Page 44 of Fallout

Parker’s dad clears his throat. “After your wedding, you can go wherever you like. But until then, you will be staying where I can keep an eye on both of you.”

Parker rolls his eyes, likely used to arguing with his dad about this.

“Maybe you can talk my father into allowing me to marry before I’m thirty,” I grumble under my breath.

Since shifter hearing is a thing, Mr. Thorne hears the complaint and laughs. “Your father always thought wolf shifters married too young. Then he met his mate and changed his mind pretty quickly. I’m afraid your father will never want you to marry, but he won’t stop you. He knows what the mate bond feels like. And he knows that Parker is your lifelong partner. Just give him time to adjust to his baby girl having a soulmate at eighteen.”

I frown, sighing.

“And how would you react if Gemma meets her soulmate at eighteen when she’s still in high school?” Parker inquires.

Mr. Thorne furrows his brows. “The same way I’m reacting now, only there would be far more chaperones.”

Parker snorts out a laugh.

More chaperones than what Parker and I have? We hardly ever get to spend time together as it is. I can’t imagine having more chaperones. I feel bad for Parker’s sisters now.

The SUV comes to a stop in front of a huge mansion at the top of the mountain. The dragon shifters certainly chose a beautiful location to be based out of, but now I’m wondering who we’re visiting. Who can afford a place like this? It’s massive.

The door opens up and Parker climbs out first, offering a hand to help me. His dad gets out on the other side.

Parker and I hold hands as we head toward the front door of the estate. Parker’s dad walks in front of us. The front door opens just as we get there and a middle aged guy bows slightly at us. “Follow me, if you will.”

The dragon king’s home is open and airy, with large floor to ceiling windows at the front and back of the house. I assume that the guy leading us is a dragon shifter. Whatever he is, I do know he’s a supernatural and not a wolf shifter. He gives off a different aura than humans or wolf shifters.

We are led through a maze of hallways, making me realize this home is even bigger on the inside than it appeared to be on the outside. I was expecting a castle and was surprised when there wasn’t one, but this… I imagine it’s bigger than a castle.

Eventually, we walk into a large library. There are bookcases lining the walls and spread down aisles. There is even a staircase that leads to a second story balcony where there are more books. From the balcony, I can feel magic radiating off some of the books.

This place is magical. I shouldn’t have expected anything less from dragons.

In one corner of the library, I spot a beautiful girl sitting at a table next to a gorgeous man. The two of them are looking at each other instead of whatever books are open in front of them. They’re laughing about something and from here, I can see the woman’s swollen belly. I’m so busy watching them that I don’t notice when an older guy steps out in front of us.

My stomach drops as I look up at the man. I’ve never felt power like this before. It presses down on me with a heavy pressure in my head.

I look from him to Parker, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

“Hello, I am King Basilicus.” The guy watches me with glowing eyes. “Wow. You are different. I’ve never met a supernatural like you before.”

Parker laces our fingers together. “King Basilicus is the king of the dragons.”

I swallow hard and I look from Parker to the dragon king. “So… that pressure that I feel isn’t normal, is it?”

King Basilicus chuckles. “It is my power that you feel. All dragon shifters are powerful, but as king, my power is greater.” He leans closer. “But you are very powerful too, aren’t you?”

“King Basilicus, allow me to introduce you to my son’s mate and the newest member of our pack, Henley Stone.” Mr. Thorne steps forward.

I let out a breath of relief as King Basilicus turns his attention from me to Parker’s dad.

That pressure is power? Wow. The dragons must be extremely powerful—possibly the most powerful supernaturals in existence.

“Alpha Thorne, Parker.” King Basilicus nods to both of them. “Thank you both for coming here. I’m glad you’re allowing me to meet Miss Stone. She’s very unique.”

I start to correct him and tell him to call me Henley, but his calling me ‘unique’ has me shutting my mouth.

What does he mean by ‘unique?’ And why is he being so vague? Does King Basilicus know what I am? That’s why we’re here, after all.

“You said on the phone that you believe you have a book that could help us figure out the truth of Henley’s origins,” Mr. Thorne says.