Dragon 2 Chapter 14 (Patreon)

“Wow.” I said as we pulled into the large circle drive in front of Jadelyn’s house. As soon as we came to a stop, the four black SUVs surrounded the BMW. House was a bit of a misnomer though, mansion was a far more apt description.

I ignored the SUVs blocking us in, surveying the enormous home. It was a massive stone structure, very stately, with water features dominating the front. I probably shouldn’t have been so surprised that they had several fountains, a large attached pool house, and what looked like an outdoor lagoon.

“You guys really like water.” I felt like an idiot the second that came out. Of course they did. The Scalewright family were all sirens.

“It’s fine. Everyone mentions it the first time they see the place.” She stepped out of the car.

As her feet hit the ground, a team from inside the home immediately hurried out and escorted her into the house while one other took the keys to the BMW from me. I was left to trail along behind her as Scarlett and her team unloaded their prisoner.

I walked up, my neck craning to take in the front entryway. It was a large, three story high square room with a large glass ceiling and a garden under it, basking in the moonlight.

Jadelyn stopped, and the bodyguards nearly ran into her. “Make room. He stays with me.”

They gave me wary looks before parting and doing as they were told.

“That’s not necessary daughter.” Rupert strolled forward, his shoes echoing in the large room. “We need to talk to everyone involved tonight.”

“Father.” Jadelyn turned and bowed slightly, but the bow felt a little stiff, even to me.

Detective Fox showed up on Rupert's heels. “I see once again you’re there when she’s in danger. Almost suspicious.” The detective narrowed his eyes at me.

I growled at the insinuation, but Jadelyn jumped to my aid. “Both of you watch it. I won’t hear a word from either of you against him.”

Rupert looked like he’d been slapped by his daughter’s outburst. “Excuse me?”

I knew she had been in her father’s shadow for sometime, but the way he reacted told me she had been docile and following his lead. I had a feeling that might be about to change.

“You heard what I said. I stand behind him, and if you both don’t get with the program, you’ll regret it.” She threatened.

Her father’s expressions shifted from surprised to upset in an instant.

For a moment, I thought he was going to shout, but instead he just pulled back his shoulders like an animal making its presence known. But then he quickly pivoted and his glare was directed at me. “What have you done to my daughter?”

“Who has done what to my daughter?” A mature female voice rang through the hall, almost as if it had been sung. “I came as soon as I heard.”

An older version of Jadelyn glided into the room. She was wearing a green dress, somewhere between formal wear and nightwear. She moved straight to Jadelyn, wrapping her up in a hug. Jadelyn’s mother was beautiful for her age, and I had to admit I was excited that Jadelyn would retain her beauty for years.

On her side was another woman in tight fitted exercise clothes, with five fox tails splaying out behind her. She was clearly Scarlett’s mother, but she had light brown hair instead of the fox orange that her husband and daughter shared.

“Mom, dad is being unreasonable. This is Zach.” She stepped aside and gestured towards me.

“The Zach?” She asked, her words dripping with meaning that made my newest mate blush, but Jadelyn didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

Her mother’s gaze was hard and critical in a way that only a potential mother-in-law could mimic. “Handsome. Is he all you thought?”

“And more.” Jadelyn said before moving on the other side of her mother and away from her father.

“Well then. Husband, it sounds like we should be treating him like family and not some sort of pest to be dealt with. Don’t you think?” Her voice dripped with meaning, and I got a good feeling that things didn’t happen in this house without her approval.

As much as Rupert walked around like a king among the council and the world outside, here in the home, it was clear who was in charge.

“Yes. Besides, he already claimed me.” Jadelyn stated proudly, and I nearly face palmed. Why did she have to add fuel to the fire?

Rupert’s face went red instantly, and his wife’s hand on his chest looked to be the only thing preventing him from boiling over. “Let us handle him. Use that anger where it belongs - on the situation with those that thought they could take a shot at our daughter.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or terrified. She’d helped me avoid the wrath of Jadelyn’s father, but both mothers turned and fixed me with critical gazes. I had a feeling they weren’t going to be a walk in the park. They were already judging if I was good enough for their daughters.

“Fine.” Rupert spat. “Girls, come with us. Let’s get this all sorted out.”

Scarlett barked orders at her men, who filed on ahead as they all moved deeper into the mansion. Two men brought up the rear, carrying the unconscious warlock. She flickered back for a moment, kissing me on the cheek and giving me a wink before darting back after her father, none the wiser for her slight detour.

Jadelyn gave me a pat on the shoulder. “It’ll be fine. Once they get to know you, they’ll defrost a bit.” She finished her statement with a nervous laugh that failed to put me at ease.

I was hoping I survived long enough to make it into their good graces.

But it was time to face the music. I turned my focus to their mothers as everybody else left the entryway. “I guess I’m all yours.”

Scarlett’s mother had her hands on her hips as her tails waved agitatedly behind her. “Follow us.”

“Uh oh.” I joked, but neither of them laughed, making me more wary.

They both turned and walked side by side through the home quickly enough that even with my long legs, I was forced to pick up the pace to keep up.

After enough turns to get me lost, they soon stopped in a parlor filled with stiff, but comfortable looking furniture, arranged in several groupings meant for a larger party.

They picked one that already had a tray of cookies and milk set out, along with a stack of plates and cutlery.

Neither of them offered me the food as they sat down and crossed their legs. Jadelyn’s mother folded her hands neatly in her lap while Scarlett’s mother laced them together and held onto her knee.

“Introductions are in order. I’m Claire.” Jadelyn’s mother started. “And this is Ruby.”

Claire Scalewright and Ruby Fox. I tried to cement those names to memory as I worked to not break out in a sweat. Somehow, talking with two potential mother-in-laws at the same time was more nerve-wracking than going up against a group of swamp trolls. Sadly, I couldn’t just eat them to get out of this.

As they both let their eyes rove over me like they were picking me apart, I decided I would definitely rather fight a dozen swamp trolls.

“Pleasure to meet both of you.” It came out formal and stiff, but I thought it was a safe response.

Claire only hummed as she looked at me, pondering. “Let’s start with the simple part. What happened tonight?”

I quickly explained the date and the situation we found ourselves in with the encroaching trolls. I added a description with the barrier spell and my following suspicions that led us to apprehend the warlock.

I kept to the script and left out everything about me being a dragon, like we’d all agreed upon in the clearing.

They both let me speak, staying silent at every pause. When I was done, they waited, completely still, as if to confirm that was all.

“So… you just happened to take out five swamp trolls? By yourself?” Ruby’s eyebrow raised; she clearly wasn’t convinced.

“Yes?” It came out like a question.

“So, you weren’t involved in this in any way?” Ruby pushed. “Your date was just an opportunity that this person exploited?”

“Yes Ma’am. I was just on a date and protecting my woman—” as soon as those words left my mouth I regretted it.

Both of their body languages shifted as they leaned forward, like predators about to pounce.

Jadelyn’s mother definitely wasn’t happy.

“ — my date.” I smiled and tried to correct myself, but she wasn’t buying it.

“You called her your woman, as if you already laid claim. She said you marked her?”

“Maybe?” I hesitated, not even fully sure what I’d done or the full significance. And it wasn’t like I could describe it to them without outing that I was a dragon. This definitely wasn’t how I had pictured the conversation going.

“It would seem we need to be a little more vigorous with you if you are going to be as bold as to call my daughter your woman.” Claire seemed a little angry, and Ruby put a hand on her thigh to calm her down, but when she turned to me, there was an intensity in her eyes.

“Have you claimed my daughter as well?”

“Yes.” I said that one with far more confidence. The beast reared up like he was ready to fight her if she contested it.

I wasn’t exactly comfortable as the two women turned to each other and started talking as if I wasn’t there.

“He is dating both of our daughters.”

“The nerve.” Claire agreed. “It seems he’s quite dangerous too, five trolls.”

Ruby nodded. “He’s all my daughter talks about. Maybe he bewitched them both? We don’t know what he is. It’s entirely possible.”

“The bastard seems to have won the hearts of both our girls. I’d hate to see one of them end up brokenhearted.” Claire replied.

I cleared my throat. “Excuse me. I’m right here.”

Claire looked at me dismissively. “Of course you are. I haven’t told you that you can leave.”

That was all it took to push me over. “Listen up, both of you. I’m in your daughters’ lives, and there isn’t anything that is going to separate me from them.”

Ruby and Claire both stared at me, faces blank, before Ruby spoke. “I wouldn’t rule it out so quickly. We could make your life quite difficult.” Her eyes continued to bore into mine as she waited for my reply.

Recognizing the challenge for what it was, I gave her a wicked smile. “Bring. It. On.”

The haughty look on Claire’s face evaporated into a smile. “Oh. I like him. He passes?”

“Yes. For now.” Ruby eyed me up and down, but her eyes held more of a smile in them. “I can see why Scarlett is so smitten. Well mannered, but enough of a spine you can’t push too hard. He passed that test.”

I was annoyed that they’d made me think they didn’t consider me worthy, but I moved past it. Here I needed to be on my best behavior.

“Both of your daughters are absolute gems, and I’m honored that they’ve decided to be with me.” I went with a safe reply.

“Yes. But if you want our husbands off your back, you need to truly convince us.” Ruby clarified.

It seemed that both of them already had an idea of what they were looking for from me, so I cut to the chase. “What do you need?”

Claire took the lead in the conversation. “Truthfully, we know quite a bit about you already. But what you are has been a large question mark. One that we need to know in order to give you our full support.”

Ruby jumped in. “We trust our daughters and that they have made an informed decision while keeping it a secret on your behalf, but we can’t be in the dark if you want our support.”

I looked back and forth between the two mothers. Their intentions seemed good and my instincts were quiet; nothing about them was sending warning bells off. While it wasn’t ideal to have more people know, I understood why they were asking, and I knew they’d feel more comfortable with me dating their daughters if they knew.

Deciding to trust my instincts, I nodded before spotting a security camera in the corner of the room. “I can’t have this recorded.”

Ruby grabbed a butter knife off the table and threw it over her shoulder directly into the lense of the camera, shattering it and showering sparks to the floor below. “Good enough?”

I could see where Scarlett got some of her spunk. She might be more dangerous than her husband.

“This is sensitive. I can’t have it leaking out. Do you both promise to keep this even from your husbands?” I pressed.

“This is between us three, for the purpose of knowing that our daughters’ hearts are safe.” Claire reassured me.

Deciding to just rip the bandaid off, I stated, “I’m a dragon.”

Claire and Ruby sat there, stunned for a moment. “Impossible.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that. It was the truth.

Ruby seemed to recover first, skepticism showing on her face. “Prove it.”

I really didn’t think I should need to, but clearly they weren’t going to believe me without seeing it.

Sighing, I stepped away to a larger, open space in the room and started taking off my clothes. It was awkward undressing in front of my mother in laws, who were checking out my body like they were assessing my viability for their daughters and future grandchildren.

Steeling myself, I focused inward.

Telling myself it was just like riding a bike, I shook out my arms. I could do it again.

I relaxed my body and flexed the beast, pushing it upward and outwards to the surface. This time, it came far easier than ever before.

I could feel my bones crackle and my muscles expand as I flooded my body with new mass. It wasn’t so much painful; it was more like the pressure in your knuckles right before they pop.

When it was finished, it had that same satisfying feeling.

I opened my eyes to find myself towering over the two mothers as I crouched on all fours in my hybrid form. It had felt like I’d need to really push to move past this, but I could feel the full dragon form lingering at the edge of my awareness.

Claire sat with a neutral expression, but her eyes betrayed her. “Impressive.” She breathed. Both of them looked like they were seeing a unicorn.

“Gold. You failed to mention that.” Ruby added, standing up and touching me to confirm it wasn’t an illusion.

My point proven, I shifted back and slipped my clothes back on. “I hope you can both understand now why I’m keeping this a secret.”

“Oh, yes.” Claire nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. “Cookie?” She gestured to the treats that had been laid out on the table.

I took the gesture as her form of acceptance of me. And I wasn’t about to turn down food; after shifting twice, I was ravenous. One cookie was followed by two and soon four, then six.

“Our kitchen staff is still here. How much do you normally eat?” She asked, pulling out her phone.

“Lots. Maybe enough for four? Mostly meat if you can.” I didn’t want to impose and order too much.

She tapped on her phone. “Eight meals will be on their way.” She smirked. Clearly, not buying four would be enough. “You look like a growing young dragon; be sure to eat your fill anytime you are here. Make yourself at home.”

I shook my head. She was already mothering me.

“A gold dragon. I can’t believe I’m even seeing one, let alone considering my daughter marrying one. She knows, right?”

“I nodded. Tonight I had to shift with the five trolls. She didn’t know before then.” I clarified.

Ruby was just as mystified. “I assume Scarlett has known for months?”

“Yep.”

“My little troublemaker found herself as the first mate for a gold dragon.” She shook her head in disbelief.

Given their previous apprehension towards me calling them my women, I thought mate was a little too far for tonight. “I don’t know if I’d call them my mates.”

Claire’s face became stern again as she started scolding me. “You marked my daughter; the least you could do is take responsibility. How would she ever wed now that she’s been marked by a gold dragon? No suitor would touch her.”

“Scarlett was first, and you’ve been with her for months. No doubt you’ve marked her too.” Ruby added with a touch of pride.

I could stare down five trolls, but my future mother-in-laws? I folded instantly. “It isn’t that I am not committed to them, but I’m still new to this and taking it slowly.”

Even as I said that, the beast head-butted me from inside my chest, demanding I speed the fuck up. The possessive instincts of mine wanted nothing more than to sink my claws into both of them and not let go.

Claire burst into laughter. “Sorry. It isn’t every day you get a chance to make a dragon nervous. We’ll work this out with our daughters. But we do want to move this forward. You have our support.”

Ruby nodded along, but added. “Our husbands will find out, eventually. If you walked into my husband’s office here at home, you’d think he was a serial killer and you were his obsession. He has an entire wall dedicated to researching you after you started dating Scarlett.”

I had no idea what to say to that, so I just sat there.

“Our husbands will find out. But do me a favor?” Claire asked.

“Anything.” They had given me their blessing and would support me in pursuing their daughters. I was happy to help how I could.

“Let us be there when they find out. Oh, the look on Rupert's face. It’ll be priceless when that ‘bastard’ he’s been ranting about shows him up. Neither of them has been able to stop talking about you at dinners. Our girls are driving their fathers insane.” She sighed before shifting her focus. “What do you know about siren marriage?”

“That it is sort of a… uh… one and done sort of deal.” I struggled to not say virginity around Jadelyn’s mother.

“She hasn’t already given herself to you, has she?” Claire asked for clarification.

“No. Nothing. She told me that was off the table.” Like hell I’d tell her mother she just gave me road head on the way here.

“Do you know what happens to a siren when they take their first love?”

“No, ma’am.” I leaned forward, interested.

But Claire shook her head. “I’ll let my daughter explain it. That is something between you and her. Though, if you marked her tonight, I expect she will want to expedite the process. I hope you are ready, young man.”

Ruby looked shocked, but then her thoughts quickly turned inward as her eyes lost focus. “What about Scarlett? Are you going to solidify things with her as well? If you are going to marry Jadelyn, you should at least support Scarlett as your first mate.”

I found myself cornered by the two mothers as they shifted gears, pushing their daughters onto me. They were mine as far as my dragon was concerned, so it didn’t bother me too much. In the end, I was glad I had their support.

I looked over at Ruby. “Do Kitsunes have a particular ceremony in your culture?”

"Most paranormal culture has informal rules for weddings, since many relationships don't conform to the tax standards here in the states. But if we were to even let you do something informal with the girls, we would have to do some formal affair, given the Scalewright family. There are expectations." Ruby said.

Claire nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately, with our family status, we are expected to make an announcement if Jadelyn’s marital status changes. But I want to get back to the fact that my daughter’s now marked. Can you explain that in more detail?"

"Yes, my daughter at least deserves the same." Ruby said.

"I wasn't sure what happened. Tonight was the first time I transformed. When I was feeling protective of Jadelyn, I did it on instinct."

"That makes it even better." Claire said excitedly. "That you felt so protective tells us a lot."

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it again, but I would certainly try. Scarlett at least deserved that much. She was first, and I cared about her deeply right now, possibly even more so than Jadelyn.

Both mothers seemed excited at the prospect and giggled, chatting away as I just sat there

"I’m glad I have your blessing, but what about their fathers? Any tips?" I was not looking forward to trying to win them over.

But Claire waved off my concern. "We will handle them. But I meant what I said. This will only stay quiet for so long, although you can depend on us. One of these days, they will find out." She paused until I nodded. "Good. Now come sit over here with us." The two women parted and made space for me between them on the couch as a servant came in with a tray of food.

"We've heard about you from my husband's investigation, but we'd like to hear it from the source as well. Tell us about yourself." Ruby leaned in, and they both started to barrage me with questions as I dug into the food.

AN - Idk why I enjoy writing the mother-in-laws in a harem story. It's a lovely way for humor and rounding out both the girls and the MC.