A dragon shifter novel Chapter 60

She Likes the View

Evander

I sit on the edge of the bed with Allison curled up in a little ball, one arm tucked under her cheek. Her breath is slow and even. The rise and fall of her

chest is enough to keep me anchored. Tessa said they are going shopping. Shopping didn’t prepare me for this. If I knew, I would have gone with them. I

should have. I shouldn’t have trusted that she’d be safe. I hate the way my chest tightens thinking about the things that could have happened. Kael was

there, though. Thank the gods, Kael was there. My gratitude is conflicting because it tangles with something else. He barged in like a storm with my mate

and laid down a warning that left me angry and thankful all at once. owe him my life a dozen times over. Yet the thought of him standing between me and

what might be ours, him touching what my dragon and I have only just found, makes a slow, ugly jealousy crawl up my spine.

A loud, incessant banging snaps me out of the spiralling thoughts. My head lifts as the sound repeats, harder and more annoying. I rise, boots whisper–soft on the floorboards, and open the door a crack. Cage stands at the base of the stairwell, looking like he spent the night arguing with fate and losing. His hair is rumpled, dark circles dig deep beneath his eyes, and there’s that familiar insolent curl to his mouth. He slams his fist against the wood again, a harsh, impatient rhythm. “Dude, can you not?” I call down. He looks up at me, his scowl immediate. “Where’s Rivers?” he snaps. I shrug, careful, not wanting to give him anything. “Don’t know. Probably out enjoying her weekend somewhere.” He mutters under his breath, something about being kicked out because she can’t stop being an idiot, and my hands want to move before my head can stop them. I taste blood in my mouth at the thought of someone speaking

about her like she is less than human. I want to march down the hallway and rearrange his face. But my mate is sleeping in my bed, and she needs that

more than a scuffle right now. I keep my fists at my sides and close the door with quiet restraint.

Back in the room, the dragon under my ribs settles with a low contented rumble that makes the hairs on my forearm lift. I cross the floor and sit back down, closer this time, and watch her breathe. Her lashes rest against her cheeks, and when she shifts in her sleep, the faint scar lines on her back that peek out flex and soften. I let my forehead rest against my knuckles and smile, ridiculous and half–ashamed. I like her in my space. I like the way she fills the bed with a presence that is both quiet and enormous. I like the soft exhale she makes whenever the dragon under my skin tickles her with warmth. I like that

she lets me hold her and lets me call her mine.

I wait until the hall clears of voices and footsteps, and everyone is either passed out or enjoying their weekends, before I move. She hasn’t so much as stirred since Kael dropped her off, still fast asleep in my bed, her face soft and peaceful in a way I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. Carefully, I slide an arm

beneath her knees and another under her shoulders, lifting her with ease. She makes a soft sound in her sleep, a faint sigh against my chest, but doesn’t wake. The warmth of her skin seeps through my shirt, and my dragon rumbles with satisfaction at the contact. Her room is quiet when we enter. I lay her down gently on her bed and brush a strand of hair from her face. She’ll want a shower when she wakes, probably food too. Luckily, she has both here, and I don’t plan on leaving her side until I’m sure she’s okay. The scent of her fills the space, and I love it.

I can’t help myself. I need to clean up, to burn off the leftover tension running through me. I take advantage of the rare privilege of her private shower. Ope that doesn’t reek like the locker room stalls, and let the hot water pound against my back. For a while, I just stand there, allowing the heat to calm the restless parts of me. My dragon likes it here, in her space. It feels safe, familiar, right. I shouldn’t linger too long, but I do. When I finally step out, steam trails me. I wrap a towel around my hips and run a hand through my damp hair, already feeling more like myself. That is, until I step into the room and freeze. Allison is awake. Sitting upright, tangled in her sheets, blinking blearily around the room until her gaze finds me. Her eyes widen, darting down the length of me before snapping back up to my face. Her lips part, and a blush creeps up her throat fast. I can’t help the slow, crooked smile that tugs at my mouth. “Good evening, pet,” I say, voice low. “I hear you have a very interesting morning.” She blinks, still half dazed. “Evander…?”

“Mm.” I lean against the doorframe, arms crossing leisurely over my chest. “Kael found you at the Serpent’s Veil.” Her face twists into something between confusion and horror. “Oh gods…” she mutters. “Yeah, I drawl, amused. “You were apparently about to be a vampire’s next snack.” I tilt my head, watching her expression shift from embarrassment to realisation. “Next time you want to get yourself killed, maybe tell me first. I’ll bring the fire.” Her eyes finally

meet mine again, mortified and exasperated, but alive. That spark I love is back.

She crosses her arms tightly, tugging the sheets higher over her chest. “You could at least put a shirt on before lecturing me.” ! chuckle, the sound low in my chest as I push off the wall and take a step closer. “Why?” I tease, voice softening. “You look like you don’t mind the view.” Her jaw drops, and she throws a pillow at my head. I catch it one–handed, laughing as I toss it back onto the bed. “Fine,” I say, grinning. “But only because I’m trying to be a gentleman.” She rolls her eyes, muttering something under her breath, but I see the corner of her mouth twitch, and it makes something inside me settle.

She is safe. She is here. And gods help me, I never want to leave this room again.

1/2

1:34 pm

PP

She Likes the View

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