by Lola Kidd
Leigh stood on the doorstep in front of the giant home. It was smaller than the Collinses’ home, but it was still a mansion. It had a giant wooden door fit for a castle, and there was no doorbell. Instead, you had to use the giant bear-shaped doorknocker.
She put her hand on it and took a deep breath. She glanced at her first speech to read it over quickly before she had to come face-to-face with anyone else. While she was skimming it, the knocker moved in her hand. It slipped from her fingers as the door was pulled away from her.
“I can’t believe this!” Jasper threw open the door and gathered her into his arms. “I’m so happy to see you. How did you find me?”
Overwhelmed, Leigh began to cry.
“Don’t cry,” Jasper said, alarmed. “Was I not supposed to touch you? I’m sorry.”
He let go of her, which only made her cry harder. Her emotions had been all out of whack since she’d found out she was going to have a baby.
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted. So much for the speeches, or asking for forgiveness.
Jasper stared at her. “What did you just say?”
“I’m pregnant.”
He grabbed her again and held her tight. “I love you! I love you so much. I didn’t think I could get any happier than when I first saw you, but I am.”
“I can’t hear anything from in here! What did she just say?” someone called from inside the house.
Jasper let her go, and Leigh saw an older woman and a brown-haired man standing in the doorway. She nodded to them. “I said that I loved Jasper and want to be with him forever.”
The woman smiled from ear to ear and pulled Leigh into a hug. “Oh, I hope you’re his mate that he’s been pining over this whole time. I’ve been hoping you two could work your problems out..”
“I am his mate. At least, I hope I am and I very much want to work this all out,” Leigh said.
“Looks like you’re going to be planning another wedding,” the brown-haired man said, slapping Jasper on the back. “Congratulations, brother. And you must be Leigh, right?”
She nodded. “Yes. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Beckett, and this is my housekeeper, Mrs. Potter. Please come inside. We need to celebrate.”
Mrs. Potter was holding her arm. “Have you eaten, dear? Oh, heavens, you’re eating for two! I’m sure you must be starving.”
“I could eat.” Leigh had been too nervous to eat before the flight.
She had no idea who these people were, but she was happy that Jasper had been with people who cared so much about him.
“Thanks, Mrs. Potter. We’ll be there in a moment,” Jasper told them. “I’d like to talk to Leigh.”
Beckett and Mrs. Potter slowly walked away, although they kept staring at them. They were moving too slowly for Jasper, who huffed at them. “Move it, you two. We’ll be in in just a minute, I swear.”
“All right, all right,” Mrs. Potter said. “I haven’t had this much excitement in years. You really need to stay here more often, Jasper. Maybe you could even bring the—”
“I think Jasper told us to leave,” Beckett cut her off.
Leigh laughed. There was no way she wasn’t coming back here. As soon as the baby was old enough to travel, she couldn’t wait to come back.
When they were alone, Jasper slowly kissed her. “I love you, Leigh.”
“I love you too. Will you marry me?”
“Do you have a ring?” he joked, then picked her up and kissed her again. “Of course I’ll marry you. I’ve wanted you to be my wife as soon as I laid eyes on you in front of that well.”
It had taken her a long time to realize it, but she wanted that too. It wasn’t because of the mate mark or some stupid app. She loved him because he was her soulmate. He and their baby were going to be her happily-ever-after.
Twenty-four
He didn’t know how, but he had to get a ring. He had something in mind, but he would need a little help to get it to her in time. There was no way he was going to introduce her to his family without a giant ring on her finger. She was his wife-to-be. His mate. The mother of his soon-to-be child. There was no expense he would spare to let the world know exactly how much she meant to him.
“Beckett, can I have a word?” Jasper asked when they went back inside.
“Sure, man.”
“I’ll take our little lady to the kitchen.” Mrs. Potter was already leading Leigh away. “We’ll see you boys when you’re done.”
“You shouldn’t leave her alone with Potter,” Beckett warned.
“It’ll be fine,” Jasper told him. “I need to get a ring.”
“What kind?”
“Engagement.”
Beckett snorted. “No shit, bro. But what kind of ring do you want? Ruby? Diamond? Sapphire?”
“I was thinking something huge but tasteful.”
They went to Beckett’s study. Jasper pulled up a picture on his friend’s computer.
Beckett studied it. “I think I can get this. My stepmother has a jeweler on tap. You guys might to have to sit tight while we wait for it to get here.”
“Fine by me,” Jasper said.
“You just don’t want to explain to your mom that you knocked some girl up and then ran off.”
Jasper’s jaw dropped. “How did…”
“I’m a shifter. My sense of smell is as good if not better than yours. Mama Collins isn’t going to be very happy that Leigh wasn’t getting the best care from the second of conception.”
Jasper groaned. “The guilt trip is going to be awful.”
Beckett patted him on the back. “At least you got your mate. That’s all that matters. You guys can even move out to your place if you really wanted to.”
“We aren’t going to do that. My mom really would try to kill me then,” Jasper laughed.
“I’m going to miss you, man.” Beckett said. “I’m happy for you and all, but I got used to your stupid company.”
“You could always come back with us,” he suggested. “I wouldn’t mind having you around more. It isn’t like you’re doing anything out here.”
“I’m doing stuff,” Beckett protested.
“Like what? I haven’t seen you doing anything since I got here. You could visit home for a bit and then come back to stay with me and Leigh. It could be fun, man.”
Beckett shook his head. “No thanks. I’m happy here.”
“Sure.”
Jasper knew his friend wasn’t very happy being up here alone. He only wished there was some way for him to help.
“We better go save Leigh from Potter. She’s going to be picking out rooms for a nursery by now.”
The two went to the kitchen and found Leigh and Mrs. Potter deep in conversation about the odds of their baby being a shifter.
“I can’t believe little Jasper is going to be a father,” Mrs. Potter gushed. She hugged him again. “I’m sad that you’re leaving now.”
“You can come and visit us any time. I already extended an invitation to Beckett.”
“And you guys have to come to our wedding,” Leigh said. “As guests. I don’t want you trying to work or anything, Mrs. Potter.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Mrs. Potter said, delighted. “Though I’ll have to hire someone to look after Beckett.”
“I can take care of myself for a few days,” he scowled.
“Don’t try to be embarrassed now,” Mrs. Potter laughed. “There’s no shame in needing help. Plus, I’m sure you’ll be in the wedding. You’re going to need someone to look after your affairs while we’re down there.”
“No worries,” Leigh told Beckett. “We aren’t going to have the wedding for a while. You have time to find someone.”
“I’m not hiring anyone,” he growled.
Jasper put his hand on his friend’s back. “Don’t get all aggro, man. You don’t have to hire anyone. I’m sure there will be more than enough people to help you once you’re there. And you guys have to stay for a long time.”
/> “If the baby is born, you can count on it,” Mrs. Potter said. “I miss having little ones running around.”
“Maybe Beckett is next,” Leigh joked. “You know you could try that app. It got me and Jasper right. Maybe it’ll work for you.”
Jasper laughed. “Funny story. That app only got funding because Beckett’s dad wanted to find him a mate.”
Leigh looked at Beckett. “No way. Is he joking?”
“He is not,” Beckett mumbled. “I already tried and it doesn’t work.”
“You should give it more time,” Leigh insisted. She put her arm around Jasper’s waist. “It got us right. I’m a believer now.”
“Did you know Jasper is getting you a ring?”
Jasper gave him a look. “Thanks for ruining the surprise, jerk.”
“I don’t need a ring,” Leigh said. “You really don’t have to.”
“You may not need it, but I want to get it for you. I want to give you and our baby the world. This is only the first of many presents,” Jasper told her. “Although, hopefully my jerk best friend won’t ruin anymore surprises.”
“You don’t have to spoil me.” Leigh kissed him on the check. “You already have me and I have you. I don’t need anything else.”
“Oh,” Potter sniffed.
“Don’t start,” Beckett warned. “I rescind my invitation, Jasper. You two need to get out of here. Your love is infections.”
He didn’t care. This moment was perfect. He didn’t know how, but his dragon was right. Even though it had been hard, he had gotten his mate. He couldn’t wait to make it official in front of the world. He couldn’t wait to start his own wedding.
~~~~~~~~*
Thank you so much for reading The Dragon’s Fated Mate. If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review and signing up to my mailing list so you don’t miss any new Lola Kidd books. Thank you :)
Up Next:
Book two in the Shifter Brides Everafter Series. Follow the enchanting Lenny Bell as she clashes with bear shifter Beckett.
Coming Spring 2016
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A Note from Lola
Thank you so much for reading The Dragon’s Fated Mate. If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. It really helps other readers decide to take a chance when looking for new authors to try out. I would really appreciate it if you have the time!
If you’d like to keep in touch you can always join my private new release mailing list. I won’t spam you’re inbox or share your email address with anyone and you’ll get an email whenever I have a new release. You can also friend me on Facebook. –Lola
Other Books by Lola Kidd
Mail-Order Mates
Loving the Lion
Wolf Seeks Wife
The Bear’s Bride
Taming the Tiger
A Wife for the Wolves
Surrendering to the Stag
Pursuing the Panther
The Leopard in Love
Blood Royals
The Vampire’s Claim
Holiday Mail Order Mates
The Mountain Lion’s Valentine
Lucky Lion
The Bull’s Bride Hunt
Safari Island Shifters
Rhino You Love Me (Book 1)
Other books in the series:
Between Two Crocs
Elephants Never Forget
Once a Cheetah
Don’t Kiss and Gazelle
Black Oak Shifters
Taken by the Shifters
The first novel in the Black Oak Shifter series. This is a standalone novel with a HEA ending.
Curvy girl Elle Quinn gets more than she bargained for when she goes out with Luke Rivers. The gorgeous stranger is hiding a secret that will change Elle’s life forever.
Other books in the series:
Captured by the Shifters
The Shifter’s Wife
The Shifter’s Surprise
The Shifter’s Choice
Witch and Wolf Universe
The Witch and the Wolf
Werewolf shifter Cross Hemlock has to protect witch Aurora Silver when her life is in danger. In his quest to keep her safe, Cross hopes he can also convince her to entrust him with her heart.
Also included, the short story, A Very Witch Wedding.
Other books in the series:
The Vampire and the Bear
The Lost Tribe
