Chapter 18 Leonard Sullivan #2
“My granddad believed in dragons. He told me stories about them when I was little. I thought they were real until I was about nine. So when I found Pascal in the forest, it was like my granddad was pulling a practical joke on me from heaven.”
“Then I guess you were better prepared than I was.”
“Maybe. When we flew together, it was like a whole new world opened for me. I loved that.”
Leonard’s eyes got bigger. “He already took you flying?”
“Not exactly. My car got flushed down a hill, so we had no way to get out of the national park. Pascal changed and flew us to his car.”
“Hm. That would explain your lack of fear. Spending time with the dragon increases the bond.”
“He says that was when he knew for sure. I had no idea. I just liked him.”
“And how are you doing physically?”
I squirmed. “There’s a lot going on.”
“Your belly and pecs are bloated. You’re wet most of the time and horny.”
My face in flames, I nodded. Leonard didn’t mince his words.
“After the physical bonding, the symptoms will disappear. But you might go into heat very soon. I don’t know if you not having actual intercourse can delay that because you must be soaking up each other’s pheromones anyway. There’s a doctor downtown who specializes in dragon mates and shifters.”
“Dr. Clearbridge. You’ve told me, and Pascal mentioned him as well.”
“Yes, that’s him. We should book you an appointment as soon as possible, so the heat doesn’t come as a surprise. You’ll need the contraceptive.” He paused. “Unless you want a child already?”
“Lord, no.”
He grinned, and I felt myself blush.
“No offense, just…I’m not ready.”
“None taken. I was twenty-seven when I met Davidson. My situation was different.”
That made him, what, around thirty now? “You look much younger.”
“It’s one of the perks.” He winked. “Anyway. We need to book the appointment.”
Leonard put his coffee cup on the table and pulled a thin silver phone out of a cargo pocket on his linen pants. Everything about him screamed designer, but he had a great, understated taste. Did he work in the fashion industry?
He lifted a finger for me to wait as he made the call.
“Hello. Leonard Sullivan here. I have a dragon mate sitting next to me who’s very young and new to the community. We need to book him an appointment for a routine checkup and to determine the date for his first heat.”
He listened for a few seconds, then handed me the phone with an encouraging nod.
My heart started racing. “Um. Hello?”
“Hello, my name is Germaine. I’m a nurse at Dr. Clearbridge’s office. Leonard says you need an appointment.”
“I think so. Ansel Perrault.”
“How old are you, Ansel?”
“Nineteen. My birthday is in March.”
A soft clicking of a keyboard followed. “Are you experiencing any early signs of an upcoming heat?”
“I don’t know. Um. The bonding is affecting me, so I guess I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel.”
“I understand. Can you describe the symptoms for me? How soon did lover’s milk appear after the first intercourse with your mate?”
Oh Lord. “I don’t have the milk. We haven’t had intercourse. Yet.”
The nurse didn’t react to the information other than presumably typing it up. “Some other signs? Unusual sensations?”
“My stomach is a little bloated but nothing too bad. My chest is getting sensitive, so the milk might come soon. I’m slick all the time. And…” I paused. Did he need to know everything?
“Heightened libido?”
“Yes. Very. I was surprised by that.”
Leonard grinned next to me.
“Don’t worry, Ansel, you’re okay. Just to be sure, I’ll book you in for early tomorrow morning.”
“So soon?”
“The timing of the first heat for a young dragon mate can be a little unpredictable. It’s just to be on the safe side.”
“Where’s the office?”
“Fulson Street, north of the business district.”
“Okay. I think I know where that is.”
“I have a time slot for you at seven thirty. I’ll send you all the details as a message on the number you’re calling from. Is that okay?”
“Sure. Can I take Pascal with me?”
“Pascal?”
Why did I think all the shifters knew each other? “My alpha.”
“Of course. He’ll have to come. The bonding won’t allow you to be apart.”
True. I was antsy just sitting in the house while he was outside.
“Good. Dr. Clearbridge will see you tomorrow,” Germaine said. “He’ll explain everything you need to know.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a lovely day, Ansel.”
“You too.”
I handed the phone back to Leonard. Apparently, I had an appointment with a dragon doctor. I downed the rest of the creamy liquor and grabbed another cookie. Leonard eyed me thoughtfully.
“Davidson told me what happened yesterday. You seem to be taking it quite well.”
I smiled around a mouthful of cookie, chewed, and swallowed before speaking. “You have no idea. Usually, I’m a bundle of anxiety. Years of therapy, panic attacks, insomnia.”
My companion frowned. “You’re not anxious now, are you?”
“I miss Pascal. Which is ridiculous because he’s right there.” I glanced over my shoulder through the glass walls. Pascal caught my gaze and smiled uncertainly, so I smiled back. “But it’s not the same anxiety I used to experience.”
“What changed?”
“I think it’s a combination of things. I’m learning where my anxiety comes from.
I spent most of my life indoors, my every movement controlled and restricted.
My parents had high expectations of me, and I fulfilled them flawlessly, but I was unhappy and didn’t know things could be different.
I’m taking control of my own life now. It’s scary but also exciting and invigorating.
I’m nervous about the future, sure, but the stifling anxiety that seemed to follow me everywhere is gone. Being near Pascal relaxes me too.”
Leonard’s face changed. He was still smiling at me, but it looked different from before. I realized his earlier smiles were polite and careful. This one was genuine.
“I know what you mean. I’m bound to Davidson for the rest of my life, but he set me free.”
I wondered if I might have set myself free even before I met Pascal. I liked the idea of that. In any case, being tied to Pascal now didn’t feel like an entrapment at all.
Leonard stood briskly. “Bring your coffee. I have one more thing you need.”
I followed him along the indoor pool, carrying my mug with me.
He led me through the atrium to a large study where the walls were lined with an impressive book collection. I noticed a few first editions of great value and was going to ask about them, but Leonard pulled out an inconspicuous little paperback.
“This might become a tradition.” He smiled at the battered copy and handed it to me. I took it with my free hand and read the cover.
Mating and Procreation of Dragons
“It’s a hand-me-down. Lawrence got it from his omega father-in-law, and I got it from Lawrence. Now it’s yours. It’s interesting reading and contains some images. I recommend opening it in private.”
My cheeks heated. I cradled the paperback to my chest. “Thank you.”
Leonard winked and gestured to the door. “I imagine you’d like to return to your mate.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. Yes, I needed Pascal. Never mind I’d spent the night in his arms, I needed a hug.