Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Dragon’s Pretend Marriage Chapter 8

Brandi

Idiot. Complete and total fool. That was all I could think about when brunch was over. Just about how And my heart.

It was preposterous to think he would feel anything other than surface attraction for me. Was it hot to And not just missionary.

The way he made me blossom was more than just physical. It was emotional. It was spiritual.

It was the biggest mistake I had made since taking out that loan with the Gilberts.

Guilt and shame followed me up the steps of the porch. Behind me, a car idled, the motorized sound All eyes were on me as Milton rested an elbow out the window. "Love you, dear moonbeam!"

He held up a hand, beaming from ear to ear with that affectionate Hollywood smirk he gave to just ab But he almost did fool me.

Remember, you're just committed to the performance, I thought as I waved back. "Love you too, pooki Horror struck Milton's features. Now my grin was more than genuine. I flipped around to unlock the do The stairs creaked. My eyes popped open and focused on a bird of paradise hopping along the carpet "Squawk!"

A soft smile crossed my lips. "Hello to you too, Lenny." I held out my hand. "Polly want a cracker?" More squawking erupted. The mocking sort. I could tell by the way their beady black eyes rolled in my I couldn't help it. I needed a laugh.

Not at the expense of your friends. Guilt returned like menstrual cramps once the ibuprofen wears off "Sorry," I whispered. "I've had a long morning."

Lenny shifted, shaking out their choppy hair and ruffling their flesh as if they were still carrying feathe "Fiancé problems."

had allowed Milton to win over my mind. And my body.

the ball pit? Yeah, it was beyond hot. But it was also a risk I knew would put us both in a delicate position.

ndow descending capturing my attention above the hub of sounds expanding in every direction. Afternoon light blanketed the colony.

ery camera that pointed in his direction. He could fool them. He couldn't fool me.

ing myself in with a defeated sigh. I leaned against the wood. I closed my eyes. I let the quiet solitude of the place invade my bones. feathers ruffled and an orange beak parted to speak.

on as their feathers puffed up. People probably did that bit all the time.

into the couch and gently set Lenny aside.

their skin. Their flat chest rose and fell, a faded pink scar running underneath each n****e. "Boyfriend problems?"

They grinned. "I keep forgetting you're engaged. How's that going?" They bowed their head and ruffled their hair, their eyes crossing a bit while they tried to look at their hand. "Did I get all the bugs?" "You had bugs?"

"There were ants in the bathroom. I ate them." They shrugged as if this was something they did all the time. "When times were tough, I did just that. Ate ants. Good for protein, you know. Better when they're bigger and fried in chocolate."

I held up both my palms. "I've been caught with my snout in a bear carcass. I don't think I have any grounds to judge a bird eating bugs."

They smiled warmly. "How kind of you to say, roomie. So, what's going on? Tell your Unctie Lenny all about it."

"Unctie?"

"Yeah, you know, auntie and uncle mixed together. Isn't it cute? I got that from the internet."

My cheeks pinched. I think my smile had doubled in size. Thanks to the kindest shifter I had ever met. "You're incredible. You know that?"

"Sorry, my heart is taken." They rested both hands on their chest. "A gloomy bird somewhere in the neighborhood won't stop pecking at my window. He's adorable."

I laughed. "I just mean that I appreciate you."

"I know. I'm just teasing."

The cushions seemed to conform to my body, inviting me to sink deep into them. "I'm just a little lost right now, you know?"

"I can understand being lost."

"Milton just dropped me off to pick up some...well, he called them 'civilian clothes' as if he doesn't own a damn pair of jeans."

Lenny chuckled. "His probably cost a few hundred each."

"Yeah, I can imagine." I squirmed. "I mean, I've seen his closet. He has a lot of clothes. I just wanted something that wasn't..." I scratched the side of my neck. "...I don't know. Handmade? Is that weird?" "No, it's not weird. You want your comfy clothes."

I nodded. "I have so many lazy pants and t-shirts and crop tops and things."

"They're the things that make you feel at home."

"They do. And yet I like being around him, too. He smells good." I raised the back of my hand to my nostrils, inhaling the scent of woodsmoke and amber. "Like a summery campfire with some bourbon or something." Lenny sniffed the air. "All I smell is sulfur."

"Yeah, that's how dragons usually smell."

"And there's rosemary, too. Like someone is about to cook pasta."

I blushed. "Tanner used to make that joke all the time. 'You smell like an Italian restaurant,' he would joke."

"That sounds kind of silly. I wouldn't say that to you." Lenny blushed. "Well, not to your face. But I am thinking about garlic bread right about now."

"Ugh, I want carbs. I want pasta. I want comfort foods."

They grinned. "Want me to whip something up for you?"

"You sure? I don't want to impose."

"In your own house?" They cackled. "Let me get a robe. I'm not shy. But I don't want to offend your boy toy."

I scrubbed my forehead. "He's not my boy toy. He's just-"

But Lenny had already shifted and flown up the stairs. By the time they returned, they were wearing a bright yellow robe with roses all over it. They floated into the kitchen where they grabbed the French bread from the counter. They plucked a jar of minced garlic from the fridge and a slab of butter. "Go on, then. Sit. Tell your unctie all about it."

"Well, I was just saying he's not really a toy. But..." How did I say this without giving everything away? "It's complicated." "How?"

I frowned at the ground. "Milton used to bully me. A lot."

They shot me a concerned expression. "A lot, huh?"

"Yeah, when we were kids."

They relaxed a bit. "I was going to say..."

"Yeah, no. He's not rude to me now. And I think that's the problem. He's just so...nice."

"Why's that a problem?"

I shrugged. "Guys aren't like that with me. They're just not. I've been with plenty of men and none of them have been like Milton. If anything, they should have treated me better than Milton, you know?" "Why's that?"

"Because he's a gigantic billionaire jerkwad. He shows off. He flashes his money all the time. He wears fancy suits. He's so-" I released a frustrated groan while clawing the air. It looked like I was about to choke an invisible creature. I might have been picturing Milton. "He makes me so mad."

Lenny chortled while slicing the French bread in half. They spread butter over the bread and then dabbed olive oil onto the butter. After that, they added the minced garlic.

The oven beeped twice as Lenny opened it up. "So, you're upset because he's not being mean to you. Am I getting this correct?"

"Well, you don't have to say it like that."

"How would you like me to say it?"

All the gods of Appalachia couldn't have helped me then. The words were stuck in my throat, forever lodged in my trachea like an ice cube that refused to melt. I was about to choke. I needed cool water to get the thing to disappear. But I couldn't replace any water.

What was I even trying to tell Lenny? That I was feeling more for Milton than I thought?

I swept my hand over my forehead. I was sweating. And I hated it. "I just don't get how he can be so kind to me now after all those years of being rude."

"People change."

"I mean, yeah. I've changed, too. He literally made me so comfortable last night. He was so good to me. He was so real."

Lenny beamed. "It's supposed to feel real. That means it's real. Doesn't it?"

But it's not supposed to feel real. I forced a smile. "Yeah, that's a good sign."

"The engagement was sudden, right? That might be why you're having some doubts right now." They went to the coffee maker and poured a cup. "Do you think you need to slow down a bit?" "Maybe. That's not a bad idea."

They held up their mug. "Cheers, then. To hitting the brakes when needed."

"Cheers."

That was interesting. Hitting the brakes had never occurred to me. Had it ever occurred to Milton? Was he having this problem?

No way. He praised me for my performance last night. I nearly rolled my eyes, containing my reaction as I made my way to the glass porch door. If he thought it was real, he gave no indication.

I pulled the door open and walked into the yard. My brows knotted together. But if he thinks it's not real, why would he take care of me?

Confusing emotions boiled in my gut. I couldn't get them under control, couldn't get them to make sense. Just when I thought I was approaching a logical explanation of the situation, it got worse. I got dizzy.

I turned around and poked my head into the kitchen. "Save me some bread, okay? I'm going for a run."

"You got it, sport!"

I chuckled as I turned back to the porch.

At least if things fell apart, I would have a cool roommate.

My heart sank as I stripped out of my clothes.

But would that be enough?

***

Muggy air combed through my fur as I raced between the trees. The path I typically took to the beach was closed off for repairs. Blake must have been adding more security to the perimeter. Even with as many shifters as he had on security, he never had enough

cameras.

I couldn't argue with that.

My paws carved the earth while I sprinted into oblivion. It didn't matter where I went. If I breached the perimeter, then I would just circle back around. Every trail around here led back to the colony. It wouldn't be a big deal for me to run along the beach or head for the cliffs.

The world was my playground this afternoon. I wanted to make the most of it.

After Milton had requested I pick up the rest of my clothes-my civilian clothes-it gave me the bright idea to do a lot of thinking.

Which needed to be done. Unfortunately.

Because Milton was really giving me a run for my money.

Where he was supposed to simply be a cover, he had become something more. And I wasn't sure when the hell that had even happened. This ordeal had only been going on for a few short days. It was impossible to think my feelings had become real for him. We're just doing a very good job of making it look real, I told myself. He's an excellent actor. I'm decent at it. I've faked plenty of o*****s in the past.

But I hadn't faked it last night.

And recalling that made my heart jump out of my chest.

I skidded to a halt near a black tar road. The lines separating the lanes were worn from weather and age. The city had forgotten all about this road years ago-or even longer than that.

It was Blake's now. I guess it belonged to the pack by extension. I could walk it if I wanted.

While I had anticipated some kind of perimeter check, I found the woods to be empty. I studied the trees, wondering where the cameras were hidden. Deer cameras were probably lodged somewhere up there. Those things used high definition. It would be easier to capture any snooping with them hidden than in more obvious places.

A low growl caught my attention. I spun around, crouching into an attack position when the twigs to my left snapped. Nobody was nearby. So, where was that sound coming from?

Branches rustled above my head, leaves swept together by the breeze. The sound of the wind whistling between the trees was all I could hear.

Until a heartbeat pierced my left ear. And another. And then another.

Four heartbeats in total. Four foes.

But where the hell were they?

Just as I backed away, three massive wolves hopped onto the road. Two of them had rotten teeth, their gnarly breath forcing me to gallop backward-directly into a cage.

The door snapped shut. A tall, gangly man with dreaded hair and skin like the dead of night bowed over the cage with a triumphant smirk. "Little wolves need to get better about protecting themselves, don't they?"

I barked at him.

He tapped the top of the cage with a laugh. "Don't worry, little wolf. You've got time. We're just here to remind you of how the window is closing. Very quickly."

The three massive wolves stepped toward the cage. Their jaws dripped a mixture of saliva and some disgusting yellow goo. It dribbled to the tar and sizzled.

"We don't have much time. Your boys will see we're here. But-" He rattled the cage. "You don't have much time either, doll. You either get us double the amount or we come for your throat." A devious smile cut across his face. "And anyone who gets in our way."

And just like that, the Gilberts disappeared into the forest. Seconds later, howls sounded through the air. Branches snapped. Growls and barks and a medley of other sounds approached rapidly, causing my heart to jostle around in my chest.

The road filled up with creatures in a matter of minutes. Blake darted up to the cage, popping open the door with a resounding thump and beckoning me to come out.

But I didn't want to come out.

I was too shaken. I was too utterly horrified to face my alpha.

This was all my fault. I had to get out of it. I needed Milton to get me out of it.

I had to move in with him immediately. It was the only way to protect myself.

I just had to figure out how I was going to protect him, too.