The Platinum Dragon's Mate - Zoe Chant Page 0,14

or to put your clan first? Sacrifice your own needs in order to better serve them?”

Reid seemed to really think about it, brows drawing in, one finger resting on his mouth. He had a generous mouth, Sage noticed, wide and full, and then caught herself looking and forced her gaze away. Just because she hadn’t had a man in three years—!

Nice to look at, her dragon thought approvingly, and Sage gave her a mental thump. No.

“I think,” he said finally, “that it’s best to find, or make, a system where the one serves the other. Where the clan is there to help everyone in it, so making it stronger makes all of them stronger. Or happier. But if that isn’t possible...I guess the question is whether the whole really is larger than the sum of its parts. Is this hypothetical clan worth your own weakness, or vulnerability, or sadness? And everyone has to answer that for themselves.”

It was an interesting answer, a real sign of his values. And it wasn’t an answer she’d hear from anyone else she knew.

But on the other hand...“You didn’t answer the question,” she pointed out. “You said everyone has to answer that for themselves—what is your answer, then? For yourself?”

“Fair point,” he said, smiling. “You caught me. I’ve always been more comfortable thinking in abstractions.”

That rang true. They’d already talked a lot about their different clans, and she realized she knew hardly anything about him, his own life. Just that he was the clan leader’s son, and that conversation had been about what it meant to be a clan leader.

It fit with his general persona—he was pleasant, and thoughtful, but she had a hard time getting a read on his emotions.

Except somehow she felt like she knew they were in there. That under that smooth surface was a great depth of...something.

“I would sacrifice quite a bit, for Oak Ridge,” he said finally. “It hasn’t been asked of me—I wanted to be a doctor, and Oak Ridge happened to need one, so that worked out beautifully. The town runs itself just fine without my help, otherwise. But if the occasion demanded it—yes, I’d put the clan before myself.”

Sage nodded, thinking about it. He really was very clinical when he spoke—made sense, for a doctor—but the words suggested something more. I would sacrifice quite a bit, for Oak Ridge.

Then he turned his gaze on her. “What about you? What’s your answer?”

Now it was her turn to think. “I agree with your principles,” she said. “The clan protects the individuals, so protecting the clan is protecting yourself. And I’d do the same.”

He looked around the house. “Seems to me that you have done the same.”

Before she could respond—with what, she didn’t know—she heard raised voices outside the door. Reid spun around immediately, long strides taking him to the threshold in seconds. He opened the door—

“—kidnapping one of our own—”

“I’m not the one trying to kidnap someone, here—”

Reid was out the door in the flash, and Sage followed, heart in her throat. If there was about to be a battle—

Outside, Shiloh was standing toe-to-toe with the other Oak Ridge shifter who’d come with Reid. Santos. Athena’s mate. Athena was behind him, a hand on his shoulder, and as they stepped out, her voice raised to compete with the two men’s.

More worrisome were the two imposing figures standing behind Shiloh. Yuri and Micah were two of their most powerful fighters, but neither of them usually instigated fights. If they’d stepped up to support Shiloh, this had the potential to get serious.

Alaric was standing back, looking agonized. Of course—with Athena squarely next to Santos, he was having to choose between his sister and his clan. Sage couldn’t quite guess which side he’d come down on, if it really came to a fight.

Then Reid stepped up. “What’s going on here?”

Sage had to marvel at the power of his voice. Once again, he wasn’t shouting, but somehow the tone cut right through all of the high-volume, low-content yelling, and everyone turned to look at him.

Thinking quickly, Sage realized that they’d likely be more successful with a united front, and hurried to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him. Into the sudden quiet, she said in her best mom voice, “Someone want to explain?”

Santos glared at her. “Your clan wants to kidnap my mate and hold her hostage against her will.”

“We can’t kidnap her, this is her home,” Shiloh shot back. “She lives here. You’re the one who stole her away to Oak Ridge.”

“Hey.” Sage glared right