by Milly Taiden
“You’re not going to believe this. We knew each other in my past life.”
He frowned and looked through her memories. Their mate link flooded each of their minds with the other’s past. Then he saw it. Laila.
“You were her?” he asked, holding her hand to his face, shock clogging his throat.
She nodded and tried to sit up but he pushed her back. “I kept having these really weird dreams I didn’t understand. You and me in strange clothing. And I was me but different. Now I get it. I wasn’t dreaming and it wasn’t a vision. I was seeing the past.”
“You were Laila?” he asked again. There were no physical similarities, but he saw the same kindness in Lexi that attracted him to Laila.
Lexi blinked and attempted to sit up again. This time Morgan helped her so he decided not to push her to lay down a second time. Her eyes widened and she stared at Morgan. “Oh my god.”
Morgan giggled and nodded. “I think she’s realized what’s going on.”
Lexi looked at Clacher, surprise and excitement in her eyes. “Is that? Is that our baby I feel?”
“Yes.” He came closer to her, pulled her into his arms and hugged her. How could he ever explain how much this meant to him? That she was his mate and that they were creating a family. That his child grew in her womb. There were no words.
Morgan got up. “I’ll see you two later.”
She closed the door softly behind her and he pulled Lexi back so he could look her in the eyes. “I love you. I can’t explain to you how much. Just know that I do.”
She gulped. “I love you, too.”
“You’ve given my life purpose,” he told her. His throat felt raw from how much he wanted to say but couldn’t. “For most of my life, I’ve lived with an emptiness that wouldn’t go away. No matter what I did, it was there.”
“Oh, Clacher—”
“Shhh, baby, listen to me. You’ve filled that emptiness with love.” He placed a hand on her abdomen. “You’ve made my life full and happy. I have never felt so in love. You rule my heart.”
She curled her arms around his neck and kissed his thudding heartbeat. “I love you so much.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy, sweetheart.”
She pulled back and brushed her lips with his. “You don’t have to do anything but be here with me.”
Lexi went back to her parents’ home and watched in amazement as her parents greeted her and Clacher like she hadn’t seen them since their last visit. They had absolutely no memory of their drugging of Clacher or her and taking her to Tremi.
“Mom, Dad, this is Clacher Drachen, he’s my…” she glanced up at her big dragon and smiled. “He’s my mate.”
Her mom frowned. “Mate? As in friend?”
Lexi giggled. “No, Mom. I know you guys have met all types of paranormals through your travels, so you’ll understand what I’m about to say. And I know you’ll keep it between us. Clacher is a dragon-shifter. We’re getting married.”
Her mom squealed and soon everyone was busy celebrating the upcoming nuptials.
“There’s one more thing,” Lexi laughed when her father readied to pop a bottle of expensive champagne they’d been holding on to for a while. “I’m pregnant.”
Another round of squeals and hearty congratulations and this time her parents were acting like their old selves. She snuggled into Clacher’s side as they spoke and loved that he constantly placed his hand on her waist, holding her close.
Lexi loved how her father immediately gave Clacher a hug and asked him to sit. Her mother gave him a kiss on the cheek and told Lexi how handsome he was. Her parents didn’t care about all the tattoos or piercings he had or the fact he wore black and wore a serious expression all the time. All they cared about was that Lexi was happy with him.
“How long have you two been together?” her dad asked.
Lexi and Clacher looked at each other and she grinned. “Several days.”
Her mom blinked, eyes wide with confusion. “What?”
“Shifters are not like humans, Mom. They can tell they’re pregnant and know who their mate is really fast.”
Her father glanced at Clacher. “All I need is to know you don’t plan on breaking my little girl’s heart.”
Clacher hugged her closer and shook his head. “That’s the last thing I would ever do. She’s my reason for living.”
Her mom’s face lit up with a smile. “I can see this is true love.” She turned to her father. “Richard, this is exactly like it was for us.”
Her dad grabbed her mom by the waist and pulled her to his side. “You’re right, sweetheart. I’m glad our Lexi finally found someone who won’t break her heart.”
Her mom nodded. “We need to celebrate. I’m going to have Erika make us something amazing.”
Her dad cleared his throat. “Erika’s our housekeeper. She’s an amazing cook.”
Lexi pulled Clacher to sit with her on the sofa.
“I’ll be right back,” her dad said. “Just going to make sure she’s not having Erika make a meal for twenty.”
Clacher picked Lexi up and sat her sideways on his lap. She glanced at his face. “Should we tell them what happened earlier?”
He shook his head. “I don’t see the benefit. Besides, you can tell they are genuinely happy for us. Sayeh wouldn’t bother with them again. He’ll try his hand at getting to the next mate before they have a chance at mating. We already took that out of his hands when it comes to us.”
He was right. Besides, she hated ending her parents’ happiness by telling them something neither of them would remember at this point. She’d just keep an eye on them for a while to make sure no other weird things happened.
“I have an idea,” he said, pushing her curls away from her face.
“What?”
“Once the baby’s born, let’s go somewhere.”
She perked up. “Where do you want to go?”
“Somewhere special. I want to take you to a place I’ve never taken anyone.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“You’ve saved me from a lifetime of loneliness.”
She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. It was surreal to think that it had been a matter of days since she met him and this all happened, but it felt like a lifetime. The joy in her heart was rooted so deeply, it was as if it had always been there, just dormant, waiting for Clacher.
Epilogue
Lexi glanced out the window at the thick falling snow. “You know, this is a beautiful view. It’s such a shame Callie can’t got out and play in the snow yet.”
“She’s a newborn,” Clacher said, placing their daughter in her bassinet. “She’ll learn to love it in a few years.”
Callie’s room was next to theirs. The view out of every giant window was amazing.
She loved this cabin. It was huge to be called a cabin, but it was amazing. This was the first time she’d been back in Switzerland since she’d left after she graduated from boarding school.
“You’re right,” she said and turned back to the falling snow. “So peaceful.”
He hugged her from behind and cuddled her close. The cabin was nice and warm even though it was super cold outside. She picked up her mug of hot cocoa and sipped.
“Ready to see something?”
She put the mug down and turned in his arms, gliding her fingers through his hair. “Is it a real something or are you just trying to get me naked?”
He laughed and guided her out of the room. “I do love you naked, but this is a real something.”
He took her down a hallway, opened the doors to the library, and pulled on a book. The entire case moved to the side, revealing a secret passage.
Her eyes widened. “Oh my god! This is like Indiana Jones.”
“That’s funny. But there are no weird cults where I’m taking you.”
She frowned at the low light. “I’m not sure abo
ut this. I don’t like small, dim areas.”
He chuckled harder. “It’s just to the end of the passage. The light gets better.”
They got to the end of the hallway and an elevator door opened. There were more lights. She didn’t hesitate to get in. There was only one way it could go. Down. The cabin was big, but she already knew the second level was bedrooms, so nothing he could show her up there. He pressed a button and the elevator went down quietly and quickly. Thank goodness. The last thing she wanted to think about was this thing getting stuck or making any weird rackety noises. She knew very well they were on a mountain.
“Clacher, where are you taking me?”
He pulled her into his arms and shoved his hands under her sweater, shoving her pants out of the way so he could run his fingers over her mate mark. He knew the moment he touched it, her pussy soaked and her body was instantly ready for him. She forgot all about the elevator and moaned.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’re going to beg me to carry you to bed,” he groaned by her ear.
“I can beg now if you want.”
He laughed. “Come on. Something else I want to show you first.”
She groaned and pouted, lagging behind him as they left the elevator. “This isn’t fair. Now I’m all needy and you’re fine.”
He met her gaze, showing her the hunger in his eyes. “Trust me, babe. I’m not fine.”
There was a big metal door with a weird ID recognition. He pressed his thumb on it and the door opened.
“Nice,” she grinned. “So all someone needs is your finger to get down here. And look at nothing but rock. Very cool.”
He shook his head. “That tongue is going to get you in trouble.”
She struck her tongue out. “It already has.” They walked inside and lights automatically turned on. She gasped. It was a vault. “This is your lair? Where you hoard your treasures?!”
“Yes. What do you think?”
She gave a hysterical giggle. “What do I think? I think you’re insane. Shouldn’t this stuff be in a museum?” She passed glass displays of jewels, antique weapons, and coins. “It’s so beautiful.”
She stopped by a collection of Fabergé eggs and stared. “Oh my god. These have to be priceless.”
“They’re very old. I noticed you had several in your guest room. I thought you might like to see some created by the original Fabergé.”
She gasped and stared at the antiques. “They’re beautiful.”
The case where the eggs were held had a much smaller egg on display with the name Laila on it. She turned to Clacher. “What is that?”
He pulled the egg out of the case and handed it to her. “You used to love the eggs when I proposed. I hid your engagement ring in one of these.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I remember.”
She put the egg back. That was another life. Another time. A life they never got to share.
Taking slow strides, she continued glancing from case to case. She came up on a painting similar to the one at his shop.
“The dragon!” She gasped and stared at the massive painting. “It’s beautiful.”
He laughed. “This one was done by the master himself.”
“Da Vinci.” She nodded. “This was when you took lessons from him, huh?”
“Yes.” He guided her further down, until they reached a case of rings.
“Holy crap, look at all these!” She lost her breath at the multiple colors of stones and golds. A particular green one caught her eye. She leaned down to look at it and reeled back in confusion. “Why does that ring look different than the rest?”
He chuckled and grabbed a deep emerald halo ring in white gold surrounded by white diamonds from the case. He turned to face her. “This ring was one given to me as payment for taking a bride through a war-torn country to meet with her husband. She was very wealthy but she chose not to pay me with coins.”
He lifted the ring closer. “She said the emerald was the stone of truth and one day I would find a woman who would always be truthful to me.” He met her gaze. “Emeralds are stones of the earth. They’re meant to celebrate fertility and attract love and harmony.”
She gulped and nodded. “That sounds amazing.”
“It wasn’t originally in white gold, it was in silver, but I had it reset and cleaned for you.”
He got down on one knee and held her hand. “I love you more than anything in this world, Lexi. I’d give my life for yours in a second. I couldn’t think of a better way to promise you love, harmony, and honesty for the rest of our lives than with this ring. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she mumbled, her eyes filling with tears. “You know I will.”
He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her softly. They hugged for a long time before she finally pulled away from him. “The fertility part, what are you hoping for?”
He shrugged, a wicked grin on his face. “A lot of children.”
She hugged him hard. “Me, too.”
Something told her they were both going to get their wish.
THE END
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Hi! I’m Milly Taiden. I love to write sexy stories featuring fun, sassy heroines with curves and growly alpha males with fur. My books are a great way to satisfy your craving for paranormal romance with action, humor, suspense and happily ever afters.
I live in Florida with my hubby, our boys, and our fur children “Needy Speedy” and “Stormy.” Yes, I am aware I’m bossy, and I am seriously addicted to iced caramel lattes.
I love to meet new readers, so come sign up for my newsletter and check out my Facebook page. We always have lots of fun stuff going on there.
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If you liked this story, you might also enjoy the following by Milly Taiden:
Sassy Mates / Sassy Ever After Series
Scent of a Mate Book One
A Mate’s Bite Book Two
Unexpectedly Mated Book Three
A Sassy Wedding Short 3.7
The Mate Challenge Book Four
Sassy in Diapers Short 4.3
Fighting for Her Mate Book Five
A Fang in the Sass Book 6
Also check out the Sassy Ever After Kindle World on Amazon
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Shifters Undercover
Bearly in Control Book One
Drachen Mates
Bound in Flames Book One
Bound in Darkness Book Two
Federal Paranormal Unit
Wolf Protector Federal Paranormal Unit Book One
Dangerous Protector Federal Paranormal Unit Book Two
Unwanted Protector Federal Paranormal Unit Book Three
Black Meadow Pack
Sharp Change Black Meadows Pack Book One
Caged Heat Black Meadows Pack Book Two
Paranormal Dating Agency
Twice the Growl Book One
Geek Bearing Gifts Book Two
The Purrfect Match Book Three
Curves ‘Em Right Book Four
Tall, Dark and Panther Book Five
The Alion King Book Six
There’s Snow Escape Book Seven
Scaling Her Dragon Book Eight
In the Roar Book Nine
Scrooge Me Hard Short One
Bearfoot and Pregnant Book Ten
All Kitten Aside Book Eleven
Oh My Roar Book Twelve
Raging Falls
Miss Taken Book One
Miss Matched Book Two
Miss Behaved Book Three (Coming Soon)
FUR-ocious Lus
t - Bears
Fur-Bidden Book One
Fur-Gotten Book Two
Fur-Given Book Three
FUR-ocious Lust - Tigers
Stripe-Tease Book Four
Stripe-Search Book Five
Stripe-Club Book Six
Other Works
Wolf Fever
Fate’s Wish
Wynter’s Captive
Sinfully Naughty Vol. 1
Don’t Drink and Hex
Hex Gone Wild
Hex and Kisses
Alpha Owned
Bitten by Night
Seduced by Days
Mated by Night
Taken by Night
Match Made in Hell
Alpha Geek
Contemporary Works
Lucky Chase
Their Second Chance
Club Duo Boxed Set
A Hero’s Pride
A Hero Scarred
Wounded Soldiers Set
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