Page 38 of His Unicorn Alpha
“I mean, that’s usually what people do when they find out they’re having kids, isn’t it?” Damon interjected cheekily from the reception desk. Then he made a face. “I mean, not me, because my pack was a Moonmusic cult base, but most nice shifters do, don’t they?”
Beside my mate, Beckett shrugged. “Don’t ask me: I was a foster kid and thought shifters were practically a myth.”
I snorted. “You were living with two.”
“And with a human nose, couldn’t scent either of them for what they were,” he argued back. “I had no idea how many really did live among us.”
It still boggled my mind that people like Rex, Beckett, and Brandi had lived entire lives as humans without any real understanding of the world to which they belonged. At least my alpha had known he was a shifter, even if that did make him the odd one out. An anomaly.
“Anyway,” Micah closed the distance between us in a few long-legged strides and took my hand, squeezing it, “I should warn you that she will probably be, like, super excited.”
The previous day, he had spoken about his parents. It sounded as though they had a good relationship and were generally supportive people. As such, hearing his declaration that hismother would react favorably to his news made me smile. “I am pleased that she will be happy about our children.”
“And our bonding,” he added firmly. “She’s been nagging me to settle down for ages.”
Unease itched down my spine and I shuffled my feet. “Even with an omega so much older than you? So…untraditional?” I gestured to my bulky frame. “So seemingly incompatible?”
He scoffed. “Sugar,” he cooed, and we both ignored Day’s emphatic ‘aww’, which Beckett shushed. “My parents are hippies. It’s all about peace, love, and freedom with them. Plus, they believe in fate. Not only did the universe deem you my compatible mate, but Mom will also say that you’re my fated mate. And she’ll probably love you for that reason alone.”
“Even if I am a dragon?”
“Hippies love dragons. All the mythology and imagery and stuff is right up their alley.”
I arched my eyebrow and shared a questioning glance with Beck, who just shrugged. Meeting my mate’s gaze again, I began, “I am not entirely sure that is correct.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’m talking out of my ass, but they will love you.”
“Even though I implanted our eggs without your knowledge or permission?”
“Mom’s getting three grandbabies. If anything, she’ll ask when we’re going to have more.”
“Brrrr,” Day’s exaggerated shudder interrupted us, and he muttered under his breath, “No thanks, hard pass.”
“Anyway,” Beckett gave our friend a pointed glare, which the young omega merely winked at, causing the pack Alpha to sigh before turning back to me and Micah, “sharing your news isn’t the only reason I’m encouraging Micah to call his parents.” He tilted his head. “Can we head into the lab and talk?”
Curiosity piqued, I nodded and led the way down the short hallway in the converted cottage and to the farthest door on the right. The former bedroom was a fully functioning little laboratory, and it was the room I affectionately considered my research cave. I sat on my rolling chair and, after following Micah and me inside, Beck closed the door and leaned against it. Micah situated himself at my desk, resting his hip against its surface.
Goosebumps pimpled my skin as the awareness that he was finally in the place where our children had been created settled over me. It didn’t matter that it had been an unorthodox creation and conception, it truly felt as though things had come full circle.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Beck said, “To cut to the chase, I think Micah’s mother might have some knowledge about traditional shifter magic. She might even be able to practice it…more than just the ability to shift, I mean.”
I sat up straighter, looking up at Micah for confirmation. “Really?”
He shrugged. “I mean, I was telling Beck about her insistence that the universe guides her, or whatever…”
I tilted my head. “In what way?”
“I always thought it was just wishy-washy talk, you know? Like psychic abilities or whatever. But,” he rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced, “she’s always known just when to call me, and she was the one who told me to come back here. Said the universe willed it, or something like that.”
“Which sounds to me,” Beck took over, “like maybe there’s something more to it all. I’m not an expert in shifter stuff —not even close— but I know you and Eric sent Sage and Dexter on some kind of magic research spree…and I thought maybe this might help, too?”
Nodding, I contemplated the fact that I had thought something similar about the old ways the night before. “Itis certainly worth exploring.” Removing my phone from my pocket, I brought up Sage’s contact details to send him a message. “I will ask Sage when he and Dexter plan on returning. It would make the most sense to have their input.”
“Aren’t you the oldest?” Micah asked. “Wouldn’t you remember more of the old magics?”
“They never interested me quite as much as science, I am afraid. Even though there was some crossover a few hundred years ago, my memory is not that efficient. Sage and Dexter have been travelling the world, looking for older dragons or even sorcerers who specialize in magical theory or, preferably, practice magic. If there are those with the ability to tap in to the magics, who knows what advances we can make for shifter kind.”
My mate scrunched his nose adorably. “So, you’re hoping that my mom might be able to help…what, exactly? Practice magic if they bring back the knowledge on how to do so?”
