Page 14 of Alpha Dragon's Wings of Love

“How is me being a cute little beagle translate into badass?” It was something I’d never been accused of before, that was for sure.

“Because your genes beat out all odds. You’re badass. I’m sticking to it.” He squinted at me playfully. “Wait. Are you saying it’s wolf law—the dishes thing?”

“Nope, it’s my law. I made it, and you’re my mate, so you have to obey.”

“Is that how it is?”

“That is how it is.” I paused, a little more serious now. “But I wanted to clear that up about me being a wolf. I don’t want you to ever think I’m holding anything back from you. I just…might not always remember to tell you things. And if that’s the case, I’m sorry. I’m not used to having a mate.”

“I should hope not,” he said with a teasing smile. “I want to be your first, your last, and your always.”

“You are, mate. But that wasn’t what I meant. I’m not used to having a mate obviously, but the same goes true for having friends. Other than Jonah, that is, and he’s known me since I was five. He’s more like a brother.” I even teased my parents that they liked him better than me. They didn’t. They loved me unconditionally, but they loved him too. “Even if I wanted to keep a secret from him, he’d know it. Wolves are gossipy fools.”

“Maybe when you’re more rested, you can tell me about your friend. He sounds pretty amazing.”

“He is. He’s the best person to take on a road trip too. He’ll stop anywhere I want. Including this rest stop convenience store we found with 600 types of jerky.”

“I saw that sign!” His face lit up. “Was it really cool?”

“Oh, no. Not at all. I mean, do you want gator jerky?”

He wrinkled his nose. “I tend to stay away from anything that looks like it might be related to me.”

“Fair.”

I set the plates in the sink.

“Change of plans,” I said. “The dishes can wait. I need snuggle time with my big, fierce dragon.”

“That works for me,” he said, pulling me in close, “because I need snuggle time with my adorable little…” He trailed off, kissing the side of my neck, his arms wrapping tight around me.

Safe.

Warm.

Home.

Chapter Eleven

Nolan

“We probably shouldn’t have waited so long. It had been a good few days since I found Casey beside the river, and we were on the road to pick up his truck. Finally. “I hope we can even find it.”

“From your description, I think we should be fine. But if we have any trouble, I’ll shift and look from above.” Wings had their benefits.

“What if it’s been towed?” He slumped in the seat, looking worried. “Everything I own is in there.”

I offered him an encouraging smile. “Under the unlikely circumstance it was towed, we’ll go and get it back. But I think you’re fine.”

“Hope so.”

Where he’d left the truck was only about a half hour away from home. He’d wandered a long distance on those short doggy legs before he got to the river bank. “I get your concern. If my hoard went missing, I’d be very upset.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a hoard, but I would like to get my toothbrush and clothes.”

“I know my clothes are baggy on you, but I think it’s a cute look.”

“And you lent me a toothbrush, but it’s nice to have my own things.”

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