Page 31 of Devoted to the Dragon

My heart races at the endearment he’s started calling me, and my belly swoops when his lips find the crook of my neck, that scratchy stubble lighting up my skin. “Because he clocked your bossydaddyenergy week one.”

Fennik shifts around, a protest already spilling from his mouth in a growl, but Gunnar cuts him off. “Don’t worry, Silent Daddy Wolf. It’s good big dick energy,” he jokes.

I cackle at the name Silent Daddy Wolf because it’s a perfect description.

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or pissed,” Fennik grumbles.

“Whichever one leads to more spanking,” Gunnar volunteers.

“Is that so?” Fennik asks, joining my laughter.

Gunnar’s weight shifts over me. I hear the sounds of their kiss and Fennik telling him good morning before Gunnar settles beside me again.

Peeking out from under the pillow, I’m hit with smokey sage eyes on a scar-lined and sun-kissed face. The room smells like my mates. It’s burning sage mixed with the cool moss and dewy leaves of the forest, which combines with the frosted pine and sweet amber of Fennik. There’s a hint of citrus too, curlingalong the edges. I’ve never noticed it before, but it blends them together, creating an overwhelming sense of calm, like flying over the lake at dawn or walking through the woods on a warm afternoon.

“Good morning, gorgeous. Sorry my tail frisk woke you.” Gunnar traces my brow and down my nose. “You have the most beautiful eyes.” I snap at his finger, and he chuckles, rolling over onto his back. “And you get squirmy about squishy feelings, got it.”

My cheeks fill with heat, and my throat warms with another of his apt descriptions. I don’t know when it became so hard to be open about my feelings, but I’ve become so used to hiding them that it’s uncomfortable. I have to open up in order to get to know my newest mate, but I don’t exactly know how.

Fennik moves his hand from my boob—which seems to be its new permanent location—and squeezes my hip in silent encouragement. “Unfortunately, I have responsibilities, but you two don’t need to leave until tonight.”

Our plan is to have Fennik go to the Council ahead of us. By distancing his arrival from ours, we hope he’ll be able to brief us on the Alpha King’s plan when we arrive later. It took Brooks and Vandera to convince Fennik it was best for appearances, and I know he’s worried about splitting up, but it’s only for a few hours. Gunnar and I are going a day early too, just so we aren’t traveling on their expected timeline.

I turn in Fennik’s arms and cup his neck. “Be safe. Be smart.”

He leans closer, his lips almost brushing mine. “Trust us. Make the Moon Circle and follow the plan.”

“Yes, Silent Daddy Wolf,” I tease.

He shakes his head and rubs his nose along mine. “Baby girl, was my spanking last night not enough to remind you who I am?”

“Hell yeah,” Gunnar cheers.

“I remember,” I say, smiling against his lips.

“Who am I?” he teases, nipping at my throat.

“Alpha,” I spill out on a moan.

Beside us, Gunnar sounds confused. “Shit.That wasn’t a joke?”

Fennik turns to Gunnar, his voice full of that dominant sound that makes my nipples ache. “Our dragoness needed a little reminder last night of who she belongs to.”

“Dammit! I passed out and missed all the fun.” Gunnar groans, flopping back onto the bed.

With a grin, Fennik takes my lips. His kiss feels like his spanking last night—sharp and fast but so powerful it lights up my whole body. He whispers as he pulls away, “Let him in.” To Gunnar, he growls, “Behave, pup, and keep our dragoness safe.”

Fennik leaves us to finish getting ready, and I roll over, crawling up to rest my head on Gunnar’s chest. “It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed anyone to get close. You’ll have to be patient with me.”

“If you haven’t already noticed, I like edging,” he jokes, voice full of that easy way he has.

I rest my chin on his chest and tangle my fingers in his beard. It’s softer than I expected.

“I’m greedy, and I want it all, but I don’t mind waiting for you,” he says softly.

I lean in for a kiss. It’s coaxing, as he is, and playful. I savor it, learning the feel of him beneath me. His scent swells, and I force myself to pull back.

Sex I can do. Sex is easy.Intimacy is harder, but I’m going to try.

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