My twin launched out of the room so fast, I imagined cartoon dust clouds in his wake.
Twenty-Six
Mylo
Now that theegg was outside my body, I felt comfortable shifting back to human form. Besides, it was easier to carry around an egg with hands than paws.
To keep it warm, I nestled it in my palms at all times. Although strangely, the egg had its own low heat. It wasn’t like touching a chicken or reptile egg.
Every day I wondered what would hatch. The egg was so small. Was Saffron right when he suggested a tiny dragon? Or was there a ferret curled up inside the shell after all?
Those were the thoughts running through my mind as I sat at the breakfast bar. The kitchen was full today. Most members of the family were present, either sitting at the bar like me, rummaging through the fridge, or helping cook breakfast. I liked when everybody was around, just casually sharing space. It always made me feel cozy and peaceful.
“Dude,stopstealing the eggs! I’m trying to make pancakes here,” Aurum complained, scowling at Crimson.
Crimson shot him a tart glare. “Why don’t you make something else for a change? All you ever cook is pancakes!”
“Uh, yeah? Because they’re awesome? And Mylo loves them?”
“He has a point,” Taylor added with a smirk.
Crimson looked mortified that his own mate agreed with the enemy. “Yes, I suppose theyaregood...”
“Exactly. So give me that damn egg,” Aurum demanded, snatching it from Crimson’s hand. “Besides, I only need one. You have like thirty of them.”
Crimson huffed as he guarded the bowl stacked full of eggs. “I am making omelets for theentirefamily! The number of eggs I have is barely enough.”
Aurum rolled his eyes as he cracked the egg into his floury pancake batter. “The whole family ain’t even here. Thystle and Matteo are probably making out in their room, and we’re missing Viol, in case you forgot. Who said youhadto cook, anyway? Let everyone make their own breakfast, Master Chef.”
Crimson opened his mouth to retort, but whatever he had to say died in his throat as Taylor trailed a hand down his back and whispered something in his ear. Then Crimson shut up and went back to cooking.
I giggled from my spot at the bar. I’d never grow tired of the family’s antics.
Saffron leaned over to peek at the egg. “Any pips?”
Each passing day made him more and more excited for the egg’s hatching. He seemed just as thrilled as me.
“Not yet,” I said, examining the shell just in case. “This is like waiting in line for the midnight release of a new game, but a thousand times worse.”
“Let’s take bets!” Muzo suggested. “I think it’s gonna hatch tomorrow.”
“That’s quite soon,” Cobalt said calmly, sitting on his other side. He was a large alpha, but he looked particularly huge next to his short, wiry omega mate.
“Yeah, but my guess is the underdog. If I’m right, I’ll win big!”
Jade smiled as he pushed up his glasses. As usual, an open book lay in front of him. I couldn’t see the cover, but there were black and white photos of odd contraptions on the page.
“I wasn’t aware there was a reward,” Jade remarked.
“There should be,” Muzo said.
“It can’t be money,” Saffron pointed out. “We all have enough of that.”
I chuckled. “Maybe we don’t need to have a winner’s pot. Isn’t the baby hatching a reward on its own?”
Muzo and Saffron considered this, then nodded.
“You’re right, Mylo,” Saffron said.
