Page 89 of The Dragons’ Eternal Mate

“Coming from a drama queen like you, I’ll take that as a compliment,” she retorted.

Our mate was stunning in a deep orange sundress, her hair tumbling over her shoulders in loose, golden waves.

We all glowered at Luca when he hugged Rowan a moment longer than we liked. The fucker knew exactly what he was doing, judging by the grin he threw over Rowan’s shoulder at us.

“Stop antagonizing my mates!” Rowan giggled, swatting at Luca when she realized what he was up to. “I’d love to see what you would do in the same situation.”

“But it’s so fun!” he whined.

“You know what’s more fun? Food. I smell something delicious.” She glanced around the clearing, trying to ascertain the source of the smell.

“We’ve had smokers going for days, cooking up a cornucopia of meats,” Orsen explained, tugging Rowan into him.

“Dragons don’t mess around when it comes to protein.” I laughed.

Rowan gazed up at Orsen with that easy smile that all of us adored, saying, “I’ll keep that in mind.” She glanced around again, narrowing her eyes. “And I need a drink, too.”

“On it,” Grey replied with a grin. He’d taken charge of the bartending side of things, and in no time at all, he was back with beers for us all in his hands and even his pocket, while he presented something on a tray to Rowan.

“Oooh!” Her eyes went wide, excitement obvious. “This looks delicious!”

When she took a sip, Rowan moaned happily, and then her eyes shot open again, regarding all of us as we reacted to the sound.

Swallowing, she blushed, waving us all away. “Later.”

If only later could come faster…

We stood together for a moment, simply watching our horde.

“Rory is growing like a weed,” Rowan said when she caught sight of Rory and a few other teenagers sitting at one of the tables.

“His thirteenth birthday is soon. He never would have lived to see it without you,” I said, resting my chin on her head.

“You are a miracle,” Bastian cooed, tugging her away from me.

We were passing our mate between us like a game of hot potato, desperate for a touch, that calm reassurance that she was there and not going anywhere.

Thankfully, Rowan was a good sport. I think, deep down, she needed that as well.

And we were more than happy to give it to her.

“Hey!” Ma called out from a group of her friends, waving us all over.

Our work was never done, and I offered my arm to Rowan. She looped hers through it, and we were all off, ready as we’d ever be to mingle.

After a while, we ran into Griffin, and we all chatted as the party continued around us, the din of constant conversation like waves in the distance. We’d found a large couch covered in pillows, Griff in the chair across from it, and Rowan lounged comfortably among her mates, happy as a clam now.

“I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do now.” Griffin laughed, reclining in the oversized chair, folding his hands behind his head.

He’d been holding down our horde for so long, years, while we Alphas were absent. We owed him everything—if it weren’t for him, Rowan would have never come to North Oak. We may never have found her again.

The entire horde would have suffered if that’d been the case.

“What do you want to do?” Rowan asked pointedly.

Griffin shrugged. “I’m not sure. I haven’t had much time to think about it.”

“Did you like everything you’ve done over the last few years?” Orsen asked, cocking his head to the side, while Bastian snagged Rowan, pulling her into his lap.