Page 32 of Unforeseen Mate

Hayden laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more accurate description of a reaper.”

“As in grim reaper?” Hayden nodded. “I was that close to death?”

“Yes. He thought to steal your soul. I challenged him, and I won.”

Fallon nodded slowly. “Okay bits and pieces are coming back. You gave me a choice: agree to become your mate or die.”

“Yes, but I also told you if you chose death, you would spend eternity in heaven.”

“Would you have let me go? Would you have let me choose death?” she asked.

Hayden thought about lying to her but decided she needed to be able to trust him to tell her the truth. She had enough to live with and learn without adding that to the mix.

“No. In all honesty, I have to say I would not. I could tell you it was because I didn’t think you were in your right mind to make such a choice, but the truth is I wanted you with me. By taking on Strode to get you back and bring you to the Hollow, I have committed the hellhounds—at least those that choose to—to the cause of the Resistance against the Shadow League.”

“The Shadow League. Strode mentioned them and the Resistance. He’s not as confident in his ability to win as he might like you to believe.”

“What makes you say that?” he asked, intrigued and impressed that she had gleaned information from her conversations with Strode.

“He didn’t mention anything about hellhounds, but he seemed concerned about other dragons, specifically a group known as the Phantom Fire.”

“He has cause to be. The Phantom Fire is a group of immortal dragons who are even older than Strode. They were a kind of leftover vanguard from the age of dragons. I’m surprised that he revealed as much to you as it seems he did.”

“I don’t think he believed I’d ever have a chance to tell anyone. He’s an arrogant prick. He’s going to be pissed that you snatched me from right under his nose.”

“I rather imagine he is. If he’d like to challenge me for you, I’d be more than happy to oblige him.”

“You’d take on a fire-breathing dragon?”

“Yes, and I would win. Hellhounds and dragons have rarely been allies. Dragons are one of the few things that can kill a hellhound, and we are among the very few creatures that can kill a dragon. You look better; how are you feeling?”

“Different. Better, but different.”

“Better is good. Different is temporary.”

“What if I decide I don’t want to be a hellhound?” she asked.

“There is no way for you to transition back. Are you regretting the choice you made?”

“Not sure,” she answered, shaking her head. “I’ll get back to you on that.”

“You’re a little pale. Why don’t you stretch back out?”

Fallon did as he asked. He reminded himself that getting her to comply would not always be that simple.

“Your friend didn’t seem to think I’d be welcome here,” she said, fluffing her pillow and lying down.”

Nothing wrong with a little white lie to save her feelings about a temporary situation.

“We haven’t had a newcomer to our ranks in years. They just need a little time.”

As Fallon closed her eyes, Hayden hoped that what he’d told her would prove to be true. If they were going into battle with the Shadow League, the last thing he needed was a pack divided.

CHAPTER 14

FALLON

Fallon felt herself falling into a deep sleep, but she could also feel Hayden’s comforting presence. As she descended into a restful peace, she felt him crawl under the covers with her, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her close, spooning his front against her back. Blissful and feeling safe, she allowed herself to drift into the land of dreams.

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