Are you okay?
Yes, I am, as are our brothers, too. I’ll be home before you rise. Get some rest, Ronan.
I love you.
I love you, too.
How wonderful it was to hear those words and know he meant them.
Thankfully, the remainder of the night was uneventful, and the morning debriefing was short, due to Ionus and Baird meeting Raven and Larkin at the precinct. I was happy to see Ionus had included Upalo and Kes in the meeting too. I couldn’t wait to get home and hold my mate. After last night’s scare, seeing firsthand that Ronan and the girls were safe, even though I knew they were, was just the reassurance my dragon and I craved.
Mate,Ronan stirred the moment I slid into bed behind him, my hands cradling his belly.
Need you.
There was nothing left to be said. Ronan pressed his back against me, naked and slick. Equally as desperate for me as I was for him. There will be time for making love another day. Today was about reassuring one another that we’re here, safe, strengthening our connection. Being here for each other in a time of need. Last night gave me quite a fright. As soon as my cock sunk inside him my dragon finally settled, along with his.
Tears flowed like they never had before. The emotions coursing through me refused to be contained and I didn’t even try. This—my mate, our bond, our girls, were my everything and I’d fight with all the might our beloved Goddess blessed me with to assure they were always safe.
As we reached climax, I bit into Ronan’s shoulder, tipping him over the apex as he came chanting my name. Music to my ears. His blood ran through my veins, heightening my arousal, and sent me into a frantic release accompanied by an earth shaking roar.
The sobs wouldn’t stop. Ronan reached back and cradled my cheek, my cock still buried deep inside him. I nuzzled his palm, leaning into his touch. “Ssshhh, babe. We’re fine. We’re right here and we love you.”
If my brothers felt the change in my mood they didn’t reach out, likely having done the same when they returned to their mates. We’d shared in the same scare, and I appreciated that they’d allowed me privacy during this time with my mate.
“I can’t lose you and the girls, I just can’t.”
“You won’t. We’re fighters, just like you. Having two sparky parents,” I managed to chuckle, “Our girls will be fierce protectors, just like their Papa.”
“From a young age, our girls will be taught how to protect themselves and harness the powers of their gifts.”
“Yes, and I’ll join in the training as well. We’ll be a family of strong warriors. But for now, it’s time to feed us. Help me up?”
I pressed my lips to his shoulder, against the mark my fangs left, then scooped him up and carried him off for a shower. Delicate touches were exchanged while gently washing the other. Nothing sexual, just mates taking care of each other. Down on bended knee, the warm water cascaded over me as I whispered to our girls.
“Papa loves you both so much.” My forehead pressed to Ronan’s belly, the familiar happy bubbles from our girls funneled through our connection as they mentally reached out, sharing this perfect moment with us. My mate ran his fingers through my hair. No rush for me to stand or for us to get out. Just the four of us having a private, family moment.
When the gurgles turned to kicks, it was time to feed them.
“Alright, the troops have spoken,” Ronan chuckled.
“Aye,” I stole one last kiss, “they have.”
We dried and dressed, then I carried Ronan down and into a very full kitchen. “Wow, smells great in here.”
“You’ve fed us now it’s our turn to cook,” Upalo flipped another pancake. “You guys doing alright?” Mattias was manning the bacon while Kes made coffee. A man could get used to this.
“Yeah, thanks for jumping in and helping guard the family.”
“You never have to thank us for that. Ronan and I may be brothers by blood, but you and your brothers are our family now too and family comes first.” How could I not hug him after that admission?
“Alright, enough of this mushy shit,” Mattias teased, my brother was coming into his own. Only took, what, three thousand years and finding one of his mates. I still couldn’t believe he’d have two. “Let’s eat.”
“We trained with Ionus and Mattias this morning. Those old men kicked our asses,” Upalo winked and Kes nearly choked.
“This old man will kick your ass,” Mattias growled. “Don’t forget, all five of us are the same age with Ionus being first born.”
“Hot as hell old ass men.” Was that Kes’s way of flirting? Must’ve worked because my grouchy ass brother grinned. Again.
