I saton the edge of Cobalt’s bed, kicking my legs impatiently. After the third challenge was postponed, he took me back to the castle just like I’d asked.
Correction: he took me backhome.
A tingly mix of hope and relief filled my chest. I flopped down on the bed with a content sigh.
This still didn’t feel real. Everything happened so fast. I expected the third season of the Dragonfate Games to be like the first two—fun, but ultimately, I’d go home alone.
Not this time.
It wasn’t because I no longer had a home to go back to but becausethiswas my home now.
And Cobalt—the biggest, eldest, most adorably sweet dragon alpha—was my fated mate.
I grinned like an idiot. Just thinking about him made my heart skate around in circles. I loved him so much.
So, where the hell was he?
I sat upright on the bed and stared at the door harder, as if that’d make him manifest. Once we returned to his room, he told me to wait here for a few minutes, then he skedaddled. It was the first time we’d been separated since before the second challenge yesterday, and it felt weird. I liked being by his side.
I sighed, grabbed Blueberry to my chest, and limply fell onto the bed again. As cute as the plushie was, he was a poor substitute for myrealgiant squishy marshmallow alpha.
When the door opened, I bolted upright in excitement. It was only slightly dulled by seeing a different dragon, but I was happy all the same.
“Oh, hey Saffron,” I greeted.
The blond twin scampered into the room and leapt on the bed beside me. We’d become fast friends since the snooping session on the beach. Unlike his twin, Saffron was keenly interested in my relationship with Cobalt.
Saffron grinned, lounging on the bed like he belonged there. “Hey, Muzo.”
“Do you know where Cobalt is? He told me to stay put, then wandered off,” I said with a pout.
Saffron snorted with laughter. “He’s in Crimson’s room getting schooled by the fashion police.”
“Why?”
“Guess when he wanted advice, he went crawling back to Crimson after all.” Saffron nodded at the blue dragon clutched in my arms. “Hey, you really like that plushie, huh?”
“I don’t like him. Ilovehim.” I rubbed my cheek against Blueberry’s face. “Before I knew I was staying here on the island, I seriously considered abandoning half my wardrobe so I could take him back with me.”
Saffron took out his phone and typed something quickly.
“What’cha doing?” I asked.
“Taking notes,” he answered, pocketing the phone.
“For what?”
“How to be a good alpha.”
I tilted my head. “Huh. I thought that came naturally.”
Saffron shrugged. “I want to be prepared for my turn. I don’t want to blow it because I don’t know how to act.” He poked Blueberry’s chest, then asked, “Do you think I could commission Taylor to make one of these for me, too?”
I grinned. “I’m sure he’d love any excuse to show off his awesome sewing skills.”
Saffron perked up, encouraged at the idea. “Okay, cool. I’m gonna tell him to make it twice as big. No, three times.”
A familiar dry voice came from the door. “What kind of abomination am I being forced to create?” Taylor asked.
