Second Chances (The Extinct Race Series) (8 page)

Zachary was definitely her twin.
Zoe felt like she was looking in a mirror when she looked at him, although he had shorter hair. He had the same features and same color eyes as her. He was built tall and lean like her, but had thick muscular arms and legs. Zoe was all around happy that everything was falling into place. It was very hard to believe it has only been a week since Kaiden showed up in her diner.

They had all finished dessert and their wine when Zoe remembered that the new arrivals have only ever shifted in times of need and never when they wanted.
She thought a flight was in order and so she got up and ran into the kitchen. She asked one of the girls where they kept the robes and went to go get them. The girl giggled and followed her and helped Zoe load up all the robes they could manage to carry. One by one she went to the table and handed them out. Christian gave her a knowing look and so did Zachary. Zachary got up to take some of the robes from her and helped pass them out. Kaiden sat there watching his mate with pride written all over his face. Once she was done Zoe stood there, well she bounced in place clapping her hands and the smile on her face was infectious.

“Anyone up for a flight?”
Zachary boomed out in his strong voice.

Everyone then looked up with smiles on their faces.
Marcus being the exception he looked scared, but determined. Zachary must have felt his worry and whispered something in his ear. Marcus nodded and stood grabbing Iraina’s hand and walked upstairs. The rest of the table took that as a signal and everyone ran to their rooms. Within thirty minutes everyone was outside in their robes. Kaiden, Zoe, Halina and Zachary were all in the front with Marcus and Iraina behind them. Kaiden must have called Charles because he soon showed up with the same men as before and they were all in robes. They all faced forward and dropped the robes. Zoe and Zachary were the first to shift. Everyone else one by one was soon shifted. Marcus was the last, worry still written on his face. Zachary nodded at him and Marcus shifted. No screaming, no pain he just shifted.

They took a longer flight this time and went to the very edges of the border.
They looked out beyond the hazy pink bubble for any signs of danger. Once they were done they made it back to the house and shifted back to human. One by one they grabbed their robes in silence and headed to their rooms. It had been a long day and everyone was feeling it.

Chapter 8

Training

At breakfast as everyone took their seats and they were all there.
Charles arrived with the other men who flew with them. They sat and ate in silence while everyone else chatted. When the girls cleared the table after breakfast everyone still sat knowing they needed to talk out a plan for the training.

“Let’s take this to the circle so everyone is comfortable.”
Kaiden suggested. Everyone got up and moved to the couches and chairs. Ben once again was in Justine’s lap with Gabe. There was no fire made this morning so Kaiden grabbed a large piece of wood and covered the pit. He stood in the middle and addressed everyone. “We need to start training. I want everyone to learn how to fight and protect yourselves. These half-bloods have guns. Guns can and do kill us. So we need to learn to fight together and use our Dragon abilities to help one another. I also think it would be wise if all of us find a weapon that you feel comfortable holding and wielding. Train with that one weapon for now. Once you are proficient and confident with that one weapon I want you to pick another and train with that one. Are there any questions?”

“This has never been done
before we have always relied on the Fury’s to protect us.” Iraina said

“Yes
, well I am not comfortable sitting pretty while only certain family members put their lives at risk for me. I would rather be out there with them and fighting as one.” Kaiden told her

“And that my
King is why you will make a good King.” Marcus said

“I agree.
That is where Aldrich got the upper hand on all of us. He knew that the only fighters were the Fury. So take out the Fury’s and the rest are easy picking. I for one am also tired of hiding and living in caves, running from half-bloods. I’m all in agreement for learning to protect my family.” Brad said

“Also
, I have the half-bloods that live in the barracks and who are not ready to be turned taking shifts with patrols and training. They have acquired long range walkie-talkies that reach more than a hundred miles and the base radios for those are in the barracks training room. It is also wired to Mateo’s and Charles’s rooms. Mateo is human, but a proven fighter and has been hired as a fighting instructor here. He has taught Gabe here a thing or two and Gabe can hold his own against any Fury. Gabe is the reason I am implementing this training. He is an Onyx as you can tell.” Kaiden reasoned.

“Also
, I have a human associate who is friendly to the family. He found Zoe for me and he found all of Justine’s information. He is also the first man I called when we found out Zachary was alive. He managed to give us your location. And that is how we found you so easily. I have him looking into all missing and open adoptions right now. He knows what to look for, although he does not know what we are. I do plan on telling him in the near future. I plan to bring him and his children to visit us and get to know us. I am putting this man’s life in danger by having him do this for us. I just don’t know who else to turn to. This man has connections and abilities we do not.” Kaiden breathed out.

“You worry for nothing Kaiden.
This man is a huge asset to us.” Zachary said

“Thank you Zachary, I just do not like dragging anyone else into this mess that Aldrich has caused.”

“Please, you all are my family now, call me Zach.”

“Right, Zach, thank you.
Charles before we begin training today how many half-bloods are ready to be turned in your opinion?”

“I have fifty men and women ready.
They are all proficient in training and with at least three weapons. They have even met Mateo’s approval in fighting, so they will be able to help with the training also. I hope you are ready for some biting and maybe a quick flight to show them the ropes.” Charles said

“Alright then
, please have them in the field by the barracks in thirty minutes.” Kaiden turned to the other Pearls in the room. “So would any of you like to share in this biting with me? I know my jaw will be sore after fifty bites and well it would speed things up if there were six of us biting?” He asked and they all nodded in approval.

“Well now that we have our belly’s full
, how about we head upstairs and get some comfortable workout clothes on and then we all meet at the gym near the Barracks in thirty minutes?” Kaiden asked.

Everyone got up and went to their rooms to change.
While Zoe was changing and she had Kaiden alone she asked “Kaiden do you think you could have that designer or personal shopper person meet me at the house again? I think I would like to spoil my brother and his mate a little. They don’t seem to have ever had anything nice you know? I know I didn’t until I got it for myself, but I never thought my life was on the line you know? I just lived penny to penny and eventually got the room of my dreams, but Halina seems to have never had anything nice. And I would just like to share the love. Oh that reminds me, I need to add Zach to the bank too, or get him his own account and just transfer money over and let him have his own. I just have so many things flowing through my head on how I want to help them.” Zoe mused

“Angel
, one thing at a time, forever remember? Yes I will have her there again how does two sound? Take Iraina and Alexi with you too. I think you guys are going to make Marjorie’s year with all this shopping you have all done in two days.” He laughed and pulled her into his arms. Hugging her and kissing her forehead. “I love you Angel and would do anything to make you happy.”

They finished changing and headed out to the field.
Everyone decided to walk and it turned out to be all of them walking in small groups down the road. Justine was so excited she was skipping. Ben was laughing along with every skip she did and soon joined her. Zach came up behind Zoe and bumped her shoulder. “Race ya.” He said and took off running. Zoe didn’t even pause, but took off after him. It didn’t take long for her to catch up to him and then pass him. Zach had a look of shock on his face and pushed a little harder, but couldn’t catch up to Zoe. He soon slowed and let Halina and Kaiden catch up to him. “Well that is a first. No one has ever beaten me running.” Zach announced. Kaiden laughed and said “That’s my girl, she is very competitive although she doesn’t think she is.”

The three of them laughed as Zoe ran back to them not even winded.
“Race huh? You couldn’t even catch me and I took it easy on you.” She taunted.

“
Yes, well remind me to find something else I am good at that you aren’t so I can beat you at that. I was shocked you went so fast. Here I was all big headed thinking I was the fastest and then I get beat by my sister. Gah the humiliation!” Zach yelled

They all laughed and kept on walking
when they stepped off the road and onto the field. All the men and women were standing there and waiting for them. They all had robes on and stood relaxed with excited looks on their faces. When one of the men noticed them he took a knee and bowed. The rest shortly followed suit and they walked up to a kneeling crowd.

“Please don’t do that.
Please stand. I know we are Kings and Queens and all, but if you must bow or something please just a slight one, nothing fancy.” Zoe said.

Kaiden just
chuckled and said “You are all making her nervous, please rise.”

“We are sorry we meant no offence
, just respect.” A curly haired girl said

“I know I am just not used to all this stuff.
To me I am just a regular girl.” Zoe explained.

“I think that is why we are so respectful of you Queen Zoe.
You are learning as well as we are. We have only had Charles for the last seven years and as great as he is, he also needed the structure back.” The girl said

“Glad to hear that, so if I make a mistake you all know that I am still new at this.”
Zoe said

“Alright then there are six of us and fifty of you.
If you could give some of us a second to shift, and the others a minute or two. The miracle twins here can shift in a split second.” Kaiden laughed.

“Twins?
So it is true then?” A man asked he looked about twenty five with red hair.

“Yep this is Zach my brother and his mate Halina.
Also this is my father King Marcus and his new Queen, Iraina. And yes another miracle has happened and my father and Iraina have gotten a second chance as mates.”

“That is wonderful news!
Congratulations King Marcus and Queen Iraina!” The curly haired girl said

“Thank you.”
Marcus said

The six Pearls walked to the trees and stripped their clothing.
They stepped out backwards giving themselves plenty of space in between each other. Once again Zoe and Zach were the first to shift. Marcus and Iraina were next and Kaiden and Halina last. The six Dragons fanned out and the men and women came at them one at a time and bared their neck or an arm. When the last man was bitten the Pearls looked around. With fifty total bitten, they had fifteen Fury Dragons, ten Earth Dragons, five Water, ten Fire, five Blood and ten Onyx Dragons standing before them

Kaiden roared his approval and they all took flight.
Kaiden led them in a couple swoops and turns and then they all landed. Zoe, Halina and Iraina went into the trees and shifted first. The men then went next and they all headed to the gym to train.

The first part of the training Kaiden had
planned was the human side of it. Once they were all comfortable in the fighting side and it became routine, then he would mix in the Dragon training. They all split up into groups and began with stretching. Mateo had the advanced ones working with a partner and sparring with weapons. Charles has the newer ones doing basics and learning endurance. He had them doing laps around a track and then pushups and sit ups. He would then have them run again and then do an obstacle course.

When it was all over they were all sore and tired.
It was only one in the afternoon so Kaiden called for Kevin to drive Zoe, Halina and Iraina to the house to meet with Marjorie. The rest of them walked back up to the house. Kaiden and Zach both went to their suite and took showers then changed into clean clothes. Marcus went to his room and had one of the girls who worked in the house with him. Together they packed up Elizabeth’s clothing and had it moved to the storage area with the rest of his belongings. Once he was done he sought out Kaiden.

Kaiden was sitting in the living room area of the suite chatting with Zach.
Marcus stood there and Kaiden motioned for him to sit. “Is there something you want to ask me Marcus?” Kaiden asked

“Yes actually
, I was wondering if, well you mentioned that when we wanted, we would begin having houses built.” Marcus started

“Yes I did.
Are you asking if we could start on one for you? I do not want you to leave, but I also understand the circumstances.” Kaiden said

“Yes well this is all new to me too and
it might not be as strong and the first one, but it is still strong and well everything in my room is Elizabeth’s. I want to make Iraina happy and let her have her own things once again. So yes I am asking. While we were flying last night I found a perfect spot I would like to claim as ours. You know the small clearing overlooking the ocean to the north east of the house?” Marcus asked

“Yes I know it well.
I will order the lumber and have some men start working on it. Is there a specific floor plan you want?” Kaiden asked

“No
, actually in that you can surprise us. I would just like there to be maybe two bedrooms maybe three? Never know how many grandkids we are going to have one day.” He chuckled “I don’t mean to leave you guys, we are both still in this fight and will help any way we can. I just think that once it is all over I would like to take her home. In the meantime letting her pick out furniture and stuff will be a good distraction.” Marcus said

“I think you are right in that and I think that we need to get a crew in here to build more than just the one house.
I think I also need to add an extension onto this main house so that Zach here and Halina have a suite to themselves and their future family. I think I will start with five houses and the addition to this house, before anymore begin.” Kaiden said

“Wow you have the money to do all that?”
Zach asked

“Actually you do too
now Zach. See your dear sister doesn’t know what to do with all the money your parents left her. She tried to give it all back to your dad here and he wouldn’t take it, so she is adding your name to her account along with your fathers. So you are now just as rich as I am. Although Zoe is richer than all of us, because she has my money and her money to play with.” Kaiden laughed

“Wow she is a real gem isn’t she?”
Zach teased

“She is a pure Angel in our eyes.”
Kaiden said

The girls came barreling in the door at that moment hands full of bags and laughing.
They stopped dead in their tracks once the saw their men sitting there staring at them. “I didn’t do it” Zoe said.