My voice trembled as I asked, “More...”

  Viol kissed my cheek, then the corner of my mouth, then my lips.

  He squeezed a second finger into me.

  My body tensed at the intrusion before a soothing wave of ecstasy followed. I relaxed into it, letting Viol stretch and widen my channel. It didn’t need much coaxing. Soon I was slick and open, ready to be bred. But as desperate as I was for his cock, I didn’t rush him. Simply being touched by him was a blessing, and I cherished every second of it.

  Viol smoothed his free hand over my chest, teasing my nipples. Sizzling sparks of electricity crackled over my skin. I gasped in pleasure and arched into Viol’s simultaneous touches. My pulse thrummed faster and faster, hot as lava in my veins.

  I couldn’t wait a second longer.

  I needed my alpha. My body and soul needed him more than any other base instinct. I felt like I’d fade into nonexistence if he didn’t enter me soon.

  And then—

  Viol shuffled on top of me. His fingers vanished. My eyes snapped open.

  Suddenly, the tip of his cock was pressed against my entrance.

  My breathing slowed as I stared up at my mate’s face. His expression was pure adoration. I drew my hands from his shoulders to his cheeks, cradling them like I never wanted to let go. I pulled him towards me and poured my passion into a long, hot kiss. Our tongues were inseparable. The liquid heat seeped from my tongue down to the rest of my body, lighting up every nerve.

  As we kissed, Viol angled his hips and pushed deeper into me. I moaned into his mouth, sucking in desperate breaths through my nose to avoid breaking off the kiss. His cock, pulsing and twitching with mirrored need, swelled as it stretched me further open. All I could do was moan and whimper and writhe.

  “Poppy.” Viol’s growl was dominant yet quiet. His dragon soul wasn’t far off. “You’re so beautiful.” Another growl vibrated in his throat like a possessive purr as he grazed his teeth along my neck. I tilted my head to offer him space. Viol’s hot breath whispered across my sensitive skin. Then I felt the change—his blunt teeth shifting into dragon fangs, their sharp points shooting thrills across my body.

  He bit down.

  There was no pain, only a burst of pure ecstasy.

  Viol thrusted his hips deeper until he was buried to the hilt. I was delightfully stuffed with him.

  I gasped loudly, then let out a sensual wail. My mind went blank as my instincts took over. My omega wolf soul needed Viol—we needed to be mated with, to bear his litter, to become pregnant with wolf cubs or dragonets or whatever type of children he’d give us.

  I threw my arms around him again, as possessive over him as he was with me. My short fingernails elongated into canine claws. The sound of my whimpers slowly morphed from human to wolf.

  Viol’s instincts reacted to mine. The grunts that accompanied his thrusts turned thick and carnal, each one more animalistic than the last.

  Viol grabbed my hips. He moved faster. Each time he bucked, my own erection brushed against his belly, fanning the flames of my arousal. The pleasure bordered on overwhelming.

  “Breed me, Viol,” I begged. Putting the words together was difficult. I was rapidly losing myself to my base instincts.

  I knew Viol felt the same when he snarled possessively in response. He gripped my hips, fucking me wildly. But he wasn’t the only territorial one. My claws dug into his shoulders, and I rose to meet him in time with his thrusts.

  My alpha. My dragon. My mate.

  Viol’s frame tensed. He was close.

  I kissed him. He kissed me back like he was possessed and my tongue was holy water.

  I felt the warm, thick rush of his seed before anything else. As Viol came, he ripped his mouth off mine to release a guttural roar. He arched his back, pushing his lower body into mine. That final brush of friction combined with the feeling of being stuffed sent me over the edge. I finished against his belly as he rode his aftershocks.

  “I love you,” Viol murmured into my ear. He rested his body on top of mine, our sweat-soaked skin pressed against each other.

  It took a second to find my human voice again. “I love you, too.”

  Viol smiled as he stroked my face. Even if he hadn’t said the words, I saw the love beaming in his eyes.

  I bumped my forehead against his.

  “That settles it,” I said definitively. “I’m pregnant now.”

  He burst out in a chuckle. “Wow. On top of everything, now you’re psychic, too? I didn’t know my mate had so many hidden talents.”

  I grinned. “Not psychic. I just have a feeling.”

  “Then I believe you,” he said honestly. He followed that up with a short, sweet kiss. “I can’t wait to see you big and round with our baby. You’re going to glow even brighter than you already do.”

  I blushed. “Oh, stop it...”

  “Sorry, Poppy. You’re stuck with me forever.”

  I captured Viol’s lips to give him a short, sweet kiss of my own. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  19

  Viol

  “Everybody, make way!” Muzo announced. “Pregnant Poppy coming through!”

  His obnoxious but heartwarming declaration echoed in the hallway leading to the living room. The bouncy omega walked two steps ahead of Poppy and me, waving his arms around as if to clear an invisible fog. There was no reason for Muzo to yell, since nobody was actually in front of Poppy, but we didn’t want to ruin his fun. Muzo was almost more excited about Poppy’s pregnancy than Poppy himself.

  After our bouncer safely cleared the way, Poppy and I stepped into the living room behind him. The faces of every omega family member sitting on the couch lit up. The news of Poppy’s pregnancy spread quickly, so they decided to have an “omega’s night” to prepare him. Although alphas usually didn’t show up to those events, Poppy insisted I come along. Ever since we mated, Poppy had been clingier than usual—which was totally fine by me. I’d happily spend every waking moment with him if I could.

  Poppy paused and sniffed the air. “Something smells really good... and kinda familiar.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Muzo said quickly. “That’s just, uh, Alaric’s baby butt perfume. He sprayed a lot of it today.”

  “I swear to gods, if you don’t stop calling it that, I’m going to turn you into a fine taxidermy rug,” Alaric muttered nastily from the couch.

  I raised an amused brow. Muzo was an awful liar, but I didn’t press the issue since there was obviously a surprise hiding in wait.

  Before Poppy reached the couch to greet everybody, a few friends beat him to it. Mylo and Alaric rushed over, while Matteo, Rorik, and Taylor grinned at the happy chaos from the couch. Muzo invited himself to the group hug.

  I smiled at the tight-knit group, feeling warmed by their shenanigans. Maybe I could stand to tell them more often, but I was eternally grateful for the other omegas and their friendships with Poppy. They’d been there to support him when I hadn’t. If it weren’t for their undying loyalty, Poppy might not have returned to the Dragonfate Games season after season. He might’ve given up and stopped coming... and I would’ve been too stubborn and idiotic to chase him down.

  I shook off the lingering guilt. That was all in the past, and I owed it to Poppy not to wallow in my own angst anymore. He needed me fully present—and our future baby did, too.

  When I pulled myself back to reality, Poppy was sitting in the middle of the couch, surrounded by all his friends-slash-family. I walked over and relaxed in a nearby armchair, content just to observe.

  “So, Poppy,” Taylor began, “how do you feel about expecting?”

  Poppy shuffled in his seat, like he couldn’t contain his excitement. “It’s wonderful. It just feels... right.”

  As he finished his sentence, Poppy flashed me an adoring look. My heart fluttered. I knew my mate was ecstatic, but hearing him talk about it with others filled me with pride.

  “Man, it’s wild that I had a baby before you, Pops,” Muzo remarked. “I figured you’d be the first, since you’re so nurturing and caring. But Taylor ended up being the first. Stoic, alpha dragon-hating Taylor... Oh, no offence, Tay.”

  Taylor wore a wry smile. “None taken, Muzo.”

  Alaric snorted as he flipped his hair back. “Well, Poppy was technically the first to find his fated mate. The problem was that his mate was too stubborn to acknowledge that,” he added, shooting me a glance that was half teasing and half judgmental.

  “Yeah, I know, I deserve it,” I admitted, crossing my legs over the side of the armchair.

  Since moving in, Poppy had filled his friends in on the rest of his tale. It was easier for him to get through the darker parts now that the tundra clan’s issues had been resolved. Honestly, I admired Poppy’s courage for being able to recount our sordid history. It was difficult enough for me to start the damn thing with Gaius, and I never finished. He didn’t seem to mind, though; like my brothers, he was just happy that I’d gotten over my bullshit and welcomed Poppy back into my life.

  “I’m only teasing, Viol,” Alaric went on, waving a perfectly manicured hand in my direction. “Mostly.”

  I snorted. I was fond of the cat shifter’s barbed tongue, since he was the only omega in the family willing to trade verbal blows with me. The others, apparently, liked and respected me too much. I would never understand why.

  “Is everybody ready out there?” Cobalt called from the kitchen.

  Poppy glanced up. “Huh? Ready for what?”

  Muzo waved a hand in his friend’s face, like he was trying to obscure his vision. “Uhh, nothing. Hey, close your eyes!”

  “Um... okay.”

  Taylor stifled a laugh. Rorik did too as he got up quietly to drag the coffee table closer to the couch. As I looked over my shoulder, I raised a brow at my eldest brother. He was half hiding behind the door frame, as if making sure Poppy’s eyes were really closed before he came in.

  “What’s going on?” I mouthed.

  The twins popped up on either side of Cobalt. They both flashed a shushing gesture. I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t even said anything out loud.

  But then Cobalt stepped gingerly into the room and I saw what he was carrying—a big batch of freshly baked blueberry muffins.

  Poppy finally peeked. Then his eyes widened into wet brown orbs. I didn’t know why my mate was tearing up at the sight of muffins, but I was determined to find out.

  “Oh, Cobalt,” Poppy murmured. “Did you make those for me?”

  “Rorik helped,” Cobalt said, flashing the polar bear shifter a smile.

  Poppy whimpered with emotion as he turned towards Rorik. With his big watery eyes, he was doing his best impression of a puppy.

  “You remembered,” he said, his lower lip trembling. “About Mrs. Sara’s muffins...”

  Rorik grinned shyly and patted Poppy on the back. “The ones we made are probably not as good as hers. But I thought you might like them anyway.”

  “Oh, you guys,” Poppy murmured.

  Rorik pulled his emotional friend in for a bear hug before he burst out crying.

  “Not as good? I’ll be the judge of that,” Muzo announced as he reached for a muffin from the tray.

  Cobalt frowned as he lifted the tray high above his mate’s head. “Not yet.”

  “Aww, come on!”

  “Pregnant omegas eat first, remember?” Mylo pointed out gently.

  Matteo chuckled as he lounged casually in his seat. “Yeah, especially the one whose party it is.”

  “AKA, not you, dog,” Alaric snarked at Muzo.

  “Hey, Poppy is a dog, too,” Muzo complained, although he didn’t sound that offended.

  Alaric raised his chin, sniffing. “He’s a noble and majestic wolf, actually.”

  Poppy unearthed his face from Rorik’s chest and wiped away his tears. “Oh, stop fighting, everyone. Let’s all eat muffins together, okay?”

  Cobalt exhaled a relenting sigh, but he strode towards Poppy and handed him the premier muffin. “Okay. But you first.”

  Poppy accepted the muffin with a grateful smile. He cupped the bottom of the muffin so he wouldn’t spill any crumbs, then took a bite. It was followed by a muffled sound of surprise.

  “This is so good!” he cried. “You guys did a great job.”

  Cobalt and Rorik smiled. Both large men looked shy and appreciative.

  “Viol, you have to try it,” Poppy urged, offering it to me.

  I sighed. My mate was never content to enjoy a treat by himself, even when it was specifically for him. He always insisted on sharing. But that was just another way he showed his love.

  I sauntered off the armchair to meet his muffin halfway. I met Poppy’s gaze while taking a bite. My brows rose as the warm, buttery taste of baked goods and fresh blueberries hit my tongue.

  “Oh, shit,” I mumbled through my bite. “That is good.”

  Poppy beamed at me. “Just like Mrs. Sara used to make. Because, like hers, they were made with love.”

  Half the room went ‘awww’ as Poppy blushed profusely.

  After a pause, Muzo reached for the muffin tray and asked, “Now can I eat mine?”

  It took a few months for Poppy’s pregnancy to show. But when it did, I felt like a cartoon wolf with heart-shaped eyes popping out of his head. As if he wasn’t gorgeous enough, he now had the added sexy glow of being visibly pregnant.

  However, unlike my horny brothers, sex wasn’t the only thing on my mind. My alpha instincts flew into high drive. In a very annoying overprotective fashion.

  We were both heading downstairs for a midnight snack when Poppy took a single step towards the staircase. My overly sensitive instincts pinged.

  “Poppy, be careful,” I implored.

  He paused, then looked fondly at me. “I will be.”

  “Let me help.”

  I rushed towards him, looping his arm in mine. I glared down at the steps as if they’d committed a felony.

  Poppy giggled. “You’re so funny lately.”

  “I’m not trying to be,” I mumbled. “I just want you to be safe.”

  He cocked a playful brow at me. “I’m on my way to get animal crackers. It doesn’t get safer than that.”

  “What if you can’t see the steps past your belly?” I asked with a frown. “Holy Drake forbid, you could miss one and slip and fall.”

  “I’m holding the railing.” He wriggled his fingers—clutched securely on said railing—for good measure.

  I grunted as I led him down the staircase. “The animal crackers could be expired. I don’t want you eating expired food.”

  “Then I wouldn’t eat them.”

  “You could forget to check the date!”

  He laughed again. “Good thing you’re coming with me.”

  Poppy poked gentle fun at me and my over-dramatic alpha panic all the way down to the kitchen. I urged Poppy to sit down while I fetched the box of animal crackers, triple checked the expiry date, then poured them into a bowl. I also brought a glass of water in case the crackers were too dry.

  Poppy smiled as I spread them in front of him. He had to sit a little further back from the table, thanks to his big belly. “Thank you.”

  I dragged a seat close to him and sat down, watching his every move. He didn’t seem to mind as he popped the first animal cracker in his mouth. I watched my mate happily devour the miniature creatures for a while before he turned to me with a cracker pinched between his fingers.

  “Here. They’re good,” Poppy encouraged.

  I closed my mouth over the animal cracker. It was pretty good. But I couldn’t focus on the taste because my lips had brushed Poppy’s skin, sending a crackle of electricity through me.

  I knew Poppy noticed because of the knowing gleam in his eyes. His gentle smile turned sly.

  “You know, Viol...” He dropped his hand to his lap, where it crawled closer to brush against my fingers. “The other omegas mentioned that sex can induce labor.”

  My mouth went dry. “A-are you close enough for that?”

  Poppy replied with a solemn nod. He’d always been in tune with his body, and I trusted his judgment.

  Which meant...

  My gaze dropped to his belly, round with our egg. My pulse quickened. It was all happening so fast. After the egg was laid, it wouldn’t take long for it to hatch, for our baby to enter the world...

  Poppy’s fingers wrapped around my hand and squeezed it delicately.

  “Here?” I asked, swallowing. “In the kitchen?”

  “Nobody’s around,” Poppy said innocently. “We could clean up afterwards...”

  I grinned at his unrestrained suggestion. I hadn’t realized my mate was that needy.

  “You’re incorrigible,” I teased.

  He flashed a picturesque pair of puppy dog eyes. I was lured in by his charms and totally unable to resist.

  Shit, I was unwilling to resist, too.

  I leaned in to capture Poppy in a slow, leisurely kiss. His impatience quickly shone through. He moaned softly, pushing back hard as his tongue lapped at my lips in a demand for more.

  My mate’s insistence sent a pulse of desire straight down to my balls. I sat forward in my seat and spread my legs to make room for my now-throbbing dick. It never took me long to get hard with Poppy, but this pent-up version of him got me there faster than usual.

  Heat flushed my body as we made out. Soon I was in danger of tearing through the fly of my damned pants. The lack of space down there became such a problem that I rose from my seat and stood over Poppy, still crushing my mouth against his. He reached for my shirt, clutching it with his delicate fingers, refusing to let me pull away.

  But during the next break for air, Poppy whispered: “Remember when you said you’d let me return the favor another time?”

  My cock twitched as realization hit me like a frying pan to the face.

  I stared at my mate, breathless, as he flashed a slow, sultry smile.

  “I’m going to do that now,” he declared.

  I hissed through my teeth as I tried not to come on the spot. “If you’re sure,” I ground out. “But I’m not letting you suck me off on your knees on the hard kitchen floor.”