Chapter Eleven
Fraser woke up on the twelfth day of the mate-claim frenzy and was surprised to find his dragon snoring at the back of his mind.
The last week and a half had been a constant battle between man and beast. His dragon had wanted Holly all to himself. Only through his sheer stubbornness had Fraser managed to have the lass to himself some of the time.
Fraser was definitely going to work on better controlling his beast.
Glancing at Holly’s sleeping face, a sense of peace came over him. A few weeks ago, the mere thought of waking up next to the same female for the rest of his life had made his stomach churn. Yet as he traced Holly’s chin with his forefinger, he couldn’t imagine not waking up next to her.
The trick would be wooing her to stay.
His beast finally yawned. His voice was full of sleep as he said, You should be asleep. She already carries our child.
Fraser stilled. What?
She’s pregnant. I can smell our scent entangled with hers, so let her rest.
Why didn’t you tell me earlier?
I was sleepy.
Fraser cupped Holly’s cheek as happiness warmed his heart. He’d never really imagined himself as a father before, but an image of him teaching his wee son how to control his dragon and learn to fly flashed inside of his head. The boy would have Fraser’s auburn hair but Holly’s amber eyes. He would be too clever for his own good, but Fraser would handle it.
Especially if Holly was at his side.
He may not know much about the lass just yet, but he would find out everything soon enough. After all, he had at least nine months to convince Holly to stay with him.
His dragon stretched inside his mind. Just order her to stay.
Yes, because that will work so well.
It might.
Fraser’s entire body was exhausted, which included his mind. He’d deal with his dragon later.
For the moment, he wrapped his arms around Holly and breathed in her scent mixed with his.
He’d let his human sleep for a while yet. After all, once she woke up, Fraser would need to contact Finn and address the shitstorm of problems outside the walls of their cottage.
Nuzzling his nose against Holly’s cheek, he pushed aside his worries and enjoyed the last peaceful hours he would have with his true mate for a while.
~~~
Holly had lost track of the days during the frenzy, but eventually she woke up in Fraser’s arms.
Her Scot was snoring lightly. With his eyes closed and body relaxed, he looked no different from any human man.
She traced the dragon-shifter tattoo on his muscled bicep and smiled. Well, he was almost like a human man.
Fraser stirred under her fingertips. Every muscle of her body was sore, but she geared herself up for more sex. Maybe the frenzy would be over soon and she could actually enjoy a conversation with Fraser again.
Yet when Fraser opened his eyes, his pupils were round. Instead of heat, they were full of joy.
Compared to the last however many days, it was a strange sight. “Has something changed?”
The corner of Fraser’s mouth ticked up. “Are you always this suspicious first thing in the morning?”
“With you, yes.”