Chapter 29
Waking up before sunrise, Reif’s eyes zeroed in on Nessie, sleeping peacefully, as if nothing had changed.
It was still unreal to him that in the space of just two days, he was mated and his beast was pregnant.
Checking on his sea dragon, he found him coiled up, protecting the eggs, his head raised as a warning to anyone approaching. I’m going to be a father!
Reif reached over, his fingers twitching as the need to touch Nessie consumed him, stunning him with its ferocity.
Loving the feel of Nessie’s stubble under his fingertips, he lingered for a moment, then withdrew his hand, not wanting to wake his mate.
A mate…a Fated Mate! He was what Nessie had searched for his entire life.
Last night, when Brian finally opened up, Reif was spellbound, his soul bleeding for the heartbreak and loneliness of Nessie’s life.
He understood instantly since he had spent many years physically hiding from everyone—but being forced to hide his feelings for someone he loved—that was unfathomable to him.
Nessie’s indomitable spirit that helped him overcome the hatred surrounding him was awe-inspiring and humbling.
Growing up in an all-male society and being spared from experiencing the prejudice Nessie faced, made him thankful, for the first time in his life, he was a sea dragon.
Even with all the time he’d spent away from Angelopoulos searching for treasures, he never faced what Nessie had, simply because he kept to himself, never staying in one place too long.
He figured the hatred was really bad if the gods had sent Kieran to mitigate it, and that led Reif to wonder what his babies would face as gay sea dragons.
He was shocked by a strong urge to protect them from being hurt because of something beyond their control.
I could move back home, but that wouldn’t be fair to Nessie… to ask him to leave the place he loved.
“Mate, why are ye frowning?”
Reif’s cock twitched at Brian’s gravelly voice. “You’re awake?”
“Ay, what time is it?”
“Early. Why don’t you go back to sleep?” Reif suggested, moving closer, placing his leg over Nessie’s thigh, anchoring him to the mattress.
“I will,” Brian mumbled.
Watching Nessie drift back to sleep, Reif smiled tenderly at his strong, fierce, independent, gorgeous mate.
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After a late breakfast, Reif sat next to Nessie in Logan’s living room, waiting for everyone to arrive.
Feeling Brian’s eyes on him, he knew his mate was waiting for him to speak.
“Logan, before everyone arrives, Nessie and I would appreciate it if you keep the pregnancy a secret until this whole mess is sorted out.”
“Sure, it’s your news, so it’s up to you when it’s announced,” Logan agreed.
“Absolument,” replied Kieran as he joined them in the room. “I’ll just pretend I’m buying everything for squirt.”
Snorting, Logan asked, “Really, babe? How’re you going to explain buying five of everything?”
“Simple, macushla, I’ll just have everything shipped to Reif,” quipped Kieran.
“Actually,” Reif said, looking at Kieran, “there’s something we want to discuss with you. Nessie and I will be buying a home as soon as we find one that’ll suit our needs and my mate told me you, two, are…” shifting his gaze to Brian, he asked, “What did you call them?”
“The Shaman told me he and his mate make places fancy.”
“Right,” said Reif, “and we want to hire you and Logan to make the nursery look fancy.”
Clasping his hands together over his heart, Kieran fell back against his mate, “Oh, my gods, did you hear that, macushla? I think I’m going to swoon; we get to design a nursery for sea dragons, can you imagine that?
I can’t because I never thought I would ever meet a sea dragon much less a pregnant one, which he would have to be if I was ever going to do a nursery for him.
This is the best day of my life, well not the best day because meeting my mate was the best day and then finding out I was pregnant with squirt certainly comes before this but believe me when I tell you it’s in the top five of the best days of my life.
Do you have any colors you want or can we just see where our muse takes us.
I have so many ideas running through my mind, I can’t wait to get started, you guys have to hurry up and find your home. Chop! Chop!”
Hugging Kieran, Logan murmured into his hair, “How about we find the green diamond first?”
“Of course we will, macushla,” Kieran giggled. “But that’ll take no time at all.”
“Ay,” Brian said, “just what we were hopin’ for.”
“What are you hoping for?” asked Theo, leading Norm into the living room with Fionn following.
“Guys, we’re going on a treasure hunt,” Kieran said, eyes sparkling, a sure sign of his excitement.
“What are we looking for?” asked Norm.
“A green diamond called the Serpent’s Teardrop,” exclaimed Kieran.
“Wow! A real treasure hunt! Is there a prize for who finds it first?” asked Fionn.
“I didn’t know diamonds were green,” Theo said.
“They are some of the rarest ones in the world,” Slate answered as he and Dakota joined the group.
“But not as rare as pink diamonds,” replied Kieran.
“True,” Slate agreed. “However, color is not the sole criterion as to rare. For instance, even though there are plenty of white diamonds, a perfect one without any flaws is the rarest of all.”
“That’s correct,” Ian said, entering the room with Colton. “The white diamonds in our crowns are priceless because of the clarity and cut, according to my parents.”
“Ahh, why are we talking about this?” asked Colton.
“Because we’re going on a treasure hunt to find a green diamond,” exclaimed Kieran.
“Oh, like a scavenger hunt,” Dakota said.
“No. Listen up, guys,” said Logan. “Reif needs to find the green diamond and we are going to help him. So let’s begin.
First, Fionn, your court hearing is today and Mystia will be here shortly to whisk the two of you to the pack house.
Dylon and Cody will be there to go over some stuff with you before the three of you head to court. ”
“Fuck, I wanted to go on the treasure hunt,” complained Fionn.
“You will. While you’re gone, we’ll be analyzing the information Reif has collected so far.
I promise, we’ll wait for you to get back before the search begins,” Logan said.
Acknowledging Fionn’s nod, he turned to Reif.
“Zane and David will collect all your material, so please tell them where it is. Slate, in the meantime, see what your corporate sleuths can find out about a green diamond called ‘Serpent’s Teardrop’.
Ian, since it’s supposed to be located in Scotland, can you ask your parents if they’ve ever heard of it? ”
“Aren’t we going with Zane and David to get the clues?” asked Theo.
“No, it’ll be faster if they go alone,” Logan said. “I need you and Norm to find us some detailed maps of ancient Scotland.”
“Pooh bear, there’s the shop we passed, remember? Last week. They had tons of old maps in the window,” Theo said, excitedly.
“Great!” Norm replied, taking his mate’s hand and heading for the door. “See you later, guys. Honeybunch and I have some shopping to do. We’ll be back soon.”
“Wait!” Logan called. “Be sure to take some enforcers with you.”
“C’mon babe,” Slate said, as he and Dakota stood. “While they’re searching for maps, I’ll get to my people and see what turns up.”
“Wait, we’ll come with you,” Ian said as he and Colton joined them. “My parents have something planned today so I better catch them before they leave.”
“Fionn, maybe you should change into a suit for court before Mystia arrives,” Logan suggested.
“C’mon, Fi,” Kieran said, “I’ll pick out your outfit so you’ll wow the judge.”
“Ki, I’m not looking to fuck him,” Fionn sniggered.
“No, but clothes make the man and you do want him to know you are a man now,” replied Kieran.
Sighing, Fi got up and followed his friend. “Fine, but I’m telling you now…nothing pink.”
Giggling, David murmured, “Want to bet Ki picks out something pink?”
“Yeah, I call tie,” Zane said. “Logan?”
“Uh-uh. I’m not betting on my mate; besides, I know what he’s going to pick,” Logan said, then, changing the subject, continued. “Is all your research on the table in the kitchen, Reif?”
“Most of it. Then there’s my small laptop I hid under a floorboard; it has all my notes on it and the other item is tucked in a book in the book case,” said Reif. After explaining how to locate the two items, Reif watched Zane and his mate vanish in front of them. “Holy fuck! How did they do that?”
“The gods gave David the ability and my brother received it also, when they mated,” replied Logan. “They should be back very shortly.”
“Did you know they could do this?” Reif asked Nessie.
“Ay, but just aboot David,” replied Brian.
“Exactly who is David?” Reif asked. “I know he represents the gods on earth.”
“Ay. He’s the High Priest,” answered Brian.
“The gods sent him to be the moral compass of our world,” Logan said.
“Fuck! Shouldn’t you have sent some enforcers with them?” asked Reif.
“Not necessary,” Logan explained. “No one can ever get close enough to David unless Zane allows it. Now, can you tell me more about your world while we wait for everyone to get back.”
“What do you want to know?” asked Reif.
“Tell me about the buildings, like, how old…what are they made of…what do they look like?”
Reif grinned, picturing Angelopoulos in the hot Greek sun. Then, he began to talk.
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