Page 33 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

“I was not exactly naked when I dove through the water.”

I wasn’t exactly warm, but I was not shivering as my mate was. After I had seen to my omega, I dried my back where he had been clinging, then pulled a blouse on. My own trousers and boots were next, and then I pulled out a larger blanket and wrapped it around Konrad’s shoulders. The smile he gave me spoke his thanks. I could not help but lean in and take a quick kiss from him. His hand fisting the front of my shirt held me to him just a moment longer before he let go and stepped away.

I pushed the satchel into the trunk, and after wrapping an arm around my mate’s waist, I picked up the trunk with my other and started out toward the cottage.

“I smell smoke.”

“That would be from the fire in the hearth. In just moments, we should be in sight of the cottage.”

“Do you need to announce your arrival?”

“Why would I? I live here as well. Besides, my fathers will probably hear us and come outside to see who it is.”

I had scented Father nearby once when I was out hunting, so I was certain he knew I was back. Granted, Da was the one who’d told me to set out and see about finding my mate. Father had wanted me to wait here. That was easier for him; he already had his mate.

Konrad gasped again, then stopped. I looked up and met the gaze of my alpha father. He looked…relieved.

“Son?”

“Hello, Father.”

I squeezed Konrad’s waist, pulling him just a bit closer to me. I could feel his apprehension through our bond. When we were close enough, I set the chest down, and with my arm wrapped tightly around my mate, we closed the distance between us and my father and stopped. I smiled at him, so proud to introduce him to my mate.

“Father, I would like you to meet Konrad. My mate.” Not that he did not already know that he was my mate. When we were close enough, I saw my father’s nostrils flare when he scented Konrad. Not only did he immediately know he was my mate, but his dragon had most likely told him my mate was pregnant as well.

“Your mate.” Father stared at me a moment before he looked at Konrad, holding out his hands. “Mate?” Father asked, looking back at me.

“Yes. I…it is a long story. Perhaps we could share it inside?”

“Ferdinand, let them by and inside. I want to meet my new son!”

Father chuckled before he reached out, pulling Konrad from my grasp. “Welcome to the family, Konrad. You best go meet Egon before he has my head.” Father hugged Konrad quickly before letting him go.

Konrad hugged Father back, then, after glancing at me, hurried around him and rushed to my omega father’s waiting embrace. I stood there, smiling at my mate and da. When they disappeared inside, I returned my attention to Father. He gave me a stern look before sighing and pulling me into his embrace as well.

“I cannot say I agree with your da’s methods nor you agreeing to it without talking to me first. That you brought home a mate, one who is already pregnant, cannot be denied though. Congratulations, my son.” Father patted me on the back, then took a step back.

“Thank you, Father. I hope you and Da love him. It is not a happy story, and one that I am not sure is yet finished, but I thank fate that I found him in time.”

“Well, come on, then. There is a thick stew in the pot, and your da made fresh bread this morning. I mentioned that I’d scented you in the area, and your da has been baking bread and sweets every day since. Now that you show up with a pregnant mate, that explains why it took you so long to come home.”

I nodded, then picked up the trunk and followed my father to the cottage. The welcoming scents of home were now accompanied by the sounds of Da and Konrad talking. Leave it to Da to calm any hesitation on my mate’s part.

I set the chest down just inside the door and followed the sound of my mate. Da already had him sitting at the table, a mug of something steaming in front of him. My guess was most likely tea. It was scarce, and Da loved it, savoring every mug of it he drank. He was showing his acceptance of Konrad already by sharing his favorite drink with him.

Da was busy hurrying around the small cooking area, cutting thick slices of bread.

“Da?”

Da stilled, dropped the knife, then came rushing toward me. I’d barely gotten my arms open in time to catch him as he flung himself into my arms. He held on tighter than I remembered, and I had to wonder at the reasoning.

“I know it was my idea and you needed to go out and follow your dream, but I did not think I would miss you as much as I did.”

“I missed you too, Da. Both of you,” I added, looking over Da’s shoulder at my father. Da squeezed me once more before he stepped away. He was wiping his eyes as he did so, and when Father pulled him into his own arms, Da wrapped his around Father’s waist.

“After I scented you, I tried searching for you but couldn’t find you when I searched.”

“We have been here for some weeks, but we were…umm…” I cleared my throat.