Chapter 24 - Olivia

Watching Stryder leaping off the balcony, I worry that he might not return. He’d spoken before of how the dragon shifter race worked hard to keep their identity a secret from the mortal world. That’s why the island isn’t visible from the outside.

I know because when I returned, I checked to see if the island was on any maps. To the outside world, it’s all ocean. Aurora Island doesn’t exist in the mortal world, nor do dragon shifters.

Gnawing on the nail of my forefinger, I gaze out at the island and silently pray that Stryder isn’t in too much trouble. I also wonder what’s going on in Sedona now that Hawks and the team have successfully captured Luca and his group of filthy thugs. They’d just witnessed Stryder storm inside the toolshed in dragon form – a creature no one had been expecting to see. Even I watched him in action, swiftly taking care of the Italian mob with the prowess of his dragon.

I know the repercussions can’t be good – not when the dragon shifter race has gone to great lengths to keep their existence a secret from the mortal world. I can only hope that Stryder will be okay and he can return to me soon.

Only God knows what’s going to happen now.

While I wait on the balcony, trepidation grows with every breath I take. I pae the floor, watching the sun retreat on the horizon to give way for the full moon. I stop only to take it all in, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves and closing my eyes to let the warm night air fill my airways. When a warm gust of wind billows out in front of me, blowing my hair out behind me, I smile with recognition.

I already feel his warmth long before I see him. When I open my eyes again, I’m met with the striking green depths of Stryder’s slitted eyes. He stares at me softly, gliding over with his webbed wings raised out on either side of him. With the moon glowing in its fullness behind him, it creates a gentle glow of silvery light permeating around him. It’s the picture of perfection, as if Stryder flew out from the pages of the most extravagant fantasy tale, painted in front of my eyes so beautifully, that my breath is snatched and my heart skips a beat.

“Stryder…” I breathe, his name falling from my lips so naturally that it feels like it’s a part of my breathing.

He shifts into human form and lands on the balcony in front of me, standing a few inches away, his brows etched compassionately.

“Olivia…” he whispers gently, my name falling equally as easily from his lips. He takes my hands in his, broad shoulders straightened out as if he’s preparing what he needs to say next.

“Stryder, I–”

He shakes his head to stop me from speaking, lifting my hand to his lips to press a gentle kiss. “Let’s go inside,” he suggests, clasping my hand to lead me inside the bedroom.

I can’t help but notice how gentle he’s being, unlike any other time I’ve spent with him. Something has shifted in him, and I know it’s because of his confession earlier today.

He has no idea how much I’d been thinking about how he’d professed his love for me before flying off to take care of the mortal world’s troubles. Now that I’m back in his territory, I wonder if he meant those words, though I can see it play out in his actions as he leads me to the chaise lounger in the corner and guides me to take a seat. He doesn’t let go of my hand when he joins me on the sofa, turning to stare deeply into my eyes.

“Is everything alright, Stryder?” I ask, brows furrowing with concern.

He nods, offering me an earnest smile. “I’m not in much trouble. For now,” he adds. “Draco will take care of things and ensure I’m not punished for what I did.”

I breathe a sigh of intense relief. “Thank God.”

“No,” he shakes his head. “Thanks the gods that you’re back here, with me. I just don’t feel I’m worthy of such grace.”

“Stryder…” I begin with a sigh, but he shakes his head softly.

“I was foolish to withhold the truth from you, Olivia,” he shares, giving my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “I understand your anger, and I need to explain myself.”

I nod in encouragement for him to go on.

“For centuries, my brother and I frequented the mortal world, enjoying the freedom of having no responsibilities. As the youngest in our family, we didn’t have to concern ourselves with clan duties like our older brothers. We were reckless, unbothered,” he sighs. “And I’d grown accustomed to baseless pursuits out there. So accustomed…” his eyes flit away almost shamefully. “...I thought I’d spend the rest of eternity doing just that.”

I gulp, hard. The thought of Stryder meeting with other women is a tough pill to swallow, only because I realize how strongly I feel for him. Even now, as he holds my hands, it feels as if an electric current flows through the touch, my fingers tingling pleasantly while the sensation spreads through me and builds in my heart.

“That’s until you came along. When I first felt drawn to you, it was an intense need to keep you safe. But as time went on, I began developing feelings for you that I didn’t understand. In fact, it was feelings I was denying because I thought I’d lose the freedom I once had.”

I nod slowly. “Still, you should have told me…”

He lifts his eyes back to mine – eyes that now shelter the sheen of unshed tears. “I know,” he admits tentatively, pressing his lips into a firm line of contemplation. “I was afraid of what was growing between us, and I thought I could avoid it when you didn’t know. When my family returned to the island, I knew I’d run out of time, and I was going to tell you before dinner that night. My sister beat me to it, of course.” He takes a deep breath then, filling his chest with determination. “But losing you made me realize that I do love you. You give me a sense of freedom I could never find out there. There’s no life I’d rather live other than the one with you in it. And if you’ll have me, I’ll spend eternity making it up to you.”

My heart skips a few beats as he stares expectantly into my eyes. I finally find the words I’d been searching for amidst the starstruck haziness of my mind, and ask, “What you said about us being fated mates… Was it true?”

“The truest thing I’ve said,” he says as he pinches the flesh of his neck as if to solemnly swear. “The truest thing I’ve felt, too.”

“That explains it,” I giggle.

“Explains what?” he looks confused.

My giggling subsides as I stare deeply and firmly into his eyes this time. “If we’re fated mates, Stryder, there’s no denying it.” I take a deep breath before admitting, “I love you.”

When the words leave my lips, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It’s like I’m finally able to breathe again, the momentary silence between us feeling lighter than ever.

“You–you do?” Stryder hesitates with a frown.

I shift up closer, reaching a hand up to cup his cheek where the light stubble of his facial hairs tingle my palm. “I do,” I admit with conviction. “Despite how angry I was, I knew I loved you already, Stryder. And I knew you had a valid reason for whatever happened. I’m not angry anymore.”

“Does this mean you’ll stay?” he asks as he places a hand over mine, turning his face to kiss the inside of my palm.

“Yes,” I concede. “I want to be your mate, your lover, the bearer of your dragonspirit children.”

Stryder’s lips form a bemused grin. “You know you don’t have to have my children, Olivia. Having you here, with me, is enough for me.”

Stryder’s words are everything I ever needed to hear, and I know that I’ve made the right decision to drop my guard down for the one man fated to me by the heavens. It all makes sense now, as if my entire life had been preparing me for this moment. I didn’t ever feel attracted enough to anyone in the mortal world to give myself the way I so easily gave myself to Stryder. Besides that, there’s nothing in the mortal world to bind me to life there. Being an orphan, I don’t have to worry about family that I’d need to explain all of this to. It’s as if the pieces of the puzzle of my life have finally come together to form a picture of the future I have in Aurora Island, with Stryder.

“I–I want to,” I relent. “I want to have your dragonspirit children, Stryder. I wanna become immortal. I, too, can’t imagine a different life for myself.”

Stryder’s jaw clenches as he stares into my eyes, those emerald depths jetted as though lust is his calling. Awareness runs through me, settling in my core and parting my lips.

“Then perhaps, we shouldn’t waste any more time,” he drawls.

It’s as if desire fills the air around us, swelled pridefully from our conversation that aired everything out in the open. With no weight of untruths dangling between us, the air is featherlight and blissful. I want to lose myself in this feeling of peace that washes over me, so I close my eyes and feel my body drawing forward, leaving the reins to Stryder’s lead.

He grabs them with both hands and takes command, his lips meeting mine for the most explosive, heartfelt kiss we’ve ever shared. The passion we shared before seems to tally up to this extraordinary moment when our lips meet in perfect symphony. I understand it now – the notion of fated mates. It makes so much sense to me, even though I’ve been a human all my life. I understand the magnitude of being a fated mate to the dragon shifter now when our fervent kiss is the most unrushed.

Where we hurried to get our clothes off before, we’ve slowed down now, letting our lips speak the words in our hearts. The promise of eternity lies in every soft caress of his fingertips on my arms, every pause to take a breath, and every heartbeat that follows a unified pattern. It’s in the way he gazes into my eyes, and in the way he slides his arms under me and then lifts me off the sofa.

All I can do is gaze at him with love consuming my heart, my arms wrapped around his neck as he slowly carries me to the bed. Time itself stands still, allowing us to exchange vows with our souls, our eyes lit up to truly see each other for the first time.

I might be a human, but I am a dragon shifter’s mate. The title feels honorable, as if I’d been bestowed a royal rank, as he gently lays me on the bed. He steps back to languidly remove his clothes, watching me intently as I lick my lips in anticipation.

When he climbs onto the bed, he takes his sweet time removing my clothes until we’re both bare on the bed. He doesn’t rush to touch me between my thighs, his movements are slow and calculated as he runs his fingertips down the valley of my breasts. Every touch is as if he’s feeling me for the first time, appreciating the softness of my skin, where he’ll no doubt paint a picture of his lust, using my body as his personal canvas.

Scratch that. His love becomes his artwork as he pulls me closer and parts his lips on the top of one breast. His cheeks form a vacuum as he suckles on my skin, leaving behind a territorial mark before he lifts his head and meets my eyes.

“I love you, Olivia Jackson,” he professes, cradling my cheek.

My heart skips a beat as I slide my fingers through his hair and return his declaration of love. “I love you, Stryder Vulkan.”

It’s as if my reciprocation turns him feral, a ravenous growl reverberating from his chest. He slides over me with the full weight of his muscled body, settling between my thighs while simultaneously capturing my lips. I moan on the kiss just as he enters me, filling my neediness with the length and girth that fits perfectly between my folds.

I become pliant once again, the expertise of his touch and how he weighs me down feeling so perfect. I am truly his now, and there’s nothing more I could want. This is my true purpose in life – to be the dragon shifter’s mate. The rest will just flow, just as his gentle thrusts into my being.

Our passionate lovemaking is unrushed, each thrust attesting to the love we share. I’m left breathless by the time my climax rolls around, and Stryder continues to fuck me through my high, joining me soon after as he spills hot ropes of seed deep inside me.

He pulls out only to lie down and gathers me into his arms. I feel so satisfied and warm. I don’t fight the sleep that washes over me then.

***

“Damn…” I murmur under my breath, wiping the back of my hand across my mouth where I’d just spilled my guts out. Frowning to myself, I try tracing my steps to figure out when was the last time I ate. Since arriving on the island, I haven’t had anything to eat. Last night’s heartfelt moment with Stryder ended with me falling asleep in his arms.

It doesn’t make any sense. The other day, I’d thrown up because of how repulsed I’d been when another man kissed me. Last night, I was reunited with the man I love, so waking up early this morning to throw up doesn’t make sense.

Unless…

I gulp, hard, remembering that I don’t have my birth-control pills with me. More than that, I realize that I’m late.

“Oh, there you are,” Stryder says when he enters the bathroom. He frowns when he notices me sitting on the top of the toilet seat, bent over my knees. “Are you alright, Olivia?”

I nod slowly, my mind a million miles away as I gather my thoughts. When he comes over and crouches in front of me, another wave of nausea washes over me, and I’m jolted back to reality.

I quickly cupped a hand over my mouth before hopping off the toilet seat and throwing the lid open. Wave after wave of sickness comes out as nothing but coughs and splurges, having already emptied my tummy. Stryder calmly holds my hair out of my face, remaining supportive until the bout of sickness is over.

“When did you drink?” he muses when I’ve calmed down.

I roll my eyes at him. “Let me guess… This isn’t your first rodeo,” I chuckle. “How many times have you had to hold a woman’s hair back while she threw up?”

“Ooh!” he blows out a breath as if I’d just burned him. “Feisty. Have I done something to upset you?”

I sigh heavily, lifting myself back on the toilet seat and staring at Stryder remorsefully. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. In fact, I’d like to completely forget that you had quite a life before me.”

Stryder chuckles nervously as he folds his fingers around my hands. “I, too, would like to forget all about it. You’re all that matters to me now.” He kisses the top of my hand and then looks into my eyes. “Now, will you tell me what’s wrong?”

I shrug diffidently, my mind still hanging on his words. For some reason, they move me more than they should. I don’t even know where that bout of feistiness came from.

Unless…

“I’m late,” I say matter-of-factly. “My period is late.”

I watch as realization dawns on Stryder, his eyes turning to pools of joy. “Does that mean…?”

“Yes,” I nod, my lips lifting into a smile. “I think I’m pregnant.”

As soon as the last word leaves my lips, Stryder swiftly pulls me into his arms and spins me around in cheer. When he settles me back on my feet, he cradles my face with love sparkling in his eyes.

“I had no idea how happy this news would make me, but I am the happiest dragon shifter alive.”

“We’ll have to take tests and confirm this first, Stryder.”

He shakes his head, his lips retaining his smile. “Whether you’re pregnant or not doesn’t change how I feel, Olivia. You, my baby doll, make me the happiest already. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for us.”

“What about my mood swings?” I muse with a giggle.

Stryder chuckles, leaning in to kiss me chastely on the lips. “I’ll handle all your moods, baby doll.”

“Is that a promise?”

When he nods, my heart becomes full again. I never imagined that life could feel so complete and that I could be so happy.

“It’s a solemn oath,” he says as he pinches the skin of his neck again to show me that he’s being truthful. When I giggle, he captures my lips again, carrying me out of the bathroom to the promised land of his extraordinary passion.