Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One

T he next afternoon, Nathan sat propped up on pillows with Hayley by his side, waiting for his parents, his brother, his cousin, and Bram to arrive. He'd told Hayley they could have just Bram and Kai at the ceremony since her family couldn't be present. However, she'd told him not to be daft, and invited his family herself.

His dragon was mostly back to normal and said, Her sister will visit soon, and we'll throw a big celebration.

I know. I still don't like that her sister can't be here.

Hayley's voice prevented his beast from replying. "You look kind of grumpy for your mating ceremony."

He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of it. "Sorry, love. I still feel bad about your sister."

"You agreed to sing karaoke with me when she's here, and that will more than make up for it."

"I still can't believe I agreed to that," he muttered.

She laughed. "You did, and it's a legally binding oral contract. So, in other words, no backsies."

"Is that a legal term now?"

Hayley stuck her tongue out at him. "Maybe it should be."

As they smiled at one another, Nathan forgot about everything but how lucky he was to have this female in his life. "I love you, Hayley."

"I love you, too, Nathan."

She leaned down to kiss him right as the door opened. His family crowded into the room, making a bunch of noise, and somehow his cousin ended up with Hayley on the far side of the room.

Nathan glared and almost missed his stepmother's words as she said, "Oh, stop it. Luke is just saying hello to his new cousin."

His dragon growled. I don't like how he's leaning in. She's ours. He can get his own female.

Hayley laughed at something Luke said, and Nathan glared harder. "He knows better than to taunt me like this. Until the mating ceremony is complete, my dragon doesn't like other males hanging around with her."

Denise patted his shoulder. "His own situation is complicated, as you know. Besides, a little flirtation is harmless."

So apparently his stepmother also knew about Luke's true mate and how he couldn't have her.

However, before Nathan could ask for more details, Bram walked into the room. He raised a hand and everyone quieted.

Their clan leader said, "Let's get started. My youngest isn't feeling well, and Evie needs my help."

Hayley spoke up. "I'm so sorry, Bram. We'll try to do this quickly."

"Five or ten minutes is fine, lass. Evie only wishes she could be here as well." He gestured, and Hayley took her place next to Nathan. Then Bram opened a small wooden box, which contained two silver mating bands, and laid it on Nathan's lap.

He hated that he had to do this from a hospital bed, but all that mattered was officially making Hayley his.

They'd earlier agreed that Nathan would go first, so Hayley could hear how it went. So he cleared his throat, gripped Hayley's hand tighter, and said, "When I was first told I'd have to work with a human solicitor for some new project, I didn't want to do it. I prefer working alone, and from what little I knew about you, I thought you'd only hold me back. What I didn't foresee was finding out how clever and fun and beautiful you are, inside and out. Not to mention strong. When faced with one of your greatest fears in the bunker, you pushed on. Not only that, you still found ways to make me laugh and tease me. I'd forgotten what fun looked like, but thanks to you, I never will. I love so many things about you, Hayley Beckett, and yet it's still only the beginning of our story. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, to find out every little thing, and to raise our child with love and laughter. I stake my claim on you, love. Do you accept it?"

Hayley nodded. "I do."

Nathan plucked the smaller arm cuff from the box, the one with his name engraved in the old dragon language, and carefully slid it around Hayley's upper arm. Seeing his name against her skin made both man and beast want to stand up a little taller.

Hayley traced the engravings of the band and then met his gaze again. She said, "When I first came up with a plan to save my sister, I had no idea if Bram would even agree to my offer. But he did, and I was determined, no matter what, to repay his generosity. Not even a grumpy dragonman was going to put me off. But it wasn't long after we were trapped together in the bunker before I realized there was so much more to your grumpy exterior. You're kind and thoughtful and even a little playful. Add in how you've always treated me as an equal, and it didn't take me long to fall for you. It took me a little longer than most to find my happy ending, but you were worth the wait, Nathan Woodhouse. I love you, and I stake my claim on you. Do you accept it?"

"I do."

His female picked up the larger mating band and slid the silver cuff around his upper arm, the one with her name engraved in the old dragon language.

Once it was in place, she leaned down and kissed him. It was short and gentle and full of love.

His dragon spoke up. But we'll celebrate with her privately soon. I want her again.

Let's get out of this surgery first, dragon.

Everyone cheered until Bram said, "Welcome to Clan Stonefire, Hayley. Let's just quickly sign this paperwork and make it official."

Nathan was more than tired of paperwork, but gladly signed his name, and Hayley right after him. Bram shook each of their hands, murmured his apologies for leaving so quickly, and exited the room.

His family lingered a little longer. However, Hayley sat next to him on the bed—on his good side—and he held her close, almost as if she knew he needed to feel her in his arms.

By the time they were alone, Nathan couldn't stifle a yawn. Hayley snuggled more against him and said, "Well, Mr. Woodhouse, I think it's time for a cuddle nap. It's the best I can do until you're cleared by Dr. Sid."

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Maybe we should risk it. If you lock the door…"

She lifted her head and raised an eyebrow. "Of all the people on Stonefire, do you really want to go against Dr. Sid?"

He sighed. "Fair point."

His mate laughed. "We have the rest of our lives for sex and kisses and laughter, Nathan. Right now, I just want to cuddle with my mate and help him heal faster. And to do that, you need sleep."

He placed a hand over her lower belly. "Only if you promise to do the same."

His female put her hand over his. "Then we'd better hurry up and try to do it now. Because I'll be hungry in an hour and then will need to eat another twenty pounds of food just to feel full. At this rate, I'll be a small bus by the time I give birth."

He raised her chin and kissed her lips. "And you'll still be the most beautiful female in the world to me. I love you, Hayley. And nothing will change that."

"I love you too. Although whilst giving birth, I may temporarily forget that."

He chuckled. "Understood. Now, I'm ready to cuddle with my mate and dream of all the dirty things I want to do with you later."

And as they laid down and drifted off to sleep, Nathan held his mate close, both man and beast eager to see what the future held for their new family.