand on the side of the house, mostly out of sight, and only rush out if Freya tries to run away."
He could only nod. According to Arabella, Freya responded best to male dragon-shifters in their dragon forms, which was the reason he was here.
After giving a playful flick of his tail to Freya's back, telling her to be good, Chase went into position. He could just barely make out the window in question and tried his best not to hold his breath as Aimee came into view.
She was a year older than him, but the fear and panic she always carried, combined with the deep worry lines around her eyes and mouth, made her appear older. He had originally agreed to help for Layla's sake, but as he saw the female dart her eyes around frantically, as if looking for a threat, he vowed to do whatever he could to help her himself, too.
He could tell the second she noticed Freya hopping after some kind of insect. Her face relaxed and she moved closer to the window.
Soon, Aimee looked to be talking to the females with her. And for a second, Chase wondered if Freya's presence was truly the key to the dragonwoman's recovery.
However, in the next minute, a few dragons flew overhead and roared. Glancing up, Chase tried but failed to recognize them. Add in the fact no one would dare hover over the clan leader's house and make such noise—Finn and Ara had three bairns—it told him they were strangers.
He instantly ran to Freya and scooped her up with his front paw. The instant Arabella stopped in front of him, he handed over the wee dragon.
As the sky continued to fill with unfamiliar dragons, each roaring with his or her arrival, a sense of dread filled his belly. He had no idea how word had traveled so quickly, but he suspected they were from Clan One in Iran.
Once Arabella was inside the house, Chase quickly shifted back to his human form and ran for the main security building. He needed to tell his brother what he'd seen and provide all the details he could remember.
&nbs
p; Only then could he find Layla and watch over her. No, he couldn't do any sort of medical procedure, but he suspected Layla and her sister would both need all the support they could muster in the coming days. There was no bloody way he was going to allow Layla to face all of this on her own.
And so he ran faster, wanting to finish his duty to his brother as soon as possible so he could take care of his female.
Chapter Fourteen
Since the surgery was mostly soundproofed, Layla first dismissed the faint roars coming from the open doorway. Sometimes the Protectors did drills, both with each other and occasionally with Protectors from Stonefire in the North of England. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary.
She'd only just gotten her sister to sleep—Phillip, too, by setting up a bed right next to Yasmin's so they could lay together—and didn't want to wake her unnecessarily.
However, the instant Sid appeared in the doorway with one of the deepest frowns she'd ever seen on the dragonwoman, both female and beast knew something was wrong. "What happened?"
"I had to sedate and move Aimee to another location, there was no choice with all the commotion."
She quickly tamped down her worry for the female. There was nothing she could do until Aimee woke up anyway. "I sense there's more to that story, Sid."
Sid motioned into the hallway. Layla complied. Once she shut the door, she turned back to the dragonwoman. "What happened?"
"Several wings of dragons appeared in the sky, roaring nonstop. It was too much for Aimee, and she crumbled to the ground in hysterics. Once she was sedated, Holly suggested we move her to stay with Cat MacAllister temporarily."
Since Cat had been visiting Aimee twice a week and trying some art therapy, it was a good choice. Aimee knew the female well enough to not completely shut herself off again.
However, as much as Aimee being safe was important, something else made her stomach heavy. Even though Layla had a feeling she knew the answer, she still asked, "Which dragons are they?"
"No one has confirmed it, but we suspect they're from Iran."
Layla looked to the closed door and straightened the sleeves of her lab coat. "They can't know. Not yet. They're both in delicate conditions and need rest, not additional stress."
"Of course. But if the mysterious dragons are from Iran, they'll have to talk to them eventually."
"Maybe it won't come to that. Finn could negotiate a truce."
"Perhaps, but you can't keep them in the dark forever, Layla. You know that."
She did, but still, the urge to protect her younger sister hit full force. After all, Layla had failed to do that for the last five years, and she vowed to never let that happen again.
Her dragon raised her head to speak, but Chase turned down the corner and skidded to a halt next to her. If the dragons were from Iran, he'd probably know by now.
One glance at her face, and he grimaced. "You've heard about the Iranian dragons."
"So it is them, then."
He took one of her hands, his touch helping to ground her a wee bit more. He nodded. "Yes, and it gets worse. A few of them changed into their human forms and are demanding to talk with Yasmin's family. So unless you want your parents to speak for her, you need to come with me to the Protector's main security building straight away."
The thought of her parents apologizing and speaking for Yasmin—a daughter they hadn't cared enough about to visit after a five-year absence—made Layla want to extend her talons and hurt someone.
And she never hurt anyone. But for once she was tempted if it meant keeping her sister safe on Lochguard.
Chase strummed her thumb on the back of her hand, and she met his gaze as he said, "You know Finn won't simply hand her over, no matter what your parents say. Yasmin's an adult and can make her own choices."
Layla let out a long breath. "I know. However, I'm not sure how level-headed I'll remain when I see my parents, especially if they try to disparage Yasmin in any way."
He stepped an inch closer, his gaze fierce. "If you can remain calm when dozens of dragon-shifters are injured in an attack, you can do this. I can sit in if you wish." He glanced at Sid, and then back to her. "You know what future I want."
He was talking of being mates.
The rational side of her brain said it was all too soon. They should wait longer before making any sort of announcement. Especially since there hadn't been a frenzy yet, either.
Her dragon finally rose its head and said, You were afraid of him backing away without the frenzy, and now you're using the excuse?
She hesitated. Layla could handle her parents and the Iranian dragons if need be. And yet, having Chase by her side would make it easier. Especially if Azar Samadi held the views of his father, meaning the males had the final say in family-related matters. That much she remembered from the negotiations five years ago.
However, if she took this step, there would be no going back. A month ago, that would've scared her. But as Chase stared at her, his warm hand holding hers, she couldn't imagine being without him. So she touched his cheek and said, "Aye, you're my future mate. So of course you'll sit with me."
If Sid was surprised, she didn't show it. The dragonwoman grunted. "Then go. I'll hold down the fort here. Come find me when you have a chance. We still haven't had that chat."
"I'll bring her back myself, once the air settles a bit," Chase stated. He tugged her hand. "Come on. Everyone's waiting for us."
And so Layla MacFie, the female who always had to be strong and in control, happily let Chase lead the way for a bit. After all, she needed to save all the stubbornness and dominance she had for the upcoming meeting. Because if her parents said anything to belittle or threaten Yasmin, Layla would have to overrule them. She could, as clan doctor. Although she suspected it wouldn't be easy.
But regardless of how difficult it became, Chase would stand with her. She no longer had to fight all of her battles on her own. From now on, she and Chase would fight them together.
Chase did his best to hide his joy at Layla's words. Aye, you're my future mate. So of course you'll sit with me.
And if not for the crapton of obstacles coming her way soon enough—no, their way—he would stop to kiss her and tell her his feelings.
But like so many things about their relationship, all of that would have to wait.
His dragon grunted. If anyone ever says we're too young and impulsive, I'm going to have to growl at them. Maybe even shift so I can roar into their ears.
Many will say it, but in the end, most will accept the mating since Finn does. So don't waste the energy devising plans of retribution. We're going to need all our wits to handle the Iranian dragons.
Aye, I know. Layla will never truly be happy unless her sister's future is secure.
They arrived at the Protectors' main security building and entered. Since his brother had told him where to bring Layla, Chase went down the correct corridor until he reached the door of the largest conference room. The door was shut, and he stopped right in front of it. Since the room was soundproofed, he murmured without fear of being overheard. "Tell me how you want me to act in there. I don't want to overstep and turn into a medieval alpha male, fighting for your honor in a duel."
Despite everything, Layla smiled. "I'll see how far I can go. However, if they are old-fashioned and a bit medieval, as you put it, then you may have to speak for me and my sister. I'm the older sibling, and as my future mate, it means you outrank Phillip in this regard."
The thought of rankings based on birth order and gender made him want to frown. Chase had never been so grateful for the easygoing manner of Lochguard. He nodded. "Aye, I can step up if need be."
She quickly kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"No thanks needed. Now, let's ensure your sister's future. Ready?"
Layla took a deep breath. "Not completely, but it'll have to do."
Judging by the brief flash of uncertainty in her eyes, he could tell she wasn't sure how things would go with her pa
rents. "We'll face it together, along with Finn, Grant, and Faye. We'll sort it all out, you'll see."
After he kissed the back of her hand, he released it and knocked.
The door opened to reveal his brother. When Grant raised his brows in question, asking why Chase was here when Grant had told him to let her come alone, Layla answered firmly, "As my future mate, Chase has every right to accompany me. If I need to mate him right now to ensure he can attend, I will."
His bloody brother didn't so much as blink. "Your future intent is good enough for me." Grant turned halfway and asked, "Finn?"
Finn didn't move from his chair. "I recognize it and don't want to waste the chance for a good mating ceremony celebration. We'll do that later." He motioned to the empty chairs to his left. "Come in."
They did, and Chase's gaze went directly to the older couple he assumed was Layla's parents. He'd never met the MacFies in person—at least that he could remember—but the female's eyes and nose were exactly the same as Layla's. She had to be her mother.
Both the male and female stared at the table, not acknowledging their daughter.
Chase's earlier promise about not going medieval became that much harder. Layla had done nothing to receive such cruelty. And aye, parents ignoring their child for their own selfish reasons was indeed cruel in his book.
Somehow Chase made it to the other side of the table without growling or threatening the MacFies. Layla sat next to Finn, and Chase next to her. That was when he got his first glance of the Iranian dragon-shifters.
They were much younger than he'd expected—the oldest was probably no more than in his mid-thirties. They all had dark hair and various shades of brown-colored eyes. However, the one in the middle, with a light beard, Chase studied the most since the male was staring at Layla.
Under the table, he curled his fingers into a fist. The male had overheard that Layla was Chase's future mate, and yet he was almost goading him on purpose.
His dragon sighed. Don't give in. That's what he wants.
The Dragon's Pursuit (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 7) Page 13
