Page 71 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

“Thanks for dinner and this gorgeous pie, Mother,” I extend as I pick up my plate and Lily’s from the table, my chair scraping the tiles as I draw attention to myself. “Lily and I will have dessert upstairs.”

Felix coughs, and Aragon clears his throat while the twins whisper under their breaths. It takes every ounce of discipline in me to remain unfazed.

“Is everything alright, Lily?”

“Yes,” she murmurs timidly as she gets out of her chair and lifts a hand to her forehead. “I’m just really tired.”

“Oh, it must be the pregnancy,” Mother sympathizes with a pout. “Go on, get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast, I hope.”

“Of course,” Lily bids with a curt bow before following me out of the dining room.

“Nice acting,” I praise with a wink while we wait for the lift. “You’ll be rewarded for that.”

Lily blushes, whispering, “What will my reward be tonight?”

When the lift doors slide open, I cock up one brow as my lips play into a smirk. “Patience, sweetheart. You’ll see for yourself.”

***

Watching Lily sleep has become my favorite pastime. I lift a hand to her face, tucking her hair behind her ear. That’s when she smiles, sensing my admiration of her.

“Good morning,” she whispers like the gentle morning breeze on a cool summer’s day. It’s pleasant and warm, inviting me to close my eyes and bask in it.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” I greet back, leaning in to press a chaste kiss on her lips. Usually, I’d wait for her to open her eyes. But today, I need to coerce her toward it.

When I lean back, she’s staring at me through the soft depths of her earthy brown eyes. “You look like you’ve been awake for a while,” she comments as a frown flits past her face.

I turn onto my back, slinking an arm behind my head as I pull her close to my side. When she lays her head on my chest, I’m able to stroke her hair while I speak my deepest thoughts.

“And then it got me thinking about your family in Redmond,” I say after praising her for how well she handled my family last night. Knowing that they can be overbearing at times, I was surprised that she actually enjoyed dinner with the gang.

I lift my head to gauge her expression when Lily doesn't reply. It’s blank as she stares into space, seemingly lost in her thoughts.

“Sweetheart?”

She snaps out of her daze and offers me a feeble smile. “Sorry. I’ve been trying not to think about them.”

“Hey…” I slide a cupped hand over her cheek to cradle her face, eyes full of remorse. “You are allowed to go back, Lily. Just because you’re my mate doesn’t mean you’re bound here.”

Lily parts her lips to say something but pauses and shakes her head. “I…” She takes a deep breath. “I don’t wanna go back. I like it here. It’s just that…” Her voice tapers off as she lays her head back on my chest.

“Would you like to visit them?”

She nods against my chest. “Yes, please.”

“Your wish is my command, m’lady,” I profess as I lay a kiss on her forehead. “All you have to do is ask.”

Chapter 30 - Lily

Landing effortlessly on my feet, Draco shifts at the same time before landing. I giggle when we find ourselves in my parent’s backyard, and Draco presses a finger to my lips.

“They’re gonna hear you,” he warns playfully as he tickles my sides, and I keel over into his arms.

“Well, they didn’t hear you when you came to kidnap me, Drake,” I drawl his human name with salacious intent.

Grabbing my waist, he pulls me upright, leaning in until his lips are a mere inch from mine. Tempted to succumb to a kiss, my lips part, and my eyelids flutter closed.

All it earns me is a chaste kiss on my lips before he releases me with a chuckle. “Come on,” he whispers as he takes my hand. “This time, we’re going through the front.”

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