"I'll bring her back myself, once the air settles a bit," Chase stated. He tugged her hand. "Come on. Everyone's waiting for us."
And so Layla MacFie, the female who always had to be strong and in control, happily let Chase lead the way for a bit. After all, she needed to save all the stubbornness and dominance she had for the upcoming meeting. Because if her parents said anything to belittle or threaten Yasmin, Layla would have to overrule them. She could, as clan doctor. Although she suspected it wouldn't be easy.
But regardless of how difficult it became, Chase would stand with her. She no longer had to fight all of her battles on her own. From now on, she and Chase would fight them together.
Chase did his best to hide his joy at Layla's words. Aye, you're my future mate. So of course you'll sit with me.
And if not for the crapton of obstacles coming her way soon enough—no, their way—he would stop to kiss her and tell her his feelings.
But like so many things about their relationship, all of that would have to wait.
His dragon grunted. If anyone ever says we're too young and impulsive, I'm going to have to growl at them. Maybe even shift so I can roar into their ears.
Many will say it, but in the end, most will accept the mating since Finn does. So don't waste the energy devising plans of retribution. We're going to need all our wits to handle the Iranian dragons.
Aye, I know. Layla will never truly be happy unless her sister's future is secure.
They arrived at the Protectors' main security building and entered. Since his brother had told him where to bring Layla, Chase went down the correct corridor until he reached the door of the largest conference room. The door was shut, and he stopped right in front of it. Since the room was soundproofed, he murmured without fear of being overheard. "Tell me how you want me to act in there. I don't want to overstep and turn into a medieval alpha male, fighting for your honor in a duel."
Despite everything, Layla smiled. "I'll see how far I can go. However, if they are old-fashioned and a bit medieval, as you put it, then you may have to speak for me and my sister. I'm the older sibling, and as my future mate, it means you outrank Phillip in this regard."
The thought of rankings based on birth order and gender made him want to frown. Chase had never been so grateful for the easygoing manner of Lochguard. He nodded. "Aye, I can step up if need be."
She quickly kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
"No thanks needed. Now, let's ensure your sister's future. Ready?"
Layla took a deep breath. "Not completely, but it'll have to do."
Judging by the brief flash of uncertainty in her eyes, he could tell she wasn't sure how things would go with her pa
rents. "We'll face it together, along with Finn, Grant, and Faye. We'll sort it all out, you'll see."
After he kissed the back of her hand, he released it and knocked.
The door opened to reveal his brother. When Grant raised his brows in question, asking why Chase was here when Grant had told him to let her come alone, Layla answered firmly, "As my future mate, Chase has every right to accompany me. If I need to mate him right now to ensure he can attend, I will."
His bloody brother didn't so much as blink. "Your future intent is good enough for me." Grant turned halfway and asked, "Finn?"
Finn didn't move from his chair. "I recognize it and don't want to waste the chance for a good mating ceremony celebration. We'll do that later." He motioned to the empty chairs to his left. "Come in."
They did, and Chase's gaze went directly to the older couple he assumed was Layla's parents. He'd never met the MacFies in person—at least that he could remember—but the female's eyes and nose were exactly the same as Layla's. She had to be her mother.
Both the male and female stared at the table, not acknowledging their daughter.
Chase's earlier promise about not going medieval became that much harder. Layla had done nothing to receive such cruelty. And aye, parents ignoring their child for their own selfish reasons was indeed cruel in his book.
Somehow Chase made it to the other side of the table without growling or threatening the MacFies. Layla sat next to Finn, and Chase next to her. That was when he got his first glance of the Iranian dragon-shifters.
They were much younger than he'd expected—the oldest was probably no more than in his mid-thirties. They all had dark hair and various shades of brown-colored eyes. However, the one in the middle, with a light beard, Chase studied the most since the male was staring at Layla.
Under the table, he curled his fingers into a fist. The male had overheard that Layla was Chase's future mate, and yet he was almost goading him on purpose.
His dragon sighed. Don't give in. That's what he wants.
Thankfully, Finn's voice filled the room and garnered Chase's full attention. "Yasmin MacFie's family is here. I've waited patiently, but no more. Tell me why you were flying over my clan's lands without permission."
The male sitting in the center spoke in nearly flawless English. "My name is Azar Samadi and I've come to exchange favors to make things right."