Mylo beamed. “Isn’t it?” He picked up another blanket, then paused, biting his lip like he wanted to say something. “You know, I’m really glad you’re Saffron’s fated mate.”
I nearly dropped a pillow. “Huh?”
“I was there when Saffron dated his human ex-boyfriend. Actually, I was part of the reason they broke up…” Mylo rubbed the back of his head. “Saffron saw how much Aurum and I were in love, and realized he didn’t have that feeling with Billy.”
I didn’t know the man, but hearing his name still made my skin crawl. Saffron never mentioned him beyond the single conversation we shared. I figured he was embarrassed, or the wound felt too fresh, or both. Or maybe he didn’t feel the need to dredge up the past when the present was so much better.
“Do you like me more than that guy?” I asked, wondering if I was any better.
Mylo shot me a startled glance. “Of course I do! I like you a lot, Rorik. You’re my friend.” When he smiled, his chubby cheeks pushed up his glasses. “Actually, we’re sort of like brothers now, huh?”
His statement floored me. Out of all the omegas, Mylo had the most right to despise me for hurting his mate. Yet like everyone else here, his heart was warm and forgiving. It was difficult to ignore the feeling that I didn’t deserve his kindness. But if Mylo accepted me enough to call me his brother, I owed it to him to step up, get over my bullshit, and move forward. Enough guilt trips. No more wallowing in my own shame.
“Yeah,” I agreed, thoroughly humbled as I smiled back. “Thanks, Mylo.”
A familiar yawn came from the doorway. “Rorik? What’re you doin’ here?”
Saffron’s sleepy voice filled me with comfort. I grinned at my mate.
“Mylo and I are building a blanket fort,” I explained. “Want to help?”
Saffron didn’t even ask why. He just grinned and leapt down the stairs, ready to assist. “I’m in!”
Mylo didn’t have to explain the rules. As we settled into the rhythm of building, Saffron pouted in my direction. “Why didn’t you wake me up when you left? You know I would’ve come along.”
“You were tired,” I said, draping another blanket on top of the pillow pillars. “You’re taking good care of me, but I want you to take care of yourself, too.”
Saffron rolled his eyes. “I’m your alpha. It’s my job to take care of you.”
“It’s true,” Mylo agreed with a firm nod. “Just accept it, Rorik.”
I sighed. These alpha dragons wouldn’t let up in their affections, would they? “Fine. Now hand me that duvet.”
After spreading the duvet on the last bald spot of the canopy, I stepped back to gauge the fort. The outside looked incredible—sturdy, enclosed, and inviting. But the inside lacked that cozy charm. I didn’t feel the urge to crawl into it and make my den. Not yet.
Mylo tapped his finger to his lips. “Needs something else. Maybe more blankets bundled up in a nest?” He and Saffron made a quick makeshift pile. “How’s that? Try it out.”
I slipped into my polar bear form and ducked my head beneath the entrance. The inside was spacious enough for a polar bear, but not so big that it felt vacant. I lay on top of the floor blankets and rearranged them listlessly.
“Better,” I agreed. “But it’s missing something. I can’t put my paw on it…”
“Try this.”
At the mouth of the den, Viol’s stern face suddenly popped up between Mylo and Saffron. He thrusted something at me. It was a stuffed blue toy in the shape of a dragon.
Saffron let out an accusatory gasp. “Viol! Is that Blueberry 1.0?”
“Yeah. So what?” Viol demanded.
“I thought you returned him to Muzo!”
“I did. And then I un-returned him,” Viol stated.
Mylo leaned over to me and whispered, “Viol is a serial plushie thief. But it’s a family secret, so don’t let it slip.”
Viol scowled. He looked especially embarrassed to be called a thief in front of me, but he didn’t dare snap at Mylo, who he was clearly fond of.
“Muzo didn’t appreciate the first Blueberry,” Viol growled defensively. “After he got 2.0, I found the original lying under the bed, forgotten.”
