Page 77 of Taught By the Dragon
Brenna removed the eggs from the pan and went to make the toast. Percy continued feeding Tiernan, his chubby cheeks wobbling as he ate.
She’d never thought of being a mother by choice. Yes, she’d wished to get pregnant inside the facility to make it all stop. But she’d never thought she’d be free, let alone would learn about how true mates existed.
Maybe eventually, she would give in. But not quite yet. She asked Brenna, “So with the frenzy, does the male just instantly start fucking you, regardless of what you want?”
Brenna blinked. “Er, no. Dragon-shifters, at least the non-arsehole variety, understand consent. Sometimes that means staying apart, sometimes it means drugging a dragon silent until both parties figure out what to do, or some males will stay away and wait for the opportune moment to finally woo their mates.” Brenna crossed her arms over her chest and leaned her hip against the counter. “Bronx will do any of those things, Percy. As long as you don’t kiss him on the lips, he’ll be able to control his beast.”
Given her past, she couldn’t help but blurt, “Will he, though? I trust him. I really do. But I don’t understand how strong a mate-claim frenzy pull could be, and that worries me.”
Brenna’s face softened. “Look, I can’t even imagine the life you’ve led up until now. I truly can’t. But I know Bronx. I lived on Stonefire most of my life, and he’s always been a good male. He was patient with his first mate—I’m just old enough to remember her—and he’ll be patient with you too.”
“Because he’s a nice guy.”
The bread popped up, and Brenna snatched them out of the toaster. “Of course he’s nice. But it’s more than that. I saw him last night, before you were found, and he was a wreck.” She pointed a slice of toast at her. “He cares about you, Percy. I don’t know how much or how deep it goes. But it’s a good start, for sure. You should just talk to him.”
Brenna fell silent as she dished out beans and finished up the plates. Percy fed Tiernan the last of his fruit mush just as Brenna slid a plate in front of her.
Percy nibbled on her toast and watched as Brenna cleaned up her son and tickled his jaw.
She’d been a child never loved by a mother or father. Maybe she was too fucked up to ever be a parent. And considering a mate-claim frenzy always resulted in pregnancy, she would be a mum if she went through with it.
Could she risk it?
Her dragon spoke up.You don’t have to decide that just yet. Just talk with Bronx, see what he has to say, and make decisions from there.
Her beast was right. She’d sort of made the decision already, when she called out to be found the night before.
But now, in the clear light of day, she still yearned to see Bronx again, hear his voice, and maybe even curl up against his chest again, where she felt safe.
She blurted, “After breakfast, I want to see Bronx.”
Brenna nodded. “No worries. I’ll get it set up.”
As she ate her breakfast, anxiety and anticipation swirled in her stomach. Now that she’d admitted she trusted Bronx, she was eager to see him again.
* * *
Bronx pacedthe small room inside the main Protector building and tapped a hand against his thigh.
He hadn’t really slept. Instead, he’d spent the night worrying about Percy. He knew she needed a break from him to rest and have room to breathe. But he hadn’t expected one night’s absence from the cabin to make him this crazy and desperate to see her again.
He said to his dragon,You aren’t doing this to me, are you, because she’s our true mate?
His beast sniffed.As I’ve said before, I recognized her and want her. But we haven’t kissed her, so there’s no frenzy pull or desperation. This is you realizing what I noticed a long time ago.
What are you talking about?
You want her as our mate too.
He ran a hand through his hair.We haven’t even bloody kissed her yet.
So? Love works in mysterious ways. There’s no one way to get there.
No, I’m not bloody in love with her.
If not, you’re close.
He tried to muster an argument about how ridiculous it was. Yet, the pull to always be near her, to hear her voice, to make her laugh, and to hold her in his arms—not to mention dreams of her naked and under him, on top of him, and any way he could imagine—made it hard to completely refute his beast.
