Page 32 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

“I would like to cook with a proper pot for a change,” Konrad said as he walked back over to the bed we had shared for the past month.

“You do a wonderful job with the fire.”

“Yes, but something other than meat sounds appealing. I believe your son would like a potato or two. Or a parsnip? Maybe a carrot. I’m not picky, and I hope you don’t think I am.” Konrad turned, his eyes wide. “And I’m not ungrateful. You’ve been more than an amazing provider.”

I laughed at that. I could see that. There was nothing wrong with potatoes. They stored well and made a nice stew when combined with meat. And I knew he wasn’t complaining. But I agreed. There was only so much you could do with venison and fish when you only had those and an open flame.

“You are sure they will not be upset about you suddenly showing up with a pregnant mate?”

I snorted. “They will be delighted. In fact, I am sure Da will dote all over you the moment we cross over the threshold.” My fathers knew I’d been hoping to find my mate—well, Da had known. I had no doubt that he’d told Father.

I could tell my mate was open to being around another omega. He missed his friends, especially Elias. We had gotten to know each other well over the past month, but it was time to get my mate to the house. My dragon had been pushing me to do so for a few days now, and my parents had always said to always listen to my dragon. He’d led me to Konrad, and now he seemed to want my mate with my fathers, so it was time.

Konrad pulled his shirt over his head, then placed it on the bed. When he pushed down his trousers, bending over to pull them off his feet, I was rewarded with the tantalizing view of his sac as it hung between his legs. Tonight, I would explore every inch of his body while on the soft bed in my room.

“I can hear your thoughts, you know.”

“Mmm, I know. I have no issue with you knowing that I wish to bury my shaft deep inside you, knotting you one last time.” I pushed down the front of my own trousers and moved up behind my mate. Sadly, he derailed my plans by standing up, turning, and placing a hand on the middle of my chest.

“Do not think about it. We were leaving, remember?”

I pulled on my shaft. “Yes, but we could have a bit of pleasure before doing so.”

Konrad shook his head. “No, we are going to go meet your parents. Now, finish undressing so we can pack things up.” Konrad looked around the cave. “Do you think we will be back?”

I let go of my shaft and pushed my trousers down. “If you wish, yes. Although, with a baby…”

“That was why I asked. I would not assume your fathers would take care of our son while we stole off to a cave to find pleasure with one another.”

I folded my own clothing, placing it in the smaller satchel that I would carry. I had tried to figure out how I could carry my mate in my claws, but I would need to be able to fly in order to pick him up, and there was not enough room in the cave to do so.

“I’m as ready as I ever will be. If you are absolutely sure they will not be upset about you showing up with a pregnant mate, I would like to meet your fathers.”

“Most likely, they will be upset that I kept you hidden for so long. I cannot wait to show you how wonderful our life is going to be.” It was a simple life we lived here, but one full of love, and now that I had my own mate, it would be so much more complete.

“It already is, Alpha. I do not need a life of luxuries. I am a simple man. One who is used to growing and raising his own food.”

“We do that here. Come spring, I will build you a house of our own.”

I could tell Konrad liked that idea but was hesitant to say as much. My mate was too shy to ask for anything, and that was something I would work hard to change. I wanted to know his needs, his desires. If he wanted something, I wished to give it to him. I knew he’d gone without for a long time, had been denied many things because of his alpha father’s own worries about protecting his son.

After I made sure the cave was ready to be empty for the winter, I walked to the mouth of the cave and shifted. Once I was lying as close to the floor as I could, Konrad climbed onto my back and lay down, wrapping his arms around my neck.

“This is going to be so cold.”

“I am sorry, my mate. I did not think about that when I brought you here instead of going directly to the house. My only thought at the time was getting you somewhere safe and dry, where we could be alone.”

“It’s okay. It won’t hurt me, just be a bit uncomfortable. How about we get it over with, and then I can get dry and warm.”

I stood, grabbed the satchel with one clawed foot, then jumped through the mouth of the cave and into the water.

Konrad’s loud gasp distracted me, and I didn’t open my wings as quickly as I usually did. When I did, we glided out and away from the mountain. I flew upward to the top where we had settled. Once I was in the clearing that was only a few minutes’ walk to the cottage, I landed, quickly shifting back out of my scales. Konrad hadn’t even had a chance to climb off my back yet, and I found my mate clinging to me in my human form.

“It’s cold,” he said, his teeth chattering a little.

“Yes. We must get you dry and dressed.” I opened the satchel I’d had protected under my stomach, pulling out the smaller blanket we had been using to dry off. I dried my mate, quickly handing him the clothing out of the larger trunk I had stored under a nearby tree. I dried one foot, placed a boot on it, then did the same for the other.

“What about you?”