Page 57 of Dealing With Drak

I can’t help the satisfied smile that paints my face or the blush that blooms on my cheeks. Looking back down at his chest, I start to speak to it. “Do you hear that, soul seed? Don’t even think about lighting up for another woman. Drak is mine.”

Drak makes a satisfied sound, so I continue.

“And while we’re at it, why the fuck aren’t you shining for me? Because I’m grouchy? You should know by now that my mate likes me snappy. And that’s what he is, whether you like it or not. My. Mate. I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well light up.”

Breathing heavier now, Drak is clearly enjoying this. Even though his green skin doesn’t glow in the slightest, I decide to keep going.

“Marrec’s soul seed lit up right away for Stevie, so what’s your excuse, huh? What do you need from me to make me good enough?”

“You are more than good enough!” Drak protests.

“Shhh,” I reprimand. “We’re having a conversation here.”

“But—”

“Shh,” I repeat. Looking back down at his soul seed, I poke the skin in the center of his chest. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll glow for me. You try to light up for another woman, and I’ll make you regret it.”

“You are threatening it now?” Drak inquires, amused.

“Threats are my bread and butter, baby.”

He chuckles, likely because ‘bread and butter’ probably sounds ridiculous through his translation.

“It appears it’s not worried about my threats, though. How about a nicer approach?” Leaning down, I ghost my lips over his flesh. “Soul seed, I’m so sorry about the things I’ve said to Drak in the past. I was silly not to trust such a worthy male, and I regret it.”

“My An-nana…”

His hushed whisper doesn’t pull my attention from his chest.

“Do you trust me, too, soul seed? If you light up for me, I’ll show you that you won’t regret it. I promise to kiss you here every day. I’ll take care of him, you know?”

“I take care of you,” Drak protests lightly.

“We take care of each other,” I amend. “So do me a favor and ohmygod?—”

My eyebrows shoot to my hairline, and I gasp so hard my stomach clenches.

Gaze flicking up to Drak, I can feel warm green light illuminating my face.

“An-nana,” he croaks, looking at me with adoration.

“I…”

Holy shit, what am I supposed to say?

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, starting to breathe heavily.

Did I do this? Did I just compel his soul seed to light up for me?

Did I trap Drak into being with me forever?

“Whatever could you be sorry for?” he whispers, big hands surrounding my cheeks. “I have never been more thrilled. Well, perhaps it is a tie between now and when you agreed to be my chosen mate.”

My lips begin to wobble, emotion clogging my throat. “You’re not upset?”

“My mate,” Drak says, leaning forward to inhale my scent from my neck. “How could I be upset? I have everything I have ever dreamed of.”

“You don’t think…” I trail off, trying to hold myself together as insecurity sweeps through me. “You don’t think I forced you? That I shackled you to me without permission?”

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