He didn’t look like the werewolves she knew from movies. But his eyes...his eyes gave him away.
“Sheriff,” Gregory said once he’d turned as well, shaking the man’s hand. “This is Naomi, my mate. Naomi, this is sheriff Banner.”
“Welcome to Mountain View,” the man said. His voice was deep. His eyes narrowed a little as he looked at Naomi, but then he relaxed, and his eyes lit up. “That means Mountain View will host an alpha ceremony soon again, I hope? Don’t let that monster in Sky Home tell you that you need to have it in those horrible caves of his. You’re our dragon. Your home’s here.”
Gregory laughed in response. “The chimera’s not a monster,” he said patiently. “And... I suppose I will! I haven’t actually thought about it yet, but—”
“Planning can’t start too early,” the sheriff muttered and turned around to nod at the other people who were coming closer. “We haven’t had a chance to show off since the spring fair.”
“Sheriff,” aunt Jess interjected, “if you want to be on the committee for the ceremony, I would be pleased to have you. You see, Ginny and I have already started to plan—but of course, if you insist, space and a task could be found...”
“Ha!” the sheriff said and glowered at her. “I see how it is! The dogs conspiring against the wolf again, is it? But you know—perhaps I will! Perhaps I will indeed join the committee.”
Aunt Jess gave him a smile that showed her teeth. “Excellent. Perhaps the flower arrangement committee would suit your talents.”
“You think I cannot do it?” the sheriff demanded. “You think a wolf cannot tend a garden? May I remind you that it was my roses that won three different prizes at the spring fair, and your—”
“Enough!” Gregory said, laughing as he raised his hands again. “We’ll leave you to it. I’m pretty sure tradition demands that I’m not involved in any committee work.”
“Ah, to be a dragon,” the sheriff sighed, although his yellow eyes were friendly as he gave Naomi another nod. “Don’t let us keep you. You’ve been gone too long, Gregory. The town has missed you. They won’t let you go now until everyone’s had a chance to meet your mate. Naomi, it was an honor to meet you. I hope you’ll enjoy Mountain View. And if there’s anything I can help with, never hesitate to call on me.”
“If you aren’t busy tomorrow,” Gregory said, his expression suddenly turning serious, “I’d appreciate it if you’d come over. I’d like to talk about security. I know that no one’s ever dared to threaten the dragon’s peace, but just in case, there are things I’d like to discuss.”
Naomi was certain that she knew exactly what new developments Gregory wanted to talk about. It was impossible to forget the terror of the fire dragon grabbing her, or that dreadful moment when she saw Gregory’s body engulfed by fire.
Still, Mountain View was so peaceful and quiet that it seemed impossible that anything could happen here. And even if the fire dragon should somehow find this small town in the mountains, she didn’t only have Gregory to protect her now, but also a werewolf sheriff, and an entire town of shifters who all seemed just as protective of their dragon as Gregory was of the town.
“I’ll send Ginny over to show you the gardens. The dragon gardens,” the old woman now said with obvious pride. “The roses are in bloom right now; some of them my George planted with his own hands. It’s a marvel, tha
t’s what it is. Ginny will show you all the best, hidden places.”
Ginny inclined her head, even though she remained silent. But there was a warm smile on her face as she looked at Naomi.
For a moment, Naomi wondered whether they’d explore the gardens in silence—but then she shrugged inwardly. She’d been a quiet girl before she grew out of it as a teenager, and if there was one thing she’d inherited from her mom, it was the ability to make conversation for two. Anyway, it wasn’t as if roses demanded a lot of conversation to enjoy.
“I look forward to it, Ginny,” Naomi said brightly. “Sheriff Banner, I’m glad I got to meet you. Gregory told me so much about this town, but it’s better than anything I could’ve imagined. It’s a beautiful town!”
“A town you’d be happy to call home?” aunt Jess asked slyly. “All the nursery needs is a touch of fresh paint, and—”
“Aunt Jess!” Gregory groaned and shook his head in amusement. “Please, we’ve only just arrived.”
“People these days don’t know how to court properly anymore,” the old woman sighed. “Fine, I’ll leave you to it, my boy. But I want you to know that if you don’t step up your game, my Ginny will just have to give her a tour of the house...”
Quietly laughing, Gregory shook his head in defeat. “I see I’m fighting a losing battle here.”
Naomi couldn’t hide her amusement. In a way, it was a relief to see Gregory teased by friends and family. He wasn’t just a powerful, intimidating dragon shifter—and he wasn’t at all the eccentric billionaire she’d thought would wait for her at the gallery.
Gregory was... Gregory was proud. And protective. And his eyes lit up with warmth at his friends’ teasing.
Gregory was the sort of man who’d unhesitatingly risk his own life for hers. And he was the sort of guy who’d patiently suffer through the town’s opinions on flower arrangements for the square, she had no doubt.
Deep within her, a different warmth began to kindle. How would he be with children?
Just as warm and patient, she thought, feeling an aching pull in her chest.
He’d be the sort of dad who’d be proud of every accomplishment, and who’d untiringly play hide and seek in those large corridors. He’d be the sort of dad who’d never forget to come and tuck a child in at night.
Was it weird that she knew all of these things? She’d never seen him hold a child. But now that this strange connection had been forged between their hearts, it was like she could see right to the bottom of him.