Inside, Aunt Lorna had wee Freya in her arms as she rocked the glider chair. Since Freya loved her honorary grandmother nearly as much as her parents, she slept peacefully in Aunt Lorna's arms. Lorna's low voice filled the room. "Just be careful to keep your voices down, aye? I just got her back to sleep."
Arabella gestured toward her father. "Lorna MacKenzie Anderson, may I present my father, George MacLeod."
Lorna took in Arabella's father. To most, her smile would seem friendly and nothing else. But Finn saw the assessing nature of her gaze, which was quickly replaced with a neutral expression. "Hello, George. I must say, it's hard to believe you're standing here."
"Aunt Lorna," Arabella warned.
The older dragonwoman raised her b
rows. "I only speak the truth. After all, as long as my children are alive, I won't be far away. I couldn't imagine abandoning them."
Arabella opened her mouth, but George beat her to it. "She's right, Ara."
"Aye, I usually am." Lorna scrutinized George. "But you being here now, when you learned that your granddaughter needed help, speaks volumes. I'll give you one chance, George MacLeod. But hurt anyone I hold dear, and I'll ensure you leave shortly thereafter."
Finn resisted a sigh. Anyone who thought alpha male dragons were overly protective had clearly never met Aunt Lorna; females could be just as bad. "He's been warned already, Auntie. How about we try to avoid issuing threats for at least an hour? This is the first time he's meeting any of his grandchildren, after all."
Lorna cuddled Freya tighter against her body. "This wee lass is staying right here. I don't want to risk her dragon coming out." She motioned toward the crib with the boys. "But the lads have been stirring and probably wish to wake up."
Arabella guided her father to the crib, but Finn moved closer to his aunt. After lightly running a finger down his daughter's soft cheek, he murmured, "Tone down the threats, Aunt Lorna. Ara wants to help him."
"Aye, well, I seem to recall honesty being the way you won the lass. It can't hurt to try it with her father."
He did sigh at that and decided to change the subject. "What happened to Faye and Grant?"
"They went to check on Holly. Apparently, Ross and Fraser are having a wee row."
"I'm surprised you didn't see that coming, considering how well you know the family."
His aunt huffed. "I expected better, considering Holly's in labor. Although given my youngest son's way, he may have orchestrated it all to distract Holly from the pain."
"Aye, that's possible. Although I think you're giving him too much credit."
"Fraser is about to become a father. I believe there are many things he doesn't even know about himself, but will show up soon enough."
"We'll see." Finn took out his mobile and quickly checked his text messages, but there wasn't anything from his family members.
After one more quick look to ensure his daughter was asleep, he moved closer to Arabella and her father. George now sat in one of the chairs, and Arabella settled their more social son, Declan, into his arms.
At the sight of George looking down at wee Declan with awe in his eyes, Finn wanted to believe everything would be all right. More than anyone, Arabella deserved greater happiness in her life.
Hopefully his Protectors would find nothing on George. But he'd just have to wait and see.
Chapter Seven
Fraser MacKenzie took a step toward his father-in-law. "Holly wanted a completely natural birth without any drugs, so as to not interfere with the results of her dragon's blood shots. I'm merely honoring her request."
Ross Anderson narrowed his eyes and waved toward Holly. "She's in pain, Fraser. The window has nearly passed for her to have anything, even the tamer dragon-shifter-safe ones."
"Holly isn't a child. She can make her own decisions."
Fraser moved closer to his father-in-law when Holly's tired, yet firm voice rang out. "Stop it, the both of you. And come here."
His dragon spoke up. She may not be a dragon-shifter, but I often forget she can thread dominance into her voice like a clan leader.
Ignoring his beast, he rushed to Holly's side and took her hand. "Do I need to fetch the doctor, honey? Is it time?"
"You two need to stop fighting." Holly switched her gaze to her father. "I'm an adult and can make my own decisions, Dad. A little pain means nothing if it can help save the lives of thousands of other humans mated to dragon-shifters around the world."