Hinato was the nyxian doctor who was one of the nyxians who rebelled against Bergstrand. He was on the research team and strongly opposed what the king was up to. He gained Jordan’s trust by saving Duncan’s life. And although he didn’t want to admit it, Duncan liked Hinato as well, considering the man was developing a vaccine that could help counteract the deadly effects of aconite using aconitum. It wouldn’t cure them, but if the vaccine was in their system and they came into contact with silver, they wouldn’t die right away. Hinato thought the only reason Duncan was able to last so long with the amount of silver in his body after being shot and stabbed, was because he had some of Jordan’s blood.
Duncan nodded. “I would have preferred it be Blayze, but…” He didn’t need to explain further, Jordan understood perfectly. Blayze had disappeared, or rather flew off into the sunset. It was a complete shock to everyone when during the fight with the hunters, Blayze turned into an honest to goodness fire-breathing dragon, shocking and mystifying everyone in the entire compound.
“I know, I miss him, too,” Jordan told his mate, Blayze had become more than a friend to him since he moved in with Duncan.
It was no longer a matter of him working for Duncan Pryde, he was now Duncan’s lover and partner in work and at home. Duncan had added him to his company and announced a couple of days earlier that he was married and had two children. That was also something new. There were a few broken-hearted women who were still waiting in the wings, hoping Duncan would one day ask them to marry him. Some were still hoping him being with a man was just a phase. They had adopted the twins, with their approval of course. They still called Uncle Duncan by his first name, but figured that would change over time. They still called Jordan Daddy or Dad. Jordan thought about asking them why they called him that, but left it alone. He didn’t want them to think he wasn’t okay with being referred to in that way.
“I just hope Ryland finds him soon.”
“He will.” Duncan smiled. “Ryland’s known that Blayze was his mate from the moment they met.”
“Things have been so busy, and I’ve been meaning to ask you. How come you didn’t know he was a draconem?” Jordan asked.
“We have a powerful sense of smell, but other sects have a way to hide their scents. Take you for example, I recognized your scent, but I never thought it was because of what you are. Blayze hid his scent very well. But no matter what he is, he’s still a part of this pack.”
“I know that and you know that,” Jordan said. “The question is, does Blayze? Maybe he thinks we won’t want him because of what he is.”
“True, I just want him back. He’s not just the pack doctor, he’s also my…our friend.” Jordan nodded. “Come on, let’s go downstairs, my mom’s car just pulled up.”
The queasy feeling returned, but Jordan masked it by walking behind Duncan as they headed down the stairs. The twins were jumping out of their skin waiting to greet their grandmother. Jordan’s mom, Ayumi, was walking between the twins as they dragged her to the door. They had grown attached to Ayumi and Laxus over the past couple of weeks. Jordan stopped at the bottom of the stairs and took in a large breath as he waited for Duncan to open the door, the most beautiful woman stepped through the door. She had long, flowing, deep red hair and the same bright blue eyes as Duncan. Jordan stood rooted in the same spot, afraid to move. He could only stand and watch as Duncan and the twins gushed over Galicia.
He cleared his throat, hoping that his voice wouldn’t squeak when he spoke to her.Galicia looked around Duncan’s tall shoulders to him and he was graced with the brightest smile he’d ever seen. It released some of the nervousness he was holding on to.
“And you must be Jordan,” she said coming over to him. “I must say, you look just like your mom. She was just as beautiful as you are.”
“I…ah…ma’am,” he stuttered before simply saying, “thank you.” He blushed as he extended his hand in greeting.
“Oh, none of that,” she said and pulled him into a hug before pulling back and looking at him strangely. She leaned in and sniffed him and Jordan wondered if she smelled vomit on his breath. She stopped sniffing him and turned around and looked at Duncan and his mom.
“Duncan, son, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Duncan asked confused. Truthfully, so was Jordan.
“That your mate is pregnant, of course,” she said nonchalantly.
“I’m what?!” Jordan yelled. Just as Duncan said, “He’s what?”
“I knew there was something I forgot to mention,” Ayumi said, causing both Jordan and Duncan to look at her.
“Seriously?” Jordan exclaimed.
“What?” Ayumi said, shrugging her shoulders. “I’m an old woman, you can’t expect me to remember everything. Besides, it only happens between same-sex nyxians. I didn’t think it would happen to you.”
“You’re far from old, Mother. And you should have told me.” He couldn’t believe she was acting so nonchalant about the whole thing.
She walked over to Jordan and pulled him into a hug. “Congratulations, son.” She kissed him on his cheek and turned to look at Duncan. “You as well, Duncan. Wait until I tell your father.” She stepped away and wrapped an arm aroundGalicia as they started walking to the kitchen with the twins following behind their grandmothers. “It’s so good to see you, I must say you haven’t changed one bit since the last time we saw each other…”
Jordan was staring at his mate who had the same gobsmacked expression on his face.I’m pregnant!He chanted over and over in his head. He felt arms wrap around him, that pulled him out of his mental freakout.
“So do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” Duncan asked.
“You’re okay with this?” Jordan asked, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.
Duncan bent down and kissed him, taking his breath away. “From the day you walked through the door to my office, you’ve turned my world upside down. I’m ready for anything.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?” Jordan asked, wrapping his arms around Duncan’s neck.
“Oh, it’s good. Definitely good.” Jordan rested his forehead on Duncan’s chest as laughter bubbled out of him. “It’s just hitting you isn’t it?”
