Page 97 of The Ruby Dragon's Unconventional Mate

“Maybe.” He took a deep breath and let it out, knowing he was about to be inundated with family and friends. And he loved them. But them all staring at him, the idea of that, made him really uncomfortable somehow.

“What’s going on, baby?”

“I don’t know. It’s ridiculous. We all come to all the births, and it’s an amazing time for family and friends. So I don’t know why I’m hiding.”

“Because you’re still weirded out about how long you pretended to be an alpha? I think you’re worried that you’ll have to admit it to everyone you know again, because they don’t really believe it, or you’re worried someone will be mad at you.” Bryant stroked his cheek. “Like I was worried everyone would think I was less of an alpha thanks to my fear for Lachlan and about the Keepers.”

“Well, that would be stupid. Even alphas get afraid.”

“And everyone understands why you had to pretend to be an alpha, love. They adore you, and no one will be mad. We just need to let them in. Both of us. No more fear. These are the dragons who love us.”

“They are.” He nodded, then took a kiss from Bryant. “Okay. Bring it on.” He wouldn’t deny Logan and Dakota the joy of seeing their nephew born. Or Lachlan. Or Samuel and Jake, who had let him be there for all their babies. Heck, he’d been there for Grant when he was born and his moms had been there.

“All right. Let’s do this. Let’s have our baby.”

He lifted his face for a kiss. “Sounds perfect.”

And it did.

Chapter

Thirty-Three

Lars’s water had broken about six hours into hard labor.

Ten hours after that, things were starting to get intense, and he was beginning to worry. Lachlan and Logan were both right there, the three of them pacing, taking turns talking to Lars and helping him breathe.

Sally, the midwife, insisted everything was fine, but it didn’t feel fine. It felt as if it was taking an eternity.

“Was it this way with Dakota?” he asked, and Logan nodded.

“The first time seemed to take forever. The second time was better. Faster.”

“He’s so brave, you know that?” Lachlan wore a look of pure pride on his face. Lars had honestly become family. “He’s amazing.”

“Yes. He is exactly what I needed in my life. I just didn’t know it until I met him.”

And Bryant had never felt so helpless seeing Lars in labor, but he did believe that Lars had this.

“Get your ass in here, Bryant!” Lars snapped.

“That must be my cue.” Bryant nodded to his brother and his brother-in-law and went running.

Sally sat there, a little smile on her face. “It’s time to push.”

“Already? Finally? I mean, yes.”

“Quit talking and get over here.” Light was pouring off of Lars, the silver gleaming. “Now. Now would be very good.”

He nodded and went, supporting broad shoulders from the back. “I got you, I’ve got you. You can do this.”

A wild growl tore out of Lars, the air itself crackling with electricity.

“Hold it together; you crispy fry one of us, and it’s going to be a problem.” Sally snapped, and Bryant had never heard her talk quite so sharply.

“Sorry, sorry. Right. Keep your shit together. That’s a good idea.”

Sally met Bryant’s eyes, and he remembered what she told him back when this whole thing had started. His job was to support and to help Lars in this, to help keep everyone safe.

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