Epilogue
Many Months Later
Teagan leaned against Aaron’s side as she watched the clan eat, dance, and enjoy themselves below on the main floor. After everything that had happened over the last year, they could finally all breathe a sigh of relief.
What with betrayals, Killian’s journey, and even Teagan remaining leader despite having a mate, there had been a lot of changes.
Her beast grunted. All good ones.
For the most part. Still, I look forward to years of boring paperwork and hand cramps.
Aaron’s whisper interrupted her conversation with her dragon. “You’re not overly tired, are you? As much as I want to think I’m irresistible and you can’t keep your hands off me, your energy levels have been low lately.”
She shook her head and placed a hand on her lower belly. “No. The baby is behaving for the moment and not making me ill.”
“As he or she should. It is my child, after all.”
She gave him a half-hearted smack. “Don’t sound as if you did it all by yourself. The baby is mine as well.”
He hugged her tighter against his side. “I sure hope so. Otherwise, I don’t want to know what sort of alien came to visit you and put their alien baby inside your uterus.”
“Aaron, stop being ridiculous.”
He chuckled. “Okay, I’ll restrain myself for now, even though that was an order and not a request.” She gave him the double finger salute, and he added, “Well, what with the treaties under way and the threats vanquished for the foreseeable future, you’re going to have a lot more time alone with me. I hope you’re not changing your mind and getting tired of me so soon.”
Raising her head, she looked up at her mate. “Don’t even joke about that, Aaron. If you don’t know how much I love you by now, then you never will.”
He traced a finger down her cheek. “I think by now we love each other the same amount. Although, if you need some convincing, we could sneak away for an hour. My dragon and I can tag team to ensure you know how much we both treasure you.”
She fought a smile and lost the battle. Aaron did spoil her. “As tempting as that is, we need to dance first or the clan will notice we’re gone.”
He raised his brows. “Surely in your condition you can make excuses.”
She rolled her eyes. “Right, and give fodder for the rumor mills about how I can’t handle a little dragon-shifter growing inside of me. No, we need to do the opposite.” She leaned back and stood. Putting out an arm, she asked, “Will you dance with me, Aaron Caruso?”
Without hesitating, he rose and threaded his arm through hers. “Let’s show everyone how it’s done. But no bloody fancy Irish dancing.”
She grinned. “You’re getting better.” He growled, and she laughed. “Okay, then we’ll do the same as our first dance. You know that one pretty well. And since I have clothes on, you shouldn’t be distracted.”
His gaze zeroed in on her breasts, and Teagan’s nipples tightened as he murmured, “There’s plenty to distract me.”
Taking a deep breath, she thought of DDA regulations and training exercises to keep her cheeks from flushing pink. After a lot of practice, she was finally getting the hang of keeping desire from showing plain on her face.
Her beast huffed. I don’t understand why you try to hide it.
It’s a human thing. That should be enough of an explanation.
Whatever. Just hurry up and dance so we can play with Aaron and his dragon. I have a few new ideas of how to tease him.
Her dragon fell silent as they walked past Orla talking with Aaron’s mother and Teagan’s mother. She waved to her mother-in-law. Molly Caruso and her own mother had become fast friends. Together, they sometimes even won against Orla.
She and Aaron soon reached the audio setup. Teagan asked for the song and guided Aaron to the dance floor. As the first notes filled the air, Teagan stared at her mate and couldn’t stop smiling.
Between her mate, her future child, and her family, she had plenty of love. The clan only added more.
And together they would make it the best future they could.
*~*~*~*
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Before you ask, yes, Brenna and Killian will have a book. :D However, before the release of Craved by the Dragon (their full-length story, out in March 2018) comes Kai and Jane’s follow-up novella, Finding the Dragon, in October 2017. The events in their story happen at the same time as Brenna and Killian’s book, but in England and Wales instead of Ireland. Kai’s sister Delia will feature heavily and the story will help set up the future story arc on Snowridge. You can read more details in my Author’s Note section toward the end of the backmatter.
Please turn the page for an excerpt from the first book in my science fiction romance series, The Conquest.