Page 36 of The Manny's Fiery Dragon Bond

“Lord Malric, your advisors are waiting for you in the boardroom.”

I checked my watch. Sure enough, I was running late. Great. I wanted to finish this conversation on a high note, one where Ollie was bouncing out of here happy as could be. I’d need to make it up to him tonight.

“Okay, perhaps if we do this again, we need to clear my schedule.” It came out like I was teasing, but I wasn’t. I was one hundred percent willing to cancel everything and have him in every corner of this room, including against the wall of windows. My cock was already stirring thinking about it

“Are you late? I’m so sorry,” Ollie said.

“Nothing to be sorry for, mate. In fact, come with me, and I will introduce you.”

“To whom?” he said.

I had a feeling if I listed everyone with whom he’d be meeting, it would scare him away. He had met a few of my advisors at the charity event, but I didn’t think he fully understood the full breadth of who they were. And it had been a mixed bag of reactions. I was pretty sure I’d made it crystal clear that the negative behaviors were not to be tolerated, but I’d understand why the situation might make him uncomfortable. Scratch that… would make him uncomfortable.

Ollie had not been through any of the new mate orientation training that non-dragons went through. I would need to remedy that. And quick. I grabbed my phone and fired off a quick text to Jamie. She would manage getting him the classes he needed.

Then I was off, grabbing Ollie’s hand and tugging him through the passage that led to the boardroom. I could go the route through the rest of the building like a normal person, but it was nice that we’d had what equated to secret tunnels built.

The room grew quiet when I entered, and everyone turned to look at me and my mate. Ollie let out an adorable squeak. I put my hand on the small of his back and walked with him to the head of the table.

“Hello, everyone. I apologize for the delay and also for the slight change in agenda for today.”

A few of my advisors, who were also my close friends, gave me encouraging smiles. They were the ones that I knew would support me and Ollie.

There were a few who had scowls on their faces. It took all kinds to run a clan. Not everyone would agree with everything that I said or did, and I had accepted that a long time ago. But when it came to my mate, I was not going to have the same level of leeway.

“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Ollie—my mate.”

Ollie smiled, and he gave an awkward little wave.

“I understand that it is sudden and unexpected, given that I had already been blessed with a mate. But it seems that fate had a twist in store for me.” Better thwart any people trying to deny he was mine with my past from the get-go.

“Congratulations,” Vlad said, and there was applause from several members at the table, a majority of them, but not all.

Elias cleared his throat. “A non-dragon, Malric? Surely you can see how this would be problematic. I have the same concerns I brought forth to you when I first met this Ollie.”

He was such a jerk, and he’d learned nothing from my reaction to his behavior at the gala. Not a freaking thing. How did people get to be this ugly and hateful? How? He couldn’t even blame it on his clan and its culture. We weren’t like that, but he definitely was.

“No,” I said. “I do not see how this will be problematic. In fact, I think it only strengthens our clan.”

I was about to say more, but Ollie stopped me.

“I understand your concerns about a young mouse shifter being mated to your leader. Lord Malric has led this clan through tough times. He’s helped bring this clan into the modern times with his courageous leadership. So you might be wondering if a mate will distract from that. I am here to assure you that it will not.”

He was born for this role.

“I’m as committed to this clan as Lord Malric is. In becoming his mate, his worries became mine, his passion became mine. And no one is more passionate about this clan than Lord Malric. But I do not understand and will not tolerate disrespect toward me and my family because of fear related to my species or my age. If you bring us your concerns professionally and with respect, we will listen and address them. But we will not tolerate hatred.”

I wanted to clap or drop a mic… that was what they did now, right? But regardless of my reaction, my pride was running over. He’d done amazingly, not for a single second showing the discomfort he had to be feeling as he addressed the situation.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I have to get back to the children that I’m here with. I look forward to doing business with you all in the future.”

I walked him out. “You were amazing, mate. Absolutely amazing.”

“I wanted to puke the entire time.” He snuggled into me. “Thank you for standing up for me.”

“Always.” It was my vow.

“You should go back inside for your meeting, and I’ll go get the kids.” He stood on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my lips. “See you tonight.”

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