Page 25 of Unexpected Mate

My brain was clearly thinking too loud in the bond, because the twins choked, Ivo chuckled, and Leo burst into hysterical laughter.

Shnookerdookies! Had Beasty merged her dirty mind with mine too? I didn’t know if that made me want to laugh or cry.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. Thankfully, the embarrassment helped to ease my horny side. But it was quickly followed by the next rush of instinctual needs… food. I wanted lots andlotsof food. My stomach growled and I crawled over Luke, scrambling to find some leftover jerky and stuffing it in my cheeks like a hamster. What? I managed to control one of the overpowering urges this morning, there was no way I could resist two. Baby steps.

Ivo reached to take some jerky for himself, and I growled. I would have liked to blame my new psychotic instincts, but the truth was I had always been protective of my food, dragon or not.

He playfully growled back before snatching a piece right out of my hand and popping it in his mouth. Oh no he didn’t!

I sprang to my feet and launched myself on the large man’s back. I fisted my hand in his long hair and yanked his head to the side. My gums tingled as my fangs dropped and I sunk them into his neck.

“You ate my food, so now I will just eat you instead!”I cried.

I would’ve sounded a lot more threatening if my words hadn’t been muffled against his skin.

Mithraheal chose that moment to teleport himself into the room. He looked to my mates still lounging on the bed. “Have things escalated to the point that she’s attacking her mates now?” he asked. “Why aren’t you guys trying to calm her?”

Ivo began laughing so hard that I was nearly dislodged, and I scrambled like a monkey to cling on tighter.

“Our little mate is feeling a bit more focused this morning.” Ivo snorted a laugh. “Why did no one warn me of her murderous tendencies regarding food? Has she not been fed enough?”

I snorted in amusement. He made me sound like a misbehaving pet. The twins and Leo shook with laughter, falling into a heap and wiping at their eyes. Mithraheal relaxed, but he still watched me warily. You jump a man’s bones eight times a day for a week, and apparently it scares them. I snickered and pulled my fangs free.

I teleported myself into Mithraheal’s arms, my hands snaked around his neck and my legs wrapped around his tapered waist. Without giving him time to react, I sank my fangs into his neck. So much tastier than that dried jerky. I pulled my fangs out after a few minutes, licking the two dots of blood from his neck.

Pushing myself up, I pressed my lips against his, gently.

“My love, is that really you?” He breathed against my mouth.

“It was always me, it’s just a more impulsive version of me.”

“That has to be the understatement of the year,” he replied. His arms wrapped around me, holding me in a tight embrace.

“I would love to continue this, but we have a problem that needs our attention.” Mithraheal sighed, his words heavy.

I slid off his body and stood, my good spirits dampened immediately. “What happened?”

Reaching into his perfectly tailored coat pocket, he pulled out a gold envelop with a red wax seal. “This arrived at the castle today. It’s an invitation to the Harmony Ball.”

I had no idea why a party invite was such a big deal, butall around me, my mates sucked in a harsh breath and grew tense.

“Why do you guys look so worried about a party?” I asked. “If you guys hate parties, we can just not go, right?”

“No one is allowed to refuse an invite to the Harmony Ball,” Mithraheal said solemnly. “This ball was first held centuries ago during a time of peace. All leaders and individuals of importance from all species are required to attend each year. It symbolizes our coming together in peace and harmony. Not attending is considered no less than a sign of war. Rumors about you have begun circulating and people are both curious and fearful. Your presence will help to reassure people that you want peace.”

“Okay, so we can’t get out of it.” I sighed. “How long until the ball?”

“Four days.” Mithraheal looked positively green, while the rest of my mates stood frozen in horror.

That wasn’t much time. My panic began to surge and with it my dragon instincts. My eyes flickered back and forth as I tried to find balance between my natures. It was a losing battle, and my anxiety made my fight or flight instinct kick in.

Mithraheal stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. “Shhh, it will be okay. Damien lives for parties! He willlovemaking all the arrangements for us, and we’ll all be there at your side. You won’t be alone. My love, breathe.”

My breathing calmed, but I was too far gone. Levi scooped me up and headed for the bed. “Mithraheal, you should strip quickly and join us,” he said. “Time to help our dragoness release some of this chaotic energy.”

Mithraheal was naked on the bed before Levi had even lowered me onto it. I gave in, letting myself enjoying the tender caresses of my mates and the feeling of their bodies moving against mine. Their kisses made me forget my panic, and I let myself enjoy this time with my circle.

Around noon,the men decided that I was as in an okay state of control, and we teleported ourselves to the castle. We did it secretly, all of us still worried that people might try to swarm us to get a peek, and accidentally get hurt if I went full dragon and started destroying things. What if my instincts took over at the ball?

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