“I’ve called this meeting to inform you all that as from today the McIntyre lair is public enemy number one,” I said. The cheers to my statement were deafening and I had to hold my hands up to silence them.“Any member of their lair will be captured and brought here for questioning. As per our customs no child under the age of fourteen will be touched,” I added.“Why the sudden change of heart?” Joe asked me. I had a very open system with my dragonkin and I disclosed all relevant information to them.“Six years ago my bonded half was attacked and left Aurora. I’ve recently discovered that the culprits responsible is Carson McIntyre and JD Hill,” I said with venom in my voice.“Kill on sight?” Andre asked me.“No. I’ve prepared the documents and will send them to the Elders requesting retribution. Joseph McIntyre will never hand Carson over to us but he might give us JD. It’s a start, from there on I will declare war on them, disband their lair and take over the whole of Aurora,” I sai

I didn’t go home for three days and Jax phoned on the second day. I had to go home today because it was Hannah’s birthday and she and Rev would leave for Chicago in a few hours to spend her birthday alone with each other.I was still mad at Rylee but between Tessa and Joanne and Liv I had plenty to keep me busy. I was in time for breakfast and I could hear voices from the dining room as I closed the front door behind me.“Where have you been?” Chris asked as I took my seat at the head of the table.“Out,” I said not looking at Rylee.“Are you back now?” Rylee asked me but I ignored her.“Happy Birthday Hannah, are you ready for your trip?” I asked.“I can’t wait,” she said and I shook my head as I smiled. Rev only grunted in response but he looked better and happier.I ate breakfast in silence as Preston glanced at me and I barely paid attention to the conversation around me. I was exhausted, I hadn’t exactly slept in the last three days and as soon as I was done eating I went upstair

“Elder James Hitchenson speaking,” he answered their phone.“It’s Lucas and I want an explanation,” I said my voice already irate.“Yes, Lucas, well we received their letter yesterday and their claims are valid. There were more than ten witnesses to your assault on them in New York, seemingly without due cause,” Elder James said.“Without due cause? They attacked Rylee!” I said angrily.“Which you cannot prove,” he reminded me.“This is bullshit,” I said to him.“Sire Lucas, unfortunately it’s out of our hands, you know how this all works, bring us the proof and we will retaliate but for now their retribution request stands,” he said to me.“Yeah no shit, playing both sides of the fence and campaigning the winner of the moment,” I said.“We follow the laws just like everyone else, we were in attendance at the ball or have you forgotten that?” he asked me.“Are you really preaching the lair laws to me? I will get what I want, even if it takes years, be warned Elder. This will not end w

I finally pushed Rev out of the way and hurried up the stairs where I could hear Hannah talking loudly to Rylee. I stopped in the doorway as Hannah had her hand around Rylee’s throat against the bedroom wall.“Now you listen to me Rylee. Lucas went through hell for you,” Hannah said angrily.“I know! Baz showed me everything that happened to him!” Rylee yelled.“Who the hell do you think you are that you get to mope around, the least you could do is to be by his side and support him!” Hannah said evenly.“It’s all my fault,” Rylee cried.“Yes it is, now stop your pity party and grab a hold of yourself. You share my brother’s strength with that mark on your neck, it’s time you started acting like a Sires bonded half,” Hannah said and let go of her.Rylee sank to the floor with her back against the wall and Hannah looked me squarely in the eye before turning around to Rylee again.“He still has open wounds on his back but still he drags your skanky ass to the bathroom to smell like a pe

Two weeks had gone by and things were looking up. I had a meeting scheduled with Jasper and Marcus at the end of the month at The Drake to finalize the signature wine list that would go to every hotel we owned.Chris, Jax and Jade had moved into their own house not too far from us and every time I saw her she looked different. Jax had taken leave for the next two months but they stopped by every week for dinner.“Come in,” I said at the knock on my door.“If you’re busy I can come back later,” Rylee said.“You don’t have to knock Rylee. I’ll always make time for you,” I said to her as she sat down.“It’s been almost a month since we talked about introducing me to the lair,” she began.“You’ve made a decision?” I asked her.“Yes, I want to go ahead,” she said and I smiled.“Great, I’ll have Hannah give you a hand in the planning,” I said to her.“Does this mean we’re engaged now?” she asked as she looked at me.“Basically yes, Hannah will guide you throu