Page 42 of Having the Dragon's Baby

She relaxed when she was enveloped by the familiar scent, followed by seeing the vision of his face.

Marcus was carrying her to his room, which meant nothing had gone wrong.

Relief washed over Rachel as she nestled back into her lover’s strong, capable arms that were made to protect her.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she whispered as he laid her on the bed.

Marcus smiled at her. Once he had set her down, he stroked her cheek, brushing hair from her face. “Me too.”

Rachel leaned her head onto his palm before turning to kiss it. “Are you hurt?”

He let out a snorted chuckle. “I carry you in here to lay you out and check you for any injuries, and you have the audacity to beat me at asking if you are all right?”

She grinned sleepily at him while she forced herself to wake fully and sit up.

“Well, are you?”

Marcus rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m fine. But what about you? I know you have that knot on your head.” He pushed her hair back to look at the tender egg forming.

“It’s nothing,” she insisted, trying to push his hand away.

Marcus was resilient and continued to check her over for any other marks. Rachel gave up, realizing her compliance would get this over faster.

Once he was satisfied with his findings, Marcus sat back and looked at Rachel intensely.

She had never seen such fear and happiness at once.

Everything about Marcus’s eyes screamed with such strong emotion from all directions. She felt for him. He had just seen her kidnapped with their unborn child, fought other dragons, and killed his best friend.

“Oh, Marcus. I’m sorry about tonight…”

Before she could say any more, Marcus shook his head, casting his eyes downward.

“Don’t be. It had to be done, and we found out everything we needed to bring down Orion. It will be handled.”

“But still…”

“But still nothing. I have you and our child back.” He rubbed her stomach protectively.

She smiled and covered his hands in her own, cradling their future.

“That’s all I need in this life. I promise. Also, my dark humor laughs at the fact that Vincent thought he could take me on in a challenge for alpha,” Marcus continued.

Rachel smiled at the fact he was putting on such a strong façade.

He had to be hurting after the betrayal of his beta, on top of so many other things. She also figured that he didn’t want to admit how scared he had been about almost losing her.

It might have sounded conceited, but it was true. She could see it as strong as any other emotion in his luminous green eyes.

“All I need is to know that you are all right, and it makes everything disappear.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “I promise, Marcus. The baby and I are fine.”

“Are you sure?” The first sign of worry seeped through his mask.

“Yes. Like I said, I promise.”

He looked satisfied with her answer. “Okay. If anything changes, you need to tell me immediately.”

---