Page 46 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

“I am not mated. They are though. I just came because I didn’t wish to stay behind.”

“Mate?” I asked, looking at Elias, then my own mate, hoping for an answer somehow.

“Yes. I was traveling, searching for my One as we tend to do. I felt drawn to Berlin and happened upon a pair of dragons at a shop. The rest is…well, fate.” Claude looked at Elias as only a mate could look at their other half.

“How did you get here?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s easy. Claude used magic to get us here. It is the only way I can travel now. I am not nearly as pregnant as Konrad is though. But my dragon is very much resting and preparing for a little one.”

I could not believe it. Elias was mated to a warlock, one that could simply use magic to bring them here to us. I knew warlocks had magic but did not realize the extent of their abilities.

“Elias had the shirt you had given him,” Claude said, interrupting my thoughts. “It still had your scent on it, and I used it to find the general area. After that, I simply kept searching until I found dragons. Wilhelm and Elias said they scented the two of you, so we took a chance.”

How was that even possible?

“Amazing,” Father said. “Are you staying for a time, then?”

“I would like to. I mean…” Elias looked to Wilhelm, who shrugged.

“It’s okay, Elias. I do not blame you. I guess now we know why my parents were where they were instead of with the rest of my family.”

I was confused. We had left Wilhelm and Elias with Wil’s family. They were happy to welcome the pair into their home.

“Wilhelm’s family was nice, but they just…” Elias sighed.

“They what?” I asked, my patience waning.

“I’m an omega, as is Wilhelm. We have our place there, and it was even more strict than how we were raised. They’d never acted like that when they visited the village. We were to be servants to earn our keep, and if an alpha became interested, we could be bartered to him in exchange for a price.”

My dragon stirred, coming to the surface quickly. They were selling omegas? That was barbaric.

“Calm, my mate. Claude found him, and now he has his own mate to dote on him. Besides, he can travel with magic and was able to get both of them out.”

“We were with my coven for a time, but Elias missed being around other dragons. I have no issue with bringing him here to visit from time to time.”

“But not stay? I told you before we left you behind you are welcome here with us. There is more than enough room on the mountain. It will take some time to finish a cottage for you though,” I told Elias. Perhaps they could have ours, and Konrad and I could stay in the room we were in for a bit longer. I wanted my mate to have his own place in the worst way, but Elias can Claude did not have any sort of privacy here as they would be sleeping here in the great room with Wilhelm.

Elias looked at Claude before he eyed Konrad in question. I looked at my mate.

“You know you do not need to ask me what I will say,” Konrad said. “We were born two days apart—Elias and I have been together since the two of us could crawl.”

“Since my One will not come out and say it, I will, then.” Claude looked to Father, knowing he was the alpha here. “We would not mind being here if you do not have an issue with there being a warlock among you. I can look after and provide for both Elias and Wilhelm, as I’ve already assumed responsibility for his care. I am also willing to help out with anything you require assistance with.”

“I am in agreement with my son. You are welcome here, Elias, as is your mate. Our dragons can be social creatures at times, and if yours is missing other dragons, we can appease him, perhaps.”

Da snorted before he shook his head.

“What my mate is saying is welcome to the family.” Da got up and walked over to the counter, coming back with a kettle.

“Where is your coven, Claude?” Father asked.

“My grandparents are in England. My father left in search of his One. He found her in France. She’s a human, but they are fated, so it did not matter. There were a few other warlocks in the area, and they petitioned to join that coven. They were given permission shortly before my older brother was born. I have two older brothers and one younger.”

I glanced at Father over Konrad’s head. I, too, did not have any issue with them staying with us. Only we did not have anywhere for them to stay. We suddenly needed more room.

“We will work out the logistics of everything, but you are welcome here,” Father said.

“If I may,” Claude said, holding up a hand. When we looked at him, he smiled. “I can help with the housing situation. If you will just tell me where is okay to put a cottage, I can have one there in moments.”