Page 84 of Alpha Dragon's Mating Contract
I’m carrying Raptor’s baby. Oh no.
Raptor growled, looking so pleased that Walren swayed a little.
“What’s going to happen now?” Walren mumbled, afraid of speaking too loudly in case someone overheard.
Raptor pulled him close, Zebbie sandwiched between them. He brushed his fingers through Walren’s hair and rubbed his back. “We should discuss this, but not here.”
“Not right now,” Walren whispered. “I need to—to think about it.”
When Raptor drew back, his gaze was soft. “Okay. Take as much time as you need, sweetheart.”
He held onto Walren, only letting go when Walren nodded and leaned away.
“Just say my name if you need me,” Raptor murmured, rubbing Walren’s back one last time. “I’ll come to you as soon as I can.”
Walren nodded, still trying to believe everything that was happening.
In a daze, he watched the chefs work. He blinked when his stomach rumbled, looking around the kitchen.Do I want to finish the pepper here?
It still looked delicious. Just that it was too risky for him to breathe fire again.
He was considering a nibble anyway, when Raptor placed some noodles and fried dumplings in front of him.
“You looked hungry,” the alpha said, his lips twitching into a smile.
Walren flushed. “What does ‘hungry’ look like?”
Raptor didn’t answer his question. “Be careful, it’s hot.”
Walren was already popping a dumpling into his mouth. The dumpling was stuffed with diced mushrooms and cabbage, and it was delicious. He moaned. “It’s so good.”
“Good.” Raptor grinned and eyed the pepper. “I just know when you’re hungry. If you need to munch on that pepper, do it in the office.”
“But your paperwork—”
“The office itself is fireproofed. Maybe not my purchase orders,” Raptor said dryly. “But if you aim it at the ceiling, you’ll be fine.”
Walren digested that information. Raptor caught his hand and squeezed, before returning to the stove.
A while later, Raptor showed up with a third plate and a sippy cup.
“Mashed potatoes and water for Zebbie,” the alpha explained. “No seasonings added.”
Walren’s heart swelled. “Thank you.”
Raptor grinned, saluted, and went back to work.
As he slurped down his noodles and fed Zebbie, Walren couldn’t help but watch the alpha. Unlike the head chefs on TV, Raptor wasniceto his staff. The kitchen ran smoothly as they fulfilled the orders, all of them working together like a well-oiled machine.
What would it be like, to be part of that machine? To feel like you belonged?
When only the half-eaten pepper was left, Walren fidgeted. He really wanted to try breathing fire again.
And he also wanted something to drink.
“May I have some tea?” Walren asked.
Raptor filled a teapot with hot water and came over. “I’ll do you one better,” the alpha said. “Tea’s in my office.”
