Page 24 of Cruel Daddy Dragon

I truly thought I never wanted to mate-bond—that the potential pain of losing a partner far outweighed anything a mate-bond could give me. But… it’s been so long since I’ve felt so relaxed, or happy, or contented. That my generalexistencehas felt so easy and bright.

And it’s withSarahof all people… crazy…

After the sex last night, we spent a long time in the car together, and it felt so natural and right—but there were still some people close by, and they came looking for us. We had to hurry out without much of a word, but I know she left with a huge smile on her face.

She’ll be at work by now, and I have to protect her still—Cyrus’s orders. Maybe I should surprise my wifewith a coffee at the station. She always goes and gets a very milky coffee from Gunn’s Diner in the mornings, but every time I’ve seen her drinking it, she doesn’t look terribly impressed.

I bet I can make a better one here, with the stuff we have at home. I know how she takes her coffee… even if I’ve never made it for her before.

Yes. I’ll do that.

I open my bedroom door, and almost run into Kaius. He’s in front of me but stops dead in his tracks, preventing me from going anywhere.

“Whoa, hey!” he laughs, “You’re coming down late today!”

“I guess. Get out of my way, Kaius.”

I move to the left. He does, too. I move to the right, and he mirrors that, too.

“Kaius!”

“Hey, what’s the rush?” he asks.

“I just want to get some damn coffee, Kai—get out of my way!”

I start pushing him. He holds onto the walls on either side with both hands and roots his feet in to stop himself from moving.

“Bro, you havegotto be kidding! Get out my way!” I snap.

Kaius cackles.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” he says, “your wife’s downstairs, and she’s asking forme!”

“What?! Sarah’s here?! Why?!” The words bark out before I can stop them.

Kaius laughs again.

“Well, maybe it’s because you didn’t text her back this morning, Loverboy,” he says, giving me a knowing look.

I sigh.

“You know about that?” I ask defeatedly.

“No!” Kaius replies, “All I knew was O said she came out to talk to you and you both disappeared for a while last night.But I sure as hell know now!”

I growl. Kaius cackles like a gremlin and begins hurtling down the stairs before I can punch him. He gets halfway down the stairs before he turns and looks at me:

“Oh, how’s that new pair of sunglasses you bought after Roscoe stole the last one?”

He's got that knowing look again, and I bristle.

“Oh, you horse’s ass, Kaius!”I snarl.

He breaks out into more barking laughter and disappears down the stairs. I spend a second collecting myself.

A part of me thought he would mature a bit if he ever mate-bonded, but he’s as much of a jackass as he always was. On the one hand, I wish he wasn’t so juvenile, but on the other, it’s a little reassuring that the massive transformation I was so scared of might not be as large as I thought.

As in… I’m still me, even if I mate-bonded. Just like Cyrus is still our strong leader, and Kaius is still a horse’s ass.

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