Page 70 of The Ruby Dragon's Unconventional Mate

Chapter

Twenty-Four

“He’s not coming, Lachlan.” Lars felt his shoulders slump. He had really believed that Bryant would come for him by now. Come to work things out.

But he was still alone at Lachlan’s house, the twins becoming just about as sad. Lachlan and Alban were bonding, but if Bryant refused to take Arthur, then it wouldn’t matter. They would have to leave.

“Don’t give up on him, Lars. He’s stubborn, but he’s not stupid. You’re the best thing that ever happened to him. Killing her just cut a deep scar. He’s a good dragon, all the way deep, so it hurt him greatly.” Lachlan came to hug him. “I miss him too, though.”

“I know. I should go?—”

“Nope. He has to come to you. He has to believe in you.” Lachlan steered him back into the main room when he headed for the door.

“But—”

“Lars, would you like to try this cheesecake pudding?” Arthur asked him.

“Um. Sure.” No. No, he wanted his mate, and barring that, he wanted to rail and cry.

“Come on. Try it.” Lachlan led him, followed by Slippy, to the kitchen. He felt listless, and not at all hungry, but then his belly growled like a tiger, and he sighed. Someone didn’t care if he was hungry or not.

Someone wanted him to eat.

All of a sudden, Slippy raced to the window and pressed his little front paws there, staring out.

“What is it, buddy?” Lachlan asked. “You okay?”

Slippy chattered, and Lars had the distinct impression of the word, “Mate.”

His heart kicked into high gear, and sure enough, moments later, there was a thud as a dragon landed outside.

“Oh, please let it be Bryant. Please.”

There was a knock at the kitchen door, and Lachlan went to let Bryant in before nodding to Alban and Arthur. “We’ll come back and meet him in a bit.”

“Okay.”

Another figure, this one Slippy’s size, streaked into the room before Bryant closed the door.

His eyebrows rose. “Who is this?”

“Andine. She’s here for Slippy.”

“Oh.” He stared at Bryant. “And who are you here for?” Lars asked.

“For you, love. I need to talk to you.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, resting them on his belly. “Why?”

“Because I need to apologize. You’re right. I should at least meet them. The Keepers. Then I can see.”

“And?” He was going to pout.

“And I missed you. I’m sorry, Lars. I love you. I just have this terrible fear, but it’s not worth losing you and making Lachlan choose between me and a keeper and?—”

He rolled his eyes, then stepped close. “You’re not going to lose me. But I was getting pretty sad. I need you. We need you.” He took Bryant’s hand and put it on his belly.

“I need you too. And I don’t want to miss any more of this. Especially not to prove a stupid point.”

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