The Cambion's Hoard

My grandfather reclined in one of our chairs. He made it look regal. No wonder he was my grandmother’s primary mate. He’d given her four daughters and 6 sons. The most prolific of her husbands, and he looked pissed. Thatcher and I had been his greatest disappointments of grandsons. We were also the only half-human grandchildren he had.

His gaze moved from me to Henson in severe, silent judgment. If anyone could explain what was happening was him, but he was not amused.

“Tell me again, boy, what the fuck happened.” His words came out in a growl.

I swallowed hard. “I may have killed my brother.”

“So you called me instead of your mother or father?”

“Mom would kill me, and Kelley isn’t a father.” I squeezed my hands together, and they turned red.

“So, again, you called me.” He leaned forward and mirrored my posture. He turned his head, and his white hair fell from its tie.

“I have questions I need to know...”

Boom!

Henson and I jumped, but my grandfather didn’t react. We looked at the front door, and Rose stormed in. Something had changed. She radiated energy I’d never felt before. It was as if a dark storm surrounded her once peaceful demeanor.

I stood up. “Rose, I’m so sorry. Please let me explain, let me...”

“You could have fucking killed him!” Her scream cut through me.

“I know, I’m...”

“No, you will listen to me. I will be with him; he will get to fuck me, and you’ll know. He is going to be the only one that gets to touch me. You don’t get to. You have to suffer. You need to know how it feels to hurt.” Rose looked like a fury, so full of rage.

I fell to my knees. “Accept me. I’m begging you.”

“Dragons don’t beg, big boy. She has rejected you for your brother.” Grandfather got up and stood beside me. He pushed me to the floor. “Just like your father. Incapable of satisfying your mate, making her happy, so she keeps you from him. No wonder your mother rejected him.”

His words hit me in the gut. Mom had always said dad rejected her. Didn’t want her, so didn’t want us. She’d lied to us? Why would she do that? I looked at Rose and fell back. She seethed, and the anger hit me in waves.

“I didn’t say I was rejecting him. I may be pissed at him, but I’m not stupid enough to make such a rash decision. But he does need to understand that Thatcher is my mate too. He will be mine first. Hell, I may have to take Henson from him, so he realizes you don’t hurt who’s mine.”

My grandfather chuckled. “I like this one. She reminds me of your grandmother. You’re lucky, Biggs. Maybe after she’s had a couple of children with your brother, she’ll let you have a go.”

I looked away from them. “I still have questions that need answers.”

“What is so fucking important that you aren’t even going to acknowledge what I said?” Rose’s voice was high.

“Why I have two mates. Henson is my mate too, Rose. Why didn’t I attack Thatch when he would fuck Hen? I don’t understand.”

“You are so stupid, boy. The ogre can’t give you children. There isn’t a competition between males like that. Put a fertile female in the mix, then yes, you will fight. Your grandmother’s infernal mate has a husband. I’ve damn near killed several of her other mates. You have to realize that matings with dragons are complicated, boy. Territorial, aggressive, and prolific.”

He pointed at Rose. “She may not be a dragon, but you still want to have as many babies with her as possible, right?”

“I want her to have mine and Henson’s children. Both of us.”

He headed for the front door. “Well, there you have it. Maybe you don’t see her as a mate but a vessel boy.”

I shook my head. “No, that’s not what I mean at all. That’s not it.”

“Biggs, it’s time to grow up. Sort your shit out and pray she understands what you mean.” He walked past Rose and closed the door behind him.

I looked back at Henson, but he remained silent. When I turned back to Rose, she sank to the floor. She was so sad I could feel it.

“I’m more than a baby-making factory. I’m more than that.” Tears streamed down her face.

I started crawling forward, but Henson swooped in and pulled Rose into his lap. “You are Rose. We know that. I know that. It’s no excuse, but sometimes the mating bond hits others harder. The urge to procreate is stronger. I think Biggs is getting that urge stronger than Thatch. I’ll do my best to curb his appetites until you’re ready for us.”

He rocked Rose and kissed her head. I wanted to hold them both so badly. But instead, I leaned down and pressed my forehead to the floor. I’d hurt them so much. I didn’t deserve either of them. I could reject them and free them from me; they’d be much better off.

“I’m going to go back with Thatch. We’re waiting for a healer. But, Hen, can you do me a favor?” Her voice was so soft.

“Yes.” Hen’s voice was muffled.

“Don’t let him do anything stupid. He’s in a world of hurt right now. I can’t comfort him because I’m still so mad.”

“I promise I’ll take care of him. No, rejections will happen.”

I broke down. Fuck. I didn’t deserve them.