Their Mating Rituals [Paranormal Protection Unit 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Honor James Page A

heal faster? Instead of the months that I was thinking, how long will it take you to heal if you were to become”—she gulped—“a Dragon?” She whispered the word because she honestly wasn’t able to force herself to say it without gulping first. She felt as if she had fallen through the looking glass, but she loved him, even now.
    About a week or so, Aiden told her honestly. It won’t be a hundred percent but I’ll be able to get up and move around and the rest will heal in time. Looking to Allister, he nodded. He was having a hard time holding the change, but he couldn’t do it with her that close. He might inadvertently hurt her, and that would kill him inside.
    Moving to her side, Allister touched her hand. “He’s having trouble restraining the Dragon, little one. We need to move until he finishes the change and then you can come back and you can get to know his other form.”
    “You won’t leave right away, right?” she asked with fear lightly tingeing her voice. She turned and looked down at Aiden. “Will you be able to still talk to me?” she asked softly. “In your mind? Will you still talk to me?”
    “He’ll still be able to talk to you,” Allister said, gently pulling her up to her feet. Walking her to the kitchen, he held her gently but kept her close so she couldn’t run. “I’ll stay until you don’t need me anymore,” he promised and watched as Aiden rolled slowly and painfully to his side.
    After a moment, they heard a low growl sound and then a pained sound as his body shifted into its Dragon form. Increasing dramatically in size, he snorted a small breath of fire before collapsing with his head on the bedding and his large body, wings, and tail on the heated floor of the warehouse. Big, black with hints of white, his brother was stunning with his yellow-green eyes. Looking down at Lina as she stood staring wide eyed he grinned. “You want to go and touch him?” he asked gently, softly.
    Lina had watched it. She really had watched the transformation, but she couldn’t believe it. “Uhm.” She swallowed hard. “Aiden?” she whispered and let Allister walk her toward her man. He still hadn’t explained bond-mates, but she had enough from Allister to realize that it was like a true love kinda thing. One of those things that people dreamed of.
    Still here, love, he told her softly with an internal smile. I won’t bite, little one. Come on over and sit down. I know I have a lot to still explain but it was damned hard to do while trying to keep this beast under control.
    “All right.” She moved to the bed and sat down, reaching out and touching him as she did so. Her hand was shaking when she touched her hand to the scales that marked her bond-mate. “You are beautiful,” she admitted. “I never imagined that Dragons could be called such, but you are.”
    Chuckling, Allister shook his head. “He’s slightly embarrassed at your choice of words,” he told her honestly.
    Thank you for the compliment, little one, Aiden said softly to her. Shifting his head, he peered at her out of his good eye and smiled faintly. I know this is a lot to take in so quickly, Talina, and I’m sorry I couldn’t ease you into it.
    “Meh,” she said with a shrug and smiled. “You are here, that’s all that matters. You will explain it to me now so that’s really all that matters.” And in the end it was. All that mattered was that they would be able to be together, and now that she knew, well now she could learn to accept. She looked to Allister. “I should be good. If I need anything how would I reach someone? If Aiden needs something, what do I do?”
    Pulling out his cell, he handed it to her. “Speed dial the number sign and then one and you’ll get my bond-mate. We’ll come a-running. Otherwise feel free to use whatever you need to. Kitchen’s stocked, full bathroom, you should be just fine,” he reminded her quietly. Touching her cheek, Allister smiled. “He’ll tell you