Page 137 of Alpha Dragon's Mating Contract
Raptor buried his face in his hands, and groaned.
Walren knewsomething was wrong when Raptor frowned.
“What do you mean, a pigfly infestation?” the alpha said into his phone.
“Literally what it sounds like,” Raptor’s dad replied. “Pig-shaped flies invaded the Circle chamber and filled it with mud. We’ll need a month to clean it up.”
Raptor grimaced. “That’s cutting it close to Walren’s due date.”
“Nonsense,” his dad said. “That’s a month before his due date.”
Raptor sighed and exchanged a look with Walren. Walren nodded. “We’ll reschedule it for right after the cleanup crew is done. I really don’t want to risk things by holding it later.”
“Gotcha. Good talk, kiddo.”
“Rap,I’m really sorry to be calling you two days before your bonding ceremony, but you really can’t come down right now,” Raptor’s dad croaked over the phone.
Raptor eyed Walren. “What’s wrong?”
“Your papa and I caught the flu. I know you really want to get your bonding ceremony over with, but we don’t want to chance this spreading to Walren and the flight.”
Raptor groaned. “Alright. People take seven to ten days to recover from the flu, right? That’s way too close. Maybe after the birth?”
“Okay, we’ll get back to you about that.” Raptor’s dad sneezed.
A weekbefore Walren’s due date, Raptor’s phone rang again.
Raptor groaned, picking it up. “What is it, Dad?”
“We’re being summoned to visit with the High Chancellor,” his dad said apologetically.
Raptor pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let me guess. It’s going to overlap with my planned bonding date.”
“Yes... It’s a three-month visit.”
“Fuck.” Raptor glanced at Walren; Walren knew what he was thinking.
That Walren had totally jinxed their bonding with his words.
“I haven’t jinxed it, there’s still time,” Walren said.
Raptor facepalmed. “Let’s schedule it for... four months after the birth, then. Fingers crossed.”
Raptor’s phone rang.
Both of them stared at it.
“Wanna make a bet?” Raptor asked dryly.
“Surely it can’t be another reschedule,” Walren whispered.
“Alright. Let’s see then.” Raptor answered the call. “Papa?”
“Hey, Rap. Sorry to bother you this late. I know we’ve talked about you holding your bonding ceremony after the High Chancellor visit...”
“But?” Raptor said suspiciously.
“We’re thinking of doing some upkeep in the Circle chamber after our visit with the Chancellor. There are mineral deposits all over the cavern ceiling that we’re trying to sand away, before they fall and knock someone’s eye out. They’ll definitely have grown to a dangerous size after the visit. It would be nice if you could do your bonding before that.”
