Fraser raised an eyebrow. “Now you’re arguing with your dragon? I really want to know what’s going on and you know when I’m determined, I don’t give up.”
“Aye, but I can resist as long as necessary. Your tricks won’t work with me.”
Fraser’s eyes turned concerned. “I don’t want to use my tricks on you, Fergus. I want to know how to help you, if you need it. Is the lass your true mate? Even if she’s pregnant, your dragon might still feel the pull.”
Fergus ran a hand through his hair and decided to trust his brother. “Honestly? My beast wants to claim her right now. But it’s not as if I can take the lass home and woo her. She’s pregnant with a dragon-shifter’s child, Fraser. I have the sense she’s running away from the father of her bairn.”
Fraser finished his thought. “And Lochguard has too many enemies already.”
“Exactly.”
“You’re an idiot, Fergus Roger MacKenzie.”
Fergus blinked. “Pardon?”
“I-D-I-O-T. Idiot. You’ve been fantasizing about finding your mate for years. I know you think you’ve hidden it most of the time, but I’m your best friend. I know you better than anyone in the world.” Fraser leaned forward and searched his eyes. “If Gina is your chance, don’t fuck it up.”
Fergus’s dragon preened. He’s on my side. That’s two against one.
It’s not a bloody democracy.
Yet a part of Fergus was starting to think he could at least try to woo the lass.
His dragon snarled. More than woo. Fuck, claim, and protect.
When Fergus didn’t answer his twin, Fraser rolled his eyes. “You’re always so bloody logical. I don’t know how your dragon puts up with you.”
“Gee, thanks, brother.”
Fraser ignored him. “If nothing else, it can’t hurt to talk with Finn. Considering what he did for his mate, Arabella, and for my Holly, he might be able to work some magic for you, too. All of the MacKenzie men deserve love.”
“Finn’s a Stewart, not a MacKenzie.”
Fraser shook his head. “Don’t start, Fergus. You know what I mean—everyone we love should have the gift of a mate. I’m sure even our stubborn-headed sister will find someone eventually.”
As he stared at the face so like his own, hope flickered in Fergus’s chest. His twin might have a point.
His dragon huffed. Will you listen now?
At his beast’s prodding, Fergus quickly tamped down his hope and used his logic again. “I don’t know how the lass even feels about me. She barely knows me.”
Fraser grinned. “Then woo her and kiss her. Even if she’s your true mate, there won’t be a mate-claim frenzy as long as she’s pregnant or breastfeeding. You might have a rare opportunity to get to know her before you fuck her.”
“You were always such a romantic.”
“Bloody right I am.” Fraser closed the distance between them and gripped Fergus’s shoulder. “You thought Holly might be your last chance at finding a mate. But what if you’ve been given another chance? The lass clearly likes you or she wouldn’t have allowed you in her cottage, let alone sat in your lap and let you touch her belly.”
“You saw that?” Fergus asked.
“Aye, through the window.”
With any other person, Fergus would explain away the situation. Yet as he looked into eyes the exact shape of his own, Fergus never wanted to lie to his twin brother ever again. “I’ll test out the waters first with Gina before I talk to Finn. I don’t want to give our cousin a new problem to solve if the human female feels differently from me and my dragon.”
Fraser slapped his shoulder. “Good lad.”
“But.”
Fraser sighed. “Is this where you have a million caveats to add to make everything more difficult than it has to be?”