Page 12 of Immortal Bonds

Eden caught on instantly, of course. His gaze settled on Creighton like a weight, heavy and observing. "When are you going to tell me more about your family?" Eden pressed.

Creighton could feel the sweat forming on his brow. He knew that if he spoke of them, if he said even one word, it would be bad. He didn't want to deal with those repercussions, what that can of worms would unleash.

"It's not even worth mentioning," Creighton finally said. "We're nothing like your family, and I am here solo, as you know, so all is well."

All was not well. Creighton knew it. Eden knew it. Hell, the stuffies in the room knew it, but neither acknowledged it.

Eden was about to leave when Creighton's phone went off, the specific sound he had set for the app and his Daddy ringing through the quiet space. Eden watched as Creighton looked over to the device and a smile bloomed instantly on his face.

Leaning across the desk, Eden tried to look at the screen. Creighton had to push the phone against his chest to stop the other man.

"What are you doing?" he asked him.

Eden laughed, leaning further over the desk, his hands stretching to grab the phone. "I want to know what made you smile. That was so cute. Give me, give me! I want to see who it is and thank them."

"You will not," Creighton said, locking his phone in an instant and shoving it into his back pocket. He crossed his arms and stared at Eden. "I do not need you intervening in anything."

"It's a Daddy, isn't it?" Eden whispered.

Creighton was about to deny it when Eden's eyes lit up.

"Oh yes, it is. I can sense it."

"Crap."

He'd forgotten all about Eden's ability to read his emotions. Given how little they saw each other in person, it was no wonder he didn't remember. But now Eden knew what he'd been keeping to himself, and when Eden knew a secret, Eden became more nosy than usual.

"I won't talk with you about this. It's super personal, and I still can't make heads or tails of it."

"But you'll tell me when you do know," Eden said, drawing the words out slowly. "Because I am a great friend and supporter and as a Little myself, I might know a thing or two about luring a Daddy in."

Creighton's brows rose. Eden wasn't mated, and he had no Daddy that he played with regularly. So his words didn't make much sense. It didn't make any sense, really. Creighton wouldn't argue it though because Eden was a world-class arguer. Instead, he smiled and nodded, letting things go.

"Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to get back to work. I now have two new orders to finish." Creighton waved the pictures of the dragons at Eden, who stared at them longingly for a moment before shaking off whatever had come over him.

He gave a bright, blinding, and totally unbelievable smile to Creighton, then waved and skipped out of the store with his bag in hand.

Creighton sat there for another long moment, not quite sure what to make of the entire interaction. Something was going on with Eden Saint, and he had no idea what it was or how it was going to change things.

Was the horde ready for Eden to find his mate? And what would happen once he did?

Romilly's mating had changed things already. Another Saint going down that road would be interesting to watch pan out.

Creighton examined the photos again after his mind let go of the thoughts of Eden. He went over each dragon inch by inch, noting where anything specific was. He estimated how much fabric he would need and any other resources he might want to get to make these dragons perfect. With how Eden had looked at the photos, he knew that they were special.

Whoever they were and whatever they were to Eden, it would behoove him to make sure nothing was amiss.

Once he had his list of needed supplies, he grabbed the photos and the list, stuffed them in his bag, and closed his shop early. He would need to find the fabric necessary to complete the projects. Thankfully, he was on track with his other orders and didn't have anything pressing.

It was a decent walk to the fabric store across town in San Noctis. Given most of the area was wooded, he took a few shortcuts here and there, diving into the trees and back out with his quick speed. Vampires were fast — incredibly fast — which meant the trip itself was short even though the journey was long. It also meant that he wouldn't be in the woods with anyone who might want to harm him for any extended period of time.

He could outrun any shifter that came after him. A good thing, since he wouldn't have smelled them on their approach with his blockers in place.

The minute he walked into the fabric store, he was greeted by the workers. They knew him well and since he was one of their biggest customers, he got preferential treatment.

"What are you in for today?" the sales associate asked as they came up.

"I need some specific fabric colors. One a shimmery silver and the other a blood red. It's for a special project."