She laughed. “I see.”

“I get to carry you around. Most VampLycan women would slap me with their claws for that offense. You let me get away with a lot of things they wouldn’t.”

“Like what?”

“You didn’t protest when I dried you off with a towel. They’d be annoyed but the truth is, I just really enjoy doing intimate things for you. I find it sexy.”

“I think it’s sweet.”

“Then we’re both happy.”

“Yes, we are.”

“I’m so grateful that we met.”

She remembered how crazy she believed he’d been. “I wasn’t so thrilled at first. You grew on me.”

“I never thought I’d have to kidnap my own mate and force her to spend time with me.”

“Yeah, that’s not really something you plan for.”

He chuckled. “I know I didn’t see it coming. I would have bought furry handcuffs if I’d known.”

She laughed. “Only you would say that.”

He stroked her hair and his expression grew somber. “I know what my mother said about having a baby right away. Don’t listen to her. She means well but that doesn’t make her any less annoying. I don’t give a damn what they think or want. All that matters is that we’re happy.”

“You never did properly explain that whole birth control thing so who knows. I’m not exactly able to see my doctor to get more shots when I need them. I guess we should just see what happens when it does. I’m not going to worry about it either way. I was still unsure of how this mate thing worked but now I realize we’re going to be together for as long as we’re both alive.”

“Yes, we are.”

Dusti braced her hands on his chest and lifted up, straddling his lap. “Just tell me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Do you guys have hospitals? Because I so do not want your mother to be my midwife.”

“We don’t have hospitals but she isn’t the one who would be at the delivery.”

“That’s one good thing at least. Why don’t you have hospitals? The blood work stuff?”

“Yes. They’d realize something was different about us and you do carry some of your mother’s genes.”

“Right.”

“And I’m going to feed you my blood often when you do get pregnant so our children can shift.” He paused. “Is that alright with you?”

“I’ve spent a few days here and I don’t want our children to be seen as weak and too human. It sucks.”

“I’m so sorry, Dusti. I hate that you’ve felt that way.”

“It’s okay. They’ll learn to like me or we’ll go live in that cabin you told me about. It will help a lot when Bat arrives. We’ll at least have backup.”

“I completely forgot. Kraven called Red. He mentioned it during patrol and then stopped at my father’s to update us further while we were waiting for word from Aveoth. They’re fine, and he’s taking your sister to see that doctor you told me about.”

“Dr. Brent?”

“Yes. He’s going to get information from him. We’ll learn what he knew and perhaps why your mother never told you both the truth.”

“Bat’s going to Los Angeles?”

“It seems so.”

“Wow. Poor Kraven.”

“Why do you say that?”

“She’s not going to want to leave. You have no idea how many years I begged her to take an actual vacation with me. It never happened until she thought our grandfather might leave us big bucks in his will.”

“Kraven will manage her.”

“I hope he doesn’t take her to her place.”

“Why?”

“You should see her closets and the amount of shoes she owns. It’s her favorite weapon of choice when she gets mad. She’ll be able to toss hundreds of them at him.”

Drantos laughed.

“I’m serious.”

“I think he can handle her.”

“I hope so.”

“He will.” Drantos sat up. “Are you hungry?”

“I thought you promised me animal sex.”

He growled and suddenly rolled over, pinning her under him. “I always keep my word. We’ll eat later.”

Drantos stared into Dusti’s eyes, grateful that he’d found her and for the future they’d have together. Life would never be boring. She would keep him on his toes. “You ready for some growling and fangs?”

“Bring it, baby.” She stroked his skin, urging him on.

He lowered his mouth to hers—just as something banged on the window from outside.

He stiffened, twisting his head.

“Is that someone at the window?”

“I think so.”

Dusti softly cursed and grabbed the bedding to cover up. “Are you kidding me? We locked the door to keep from being interrupted.”

“Drantos…” His father pounded on the glass harder. “Drantos!”

“Goddamn it,” he muttered, untangling his body from his mate’s. He yanked on the bedding, better covering her. “What the hell?”

“We really need to go to that cabin you told me about.”

He agreed with Dusti’s frustrated assessment as he stalked to the window, spotted his father standing just outside, and opened it. “What?”

“I couldn’t get in the front. Why is your door barred?”

“I’m bonding with my mate. We didn’t want to be disturbed.” He’d never found either of his parents overly annoying before but he was learning new things every day. His smaller cabin was looking better and better to move into.

“The three clans are holding a meeting. You need to get dressed and be a part of it. We’re discussing ways to track and capture Decker. The GarLycans are attending as well.”

“Damn.”

His father nodded. “Lord Aveoth will arrive within half an hour. Hurry up.”

Drantos glanced back at Dusti. She sighed, clutching the bedding to her chest. He knew she could overhear everything. He looked back at his father.

“I’ll pass. It’s going to be a long time before you’re ready to step down and have me take over. Humans have these things called honeymoons, and my mate deserves the best. That would be me spending at least a week alone with her. You have this, Dad.”