Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“We want mates, Cyrus,” I stress. “I crave one more than anything.”
He looks me dead in the eyes and answers, “Well then you want something you can’t have.”
“My mate is in my room right now and she will give me dragonlings.” My voice holds no conviction; even as I say the words, I doubt them. Cyrus cocks an eyebrow at me as though I’ve proven his point for him. “She will.”
“And when she doesn’t?” Cyrus asks as if it’s inevitable.
My heart sinks at his question. A beat passes before I tell him, “She’s heated stronger than any woman ever has before.”
“How many years did we spend trying to find appropriate companions?” Galen and I look at each other with our lips firmly pressed into a flat line. Cyrus continues without either of us answering him. “Too many fucking years. Courting women and waiting to see if their heat would hold.” A black air of depression settles between us. “Why not try it my way? Huh? Least I’m having fun with it and there are no broken hearts or grief. Only enjoyment.”
“Are you though?” Galen questions him and I’m honestly surprised. “You seem to be more and more passionate about mates recently.” He cracks his neck and sighs. “Almost as if you actually want one.”
“Of course I fucking want one. But they’re all dead. They died with everyone else.”
“I refuse to believe it.” Galen’s quick to answer.
“Same here,” I say, strumming my fingers along the table. I can’t help but to think of how quickly Kara’s heat left her though. Doubt spreads through me more than my dragon cares for.
“I’d be fucking happy for you two to prove me wrong.” Cyrus crosses his arms and sits back in his seat. The wooden legs of it creak.
“Well we’ll find out soon enough with Drago’s pet.” Galen smirks at me with confidence, but I want to smack that look off his face.
“Don’t call her that,” I snap and then shake off my irritation. “She’s more to me than a pet.”
“Nothing wrong with your mate being your pet,” Galen answers with a firm voice and Cyrus nods in agreement.
“I’d rather you simply not call her that.”
“Then why tell us that’s what she is?” Galen tilts his head and feigns ignorance. “Oh that’s right, so that we stay away and you could have her—and her heat—all to yourself.”
I smirk at him and reply, “It worked.”
Cyrus smiles broadly in response. “And which one of us is the asshole?”
We all snort a laugh and the tight air between us seems to dissipate. Although some thoughts can never be forgotten and sink their claws into my consciousness.
“So you really think you may have bred her?” Cyrus asks.
“I would hope so.”
“Then you’ll be stuck with her,” my brother states and Galen hints in his question.
“Yes, I’d be content with that.” I smile at the thought of her being stuck with me. Mated as the stories have told.
“Good to hear since it’s been a while since you’ve been happy with company,” Galen says. “She seems as if she can handle you too.”
“Yes, she has a little fire in her. You look good together,” Cyrus adds.
“Thank you both.” It fills me with pride that my brothers approve of her. Not that it’s needed, but still it settles some concerns. “She is a little spitfire.”
Galen laughs. “Is that your pet name for her? It seems fitting.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s treasure.”
Galen’s expression turns serious and his eyes dance with hope. “Also fitting.”
“Do you two really think it’s possible?” Cyrus looks up at us in a way he hasn’t for years. More than anything, he appears wounded and vulnerable. “You think we really could find mates who aren’t dragons? These humans could be our mates, real mates?”
“I do, Cyrus,” Galen answers and I nod in agreement.
And then I speak words I didn’t even know were true until they leave my lips. “Even if she can’t bear my children, I still want her. I still want my mate.” Fire blazes up my chest and my dragon bats his wings inside of me. He purrs with triumph and agreement. As he presses me for control, the pull to her is strong. I feel a need to go to her. To be with her.
“Even without young?” Galen’s surprised, and I have to admit, I’m surprised as well.
I slowly nod my head as if coming to terms with what I’ve just admitted to myself. “She’s more than worthy of being my mate.” I look my brother in the eyes. “I would be honored to have her by my side. I want to be loved and it is undeniable that there’s something between us that is more than I’ve ever had.”
Galen sits back with a pout on his face. “Is that why you gave me Isabella? You know if you’d still like the chance to court her, I would understand.”