My dragon preened at his not meant to be a compliment-compliment. “Um, no.” I swear, steam flowed from his nostrils. Huh, that’s interesting. “There’s only one way I can get anyone pregnant—only one person ever—pregnant.”
“You’re not making any sense.”
Fine, fuck it. “I can only get my mate pregnant.”
“Your what?”
“Mate.”
Ronan stomped on my foot and stormed out the door. “Hey, what did you do that for?”
“You!” he poked a perfectly manicured finger into my chest. It took all the self-restraint I had not to pin him to the nearest tree and fuck him senseless. “I can’t believe this. You knock me up and now you’re playing the mate card? Fuck you, Odem.”
“Gentlemen,” Ionus and my brothers appeared beside us. “This is not the time nor the place to hold this conversation. Ronan, I understand you’re upset, but would you please allow us to explain this in a more private setting?”
Ronan huffed, but I saw the defeat in his eyes when he finally agreed. “Yes. Tell me where to go and I’ll meet you there.”
“You can ride back with us in the van.” As soon as the words left my mouth I fucking regretted it.
“Oh, so now we’ll add kidnapping to the child abandonment charges. Sheriff Larkin, are you hearing this? I need a witness.” My god, this snarky little shit was feisty as hell right now. Brothers be damned, I was taking that fine ass the first chance I got. I’d never been one to back down from giving a show.
“I’m not sure that’s how abandonment works,” Quint added.
“Dude, no,” I shook my head. “Not helping.”
“Ronan,” Larkin rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Believe me when I say that you can trust them and that this won’t be a bad thing, nor will you end up on the news, or on the back of a milk carton. Just go with them, keep an open mind, and listen when Ionus speaks. Please.”
Ronan hemmed and hawed, acting like he held all the power. Hell, for all I know, he probably did. “Fine.”
We loaded up in the van, and I patted my lap as Ronan neared my seat. “Not on your life.” He huffed and slid into the furthest one from me.
Would I make dragon history by being the first protector to be rejected by their mate?
Brother, he’ll come around, don’t worry.
What if he doesn’t, Ionus? He’s super pissed off.
Well, pregnancy can do that. I lost track of how many times Alex threatened to cut my balls off.
I thank the Goddess for Emerson every day.Caro, that shit, chimed in.
Jackass.
Caro smiled wide. Cocky fucker. Emerson was so chill compared to Ronan and even Alex, but damnit if Ronan’s attitude didn’t do it for me.
Odem, we’ll take him to your house. Mine may be a bit too boisterous for him.
Ionus had a point. While I loved all the dragonets, Ronan was already unhappy about being pregnant as it was and watching Alex chase the twins around with a fire extinguisher may lead to further dismay.
Violent dismay.
Damnit, my dick was hard again.
Down boy, Caro teased,we don’t need you detonating in the van.
I don’t know what it is about him.
That’s easy, Ionus chimed in,he’s your mate.
