The Dragonfate Games were over. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Saffron chose me as his winner. His fated mate.
It still felt surreal. Only a few weeks had passed since Sheba gave me this mission and sent me off on a plane. Only a few weeks since I’d left the familiar cold and everybody I knew to arrive on the world’s sweatiest island. To be honest, I missed the tundra weather. But at least there was air conditioning here.
There were other things I missed. The taste of raw cold-water fish. The crunch of ice. My friends, Charon and Sorrel. My heart still stung whenever I remembered I hadn’t said goodbye. And now I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see them again—although something in my heart said our separation wasn’t forever.
But I wouldn’t give up my current life for anything. Saffron opened my eyes. Life didn’t have to be a miserable existence, bowing to the whims of people calling themselves my ‘superiors’. There was a better world out there—and I was living in it.
Absentmindedly, my hand moved across my belly. It was as big as ever, but it wasn’t just full of food. We had a baby on the way. I felt it in my bones. Every time I felt nostalgic for the tundra clan, I remembered my child. A protective ferocity surged within me. There was no way in hell I’d let them go through what I did. My baby deserved to be raised with love in a welcoming family. Among dragons, ferrets, tigers, and everything else.
“Is that all right with you, Rorik?”
Jade’s voice jerked me back to reality.
“Sorry, I was distracted,” I said. “Could you repeat that?”
He smiled patiently. “That’s okay. I asked if you’re all right with airing the season as planned.”
Beside me, Saffron rubbed my knee. His touch was reassuring.
“We don’t have to,” my mate added, his mouth turned into a slight frown. “If you’re worried.”
“Worried about what?” I asked.
Jade tented his fingers on his desk. “Your ex-clan. If we air the season, they could see you. They will know exactly where you are, and why you never returned. As a high-control group, I suspect they won’t be happy seeing you with their ‘enemy’.”
I grimaced at the difficult situation, but at the same time, my heart was fond. The dragons really did care about me. They didn’thaveto ask my permission. It was their island, their TV show—they could do whatever they wanted. Instead, they worried for my comfort and safety. I was still getting used to their kindness.
“Shebadidtell me not to return if I didn’t accomplish my mission,” I pointed out.
Saffron rolled his eyes. “Stupid, dumb mission…”
“What if they think you’re under a dragon’s spell, or otherwise manipulated into staying?” Jade prompted.
I shook my head. “In that case, they’d think even less of me. An omega who breaks free of their control isn’t worth their time. Trust me.”
A loud scoff came from behind us. A white-haired omega smelling of baby powder sauntered over to Jade’s desk, perching himself on the corner while he ate a cookie.
“A brutal alpha-led clan who treats omegas like breeding cattle. How original,” he sneered. “Nice to meet you, by the way. I’m Alaric.”
I realized he was the source of the cat scent. Jade must’ve filled him in.
“Rorik,” I replied.
Alaric handed me half his cookie. “Here. You’re eating for two, are you not?”
I took it gratefully. “So it seems.”
Saffron gasped in excitement. “Rorik! Really? How do you know?”
“It’s just a feeling I have.” I glanced down at my belly, sensing the beginnings of life growing inside.
“Congratulations,” Jade said. “There will be plenty of time to celebrate. For now, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Are you absolutely sure you’d like this footage to air?”
Alaric huffed, breaking off a piece of cookie. “Hang on. What’s the point of this season?”
“Rude,” Saffron grumbled.
“I don’t mean it like that,” Alaric said, waving a hand. “You wanted your fated mate, and you found him. Isn’t that enough for you?”
