Chapter 14

14

Danon

I kept turning in my sleep, searching for the warm omega my dragon called ours. Akai wasn't there. My body made an automatic curve as if he were there. But the sheets on his side of the bed remained cold.

I jerked awake several times, thinking I heard him call for me. He might need me. His hole might be slick for me again. I had to remind myself and Dani that Akai's heat had ended.

We might have an egg!

"Yes," I said aloud. "We might."

The thought excited me, but right now my focus was on Akai. I wanted to know more about what he was feeling. He had said things were "weird." My caregiving instincts had continued to drive me all afternoon and evening. I could barely control it. The need to make sure he was safe and cared for overwhelmed all else, even my own hunger and thirst. If I was going to fix a meal, I'd fix two. From now on, that was the way it would be.

Maybe it was because he might be carrying my egg.

Or maybe it's more?

Dani wasn't wrong. Something had happened during the last three days. Our bodies had worked perfectly together, but it was more. Our minds and emotions had connected. I knew it to be true for me. But if Akai didn't feel it, what might that mean?

He wasn't a shifter. He wasn't a dragon. He was different, but he was still an omega.

Our omega.

I wanted that. I didn't want to force it, though. Akai had brought up the slave situation tonight and he was right to do so. He could not escape the label. It was only reasonable he felt awkward. Weird.

I tossed and turned, only getting a few hours of sleep. I heard a distant rooster crow. I saw the sun brighten my curtains.

We'd had breakfast for dinner, so I fixed us hot soup and buttered rolls. It was a good hearty meal to start the day.

Akai appeared looking like he hadn't gotten any more sleep than I had. His hair was tousled. His eyelids drooped. He was dressed, at least.

"That smells good." He walked up just as I ladled soup into his bowl.

He took a hot roll and stuffed half of it in his mouth.

"Try to chew before you swallow."

He hunched his shoulders, nodding, and took another big bite.

By the time we were ready to leave on the outing I'd planned, the dishes were done, the kitchen sparkly. With Akai's help, everything was easier. Sage wasn't coming back to do the major house cleaning until Monday. Two days. But the little stuff was easy to keep up with when two of us worked together.

"Bring a jacket. I bought you one, didn't I?"

"Yes," he answered. "It's in my closet." He ran to his room, showing the first sign of excitement beyond the mating.

When we got in the car, Akai looked at me. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

The drive was smooth, the day clear. I took the windy, lake road where the scenery was most beautiful. We saw glimpses of the lake, still as a mirror and bright blue. The mountains on the other side of the lake towered, scarves of fog drifting over them.

We passed ski lodges and multi-million-dollar cabins with three stories and huge windows. The air grew chilly. I turned on the heater.

"We have mountains where I grew up, but not like that," Akai commented. "And that lake is so big it's like a small sea."

"I love this country. I grew up here and I wouldn't want to move away."

Akai squinted toward the mountains. "I think I see something flying. A speck, but with wings. Is it dragon?"

"Possibly. Dragons love water and the lake draws them. Do you see more than one?"

Akai concentrated. "No. Not so far."

"We may see more as we go."

Soon, we were driving up into the hills. We passed more luxurious cabins. The road became narrower. Trees created a canopy over it, blocking out the sun.

"Where are we going?" Akai asked again.

"It's a beautiful place I think you'll like."

Finally, we came to a summit. The road curved and became a turnaround parking lot and lookout.

I opened my door and cold air rushed in.

"Grab your jacket," I said.

Akai and I got out and zipped up against the cold. There was a walkway and a short, knee-high wall. We walked up to the wall and the wind came right up from the deep ravine with a cold bite, nearly knocking us over. Akai's hair blew back. My own wisped around my face.

The wind, the cold—it didn't matter. The view was worth more than gold.

Akai grinned. "Awesome!"

Before us, the steep ravine spread into a huge valley. Beyond that were flatlands where several cities rose from the earth. I saw the blinking light of the airport and pointed.

"That's where you flew in. Right where that light is flashing."

"Really?"

Akai leaned with his knees against the wall. I wasn't alarmed. There was a dirt berm about six feet beyond the wall. He couldn't fall.

The wind blew over us until our cheeks were red.

I pointed out the cities. "Red Valley. Dusty Spring. Temple Town."

"Wow, you can see so far."

"Look that way," I pointed west. "Good thing it's a clear day. You can see the ocean. It's that blue glint."

"I can see it."

"I find it breathtaking. I come up here alone sometimes, just when I want to remember the majesty of this life."

Akai's eyes took on a strange sheen. "It is breathtaking."

"Look. There's a paved path that goes around this area so you can see all sides."

"Let's go." Akai moved forward ahead of me.

It was quite cold, but we took our time. The path was short. No more than a ten-minute hike with little hills and park signs that told facts about the view.

Akai rushed around, examining big rocks, bushes, and all the signs. His breath came out in puffs of white. I should have insisted on bringing hats and scarves.

When we returned to the car, we both got in quickly. I turned on the engine and ramped up the heat. I got out a thermos with two cups and poured us each a cup of hot coffee.

"I didn't see you stash the thermos. This is perfect."

"A cold day. A hot drink. Nothing better," I said.

We sat and drank our coffee, getting warmer. I wanted this moment with Akai. If we were the true mates Dani said we were, this would be one of many bonding moments. I hoped.

Akai smiled wide as he drained his cup. I poured him more.

"It's sweetened just how I like it," he said. "I never even told you."

"No." I shook my head. "It's sweetened just how I like it."

Akai sipped silently for another minute. Then he leaned back, his jacket rustling. "Thank you, Danon. For bringing me here. This means a lot."

"I hoped you'd like it."

"I love it. I want to come here again someday."

"We can. We will."

"Is it always this cold?"

"This time of year, yes. But not always."

"Have you ever come at night?" Akai asked.

I nodded. "I have. You can see the arms of our galaxy among millions of stars if the night is clear. You'll feel like you're swimming in them."

"I'd like that."

"Are you hungry for lunch yet?"

"Sure."

"We'll go back down to that little town we passed. I have a favorite diner there."

It was warmer off the mountain. At the diner, we got a table right away. The lake shimmered through the window of the booth.

"Why did you bring me out today? Show me all this?" Akai asked.

"We both needed a break."

"Is It because I might be carrying your egg?"

"No. We don't even know if you are yet."

"When will that be?"

He had so many questions now that he wasn't as shy around me.

"We can test you in about a week."

He looked down at the menu, pretending to be engrossed. Suddenly, a drop of water fell onto his menu with a plop. I glanced up, then realized it was a tear. Akai was crying?

"Akai. Hey. Do you want to leave?" I handed him my napkin.

He shook his head.

I didn't believe him. I waved down the waiter and ordered our food to go.

Akai wiped his face but kept his head down.

Just then, two alphas walked up to the table.

"Danon?"

I recognized them from about five years ago when I used to play hard on the weekends. "Savoy? Charl?"

"We thought it was you. Been a long time since we've seen you about," Savoy said.

"And look. The man has shaved. It's a wonder," Charl exclaimed.

Akai glanced up, eyes still red.

Savoy and Charl glanced at Akai, then back at me. "Oh, now I see how it is." Savoy grinned. "You got yourself an omega. He's a good looker. You're a lucky guy."

I gulped. I didn't want them to know Akai was sold to me. They'd tease even harder.

"You sure he's still not a youngling?" Charl asked.

Savoy sniffed the air. "Not a dragon, for sure."

The muscles around Akai's eyes hardened.

"Where did you find such a delectable treat?" Savoy asked.

"And why didn't you tell us?"

"I haven't seen either of you in years," I replied, keeping the corner of my vision on Akai. "Why would I tell you anything?"

"Is he yours? He must be quite flexible, being so young. Have you rutted him yet?"

Akai stood, his chair almost tipping over.

Savoy laughed. "A spirited omega. That's wonderful."

Akai's cheeks hollowed. His mouth twisted. He moved toward Savoy and stomped down hard on his foot. Then he turned and ran out of the diner to the parking lot.

Savoy was so stunned, his mouth stayed open to the count of ten. "Your omega assaulted me!" Fury reddened his face.

I fumed inside but kept my cool. "I apologize. He's upset over something."

"I should think you would apologize. And punish him severely. That sort of behavior borders on feral."

"Is he feral?" Charl asked.

"You insulted him." My hands clenched into fists.

"Well, that was uncalled for," Savoy said. "My foot still hurts."

"Maybe he didn't like you sexually objectifying him?" I looked straight at Savoy, daring him to look away first.

"I didn't. I was just curious."

"Rude, too," I said.

"What happened to you, Danon? You can't take a joke? I was just having a little fun."

I stood, pushing my chair aside hard. "I've got to grab my food and get going."

"Nice the see you," Charl said.

I turned away, refusing to respond. Those two had me wanting to pummel them into the ground.

"I hope you punish the snot out of him," Savoy called. "I could press charges, you know."

I pretended not to hear him, walked to the front of the diner and paid, adding a large chocolate milkshake to the bill.

I took the bags and went to the car where Akai leaned against the passenger door, arms crossed, head down. I walked right up to him, put my hand on his shoulder and handed him the shake.

"Here. This is guaranteed to make you feel better."

He took the shake, staring at it. I unlocked the car and opened the door for him, then went to the other side. When I got in, he was balancing the shake between his knees while he fastened his seatbelt.

I sat back in the seat, staring forward. Akai was quiet and still.

"Okay?" I tried our routine.

Silence. Finally, Akai shook his head.

"I'm sorry for the behavior of my old acquaintances. I never considered them friends. If it helps, they were always obnoxious."

"I'm sorry I lost control."

I couldn't hold it back any longer. I let out a huge belly laugh.

Akai turned, confusion wrinkling his brow. "Why are you laughing?"

"Because Savoy's a dick and he deserved that. I've always wanted to stomp on his foot. Thank you for finally giving me my wish even though I wasn't the one who got to do it."

"You're just saying that."

I crossed my heart. "It's one hundred percent the truth."

"I'm sorry I ruined our day."

"You didn't." I laughed again. "Didn't you hear me? You made my day!"

Akai turned back to stare at his shake. "You're just nice. I thought you were mean when you bought me, but you're nice."

"I'll take the compliment. Now, are you ready to go home? I got all the food to go."

Slowly, Akai nodded.

As I drove, I let him sit with his thoughts to himself for about fifteen minutes before I broke the quiet.

"You were troubled before the guys walked up. Do you want to talk about it?"

Akai shrugged.

"It was when you brought up the possibility of an egg."

"I just got emotional. I don't know why."

"It's a very big deal," I said. "A child. That's major. We haven't really discussed it."

"We never had time." Akai's voice was rough.

"Would you like to talk about it now?"

Akai shook his head. "Not now, please." He took a deep breath.

"All right."

I watched him play with the straw to his shake. Finally, he took a big sip. His cheeks plumped. His eyes brightened.

One thing I knew. Chocolate shakes were great medicine. I was glad I bought it for him.

"Good?"

Akai nodded vigorously, then gulped more down.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."