Page 11 of The Dragon's Stormwoven Bond

“But just so you know, none of my children are on the options list.”

I clenched my jaw to keep from saying something I’d regret. On any other visit I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. After all, I had been the playboy he said I was, the one who’d never settled down, the one that didn’t sleep with the same omega twice. A lot had changed in the last twelve hours. I no longer resembled that alpha.

Now, I didn’t know what to say. The more Eryx talked, the more I realized that my mate was right. His father wasn’t ready to hear that his youngest was mated, least of all to me.

Would he ever be ready? Would this turn of events shatter a half-a-millennium-long friendship? If it did, it would be worth it. For Pep. I’d do anything. I loved Eryx, but when given a choice between Pep and anything or anyone, Pep would always be my pick. Always.

“I think we have a lot to catch up on, Eryx. Let’s not dwell in the past.”

He raised a brow. “The confirmed bachelor is ready to settle down?”

“Something like that,” I said.

“Yeah, Dad, give him a break. I’m sure once he finds his mate he’ll become a boring old family man like you,” Rhythe said.

It wasn’t a perfect endorsement, but I would take it. Maybe Rhythe knew more than he was letting on.

“Rhythe is right. Finding my mate would be an absolute gamechanger.” I watched Rhythe’s face for a hint of understanding. The omega gave nothing away.

Eryx looked like he was about to say something, but Katrina called his name from the kitchen.

“I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable.”

Once he was out of the room, Rhythe turned on me.

“How did you know I was Rhythe and not Pep? It seems a bit far-fetched that you could pick out one half of the set of twins that you saw once in passing. And why do you scent like my twin? What don’t I know?”

“You can scent Pep on me?” So much for the scent blocker.

“Please. He’s my twin. We shared an egg. Plus, I know all his tricks.” He leaned in a little closer and lowered his voice. “My father can’t scent him on you, which means you’ve likely had some scent-blocking tea, which only Pep and I have. Spill.”

I sighed. “I met Pep last night, which you probably saw.”

He nodded.

“He’s my mate.”

Rhythe’s eyes went wide, and he pulled out his phone. “And that little fucker didn’t call me to let me know that it was more than an ex-rescue and drinks?”

“We’ve been busy. We didn’t realize till this morning that I knew your dad.”

“So you guys went with a scent blocker? Good call. Dad would flip his fucking lid if he found out.”

I hated his confirmation. It meant I was reading the room right and that Pep had been right to worry. This was not how I expected my mating to begin.

“Where is Pep now?” Rhythe didn’t hide his protectiveness.

“At our home. At the academy.”

Rhythe nodded. “Do you mind if I go see him?”

“Of course not. You’re always welcome.” I would never keep my mate from his family or friends. I wasn’t that kind of alpha.

Rhythe winked. “Good answer.” With that, he left.

When Eryx came back into the room, he looked around for his son.

“Where did Rhythe run off to?”

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