Page 23 of Kidnapped Plus-Size Mate

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My heartbeat steadies as soon as I enter through the rolling doors of the museum’s entrance. I can already pick out Camilla’s scent lingering in the reception area, a whiff of lavender gardens filling my airways and soothing my inner dragon.

I head up to the reception to pay for the next tour. The regular game of cat and mouse between Camilla and I has been thrilling, and it’s a surefire way to keep the spark going until it burns bright enough to lead to something more.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about humans, it’s that females love a grand gesture of romance. All I need is for her to fall in love with me so that I can reveal my identity and intentions and have her readily agree to accompany me to Aurora Island where she’ll be my mate.

After the kiss we shared last night, I do not doubt that she’ll accept what I am. Now that I’m here at her place of work, it’s like my doubts have been put to rest.

With pride filling my chest, I make my way up the stairs leading to the room that displays the museum’s French artworks. To my surprise, I don’t find Camilla there.

Granted I’m early for the noon tour, but I decide to use the breadcrumb trail of her scent to find her wherever she is. With a smile creeping on my face, I shove my hands into my pockets and follow the lead of her sweet, subtle scent down the hallway to the German section, which is where she ends her tours.

A part of me wants to make it known that the artist she believes painted the picture of Aurora Island is Domingo. Little did she know that it was my sister, Kairo, who painted that picture as an inside joke a few centuries ago. She let it out into the mortal world under the guise of a well-known painter at the time, and it’s since become a part of history.

Even if the history behind it is distorted. Pursing my lips with amusement, I decide to hold onto that little piece of information until she meets my sister in the flesh.

Camilla hardly believes in the existence of dragons right now. I can’t wait until I’ve executed my plan and I’ll be able to reveal my true identity to her.

I round the corner that leads to the German room when a strange knot pulls tight in the pit of my belly and stops me in my tracks just in time to catch a glimpse of Camilla as she frowns at the man she’s speaking to.

Her eyes flicker to mine, and a wave of nausea sweeps through me when I catch another scent in the air. It’s not as distinct as her sweetness, but it’s present enough for me to recognize the man even with his back toward me.

It can’t be…

Why would a Fire Force member be here, speaking to my mate? I can smell his awful scent, different from that of the members of the Aurora Dragons. It smells like eucalyptus and sunscreen.

Did the Council send someone to check up on me?

It’s highly unlikely. I would have heard from my father if that was happening.

Thrown off by the presence of another dragon shifter, my steps are calculated as I approach Camilla, drawing on the strength of my inner dragon.

Stay cool.

Stay calm.

Another round of affirmations keeps me pacified until I can figure out what’s going on. Maintaining a straight face, I keep my eyes on Camilla as I pass the dragon and slip my around her waist protectively as I lean in to kiss her on the cheek.

“Hi, Sterling,” she greets me with a relieved smile. There’s tension hanging in the air, and when I turn to see who my inspector is, I’m shocked to find that it’s Rakon.

The Beta of the Fire Force clan.

Did the Council send him to check up on me?

I nod skeptically at the man, not wanting to make it known to Camilla that I know him. He seems to be on the same page as he offers out a hand.

“Brandon Hawk,” he offers, and the breath I’d been holding in is released as I shake his hand.

So, he is here to check up on me, since he’s hiding his true identity as well. With narrowed eyes, I give up my alias, and he smiles, bemused.

“Are you the boyfriend?” he asks innocently.

Camilla tenses beside me but affirms this with a confident nod. It’s probably going to earn me some brownie points, so it works in my favor when I concede.

“Yes.” Turning to Camilla, I meet her eyes of surprise and smile proudly. “I’m Camilla’s boyfriend.”

She relaxes beside me just as a blush skitters across her cheeks. For a fleeting moment, I’m lost in the beauty of her blushed cheeks and the way her eyes sparkle at my declaration. I just earned more brownie points, and if Rakon is here to ensure that everything is going as planned, I know I’ve succeeded in putting the Council’s doubts to rest.

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