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I open my mouth to reply when the twins perk up instead and voice their need for our mother’s sweet treat. Pressing my lips into a firm line, I’m made to feel even more empty when the warmth of her hand is lost.
I’ve read about it before—the phenomenon of ‘middle child syndrome.’ It’s all a part of the dreaded human experience. I did not think I’d have to go through it as a dragon shifter.
Blowing out a breath through puckered lips, I glance around the dining room. Kairo and Felix chat about his new title and the responsibilities he’ll have now as the beta. The twins bicker about tomorrow’s training session in the arena and who will be victorious in their group.
Then there’s father and Draco, who discuss the human mate process and how the other clans have opened up to the idea.
“Hey, Aragon.”
I’m greeted by Lily’s sweet voice as she enters the dining room carrying her baby. She pulls out the chair beside me and sits, offering me a warm smile.
A human smile, I think glumly as I force my lips into a smile. I’d never been opposed to her presence until right now. Only because she reminds me that I’m to follow in Draco’s footsteps.
“Hi, Lily,” I respond tersely, my body tensing when Draco leaves father’s side and heads over to lift their two-month-old baby from his mate’s arms. The infant coos and murmurs, prompting Draco to return the unintelligible sounds and act silly around his child.
Chuckling under my breath, I drag my eyes away when I’m unable to watch the picture-perfection of their family. I know deep down that Lily and Draco are perfect for each other.
It just doesn’t mean that their fated luck can occur twice in a row. Especially not for someone like me, who sees humans for exactly what they are.
Weak and gullible. I’d witnessed it enough times during my travels… Women falling for the unscrupulous charms of men who only seek to use them for sex… Men succumbing to their baser urges, spending thousands of dollars on strippers and booze to fulfill their urges just for a night…
None of them have morals. None have any true purpose, spending their short time on Earth delving into meaningless quests until they die. Unlike other creatures who spend their existence in self-improvement.
The dragons have gone a few steps back by choosing to mate with the measly humans. When Lily places a hand on my shoulder to draw my attention back, I’m only slightly remorseful of my viewpoint when she smiles at me.
She’s not like the rest. But then again, what happened between her and my brother only occurs once in a lifetime.
“I heard the council picked a mate for you,” she preens, sounding delighted. “Have you seen what she looks like?”
I nod when Draco says, “Go on, Aragon. Show her the picture of your human.”
Groaning internally, I take out the photograph I’d been given of the human. Lily immediately grabs it and swoons as she stares at the picture.
“Wow! She’s stunning!” Lily exclaims excitedly just as Kairo leaves her seat and skips over with equal excitement.
“Let me see!” my sister bleats as she leans over Lily’s shoulder, her green eyes sparkling with wonder.
The two females exchange thrilled smiles before Lily returns the photograph to me. Begrudgingly shoving it into my pocket, I have a sound mind for getting rid of the picture. I don’t want to keep it with me for a whole month.
“What’s her name?” Kairo asks, addressing me for the first time since we arrived back from Samui Island.
With everyone so elated about Felix becoming the beta, no one has hardly paid me much attention.
It’s not that I need the attention for all the wrong reasons. It’s not like I wanted any of this.
“Yazmine Hendricks,” I reply blankly.
“What a beautiful name,” Lily praises. “I’m so glad she won’t be forced onto the island.”
Kairo giggles nervously. “Yeah, it was so unfair to you, Lils.”
“I’ve accepted my fate and have no regrets,” Lily admits.
Just then, mother comes back with dessert. The sweet aroma of freshly baked pie wafts toward my airways, turning gut-wrenching as I despise the fate I’d been handed. Unlike Lily, I can’t just accept my fate, which hasn’t been decreed by the gods. Just by a bunch of old dragon shifters who have no clue about the implications of their decisions.
Unable to stomach the lightheartedness of my surroundings, I leave my seat and storm out of the dining room.
I can’t stand any of it.
