The Dragon Family (Lochguard Highland Dragons 5)

Until I know the truth, no, I won't. Arabella suffered because of him.

For all we know, that might not be entirely true. Besides, we can't change the past. And even if we could, doing so would probably result in us never finding Ara at all.

Not wanting to debate the point, Finn ignored his beast and picked up his pace. He took the rear entrance to the surgery and herded everyone into a private waiting room. He told one of the nurses to fetch a doctor before closing and locking the door. He looked at Tristan, Melanie, and George in turn. "I think whilst waiting for the doctor, you lot need to start talking and tell me what the bloody hell is going on."

Melanie didn't bat an eye at the dominance in his voice. "I understand that you're trying to protect Arabella, but you could try being less of an asshole."

Tristan snorted, but Finn ignored him. "I'll return to my charming self soon enough. However, my daughter's life and sanity could be in danger, not to mention Arabella's so-called father could send my mate back into a state of depression, or worse. You understand dragon-shifters almost better than any other human, Mel. So you know that until all threats are vanquished, I'm not going to ease up."

She sighed. "I know, but I keep thinking that someday I can talk some sense into one of you."

Tristan spoke up. "How about we just explain the situation?" He motioned toward George. "I only located him in the last year or so. I debated telling Ara, but then she found you and I didn't want to threaten her newfound happiness."

"Aye, well, it's been over a year. So start talking," Finn ordered.

George's quiet voice filled the space. "I went rogue shortly after my mate's death."

He zeroed in on the older male. Sensing George needed a second, Finn kept his mouth shut. George finally continued, "Finding out that your true mate was tortured and murdered, as well as the fact that your daughter was set on fire, isn't an easy thing to digest. I know dragon males are supposed to be strong and tackle any issue. But while I could pack away my grief and disgust at my own failure whilst Ara recovered from her burns, once she was released and back home, it crashed over me." He finally met Finn's gaze. The despair in the other male's eyes nearly made him suck in a breath. "My dragon thrashed about and took control. I barely made it into the air and to a remote part of Yorkshire before I lost any hold over my beast. I was fortunate to find a few clan-less dragon-shifters to keep me from doing something irreversible."

"You were gone over a decade," Finn pointed out.

"At first, I didn't fight my dragon. It was easier to let his instinct guide us than to dwell on my failures. However, when I teetered on the edge of destroying a local village, I resorted to drugs to keep my dragon silent."

"And you still never thought to contact your children?"

George shook his head. "Their lives were better without me."

"Coward," Finn growled.

"Yes, I was," George answered.

Finn's dragon spoke up. He's clearly defeated. Whilst I detest his cowardice, yelling at him won't help Arabella or our children.

But he abandoned his family. That is unforgivable.

I won't disagree. But it should be Arabella who decides whether to forgive him or push him away. Not us.

Finn grunted. "Rattling off my opinion of your actions is pointless, as they aren't the ones that matter. However, if Arabella tells you to leave Lochguard, you'll do so."

George nodded and Tristan chimed in. "George doesn't know the full extent of his allergies, but he mentioned something about having adverse reactions in the wild. I think it's best to let Sid or the other doctors do what they need to do before introducing him to Ara."

Finn noted how Tristan called his father by his given name, but decided to ask about it later. "Aye, I agree. You lot will stay here. I'm going to check on Ara and our bairns." He glanced at Brenna. "It's your duty to follow and enforce my order, aye?"

"I have no desire to cause trouble, Finn," Brenna answered.

"Right, then I'm off."

With that, Finn exited the room and ran a hand through his hair. How am I going to break this to Arabella?

Tell her the truth. That's all she wants.

You say that so easily, dragon.

Picking up his pace, Finn headed toward the nursery. His mate had no idea that her life was about to change yet again.

Maybe one day he could see through his promise to give her a safe, stable future.

Unfortunately, he wasn't there yet.