The Dragon's Pursuit (Lochguard Highland Dragons 7)

Her dragon murmured, Did you forget how babies are made? We could be pregnant already.

Mentally sticking out her tongue at her inner beast, Layla tried to focus on Finn and what was to come.

He finally slid into the seat across from her and Chase at the kitchen table before meeting her gaze. "I promise I didn't plan on having an audience for this. But Freya's been trying to escape in her dragon form more and more, and she'll at least stay put with me."

Layla waved a hand in dismissal. "No worries. Now, you may as well just tell me what's going to happen, Finn. There's no point in beating around the bush. They're leaving, aren't they?"

He grunted. "Aye, stubborn bastards, they are. I wish I could give them a few more chances, but I can't risk the clan questioning my leadership. Especially when things have just started to settle after the clan split into two. I hope you understand."

Since she'd cried her eyes out the night before, Layla was able to keep herself together at hearing the news. "Of course I do, Finn. When do they leave?"

As Freya tried to roll off his lap, he readjusted her and bounced her gently. "By tomorrow at the latest. I won't force anything, but if you wish to have one last meeting with them, I can arrange it."

She didn't hesitate to shake her head. "They made their views plain yesterday. My sister needs me more."

Finn studied her a second. "Do you want me to tell Yasmin and Phillip? Or, would you rather do it?"

"It should be me. I'm not sure Yasmin or her mate will shed many tears, given all they've gone through. Add in our parents reporting her whereabouts, and it's definitely safer for me to be present, in case I need to calm her down."

The news could also induce labor. The bairn was due anytime now, and stress might just make him or her come a bit early.

Finn readjusted his hold on Freya, picked up the wooden spoon on the table, and gave it to her to play with. Their leader then looked at Chase. "So it's true, you wish to mate Layla, aye?"

It was on the tip of Layla's tongue to say she was sitting right there. However, she sensed that in the absence of a father, Finn was going to play the role.

Chase sat up a wee bit straighter. "Aye, I do. I love her. And more importantly, she's said yes."

Finn looked back at Layla. "Do you truly want it? There's no rush, lass. I know you felt pressured yesterday, but you can take more time if need be."

She glanced at Chase, and he met her gaze as he took her hand under the table. As he stroked the

back of her hand and stared at her with warmth and love in his eyes, she smiled. "I do want it. However, the mating will have to wait until after my sister delivers—and probably Faye, too—but as soon as we can manage it after that, aye, I want him." She looked back at Finn. "Although it'll mean asking Stonefire a favor again. Either Sid or Gregor will have to stay here during the mate-claim frenzy."

Finn raised an eyebrow. "What about the Seahaven doctor, Dr. Keith? It would be easier for him to visit and go home each night. Their clan isn't far from here by dragonwing."

"He seems capable, but I don't know him well enough. Maybe he can help out one of the Stonefire doctors, but I'd like to work with him more before handing over full care of the clan for a couple weeks."

Finn sighed. "Aye, I suppose that's the logical way of thinking. I'll ask for Stonefire's help. And at this rate, Bram could ask for one of my kidneys and I'd have to give it to him."

Arabella snorted from near the kitchen sink. "I doubt he'd ask for one of those. He'd be afraid to absorb some of your personality into his body."

Finn grinned at his mate. "I don't know, he could use a wee bit more charm."

Arabella opened her mouth to reply, but someone crashed through the front door, and ran down the hall in record time.

Grant McFarland burst into the room, breathing heavily, fear plain in his eyes.

Layla immediately stood. "What's wrong?"

"It's Faye. She's bleeding and in pain. I think the bairn is coming."

Layla moved right to him. "Where is she?"

"In the main security building. I didn't want to move her."

She looked at Chase. "Fetch my bag from the surgery, alert them to bring the stretcher, and have Holly come meet us." She turned Grant around. "Now, tell me everything on the way."

As Layla ran toward the Protectors' building, she hoped the day wouldn't end up even worse than the day before.