“That morning I rode home and told my parents. It twas an awful scene. My mother was sobbin’ and my father swore he’d lock me up until I saw the error of my ways. My mother tried everythin’ to convince me otherwise and finally told me I’d never have a Fated Mate because it would be a waste, she said, since I could never have children. I know what she was tryin’ to do, but it just showed me she didn’t really love me for who I was. I packed my stuff, and left on foot since my father refused my request for a horse. If he thought that would stop me, he was dead wrong.
“For the next 300 years, I roamed the earth, lookin’ for my mate but never found him. That was a very low point in my life; my mother’s words constantly echoed through my mind. But then I arrived in Scotland. Something was callin’ me here and when I first saw Loch Ness, I knew I was home. So I stayed, made guid friends and lived a reasonably happy life, setting aside my quest to find my Fated Mate. But many nights were spent wonderin’ if my mother was right aboot me never findin’ my mate.
“That was, until I scented ye. Then the world I’d made for myself fell apart and my sole focus was on findin’ ye. After 650 years, my wish finally came true…I had a Fated Mate. But ye know the best part of havin ye for my mate? Is findin’ out the Fates granted my whole wish. You see, I always wanted it all… nae only a mate, but children, too. Does that make me a greedy bastard? Havin’ baby Nessies was the part of my wish I gave up when I said those words on the beach so very long ago…I love men.
“I never expected my male mate to become pregnant, but the Fates found a way for it to happen and I’m over the moon about it. Granted, when I saw Ian countin’ the eggs in yer sea dragon’s belly, I was a little freaked…but in a guid way. One baby…five babies…doesn’t matter because I’m so fuckin’ happy my wish is comin’ true. So to answer yer question…I’m overjoyed we’re goin’ to be parents.”
It took Reif a minute to understand what his mate was saying, but when he did, his lips broke into a wide grin. “We need a house on the water and better be away from neighbors. First because it’ll be hard to explain why we’re taking care of five very, very large eggs and later because it’ll be hard to hide five little sea dragons swimming and flying around.”
“Ay, guid point,” Brian murmured. “We should start lookin’ right away.”
“Yes, but in a pinch we could use your cottage…at least, while we’re incubating the eggs."
“Ay, that would do.”
“Food…then…what else did you say we need? Ah, yes, baby stuff, a lot of baby stuff since we’re going to have five babies,” smirked Reif.
“Ay, maybe the Shaman can tell us what we need,” Brian offered.
“Uh-huh.” Rolling his hips against Nessie, Reif groaned, his cock growing hard in his jeans as it rubbed against his mate’s covered one. “Right now, I have to confess something else is occupying my mind. Care to guess what?”
“Food!” Brian said, his voice cracking as his mate nibbled on his ear.
“Yeah, I understand a pregnant person should eat plenty of protein,” murmured Reif, his lips ghosting over Nessie’s as he punched his hips forward. “Did I ever tell you how much I love protein shakes?”
“Uh…uh…oh, gods!"
Chapter 29
Waking up before sunrise, Reif’s eyes zeroed in on Nessie, sleeping peacefully, as if nothing had changed. It was still unreal to him that in the space of just two days, he was mated and his beast was pregnant. Checking on his sea dragon, he found him coiled up, protecting the eggs, his head raised as a warning to anyone approaching.I’m going to be a father!
Reif reached over, his fingers twitching as the need to touch Nessie consumed him, stunning him with its ferocity. Loving the feel of Nessie’s stubble under his fingertips, he lingered for a moment, then withdrew his hand, not wanting to wake his mate.A mate…a Fated Mate!He was what Nessie had searched for his entire life. Last night, when Brian finally opened up, Reif was spellbound, his soul bleeding for the heartbreak and loneliness of Nessie’s life. He understood instantly since he had spent many years physically hiding from everyone—but being forced to hide his feelings for someone he loved—that was unfathomable to him.
Nessie’s indomitable spirit that helped him overcome the hatred surrounding him was awe-inspiring and humbling. Growing up in an all-male society and being spared from experiencing the prejudice Nessie faced, made him thankful, for the first time in his life, he was a sea dragon. Even with all the time he’d spent away from Angelopoulos searching for treasures, he never faced what Nessie had, simply because he kept to himself, never staying in one place too long.
He figured the hatred was really bad if the gods had sent Kieran to mitigate it, and that led Reif to wonder what his babies would face as gay sea dragons. He was shocked by a strong urge to protect them from being hurt becauseof something beyond their control.I could move back home, but that wouldn’t be fair to Nessie…to ask him to leave the place he loved.
“Mate, why are ye frowning?”
Reif’s cock twitched at Brian’s gravelly voice. “You’re awake?”
“Ay, what time is it?”
“Early. Why don’t you go back to sleep?” Reif suggested, moving closer, placing his leg over Nessie’s thigh, anchoring him to the mattress.
“I will,” Brian mumbled.
Watching Nessie drift back to sleep, Reif smiled tenderly at his strong, fierce, independent, gorgeous mate.
~/~/~/~/~
After a late breakfast, Reif sat next to Nessie in Logan’s living room, waiting for everyone to arrive. Feeling Brian’s eyes on him, he knew his mate was waiting for him to speak. “Logan, before everyone arrives, Nessie and I would appreciate it if you keep the pregnancy a secret until this whole mess is sorted out.”
“Sure, it’s your news, so it’s up to you when it’s announced,” Logan agreed.
“Absolument,” replied Kieran as he joined them in the room. “I’ll just pretend I’m buying everything for squirt.”
Snorting, Logan asked, “Really, babe? How’re you going to explain buying five of everything?”
