~Jack’s Point of View~ I stared at my incredibly breathtaking mate, baffled still as to how I could be so lucky. How I could get this unbelievable chance at real happiness. Growing up essentially in the wild as we did, I never in a million years thought I’d get to leave. My father still barely speaks to me because of it. I’m a traitor, I turned my back on the kingdom and our family. But she is why. Love is why. I could never treat a female like they were just some breeder, a body to use and move on. Absolutely not. But Grace doesn’t yet know about all that. She doesn’t even understand our old lives and world. I’ve often wondered if I could ever bridge that gap. Torn between wanting the peace and tranquility only the Sky Light can offer. It’s what my body craves and what Nox loves. But we wouldn’t have left if our other halves didn’t agree. He knew that Finch and I couldn’t thrive there. Now the idea that I’d have two dragon heirs was actually a possibility. Though if they all come
~Grace’s Point of View~ I was somewhat panicking the entire drive back to Stingray, the guys wouldn’t tell me much of anything. But at the same time they both seemed … mad? Unsettled? I didn’t want to stir the pot so for once I kept my mouth shut. Grandma Glenda was too nervous, antsy. She was texting on her phone, I was sure to her husband. Finch was frantically tapping his phone too and I had to hope he was setting up things at work, letting people know. It seemed we were going to the Sky Light. I wasn’t entirely sure why I had to go, it seemed to me even one of them could just take grandma. Right? I had no clue where it even was or how we’d get there. As curious and desperate as I was to see this place, see where and how they grew up, the timing was shit. I had no clue how long we’d be gone. There were just too many variables. When we stormed into the twins’ condo there was a weird humming noise and after five seconds a tiny DING. “What is that,” I asked, as my grandmother sa
~Grace’s Point of View~ “Wow, you really made the goddess happy with this one. She’s stunning Jack. And four pups? You’ll have them here of course,” I heard, as I groaned and moved my dry tongue around in my equally dry mouth. A woman? “Well we haven’t decided on anything just yet,” a voice replied. “Don’t be ridiculous. They will need their own kind,” the female said. “Grace? Can you hear me? Are you okay,” I heard, and popped my eyes open to see Finch. “Water…” I mumbled, as my eyes partially closed again. Someone was pulling me up and then I felt warmth behind me. Maybe Jack? Something was put to my lips and it was cool and wet, I slurped it down. For a second, I think I felt human again. I smacked my lips together several times then took a good look around. I was in a teepee. A teepee?? THEIRS? “Baby, this is our mom, Iris,” Finch said, hugging my sides. “Oh! I’m so sorry I’m a mess,” I immediately said. Do I hug her? Is she allowed to touch me? Is she even a hugger?
~Finch’s Point of View~ It kills me every time I have to see Warrick, and every time Jack does. What he said to us today, well threatened us with was actually more than he’d spoken to Jack in a decade. And Jack didn’t say a damn thing back to him. He rarely does. He never knows what to say. Nox often wants to appease him, placate him. But the only way to do that is to come home for good. Even then there’s little guarantee he’d be any sort of decent, that he’d be any kind of father. Why start now? He never had before. The short answer? He’s desperate to have his line continue, that is it in a nutshell. A real quality timer. Thankfully my dad always took Jack under his paw, always treated him as his own. Though that’s how twins are supposed to act. Warrick tolerated me but didn’t think much of me at all. There isn’t a chance in hell that I’d ever treat Jack’s babies as different. They’ll all be both of ours no matter what anyone says. No matter what creature they might be years fr
~One Month Later, Two Days Before The Wedding~ ~Grace’s Point of View~ I stared across the street at the courthouse, waiting for the light to change so we could cross. Last night a coin was flipped and it was decided. I was marrying Jack and that was that. Of course I could never choose, it killed me to have it only be one. While there are several bills in Congress on changing the laws to accommodate shifters and their lifestyle, it doesn’t seem like plural marriage was happening in this decade. I had a horrible feeling in my gut, and it wasn’t just heartburn. Though I had been having plenty of that. Since I was having so many babies I was starting to show a bit already and much to my mom’s shock we had to let my dress out in several spots. I like to eat okay?? She should very well know that by now! Things had been good at work, a little too good. We ended October in the red, especially once I was paid back for the loan I’d made. But so far November was on track to be very profi
~Jack’s Point of View~ I watched half in shock, half turned on with Nox nearly ready to put me in a rut over how hot he was watching Grace take charge. Though after she’d tied up Michelle I wasn’t entirely sure if she had her next step planned out. My dragon told me what I needed to do, and made it clear it wasn’t a negotiation. We would take it from here. My eyes darted to the human Etienne who seemed to be enjoying himself greatly. But he was just that, a human. I had no idea if I could trust him with my secrets, but then again if I do this to Michelle she’s going to know too. *We’ll keep her tied up and hide her,* Nox said, practically salivating. The way things were done in the Sky Light and the way they were here in America were not even close to the same thing. Yeah, at home she’d be tortured to get information out of her, but it likely wouldn’t have even gotten to that. The right authority figure demanding your compliance would get it. What he’s talking about kidnapping,
~Grace’s Point of View~ Once the elevator doors opened, I just saw red. I saw everything my entire family had worked so damn hard for over the decades slipping away. Not as long as I’m standing. Not as long as I can do something about it! I hoped. I hoped like hell. Surely with my mates at my side we could do anything! Conquer anything! But anything I was going to do or could do suddenly … well… I gasped as a wolf ran past me, and then a fox. My eyes grew wide and my hand snatched onto Finch’s arm, probably leaving fingerprints. He stopped dead in his tracks next to me, then his arm went around my waist. Quickly I took in four shifted animals, including a horse. A real live freakin’ horse. It was light brown with lots of white streaks. She was beautiful and I was desperate to run my fingers over her. The way her feet clicked over the marble floor as she walked echoed and definitely stood out as not belonging. But hold up. There are animals in the lobby of AC just hanging out in
~Grace’s Point of View~ By the time my grandfather got to AC, we’d cut the live feed. He stepped in and took charge, calling for an emergency shareholders meeting. Which I didn’t even know was something we could do. But with the power of video chat anything is possible. Calls began to pour in from stores all over the world that strikes were imminent, unless Astor Connects was safe. They were saying in one loud voice they would only work for me. They would only work for an Astor. Damn, I’m glad I changed those commission structures! I waited for the right time, a moment when I could get Greyson Astor to myself. Everything was hitting me all at once, I was already emotional because of the hormones. But now? It was like I got hit with a truck and I was exhausted. But not just from today. The weight of having four freakin’ babies and trying to run the company was suddenly overwhelming. There was still so much to learn. So many days I was flying by the seat of my pants and anyone with