Page 200 of Labor of Love

My Alpha.

With a smile, I slide back under the covers and tug Kestrel to me. I wrap my arms around my stunning, brave little mate and fall asleep to the sound of my dragon purring with happiness.

The next morning, I wake Kestrel by peppering kisses all over his face. Sunlight streams through the window, lighting up the room and giving me a good view of his baby bump. I linger there, pressing tender kisses against his skin. He hasn’t told me he’s pregnant yet, but that’s okay. I can wait till he’s ready. Kestrel’s eyes flutter open, and he laughs when I begin to trail kisses lower. I almost forget the reason I need him to wake up when there’s a knock at the door.

“You two might want to get dressed. Your guests are here,” James says.

“Guests?” Kestrel pauses, eyes growing wide as he takes in the room we’re in. “Uh, Brooks. Please don’t tell me we stole someone’s room last night.”

I laugh. “No, love. But I have a surprise for you. Come on, let’s go get ready. We’re about to get married.”

Kestrel’s whole face lights up, and like giddy children, we laugh as we run upstairs, trying not to get caught.

“I can’t believe we’re getting married today,” he says, eyeing my tailored black suit appreciatively. “Do you think this is okay?” Kestrel gestures to himself.

He’s wearing a shimmery white shirt, paired with a nice pair of fitted black pants. His wavy black hair tumbles around his shoulders, and he’s added some kind of light sparkle to his tan skin.

“You’re beautiful. I’m so fucking lucky you said yes.”

He rolls his eyes playfully. “We’re both lucky.”

Lacing our fingers together, I lead him through the house. As soon as we step outside, he gasps.

Everyone is sitting on beautiful white lawn chairs. In the center, a path of white rose petals divides the guests in half and leads to a stunning archway covered in flowers. James and Leah wave to us. Amongst the guests, I spot my cousin Archer up front with Novl. Next to them is Novl’s best friend, Astra, and his mate. On the other side, sitting in their chairs, are Penn and Kai. Happy tears fill my eyes when I see my brother, Asa. And someone at the very front of the group stands up as soon as we start walking toward the archway.

“Mama?” Kestrel gasps, rushing to her side. “What are you doing here?”

She throws her arms around Kes and whispers against his ear. “I couldn’t miss my only child marrying his fated mate.”

Kestrel spins around, happy tears shining in his eyes. “But how? You only proposed hours ago. When did you have time to organize all this?”

Kestrel’s stepdad walks forward and claps me on the back. “Your mate here has been planning for several days. We’ve been on standby, just waiting for him to convince you to say yes.”

James laughs. “We didn’t expect him to take so damn long!”

I chuckle, shaking my head.

“Go on, honey.” Kestrel’s mom playfully pushes him toward me. “Go marry your soulmate.”

I extend my hand. Kestrel places his fingers in mine. “You ready, love?”

Kestrel nods eagerly. “Yes, Alpha. Let’s get married.”

EPILOGUE

KESTREL

Two days later...

“Ican’t believe it’s finally over,” I say, peering out of the passenger window at the familiar ornate-brick building of my bookstore. Just above the doorway, a wooden sign reads ‘The Book Corner.’ A warmth fills my chest as soon as I see the sign my grandfather carved with his own hands.

The past two days have been a whirlwind of celebrations, people, and packing. So much so, I didn’t have time to tell him about the baby, and he deserves to hear without so many people around.

Brooks parks his car, and I practically jump out.

“It’s officially yours,” Brooks says, dangling the keys in front of me. He added an adorable dragon keychain to the ring. “James filed the paperwork the morning we got married. He said to consider it a wedding present.”

Leaning forward, I snatch the keys from his index finger and press a kiss to his lips before grinning up at my shop. My hand finds its way to my abdomen, and I can’t fight the wide smile spreading across my face.

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