EmmaI follow Reed’s scent to a closed door and knock on it with a pounding heart. But the spectacular view that greets me does nothing to calm me down. I’ve seen Reed naked before, but that’s when I was in heat, and the only thing on my mind was sex. Back then, I didn’t take my time to appreciate him. Now? Now I’m faced with a tired Reed standing in front of me dressed in only his Calvin Klein boxers, every muscle on full display as he runs a hand through his wet hair. “Emma,” he breathes out in surprise, his forehead creased in worry as he takes in my frantic state. He steps back, giving me space to enter the room. “What’s wrong?”I step into the room hesitantly, my eyes skimming around the elegant setting before returning to him.“Reed…” I start off weakly. “We… We have a problem.”I hold up the note, and Reed snatches it from my hands to scan the words with his drowsy blue eyes. After he is done reading it, he no longer looks tired. He looks pissed off. “You’re not going back t
EmmaI’m determined not to let Reed touch me when I climb up on his bed. I quickly hide behind the blanket and pillow fort I’ve built to separate our sides of the bed. He rolls his eyes at that but doesn’t comment on it. It throws me off. I had expected him to say something. Instead, he lies down without a word, and I do the same, my back facing him as I stare at the wall. The silence is deafening, but honestly, I don’t mind it. I’m tired, and since I’m used to a trailer couch, I fall asleep immediately. At first, my dream is pleasant, but then it changes into a terrible nightmare. My baby bump is growing huge out of nowhere. I’m standing in front of a mirror in my dream, screaming when the creature inside of me moves. I never asked Reed what kind of hybrid he is. In the dream, however, our baby is a monster.“It hurts,” I complain in my dream. “It hurts so badly!”My hand instinctively shoots towards my abdomen, trying to soothe the violent movement within me. But it doesn’t wor
EmmaMuch to Reed’s satisfaction, I wind up sleeping with my head placed over his heart. My pregnant belly isn’t big yet, so I can still sleep in any position. Tonight, I unconsciously choose “the noodle” position while cuddling with my mate. I sleep like a rock. The only problem is that it’s embarrassing when I wake up and find myself using Reed’s pectoral muscles as my own personal stress balls. I immediately stop squeezing them and lift my eyes to his amused blue. “Go on,” he teases. “I really don’t mind.”I blush furiously and smack his shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible,” I grumble, trying to sit up, but my back gives a telltale ache that makes me groan.“Easy there, sweetheart,” Reed says, worry lines etching themselves on his forehead. “You’re pregnant and shouldn’t be moving around like a ninja.”He assists me gently into a sitting position, one arm securely around my waist and the other hand running soothing circles on my back. It feels nice. I can’t help the sigh of r
EmmaAfter eating the most luxurious breakfast I’ve ever had, Reed and I drive out of the city.His contact, who sells familiars, lives in the forest. According to Reed, she is an old witch with the ability to open portals between worlds. That’s how she finds creatures that normally don’t exist in our world.“Are you nervous?” Reed asks me as he makes a right turn. The road is surrounded by trees.“A little…” I admit, and when he glances at me, I realize he expects a longer answer. A sigh leaves my lips. “Will the familiar even be happy to serve? I don’t want to buy a familiar and wind up having a familiar that sees itself as a slave.”“Angora only sells creatures that exist to serve,” Reed assures me with his eyes on the road. “She finds those who have been thrown away by the family they used to serve, but sometimes, in rare cases, she takes in baby creatures that will make excellent pets.”“Pets?”“Magical cats or pigs,” he shoots me a smile. “But you want a mighty creature that can
EmmaOnce we are back at Reed's mansion, Leon's whole face lights up in excitement. "This place is amazing!" he exclaims when he sees the interior and the many paintings of the Alphas and Lunas who led the Grim pack before Reed. "I'm glad you like it," I smile up at my angel companion. "I actually haven't lived here for very long, so I'm quite shocked every time I look around this place. It's so fancy."Leon's golden eyes meet mine. "Where did you live before moving here?""Oh," an embarrassed blush spreads over my face. I know Leon isn't asking to pry, but the truth stings. “I…umm…I lived in a trailer park with my family.""What's a trailer?" Leon asks before Reed steps in and pulls me into his embrace. "It's a sort of mobile home," Reed replies, his eyes kept on Leon but his hands all over me. It's as if Leon's presence is making him feel territorial. His fingers trace a comforting path along my back as he speaks. "Emma lived there because her family didn't have much money.""Ahh
EmmaAs the light fades, I squint in Reed’s direction and step back when I hear loud screeching. It doesn’t come from one creature, but three large dragon heads that are glaring at each other as if not getting along. “Holy shit…” I back into Leon’s chest with my neck craned to stare up at Reed. His human form is gone, replaced by a towering, draconic beast that’s almost bigger than the entire mansion. My inner wolf whines at my mate’s size, and my eyes widen as I take him in as a whole. His skin is covered in shimmering bronze scales that glint with every color imaginable as they catch the sun. Majestic and grand wings from his back are casting a shadow that darkens the entire garden. He has three heads, each unique and terrifying in its own right.“I’ve heard two new heads grow out of a hydra if you destroy one of them,” Leon whispers. “Hydra dragons are truly fascinating.”I gulp. “Y-yeah, and scary.”Reed’s heads are snapping at each other, causing me to shrink further into Leo
EmmaReed looks at me like I’ve suggested he open his jaws and rain fire over me. He doesn’t seem comfortable with the idea of letting me, his pregnant mate, climb up on his back at all. It’s actually rather endearing how caring he is in his dragon form. I wonder if dragons are naturally more prone to protectiveness?“One tiny little ride. I won’t hold on too tight and scratch your scales, I promise,” I implore, gazing up at Reed with eyes that I hope reflect my sincerity, although they may also reflect a hint of mischief.In response, Reed sighs—a great rush of air that sends my dark hair billowing around my face.It doesn’t look like he is going to let me ride on him, but then I pout like a puppy, and he rolls his eyes. His three heads have a silent conversation with each other, their gaze flickering between themselves and me.After what feels like an eternity, Reed crouches down to allow me easier access to his back.I watch him, slightly awestruck at his understanding. “Really?” I
Emma“Are you coming or what?” Reed asks, causing me to glare daggers at him. There’s a teasing note in his voice, and when I see his smirk, I know the bastard is up to no good. Those blue eyes of his might look innocent, but I know better than to underestimate my perverted mate. Reed knows I won’t be able to resist him if I sit down in his stupid lap. If we are that close and intimate, it will be impossible not to breathe him in, and after I’ve done that, well…consider me a goner because my pregnancy hormones are messing with my head. I’m already aroused, and I haven’t even touched him yet!“Reed,” I sigh, still shivering slightly from the chill. “I swear if you start getting ideas...”He holds up his hands in a mock surrender, an innocent smile dancing across his face. “Who, me? I’m only offering to keep you warm, Emma.”It’s tempting - too tempting. I hesitate for a second before scooting over and gingerly settling on his lap. His warm, muscular arms fold around me in a strong em