Page 71 of Beyond the Darkness

“Okay, Kit’s stomach has spoken. Everybody up. Time to feed our mate,” Hudson declared.

Kit’s laughter rang out in the quiet morning air. They rose from the bed, their movements slow and reluctant, but Kit’s stomach was not to be ignored.

They dressed, then headed to the communal eating area for breakfast. Kit’s mind wasn’t entirely on what he was eating. There were several things he needed to finish up today for the book signing tomorrow.

Plus, Connie’s parents were flying in at some point today. Good grief, had Hudson and Connie been this nervous when they met Kit’s parents?

After breakfast was over, they retired to their temporary quarters and got dressed. Already Kit could hear the construction crew getting started for the day.

“Do we know what time your parents are going to be here?” Kit asked.

“They sent a text early this morning that I forwarded to Torres. They should be landing around eleven this morning,” Connie said. “We’ll probably have dinner in our quarters. That should make it easier for you to meet them.”

“Oh, thank you.” Less people around for the first time meeting Connie’s parents would be easier on Kit. On the other hand, that also meant there would be less to distract his parents.

Connie patted Kit on the butt. “Please don’t stress out about this all day.”

“I’ll try not to,” Kit promised as he finished dressing. Picking up his purse, he kissed Hudson and Connie both on thecheek. “Okay, I’m going to go meet Beckett. I’ll see you guys tonight. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Connie and Hudson said together.

Kit headed out, his steps echoing lightly down the long corridor. Beckett was already waiting by the car, leaning casually against it with a coffee in hand. He looked up and smiled as Kit approached.

“Good morning,” Beckett said. “TGIF.”

“Yay for the weekend!”

“Ready to go?”

“Yup,” Kit nodded, taking a deep breath as he settled into the passenger seat. “I have a whole list of things we need to get done before Austin’s book signing tomorrow.”

“Oh goodie,” Beckett teased as he pulled off.

“I promise I won’t work you too hard.”

“And I’ve heard that before.”

“Oh hush.”

Maybe Beckett picked up on Kit’s need for silence, because he didn’t try to chitchat. Kit was grateful because he really did have a lot on his mind. The drive into the city was smooth, and the early morning traffic wasn’t too insane yet.

His thoughts wandered back to the upcoming encounter with Connie’s parents. Despite his mates’ reassurances, a knot of anxiety lodged itself in his stomach. He just couldn’t help it. This was the first “meet the parents” he’d ever experienced.

Also, a tiny part of him couldn’t help but wonder if they werereallyokay with him not being a dragon.

CHAPTER TWENTY – HUDSON

HUDSON DRESSED casually since he and Connie were working from home that day. He had just sat down in his desk chair when Connie walked into his office with two cups of coffee.

“Here you go,” Connie said, handing Hudson a mug.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Hudson took a sip. “By the way, would you text Torres and tell him to stop by my office before he leaves to pick your parents up, please?”

Connie pulled his cell phone out. “Sure. And done. What’s up?”

“I need him to drop off the gold and stones to a jeweler who’s going to create our wedding bands. I figured I’d have Torres do it since he’d already be in the city.”

“I can’t wait to see them,” Connie said.

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