Page 2 of The Guardian's True-Mate

“Poor guy,” it was my turn to frown, “that’s not an easy one.”

“How are you holding up?” he asked me.

“Why me?” I laughed.

“You look like you’re going to fall over into a dragon sleep and you’re not even a dragon,” he laughed.

“That’s why I asked about the other way of traveling. What about my car, though?” I sighed, realizing the obvious flaw in my plan.

“We’ll have someone drone it over or something,” Scott shrugged.

“It’s nice to have trust fund babies as friends,” I teased him.

“Yep, and this one is married to a prince too,” Scott nodded. “We’ll get you here. Don’t you worry about that. Then once you’re here it’s like everyone’s a trust fund baby. You don’t really need cash except to order things that aren’t in the village.”

“That might be a nice change,” I grinned.

“Plus, there are so many single Alphas here right now. Some came from the war in London and others just came for whatever reason.”

“I’m not going down that path,” I shook my head. “I’m coming to help you, not make babies of my own.”

“I bet you’ll be pregnant before Yule gets here,” Scott teased.

“Bite your tongue,” I said, glancing at the clock, “and it’s almost time for your next bloodshake.”

Chapter Two

Cardian

The rain poured down in sheets, flooding parts of the garden behind the main house. My mother would be cross that I took the backway inside through the mud and rain, but I wasn’t in the mood to be bombarded by all the tiny people that were somehow my younger siblings. I stood face up, letting the water wash over me on its way to the ground. The world was filled with petrichor, and the rain drowned out all the sounds coming from inside.

Mom would just have to deal with a little nature traveling inside tonight. She was the one who asked me to come over after all. I was perfectly happy watching movies until the rain passed. She was the one who said it was a pressing matter.

“I knew you’d be wet,” she opened the back door before I ever had a chance to knock.

Mom was like that. She read minds and souls like librarians read books.

“Shoes,” she pointed to my feet.

I hadn’t been in the mood to put them on in the first place. Now, she wanted me to take them off. Sighing, I gave Mom her way. It was her house and the quicker we talked the quicker I could go home.

“You don’t have to look so put out when I invite you over, Cardian,” she said, flashing me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“You don’t have to smile at me like that either. That just means I’m not going to like whatever you want to talk about,” I said and kissed her hello on the cheek anyway.

“You’re not.”

“Upfront? That’s new. Shall we sit?” I asked her.

“I already had the staff put down towels in the side dining room,” she nodded.

“Good idea. If you want me to watch kids, just no. I’ll go home now and save us both time.”

“Not exactly,” she shook her head as we entered the side dining room and followed the path of crimson towels to the table. One of the chairs was also covered in towels. I took the hint that was my seat and sat down.

“Your brother’s mate is on bedrest,” she announced.

“Which one?” I asked. “I think all of them us except, Sheddy and me are mated off now.”

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