A Mate for Kai (The Program #6)

by Charlene Hartnady

  He frowned. “Maybe we should go to the healers. Becky can check you out. It would make me feel better.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “We’re not going to the clinic. I’m fine…” She put a hand on her belly. “The baby is fine. You would really hurt me if you went that far into me to where you could reach him…” She could feel her cheeks heat. “Besides…dragon shifter males are…they’re pretty big. I’m good.” She waved a hand, trying to look blasé about it.

  His whole facial expression changed. He went from serious to serious with just a hint of humor. “Okay…are you trying to tell me that I don’t measure up to dragon shifter males?” There was definitely a hint of humor there but he clenched his jaw. A sign of anger…maybe. She wasn’t sure how to read this.

  “Um…all I’m saying is I have, possibly…nevermind…let’s just say that I know for a fact that the baby is going to be fine.”

  “Oh really now?” He sat up and folded his arms. “And you know this for a fact because you’ve been with males with bigger dicks than me? That’s really nice, Ruby, you could hurt a male’s fragile ego by talking like that.” He laughed. “Fucking awesome. Just awesome. Quite frankly I’m hurt.” He laughed again.

  He didn’t look hurt. Kai looked like he found it hilarious. She knew that male’s cared about stupid things like the size of their members. Maybe he was trying to act like he was okay with it when he wasn’t. She didn’t know him well enough to tell. “It’s not about size. Trust me, it’s really not. You’re plenty big enough…I swear.”

  It’s not that he wasn’t big, it’s just he wasn’t as big. The thing was, he could run circles around the guys she’d rutted. All of them. He was hands down the best lover she had ever had. She touched his arm. “It’s not a thing for me.”

  Kai groaned. “Right, so dragon shifter males are stronger than me and my dick doesn’t compare either. That’s really great.” He lay back down and put his arms around her. She buried her face into his chest, not sure what to say. “Good thing I’m a confident, well-rounded male. I don’t have a problem with it.”

  “You’re sure? Because you really shouldn’t.” Her voice was muffled. “It’s not important. It’s really not.”

  “Shhhh…” He placed a feather light kiss on the top of her head. “It’s not important.” He played with the strands of her hair. She hoped he meant it because she had never felt more safe, more relaxed, more content than what she did in this moment.

  She couldn’t help but to smile. How could she not fall for Kai? It was impossible. Just as quickly as the smile arrived, it faltered. This was a dangerous slope she was navigating. One that might see her seriously hurt. Ruby had no choice but to keep moving forward.

  Chapter 18

  Two weeks later…

  Time had gone by quickly but it had also dragged. Spending time with Kai was wonderful. They still walked around the castle grounds every day. They made love every evening, as soon as they got back from their walk.

  It was the same every time. Their walk back was filled with anticipation. Tension crackled between them. They practically jogged down the hall to her room. Okay, maybe they just walked really fast. Her belly had grown. Between its rounded, curve and her in-the-way mammary glands, jogging had become impossible. Kai carried her to the bed every time. He insisted. He also insisted on kissing her between her legs…often. Thankfully there had been no more flames. Smoke may or may not have poured from her nostrils but there had been no more actual fire. Despite her growing belly, sex between them, only got better. He drank from her every second or third day. He orgasmed hard every time but then again, so did she.

  They ate meals together, he even tucked her in and kissed her good night before returning to his own room. It didn’t feel like just rutting. Two people taking what they needed from each other. It felt like more. Although he kissed her between her legs, on her cheeks, her forehead. Kai kissed her everywhere…only, he’d never actually kissed on the lips, or stayed the night. He definitely drew the line. It felt like they were a couple only…not. There had been one or two occasions where she wanted to bring it up with him. To ask him where this was headed but it didn’t feel right just yet. She was afraid that laying everything all out there too soon might end up scaring him off. She didn’t want this to end just yet.

  Her belly had expanded. She was big, for a dragon shifter at least, she was big. Not ridiculously so but big enough to warrant concern. Even Becky and the vampire healer, Eleanor, had looked worried at her last visit, which had been just yesterday.

  Her womb continued to ripen and had even began to open. According to the human healer, she was already one centimeter…whatever that meant. The time dragged because with each passing day, she worried more for the baby that grew inside of her.

  There was still no movement. She had not wanted to tell Kai, for fear of alarming him, but she had felt heat inside of her. Once yesterday, and again this morning. Not hot enough to hurt her, but certainly warm enough that she could feel its glow.

  She walked to the window and peered out over the vast lands. There were acres upon acres of grass. The ground was flat. This led to thick forests. Way across the far side of the fields, groups of males trained. Kai was amongst them. If she looked hard enough, she could make out his form. Hand-to-hand combat. He was skilled and strong. The male he had been fighting lay sprawled on the ground. She was sure he would make the team again. It meant so much to him. She turned away.

  What would the future hold for them?

  Another concern was Blaze. Her brother would be back in a week. He would expect for them to be mated. She needed to tell Kai. As far as he was concerned, Blaze had accepted the terms that Zane had set out. The main one was that they would first wait for the baby to hatch and only if he was alive and well, would Kai be expected to mate with Ruby. The last thing she wanted was a forced mating…even with Kai. Ruby had wanted to tell him but something held her back. If she was honest with herself, she was hoping they would get together on their own. Not just pretend together but for real together.

  Kai didn’t know her brother. Blaze would not budge. He would not hesitate to kill Kai. The problem was, she knew that Kai could be stubborn as well. He was also angry with Blaze after hearing how he tried to give her to the Air king. He had already said he was going to take Blaze on. If her brother arrived on vampire territory and they weren’t mated and then on top of that, Kai provoked him, Blaze would kill him. The thought of Kai’s broken, bleeding body caused a sob to leave her.

  She would tell Kai as soon as he came back from training. There had to be a way around this. Only, she could think of none. Blaze would be angry. If Kai provoked him, he would lose control. Kai didn’t stand a chance. She sniffed and realized she was crying.

  The first real pain hit. It was sharp and piercing. Her belly tightened. Her hands automatically clutched her rounded stomach. What was…the pain intensified…he was coming. How could she have been so stupid? Her lower back had been paining her all day. At first it was a constant dull ache then it morphed into a sharper pain which had come and gone. Ruby had assumed the pain would start in her belly, just like she was feeling now but she had been wrong.

  She breathed through her mouth. Short pants to help ease the pain. Thankfully, it didn’t last long. Within a few minutes, it happened again. She was definitely in labor.

  She couldn’t stay here. This room was too cramped the walls felt like they were closing in. The urge to shift rose up in her, scales rubbed beneath her skin. Ruby closed her eyes and tried to blank her mind. A feeling of calm settled over her.

  She needed to get away, to be alone. Ruby had planned this. She opened the closet and removed the backpack which she slung onto her back. Fear and excitement coursed through her. She moved quickly to the door, but another pain hit, sharper this time. She leaned against the wall, breathing hard, fighting for control. It would be better once she was outside in the open. She instinctively knew that the need to shift would diminish
and maybe even go away altogether. Once the pain subsided, she turned back. Her cellphone was on the coffee table. She had practiced using it. Kai’s number and that of both the healers was programmed into the contacts list. Hopefully she wouldn’t need to use it.

  Ruby went and fetched the phone, just in case. It wasn’t long before the next pain ripped through her, more severe this time. It was happening quickly. As soon as it passed, she put the note on the table where he would spot it easily and then left the room

  Ruby prayed she would make it outside before the next one hit. Praying even harder she would get through this and that her baby would be okay. He had to be. There was no other option. Either she would birth this egg or she would die trying.

  ****

  Kai looked down at his fist. What the fuck?

  “What the hell was that?” Lazarus roared. The Elite Leader, as well as several other males, rushed forward. Lazarus crouched over Jenson’s lifeless form.

  Kai swallowed thickly, his legs finally decided to work and he too jogged to where the small group had formed. What the hell had he done? “Is he okay?” He shouted. “Is he at least alive?” He snarled, feeling panicked.

  Jenson’s nose was crooked. Both of his eyes were swollen shut. The male moaned and Lazarus sighed loudly. “Thank fuck,” his leader growled.

  “Trying to kill me?” Jenson croaked. The male tried to grin but it ended up looking like more of a grimace. “What the fuck are you on anyway?”

  Kai looked back down at his fist. He could feel he was gaping but couldn’t seem to close his mouth. The feeling of power coursed through his veins. It crackled and sizzled inside of him.

  Lazarus grinned. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Never.” The smile left almost as soon as it had arrived. “I would prefer it if you didn’t use that level of force during training. Save it for battle…although, God willing, it doesn’t come to that.”

  Kai nodded. He didn’t know what the fuck to say. They had started up by running laps, push-ups, sit-ups followed by lunges. The normal stuff. He and Jenson had messed around at first. Tapping each other rather than actually hitting. Then they had started sparring, just like everyone else. He’d hardly touched the male. It should’ve been a light punch. A nothing punch. Enough to sting, maybe. It should not have sent the male flying. He had heard the crunch as his fist struck. Bone and cartilage had crushed beneath his fist. One fucking punch and look at Jenson’s face? Broken and bleeding. The male had flown at least twenty feet, right through the air and Kai hadn’t even tried. What if he’d put a bit of muscle behind the punch? His friend probably wouldn’t be alive right now.

  He looked back down at his fist. Kai knew there was something to Ruby’s blood. It fueled and invigorated. He had known he was becoming stronger. He found it easier and easier to carry her. Although her blood still burned him. It had gone from barely tolerable yet enjoyable, to all out fucking heaven. He was becoming accustomed to the burn. More than that, he’d begun to crave it.

  Kai knew there was power in her blood, he hadn’t realized just how much power though.

  “Let’s call it a day.” Lazarus bellowed, making sure everyone could hear him. “Can you walk?” He looked down at Jenson.

  The male nodded. “My face might be fucked but my legs are working just fine.” He moved into a sitting position. Kai could see he was trying not to do anything that would cause his face anymore pain. He rolled his shoulders and arched his back. “Yup…I’m good,” he added.

  “Fine.” Lazarus nodded his head. “You can get yourself to medical then.”

  “I’ll take him.” Kai felt terrible. He had done this. This newfound strength had come so quickly. So unexpectedly. Fucking hell! Jenson looked like shit. It looked like he could only see out of one eye. And then only through a tiny slit. His skin was puffy and an angry red although it was mottled with hints of purple. The healing process had begun already.

  “I need to have a word with you.” The Elite Leader turned to look at him. He was frowning…big time. Fuck. How the hell did he explain this?

  “I’m fine.” Jenson said, giving a wave of his hand like what had just happened was nothing.

  Kai put out his hand and helped the male to his feet. Jenson clenched his teeth and sweat beaded on his forehead.

  “You’re not fine,” Lazarus growled.

  Jenson carefully touched his face. He winced as his fingers touched his nose. He cursed. “You did a really good job of it.” In one quick move, he straightened his nose on a loud roar. He looked down, putting his fingers to his temples. Blood dripped, from his newly re-broken nose, onto the ground for a few seconds. Jenson was breathing hard. Then he made a groaning noise and looked back up. His eyes were watering badly. “All done. I’ll go and shower now. In a couple of hours, I’ll be as good as new.” He choked out a laugh. “Remind me not to spar with you ever a-fucking-gain.” He chuckled as he walked away, not far behind the rest of the males.

  Kai folded his arms and turned to face Lazarus.

  “What was that? That was not fucking normal.” He shook his head. There was a ghost of a smile. Though the male mostly looked shocked.

  Kai felt just as shocked. “I’m not sure.” Dragon blood was potent.

  Lazarus looked at him pointedly. The male knew he was full of shit.

  He had to give Lazarus something. Kai was sure the male already knew. “I’m…seeing a female.” Seeing. Fucking, seeing. He wasn’t sure how to put it. What was happening between him and Ruby? It was more than just seeing. It was more than just fucking. However, he wasn’t exactly sure what it was yet, or where it was going. All he knew was that he didn’t want others in his business, certainly not where Ruby and the baby were concerned.

  Lazarus didn’t say anything.

  “She’s a dragon shifter. She’s pregnant with my child. I have been taking blood from her and, let’s just say dragon shifters are much stronger then vampires. She’s a royal of the species, her blood is potent.”

  Lazarus nodded. “I take it you didn’t know that you would change in this way. You probably looked more shocked than the rest of us combined. You’re going to have to be very careful.”

  No shit. The male was stating the obvious. As his leader, it still needed to be said, so Kai understood. He gave a nod. “I might need to train on my own for a while…maybe avoid any hand-to-hand combat.”

  “Thank fuck this wasn’t a sword fight. You may have cut poor Jenson clean in half.” He choked out a laugh.

  It wasn’t funny but Kai couldn’t help but to smile. It had been a close call…too close.

  “Go and shower like the others.” He gave Kai a tap on the back. “Good luck with the female you are…seeing.” He smirked, his brows raised. “Thank you for confiding in me. I was already aware of this. Congratulations on the pregnancy. I will need to discuss this development with Brant and Zane.”

  Kai nodded. He turned and jogged towards the gym. “The two of you look good together.” Lazarus yelled at his retreating back. Kai rolled his eyes but he also smiled. It was true, they did look good together.

  Some of the males were already toweling off, while others were dressing. There were still a couple of showers running. Jenson was underneath one of them. His head was bowed, the cascading water rushed over his shoulders and back, which was bruised.

  Fuck.

  He felt like such a dick. Kai quickly undressed and turned the faucets on in the shower next to Jenson. The room was large, with faucets all along the one side of the wall. There were no separate stalls.

  He turned the heat up, feeling some of the tension drain from him as the warmth hit his body. Steam rose up but dissipated quickly within the open, airy space.

  “How are you feeling? I’m so fucking sorry.” He glanced over at Jenson who was focused on his…Kai felt himself frown. The male might only be able to see out of one eye for the moment, but that one eye was definitely focused on his…not a fuck. “Um…Jenson.” The male didn’t react. “Are you se
riously looking at my cock?”

  That finally managed to rouse him from whatever it was that he was doing.

  “You do realize that your cock is much bigger than it used to be, don’t you?” He still stared…at Kai’s dick. As in, all out stared.

  Kai had the unnatural urge to cover himself or to turn away. He grit his teeth for a few beats instead.

  When the male looked up, he was smiling.

  “Okay.” Kai held up his hands. “I’m getting worried here. Why the fuck are you checking out my dick? Make it good cause you know what my fists can do.” He spoke under his breath.

  Jenson chuckled. Then he made a pained noise, his smile quickly turning to a wince. He groaned and then chuckled again, this time in a much more reserved fashion. “We shower together all the fucking time. I don’t look at your dick…not like that.” He lowered his voice. “It’s just”—he shrugged— “it’s very out there…a monster dick if you will.”

  “What the fuck?” Kai growled. “You didn’t just say that.”

  “You have a big dick and I noticed…so fucking sue me.” The male had the good grace to look sheepish. His gaze was on the far wall. He squirted some shower gel into his hand. “It’s much bigger than it was now though…monster dick turned Godzilla.” He chuckled at his own joke. He began to wash himself. “If extra strength and a bigger dick are a direct result of being with a dragon shifter, I want one. Are there any single shifter females in dragonville? If any of them are as hot as your female, excuse the pun, I’m game.”

  Jenson glanced at Kai. His face looked even worse, the bruising was so purple it looked almost black. His nose was so swollen he was talking funny. “So, are you going to hook me up or what?”

  Kai shook his head and laughed. “I thought you liked Jordan.” It hurt to say her name. True to her word, Jordy had been ignoring him flat out. She deleted his messages and refused to take his calls. He had stopped trying after a few days. If space was what she wanted, he would honor her wishes.