“Congrats,” Karry says the one thing that we haven’t yet.
“Thanks,” Z proudly beams.
“And now your brothers are going to say it, too,” she insists in such a way there’s no room for argument.
“Congrats, Z,” I state first on a good-natured elbow to his side. “You’re gonna be a good dad. Dae will be a better mom. But still. You’ll get the job done.”
He lightly laughs while nodding. “Thanks?”
“Don’t drop our nephew, or he’ll end up like A.D.”
“I wasn’t dropped!”
P playfully cringes before offering him a warm smirk.
“I will happily check on Lady Draak,” Gene announces, unintentionally stirring Gold.
Mate.
She’s probably fine.
Mate.
We don’t need to smother her. She just agreed to date us. Or think about dating us? Or to think about thinking about dating us? I’m not entirely sure and too dragon shit at the moment to ask.
Mate.
My inward growling accidentally seeps outward prompting Gene to kindly offer, “Would you like for me to check on Lady Roy, Master Draak?”
Yes.
I clear my throat to deny the suggestion yet still manage to politely implore, “Please?”
“Of course,” Gene replies with a curt nod of dismissal.
“Lady Roy?” Karry’s voice questions, instantly collecting my attention.
For the first time, meeting the green gaze of the redheaded flamingo shifter I have spent more years than I probably should’ve having a rollercoaster relationship with feels different. Off. Eyes I once upon a time loved to light up no longer call to me to do so. Her long red hair that used to summon my fingers to it anytime we were in the same room seems to be repelling them rather than requesting their presence. Even the tight, athletic figure I was always happy to spend time making wiggle churns my stomach in disgust.
Pushes bile up the back of my throat.
It’s as if simply being in the same vicinity with someone I used to sleep with now makes me physically ill.
Shame.
I’m not ashamed.
Shame.
Why the fuck would I be ashamed?
Mate.
What about her?
Pure.
Are you saying she’s a virgin or that because I’m not one for her I now have a Scarlet Letter stomach?
Shame.
Oh…shut up. Don’t make me starve you.
“Guess congrats are in order to you, too,” Karry begins at the same time she slides her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “You’ve found your mate.”
I don’t confirm it.
Or deny it.
I simply reach into my pajama bottom pocket to retrieve whatever snack I know I prematurely stuffed into it.
“Smell gave Z away,” she informs, doing her best to keep a light tone. “For you, it’s your eyes.”
Confusion momentarily stops me from sinking my teeth into the ginger root. “What?”
“There’s like a bright, gold shimmer to them now. I’m gonna guess it only pops up when you’re thinking about her.”
Us.
We fucking Pixar sparkle when we’re talking about her?
Yes.
For Dragons Sake…you have got to be shitting me!
“Like now.”
Humiliation heats my face to much higher temperatures than it already is.
The corner of Karry’s lips attempt to pull upward. “I’m happy for you.”
“You definitely sound happy,” Griffin invades on a snarky smirk.
“How about you make some sounds?” P forcefully commands. “Prove to us you’re worth the money you’re lining your nest with.”
“Clearly the Draak that gets laid the least,” our hacker mutters while turning back to face his computer screen. “Nonetheless, you’re right. I don’t get paid to watch the Young & The Draakless.” His fingers fly across his keys. “Although, I must admit. It is a perk I am certainly enjoying.”
Our stares simultaneously swing to the bare wall across from the large desk where we know information will be displayed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Karry forcing herself to put on the same fake, happy expression she does for the cameras.
Too bad I know her better than that.
I know when she’s sad.
I know when she’s in pain.
I know when she’s disappointed and hates herself for feeling that way.
Like now.
We always agreed that our time together would never work in the longevity of shit because we’re destined to other creatures. Some beings – self included – choose to keep all relationships we find ourselves in casual. This minimizes unnecessary heartbreak for all those involved. See, you never really know when you’re going to stumble across your Fated Mate, and once you do, there’s no stopping you – the shifter – from wanting to be with them or trying to make it happen. We both understood that. We both relished in the fun of fucking without the consequence of caring.
Or at least I thought we did.
“I have news about Krystie,” Griff casually announces.
The solemn echo thoughtlessly slides off my tongue. “So do I.”
All eyes in the room cut my direction providing me with the opportunity to repeat what I was told. Words I’m not sure how to say – and words I never wanted to say – roll around my mouth, waiting for the tiniest ounce of courage to propel them into the moment.
How do you tell someone you care about that someone they love is dead?
That you fucked up and couldn’t save them?
Impatience hits Griff first causing him to huff, “Unless your episode of Taxicab Confessions is about how you somehow rescued Krystie in the last hour can we focus on me and how amazing I am at my job?”
“Oh, look, his lion side is showing up to possibly piss me off,” P snaps on a fake smile.
“Think what you like; however, I am amazing.” Two hard pounds on the keys pulls up a Magitek document. “I found Krystie back in the system.”
Disbelief drops my jaw. “Alive?”
“Yes.”
There are exhales of relief from all of us.
“At least I think it’s her.”