Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Changing my last name shouldn’t even be a topic when we haven’t decided on other bonding shit such as celebrations to have or not.”
“We will have whatever it is you want, Cami. From and with whichever side or sides you choose.”
“When to have them-”
“Whenever you like.”
“Okay. Fine.”
“Fine.”
“What about our living arrangements?”
“We will continue to live at the estate. The same place you’ve already been living.”
“What about…living with your brothers? Is that something you really want to keep doing?”
His nodding lacks hesitation. “It’s what dragons do. Dates back to what Sleepers refer to as ancient times. Living together is best for survival, protection, and raising a brood or more likely, an arrogance. Everyone pitches in to parent and tend to the young dragonlings as they age and grow and mature. Dragon clans operate in a community mindset. What benefits one, benefits all.”
Longing feelings unexpectedly encase me.
I’ve never had that.
Isolation and solitude were Dad’s tried and true ways once Mom disappeared. He even entertained the idea of homeschooling me for a few years yet ultimately realized he couldn’t do that and work. Perhaps that’s why HR ended up being my calling. It inserts me into people’s lives and forces me to connect to others after spending so many years being segregated.
I’ve only been living with the Draak family for a couple weeks, but they’ve honestly been the best ones I’ve ever experienced.
Of course, I want that feeling for a lifetime.
Who wouldn’t?
“Alright.” Holding my ground grows exponentially harder due to the warmth radiating off of him regarding his kin. “How about I’m not changing my last name because we haven’t signed or filed the proper paperwork to make this official?”
“This is official on this side of The Fog.” He flashes me a platinum band on his left ring finger. “Our bonding has taken.”
“When the hell did you put that on?!”
“The Goddess of Fate does the honors to acknowledge and bless our union.”
Curiosity triumphs my momentary spiraling yet again. “Do I get one as well?”
“We will design you the ring of your dreams, and it shall be forged from my essence.” There’s no ignoring the way he’s practically glowing. “And any other jewelry you wish to bear shall be done out of the same.”
“You want me covered in you.”
“You will be covered in me—name included.”
The dominating declaration is both delicious and infuriating. “I’m fine with blending our lives, however complicated it may be, Ptur, but I am not just going to throw away everything I’ve worked for on my own to become some dragon-dick-whipped Stepford wife to the CEO of the company I have devoted so much of my life to!”
Pain pierces his platinum gray stare to the point I feel compelled to take back what I said.
Yet I don’t.
I won’t.
Being mated shouldn’t mean I no longer exist on my own.
And if my champion side wasn’t snoring right now, I know she’d agree.
Ptur clears his throat to banish the sadness I unintentionally dredged up. “I do not expect you to be a different being simply because you bear my last name, Cameron. Yes, I have certain standards and preferences and exigencies that are required to be met when it comes to this company; however, something as simple as a changed title should not have any effect on your capability to fulfill them.”
“The board may beg to differ, Ptur.”
“The board answers to us as we are the majority shareholders.”
“Wait, what?” Bewilderment has my head bobbing. “What do you mean to us? I’m not a Draak yet.”
“You are a Draak, Cami.” His large frame steps intimidatingly closer. “Regardless of if you feel compelled to change your name, which The Goddess of Fate has probably already done for you, that is what you are. I am your half. Your Fated Mate. Your husband. Your partner. Whatever title you may find suiting. I am it, and you are bonded to me. It’s my essence that flows through your blood. It’s my dragon that stands with me to serve you. You belong to me as I do to you making everything that’s mine and will ever be mine, yours by default. I exist to please you.” Ptur’s calloused hands lovingly cup my neck. “I was born to provide for you. It’s the dragon way.”
I loathe not knowing what the “orc way” is.
I hope that changes soon.
“Tell me something.” A gentle stroke of his thumb is given. “Has being fated to me hindered your ability to do your job in the slightest?”
“No.”
“Then your last name simply changed to the one it’s always been destined to be shouldn’t either.”
That…that…feels like a valid point.
Is.
Oh, now you’re awake?
A small, defeated sigh slips loose. “You’re right.”
Ptur lets a smug smirk saunter back onto his face. “I warned you that you wouldn’t always be right, Pint-Size.”
I gently push him away on an eyeroll and resume strolling towards the connected parking area. “Yeah, yeah, even The Joker nails it once a comic.”