Page 59 of Alpha Dragon's Mating Contract
Walren began to panic.How am I going to explain this?
There was no time to hide Zebbie’s wings.
“I, uh. He’s—”
Zebbie looked up, his snout twitching as though it was itching badly.
Raptor leaned in.
And Zebbie sneezed a fireball straight into Raptor’s face.
16
STEALING HEARTS AND BABIES
The fireball hitRaptor’s face and guttered out harmlessly.
Time froze. Everything stood still.
Behind Walren, Raptor sucked in a huge breath.
“Sweetheart?” the alpha whispered, his eyes growing round. “Is that a wee lildragonet?He is, isn’t he? Look at his lilface!He’s so fuc—fudging adorable!”
Raptor wriggled his human fingers at Zebbie and turned his eyes red. Zebbie kicked excitedly in Walren’s arms, shifting into a full dragonet.
Raptor made a choked sound.
“Such a perfect little baby,” he whispered reverently, just inches away from Walren’s ear.
Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.Walren couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe, either. “Are you going to steal my baby?”
“What?” Raptor drew back, tearing his eyes away from Zebbie to look at Walren. “Steal your baby?”
“Yes!”
“No,I’m not stealing him,” Raptor growled. “I broke yououtof a trafficking ring that wanted your baby. Why would I steal him for myself?”
But he paused, glancing to the side in thought. Walren held his breath.
“That said,” Raptor said quietly, “I wouldn’t mind having both of you in my hoard.”
Walren blinked hard. “You mean like that kidnap-vacation we talked about?”
“The consensual kidnapping, yes. You’ve already signed the mating contract, so you’re getting good food and lodging anyway. But I’ll throw in massages, mani-pedis, all the TV subscriptions, and an extra monthly allowance if you agree to be mine. Permanently.”
Walren bit his lip. The mating contract was already extremely generous.
It was just... Walren had always imagined romance to be something beyond promised gifts. Something that was intangible, freely given, instead of gifts laid out like a lure.
Raptor caught on to his hesitation. “You don’t have to decide immediately, of course,” the alpha hurriedly added. “I just wanted you to be aware that being mine comes with perks.”
Was this Raptor’s idea of courtship?
The alpha turned and frowned at the mansion. “I’m trying to benice,” he hissed. “Shut up!”
A smile twitched at Walren’s mouth. “Is Hassel giving you tips?”
“I don’t need tips,” Raptor growled. “Apparentlysome butlersdon’t understand that.”
