Shy? I do not know this word. “Explain?”

“Embarrassed? Don’t want anyone to see you kissing Mom? Are you worried what others will think?”

I frown. “Mouth kiss only in dark, yes?”

“Er, no?”

Interesting. I do not know what to make of that. Does she not want the others to see us kissing? Is that why she only instigates it at night? “Dakota cover Murr.” I indicate my hips, where I normally wear a wrap at Dakota’s urging. “Is not…” I struggle for the words. Is it not a claim of some kind? Her acknowledging me as her personal territory?”…wife?”

“Does Mom cover you up because you’re hers? Is that what you’re asking?” She shakes her head. “It’s probably because you’re going balls out and she’s weird about me seeing it. Or Aggie. Aggie’s kind of a horn dog.”

So it’s not her claiming me. She is “weird” about it. “Explain ‘weird’.”

Rabbit tries to, rambling on and on with many words…but a new thought enters my head. Is it possible that Dakota does not want to kiss me or see me bare because she is ashamed to be with me? That she acknowledges I am not worthy of her attention?

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OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER 54

MURR

“Dakota…not love Murr?” I ask, disappointed. Have I been wrong about all of this the entire time? Am I a fool for imagining that someday she will ask for my bite?

Rabbit puts her hands up, surprise on her face. “Wait, whoa, that’s not what I said. Back up.”

I take a step back.

She shakes her head again. “No, no. Let’s start over, Murr. Forget what I just told you, okay? I’m messing this up.”

Rabbit seems distressed that I am misunderstanding her. “I no forget⁠—”

Her hands go up in the air again. “I’m using the wrong words. Wait, okay?”

I nod, aching. This conversation has been a terrible one and I am left questioning everything. Dakota always seems so enthusiastic when we kiss. I love the sounds she makes, and I can smell her arousal when we are together. All of this makes no sense and conflicts with what I thought was happening between us.

Rabbit eyes me. “Do you like my mother?”

“Murr love,” I declare. “Dakota love Murr?”

“I don’t know. That’s between you and my mom. I do think she likes you a lot,” Rabbit says. “Being around you makes her very happy. She smiles a lot and she watches you all the time.”

This does not sound bad. Some of my anxiety eases.

She purses her lips. “But my mother loves to control everything.”

“This…is bad?” It does not sound bad to me, but perhaps I misunderstand again.

“Look at how she treats Dottie and Aggie. She fusses over them. Bosses them around. Puts them to bed at night.” She thinks for a moment, scanning our surroundings. Then she lights up. “She thinks of them as her kittens and she is the mama cat.”

I nod, thoughtful. I have seen this. Dakota has a big heart and wishes to care for all around her.

“You need to make sure she does not see you as a kitten,” Rabbit tells me. “She needs a partner, not another kitten.”

This is…interesting. “Dakota not see Murr as…wife?”

Her hands go up again. “Again, I don’t know. But I’m saying that if you want her as your wife, then you need to make sure she knows. I like you and I’m giving you two my blessing.”

“Bless-ing. Explain?”

“I’m saying it’s okay if you’re my dad.” She points a finger at me. “But you need to let Mom know how you feel. She will push you away if she thinks it’s not safe. Mom loves safe. Don’t let her push you away if you want to be her…lover.” Rabbit chokes on the last word.

I think I understand now. Dakota must see me as an equal to her if I wish for her to be my mate. If she fusses over me like she does Dottie and Aggie, I am not a partner, I am another thing she must safeguard, must take care of. Dakota’s instinct is to protect all those she comes into contact with, but who will protect her?

She needs me to be Murr, her protector.

“Yes,” I say to Rabbit, letting her know I am following. “Murr kiss Dakota. Show…lover.”

She blanches. “I mean, maybe not in front of me. Young eyes and all. Kissing is okay in front of others, but nothing else. OK? But I think it’s a great idea that you show Mom you want her to be yours. Show her you want her to be your wife, not just for kisses.”

This is encouraging. It is not that there is something wrong with me. I have been patiently waiting for Dakota to give me a sign that she wishes to be my mate, but I have not shown her enough. Rabbit thinks if I do not indicate that I am looking to Dakota to be my mate that she will assume I am another stray to be tended to.

I can show Dakota what I want. Tell her that I want to be this “lover” word and not friends.

I like this idea very much. “You are…good, Rabbit.”

“I know,” she says proudly. “Regular matchmaker over here.”

“Explain?”

“Never mind.” Rabbit waves off my confusion. “Let’s check on the strays a little longer and then head back. I want to make sure the hay is doing the job.”

We move around in my old nest for a time, checking on the cats that fear humans and only show up for feedings. Rabbit seems to be satisfied that they are warm enough, and we head out of the doors and into the sunshine.

The moment we do, a shadow flies overhead, casting the parking lot into momentary darkness.

Only one thing can be that big. Another dragon.

Instantly, I shift into my battle-form and launch into the air, ready to defend my humans and cats.

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OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER 55

MURR

I take to the air immediately, a natural instinct in response to a threat. Power surges through my wings, my shift from two-legged form to battle-form something that takes place between one breath and the next. As I rise to meet the other drakoni, I send my thoughts out automatically, looking to touch the mind of the stranger, to find out who it is and what their purpose is.

The sensation of reaching to be met with nothing is as jarring now as it was the first time it happened, and just as disappointing. I circle higher, trumpeting a warning sound that is universal. Go no closer to my territory. Dakota is mine. Rabbit is mine. Aggie and Dottie are mine. Stella and Kermit and all the cats are mine.

I will protect my new family from anyone that approaches and means them harm.

The strange dragon bugles an affirmation and rises higher as I do, an agreement without words that she acknowledges my claim. A female. Unmated, judging by the scent of her. She smells like fire and ash and drakoni…but also faintly of human settlements. Her color is a dull red, a signal that she is not crazed with a mating heat. This strange female is not a danger. She is not flaming, not attacking. She is letting me set the pace. When I fly higher, she goes higher, as if to reassure me. I try to send her a greeting once more, but it fails again. There is nothing but silence on the other end, and as we circle each other, I realize this will go nowhere unless something changes.

So I decide to land.

I glide down carefully to the ground, where the females are in a panic. Dakota is covered in fear scent and squatting on the ground, loading her weapon. Rabbit is behind her, gathering up cats and herding them into the building. Aggie and Dottie’s chairs are vacated, and they are probably hiding inside, too. Their fear makes me feel bad. The female has indicated to me that she is no threat. She is likely just curious and wondering why I do not touch my mind to hers in greeting. I need to calm my humans and somehow explain to the female drakoni that I have lost my telepathy.