Page 128 of His Flash Mate
He didn’t needus.He neededme.And asking for our help as a way to win over my mom, thereby also working to win over me.
How could I be so stupid?I’d been thinking I was keeping him at a distance when I’d actually invited him right in.
“What aren’t you telling me, Sophia?”Mom demanded, watching my expression too closely.“Talk.”
I groaned and briefly covered my face before meeting her steady gaze.
“He’s a dragon shifter, and he thinks I’m his mate.”
CHAPTERTWENTY
“Please tellme you mean Konni and not Hestian,” Mom said with way too much calm.
“Yes.Konni.”
She chuckled, picked up her cup, and took a sip.
My self-recrimination turned to indignation.
“What does that mean?Why are you laughing?It’s not funny.It’s?—”
“The best thing that could have ever happened to you.”
“In what world?”
“In a world full of cheaters and fakes, you found a man who won’t be either.You’ll have a lifetime of loyalty and consideration.”
Her words stunned me speechless.
“I’m beyond happy for you,” she continued, “but I’m also amused because I know you’re going to test that poor man six ways to Sunday before you finally accept that he’s the real thing.
“You’ve already told him you're transitioning, and he didn’t care.”
I made a pained face, and she chuckled again.
“That’s proof he’s the real deal, Sophia.His kind wouldn’t care about that.”
“There’s more,” I said, ready to spill everything so she would understand my hesitation.“I got drunk and woke up next to him with that tattoo you saw.Only, it’s not a tattoo.It’s a dragon bond mark.”
She frowned.“He marked you when you were drunk?”
“Yes!”Then, feeling guilty, I added, “But he said he asked first and I gave him permission, along with a warning that I would never be his for more than a night.He also said the mark wouldn’t have worked if I hadn’t already been receptive to him, and he apologized for not waiting until I was sober.”
“Actually, he was smart to do it when you were drunk enough to be honest with him and yourself.”
“Are you sure you’re my mom?”
She winked at me.“I know you better than anyone.But I’m sure that’ll change soon.”
More than she knew.
Something in my expression must have given away that thought because she narrowed her eyes.
“You’ve never been good at hiding things from me.Don’t start now.”
I sighed.
“He wants me to use him as a shield, to date him openly so whoever is targeting me will back off.But I know what he’s doing, Mom.He’s inching his way in.He’s trying to find an opening.Next thing I know, I’ll be rubbing elbows in high society and mated to a dragon.”
