Page 51 of The Ruby Dragon's Unconventional Mate

“Mmmm. That means we have all day.”

“Uh-huh.” He would stay right here for a while, cooling off.

He loved a nice full tub.

“I love you too,” Lars murmured, leaning hard on him, going lax with the need to nap.

“Good. Sleep now, love.”

“Mmmkay.” Lars started snoring, and he leaned back, cradling Lars in his arms and legs.

He’d get them out of there before it got weird.

But that could be a while.

Chapter

Sixteen

Lars hummed, stirring his spaghetti sauce for omega night.

Not that he would call it that if anyone but Dakota or Samuel asked to come, but there it was. They were going to get together, have pasta and bread and salad, and dish on their alphas.

He had a lot to tell his friends about Bryant and Lachlan, and that was without really betraying any confidences. He’d spent a lot of time with either or both of them, and he adored them. Bryant was his mate, but Lachlan was a brother of his heart just like Logan was a brother of his blood.

He wrinkled his nose. “Ugh, Slippy. Will you taste this? I think it’s weird.”

Slippy popped up on the counter, chittering at him. So he put some sauce on a wee tasting spoon and let Slippy have a bit.

He got a happy chitter, and a definite feeling that he was stupid and that it tasted wonderful.

Huh.

“I’m not sure I trust you. I’ll wait for Dakota. He never lies to me.”

Slippy squinted at him, whiskers twitching. Then he was presented with a weasel back. Clearly Slippy was a teensy bitpeeved at him. That was okay. A noodle or two and he would be right as rain.

“I’m sorry, friend. I just feel a little off, you know? I just don’t feel quite with it.” He stroked Slippy’s back gently. “Forgive me?”

Slippy came up to him, sniffing hard, starting at his wrist, then moving up to the crook of his elbow, and that chittering started again. This time, it didn’t sound aggravated. It sounded joyful and cheery, so obviously the apology was what his sweet familiar had needed.

The guys landed with a thud, and he went to open the door and hand out robes. The babies were all staying with Simon and Celeste.

Both Simon and Celeste insisted to him that there was no way that a true beta would be able to attack their family members, but that they would look into it through their resources. Lars was grateful for that, because he didn’t want Lachlan to hurt.

Really, he didn’t want anybody to hurt.

“I brought garlic rolls!” Dakota handed them over.

Samuel beamed. “And I brought a cheesecake!”

“You guys rock.” The cheesecake sounded the best of everything. “Come in and taste my sauce, will you? I think it tastes like ass, but Slippy says it’s good.”

“Well, Slippy has good taste.” Dakota winked, but he bustled into the kitchen, putting down his load, then going to taste his sauce. “Yum. This is so good, Lars.”

“Oh yeah? Excellent. I didn’t make it any different than usual.”

“But your taster is all off?” Samuel squinted at him, frowning.

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