Mack sat between Miracle and Elon, with Dina and Tonya on either side of them. The king and his mate sat on matching high-backed chairs. The chairs, like the couch, were covered with magenta fabric and embroidered with golden dragon silhouettes.
Dariel said, “After your mating to my nephew was annulled and he destroyed your workshop in retaliation, I forbade him from having further contact with you. I threatened him with exile if he attempted to harm you again. Please tell me, each of you in your own words, what happened with Tais.”
One by one, Miracle’s family spoke, beginning with her parents being attacked and drugged, and ending with Tonya being tortured for her tears. Miracle was crying silently next to him, and he knew she was feeling guilty for what had happened to her parents and Tonya.
Dariel said, “I would never have guessed in my wildest dreams that he would broker a deal with a wizard.”
Mack waited for an apology from the king, but none came. It didn’t surprise him in some ways, because if the king apologized then he’d have to admit that he messed up – by not protecting Miracle from her ex in the first place, and for not realizing how unstable the male was. The king didn’t seem like the sort of male who thought any of his actions were wrong.
Dariel stood. “Please join us for morning meal.”
Mack looked at Miracle as the king and his mate left the living room, and she whispered, “That’s as close to an apology as we’ll get.”
Mack thought that Dariel was probably the sort of male who thought apologies were a sign of weakness. He disagreed wholeheartedly. It took courage and strength to apologize, the very opposite of someone with weak character.
Their small group walked into the kitchen and sat at a table laden with breakfast food. Moments earlier, the conversation had been heavy as they’d listened to Miracle’s family talk about their ordeal. But as they ate, they discussed lighter subjects like the clan’s plans for spring planting in the community garden. Luisa asked Mack questions about his pack and home. When the meal was over and the dishes were cleared, Dariel folded his hands on the table and looked at Miracle.
“I’m aware that some of our traditions are…outdated.”
Tonya snorted, and then covered her mouth as her cheeks darkened in a blush.
The king arched a brow at her, but continued, “While I have no plans to change every law, the elders and I met last night after the battle and we’ve come to a consensus on one point: mates, whether they be dragon or other, are welcome in our community and clan, permanently.”
Mack glanced at his mate. Her brows were so high, and her eyes so wide, he was surprised she wasn’t grimacing in pain. When no one on their side of the table spoke, Mack said, “Thank you for your gracious offer.”
The king nodded. “If we don’t move with the times, we’ll die out as a race, and I for one don’t wish for that to happen in my lifetime.”
Miracle shook herself out of her stupor. “Thank you so much, Sire. My mate and I have much to discuss.”
After a few more minutes of small talk, Mack and his new family left the king’s house and walked through the community to his in-laws’ home. They passed the gardens, a wrought-iron-fenced plot of land in the center of the community. Once the snow had melted and the ground thawed, the clan would plant the fruits and vegetables they’d need for the season there.
“Dad, was the reason you were smiling like a nut earlier because you knew the King had changed his mind about letting non-dragons live here?”
Elon nodded. “He called to let me know about the offer.”
“I never thought I’d see the day,” Tonya said.
“What do you think about the king’s offer?” Miracle asked Mack as she wrapped her hands around the fence bars.
He turned to face her and leaned against the fence. “You’re home for me. Wherever you want to live, that’s where we’ll make a life for ourselves. Here or in New Jersey, I’m happy just to have you as my mate.”
“Oh barf,” Tonya said as she joined them. “Are wolves always so lovey-dovey?”
Mack snorted as Miracle bent and lobbed a ball of snow at Tonya.
“If you want to get me back, don’t hit me with snow. My dragon likes it too much.”
Miracle smiled at Mack, and his whole body warmed from the inside out. He didn’t think he’d have an opportunity to know what love was like again, but here he was, in the mountains with his dragon mate. And he loved every inch of her: her fierceness, her playfulness, her loyalty.
“I want to be with the pack. Whether you remain as alpha or not, I feel like this mountain hasn’t ever really been home for me, that I was meant for something different. And that’s you.”
“I hope there’s room for two more dragons,” her dad said.
“What? You told me you’d never leave the mountain,” Miracle said.
Her mom smiled gently at them. “You’re happy because you’ve found the one meant for you. You’re our only child, and we may not have too many more good years in us. We’d like to stay together as a family.”