Page 82 of How to Hide Your Angel Kid

“Three times for a future well-told,” Galent announced.

They walked. When they finished the final lap, every circle flared a brilliant blue, from the outermost to the one in the center. Wind rushed through the chamber. And a swell of magic passed from Galent’s body into Pinks. Their hearts fell into sync.

They’d made promises to each other; Pinks wore the red lines on his skin. And now their lives were utterly connected, in the very best of ways.

When Pinks turned to face him, his eyes widened. “You have gray hairs now. Just a few.”

“Yeah?” Galent touched his temple. Then he leaned in, and pressed a soft kiss to Pinks’ lips. “Now you are mine.”

The dragons cheered and whooped. Galent swept Pinks into his arms and kissed him deeply.

Midway into the kiss, Pinks gasped.

“I think my water broke.”

Galent panicked;of course he did. He’d never witnessed a birth before. “What do I do?”

“Bring Pinks to your room,” Sen—Blade’s golden dragon dad—said.

Galent swept Pinks into his arms; Pinks squawked.

“I’ve done this before, there’s no need to panic,” Pinks grumbled, folding his arms.

“But it’s our baby!”

Pinks rolled his eyes. “Yes. And you stretched methree timesthis morning.”

Galent rumbled with satisfaction. “That’ll help the birth go more painlessly, right?”

“Probably,” Pinks conceded.

Galent brought his mate to his old bedroom in his parents’ mansion. Blade’s flight had gathered a few days ago to help straighten up the place, and they were all sticking around in case Pinks needed help with the birth.

It was nice. Galent hadn’t had a flight in a long time, and this felt like belonging.

He gently deposited Pinks on their bed, setting Pinks’ overnight bag with him. “What do you want to do first? It’ll be a while, right?”

Pinks popped a few slices of habanero peppers into his mouth. When he burped, flames came out of his mouth. So beautiful. “I’m eating these while I still can,” Pinks said. “My spice tolerance is going to plummet when I’m not pregnant anymore.”

“I’ll make food as spicy as you want,” Galent promised.

Pinks smiled. He tucked away the snack box of peppers and pulled out his origami paper—something he’d bought for himself, using the money Galent had given him. He showed Galent how to fold a paper crane; they folded one for each of the dragons and mates that had gathered to witness their bonding and birth.

“I can’t believe I forgot to ask,” Galent said suddenly. “What’s Zarrie’s actual name?”

Pinks laughed. “Zaraieh. It’s Old Wolfish for ‘strength’.”

“It’s a beautiful name. I didn’t know wolves had a language,” Galent admitted.

“We don’t just howl!”

“Or gnaw on bones.”

“We pee on trees, too,” Pinks said, his eyes sparkling.

Galent laughed, hugging Pinks close. It felt incredible to know that they were bonded for life. “What aboutyourreal name?” Galent whispered. “The one you don’t use anymore.”

Pinks sighed. “My parents were... drunk or high or something. They thought it would be great to name me after the steakhouse where they had their first date. Benihemi. They regretted it later on and asked if I wanted to change my name, so I did. Pink is my favorite color.”

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