Page 71 of Claimed By The Dragon Daddy

“Why do you need to work on it?”

I couldn’t breathe as the image of claiming Mariah flashed through me. It took all my self-control to keep myself in check.

“I know what you're asking,” I said. “And I want it more than you could possibly imagine—the need to claim you as mine, as my mate. For you to belong to me in every possible way…” I shook my head, wanting her to understand, but I wasn’t sure I could put my fears into words. “I want to do it when things are calm, when there's no danger surrounding us, when I can give you the joy and celebration a claiming deserves. I want it to be a memory we’ll always cherish, not something done with this dark cloud hanging over us."

She squeezed my hand. “I understand, Evan, and I’m happy to wait as long as we need to. Just knowing that I’m yours, and you’re mine…that’s enough for me.”

Her words felt genuine, but I could have sworn there was a hint of sadness in her eyes when she disentangled her hand from mine and took a long drink from her water glass.

Maybe it was my imagination, but I also saw a longing there, similar to my own, for us to be fully bonded, with nothing standing between us. I wanted that more than anything, too. My dragon thrashed within me, restless and impatient, yearning to lay claim upon the woman we both knew was destined to be ours.

“Mariah,” I said softly as I leaned forward. “I promise you, it will be soon. As soon as we've dealt with Tomas and the danger he poses, as soon as this custody hearing is behind us and our family is safe and whole, I will claim you. We'll be together, bonded in a way that nothing can break. I swear it.”

She nodded, a single tear escaping from the corner of her eye and making its way down her cheek, even as she smiled. “I know. I trust you, and I believe in us. Soon.”

I repeated the word to myself like a mantra as I looked forward to a future not yet within our grasp.

Soon.

Chapter 18

Mariah

The sun hadn't risen yet, but I was awake, my stomach jumping with a mixture of excitement and nerves as I carefully slipped out of bed so I didn’t wake Evan. Today was the first day of my classes, and part of me couldn't wait to dive in. The other felt the pressure of going back to school for the first time in nearly a decade.

I slipped on a robe and tiptoed across the hall, peeking into Sofia’s room, making sure she was still fast asleep. Her tiny chest rose and fell with each breath, and I backed out of the room, shutting the door softly and making my way down the stairs.

“Morning, Mariah.” Abi gave me a bright smile when I walked into the kitchen.

“What are you doing up?”

She was busy brewing coffee and preparing breakfast. The enticing aroma of freshly made waffles filled the air and made my stomach growl.

“I thought I'd send you off to your first day of school with a full stomach,” she said with a wink, pouring me a mug of the hazelnut brew I’d grown pretty fond of since I’d been here.

I smiled at the gesture. “Thank you so much.”

I took the steaming mug of coffee she offered, wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic. The rich flavor made me sigh in contentment. I’d been right to get up early and give myself plenty of time to wake up and get ready for the day ahead. I wanted to be totally prepared when my first class started at eight o’clock.

“Are you sure you have everything you need?” Abi flipped a golden waffle onto a plate. “I think the office is pretty well-equipped.”

“I’d say so. I still can’t believe you guys did that for me.”

Just yesterday, Sebastian and Abi had taken me up to the third floor where Evan and Sebastian’s offices sat next to Lucas’s. They’d converted another empty room up there into my very own office, complete with a new computer, desk, chair, and any type of office supply I could imagine. They’d truly gone all out.

Abi smiled warmly, her blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “We want you to feel at home here. If there’s anything we can do to make things easier for you, we’re more than happy to do it.”

I blinked back tears, overwhelmed by their kindness, and hugged her tightly. “Thank you both so much. I really don’t think you know how much this means to me."

Abi chuckled. “Let's get some food in you before your class starts.” Abi pulled away and handed me a plate piled high with waffles and fruit. “And don’t you worry one bit about Sofia. I’ve got everything under control.”

I ate every last bit, then went back upstairs to check on Sofia. She’d stirred slightly but was still fast asleep. Kissing her forehead, I whispered, “I’ll see you at lunchtime, sweetie.”

Going into the bathroom, I showered and got dressed, then I gave myself an encouraging smile in the mirror. I could do this. This was what I’d wanted, and Evan and the Careys had made it happen for me. My aunt who raised me after my mother abandoned me had made it abundantly clear that she did so against her will, and I grew up without any warmth or nurturing. A family supporting me like this wasn’t exactly a familiar experience, but I was more grateful than words could say.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag of books I’d ordered, then walked upstairs to my new office. The door creaked when I pushed it open, and I smiled all over again at the cozy, cream-colored space with a large, light wood desk, comfortable white leather desk chair, and bookshelves lining the walls. Tall windows let in rays of morning light, and it was like a perfect little oasis for me to do my work. A sense of gratitude and determination washed over me as I settled in, ready to begin this new chapter in my life.

I turned on the computer and logged into the online lecture hall a few minutes early, anticipation making it hard for me to sit still. Finally, my professor began the class, coming onscreen and introducing himself. For the next four hours, I was completely engrossed in my lessons. Things happened so quickly once I decided to enroll in college, but I was grateful for the whirlwind. The anticipation of waiting for school, along with everything else that was so uncertain right now, surely would’ve driven me crazy. This gave me something to focus on—something that didn’t involve Tomas Hawthorne and his sick schemes.

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