Find. Claim. Mate.
The mantra was the source of every breath and beat of his heart.
The shuttle descended through the night, the lights of the city falling away beneath them like glitter on velvet. Whelon did not see any beauty, not while there was nothing but conflict in his soul.
When the shuttle landed atop Preor Tower, he walked across the roof, the strong ocean’s wind screaming at him like a siren’s song.
Fly, fly, fly!
He clenched his fists and tightened his muscles, bringing his wings taut against his back as he headed downstairs. He knew the rooms surrounding the clinic on the first floor had been converted into a lounge area with couches and beds so the women could remain near the healers. He headed straight for that area. Fighting the primitive urge took up so much of his mental processes that he could only focus on one thought at a time.
When he entered the clinic, Chashan turned to him with such an expression of pity that Whelon scowled. He clenched his fists so tightly that his shoulders flexed into massive knots of muscle. A hiss escaped his mouth and a tendril of dragon’s smoke drifted from his nose.
“Hello, old friend,” Chashan spoke softly. “It is okay.”
“It is not okay.” Whelon pushed through gritted teeth and Chashan nodded.
“Come through to the lounge area. The females are all here with Dawn.”
“She left the ship?”
“Yes, a bit earlier. She wished to check on Melissa.”
Whelon experienced a wave of remorse. He had seen Melissa on the news and she was in a fragile state. His desire to help others pushed aside his inner conflict and he hurried to the lounge to see the bearing female.
When he entered, Lily waved him over enthusiastically. She sat at a table with three laptops spread in front of her while Penelope chatted from a table-top speaker.
“I want you to pull up all the information on how far we have come in wiping out Pol Mutation,” Lily requested. “Get out all those videos from when Grace was speaking about the improvements with her mother and Delaney putting the full force of her company onto the problem.”
“Roger, Roger.” Penelope replied.
“They are putting together a positive press release,” Hannah informed him as she walked past with a cup of soothing tea. “We want to get the good news out there for the people.”
“That sounds great.” Though in truth, he could not muster a strong feeling over their actions. It seemed the only emotions he could summon were rage and longing. Everything else was simply numbness leading to despair.
“Whelon,” a soft voice called to him from across the room. He glanced over and found Dawn with her hand resting on Melissa’s stomach. Behind her, he found Ellie sleeping soundly on a big, soft bed. The only evidence of her pet Charlie was an impression next to her, which shuffled and hissed when he focused on its presence.
“Mellissa,” he hurried toward her, flashing a reassuring smile at Jarek. He had seen the esteemed warrior in an agitated state in the past, but nothing compared to his current condition. Jarek’s eyes were red-rimmed with his face drawn, and it appeared he hadn’t slept in weeks.
“You should not have been caught up in this,” Whelon informed the couple with true regret.
Melissa shook her head. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay,” Dawn countered softly. “The dragonlet is in distress.”
Chashan approached from Melissa’s other side. “I was just getting Delaney settled for a scan. How are we, Melissa?”
“Can you all back off?” Melissa growled. Dawn and Jarek didn’t move, but Chashan and Whelon took a few steps back.
“What kind of distress?” Whelon directed his question at Dawn.
“The child is angry,” Dawn whispered. “It wishes to fly and breathe fire. It’s sapping all of her strength.”
Whelon had never been in this situation before, but the fury in his own veins rose to meet Dawn’s words. He knelt and held out his hand.
“May I?” He looked to both Jarek and Melissa for permission. Melissa nodded and Jarek looked away. It was easy to see that the fierce warrior was devastated that he could not help his mate at this time.
As Whelon’s hands skimmed Melissa’s belly, fire rose inside. The rage of his own dragon rose in answer, and it was as if both dragons joined together in a roaring fury.
“Yes,” Dawn whispered, speaking for the dragonlet. “You know me. You know my frustration. I need to be somewhere else, but I can’t be there. I don’t know how to get there.”
Shivers ran up Whelon’s spine as the true strength of Dawn’s talents washed over him. She read the dragonlet, speaking for it. He knew she was gifted but he had never met a heart master who could do such a thing as this.
Whelon sighed and spoke the words he himself needed to hear. “Patience, little one. We all arrive where we are destined to be if we but let time show us the path.” As he stepped back, he sensed only a small flare of anger from the dragonlet, but he knew it wasn’t enough, not yet. “Dawn, join the baby to his mother emotionally, if you can. Show the young one how much Melissa is hurting and try to settle him that way.”
“It’s a good idea, Whelon.” Dawn nodded, her hand still on Melissa’s belly.
“Does anyone mind if I check on my clinic on Farthing Street?” He was worried about the people in that poor neighborhood, thinking about the Preor warriors he had left in charge and wondering if they were up to the tasks. He also knew it was a pale excuse for getting somewhere he may run into Sasha.
“Don’t be long,” Chashan requested of him. “I want you to help with Delaney’s scan results and possibly assist me with Charlie.”
Whelon shuddered. He would do a great deal to get out of that task. He waved to the others and then retraced his path back to the roof of Preor
