Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Henrik

“I can’t believe you’re already thirty!” my mom hysterically cries in the kitchen. My three siblings are already nineteen–all girls and ready to take over as the Alphas of the Wintercrest pack.

Me?

As a dragon, I’m not interested in pack and werewolf stuff. Sure, if the pack needs me, I gladly get rid of enemies, but I doubt I’m needed with three new Alphas. The last time Mama Dearest needed me was five years ago, and I haven’t shape–shifted since then.

I’m too busy taking care of my new company–a hotel chain for supernatural creatures my dads helped me build.

Well…

Eric didn’t do much. He just smiled and agreed while my smartest dad, Logan, helped me with all the technical stuff. He is a genius and the reason why I’m a successful billionaire today.

I sigh. “Mom, you can stop crying.”

“You don’t even call me Mama anymore!”

I do, but only in my head. I never stopped. The truth is, I love my Mama more than anything in this world. If I could have my way, I would steal her away when she is old and let her travel through the magical realm on my back. Nothing could go wrong–except that she has two mates–my dads–who can care for her perfectly.

“Do you want me to call you Mama?” I ask as I lean against the wall inside the kitchen.

“No, I understand it’s less embarrassing to call me mom.”

Yet I would still call her Mama if she asked me to. She is my everything, and when she tries to reach for something above the fridge, I give it to her. I’m happy that I can be useful.

My mom, however, cries even louder. Her bottom lip trembles, and then the entire dam breaks. “You’re even taller than your dads!”

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Chapter 48

Not this again…

For the billionth time, I sigh and hand her a smile. “I’ve told you time and again that I’m a dragon–we are

physically bigger.”

“Your kind are also lone

still lonely, and the ons.

I’m worried about you, Henrik. Your sisters have found their mates, but you’re

still lonely, and the only thing you do is work, work, and work even more.”

She isn’t wrong about that. I’ve become a workaholic, but I don’t the problem. I’m perfectly happy without a mate. I have my family, and that’s more than enough for me.

“I’m not lonely…” I mutter.

My mom doesn’t look convinced. “Henrik… Dragons live for a very long time, and one day-”

She starts sniffing, and my heart melts. I know what she was going to say: that one day, she won’t be here, and I will be all alone. But she is wrong. The Wintercrest pack will always be my home–even if I’m not interested in their politics, I will always be surrounded by people.

My mom, however, doesn’t see it that way. She is crying again, and I open my arms. “Do you want a big hug from your favorite son?”

Her eyes narrow. “I only have one son, you big dope!”

I grin. “Which means I’m the favorite.”

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t try to flee. My tiny little Mama comes in for a hug, and I wrap my arms around her, enjoying the moment.

“My little baby. I love you, you know that, right?”

“Yes, Mama,” I call her Mama and don’t correct her on the baby word because I know its fruitless. I will always be her baby, no matter how old I get. “I know that you love me, and I love you too. You’re the best parent a dragon

could have asked for.”

“Oh, Henrik…”

She buries her wet face against my shirt, the warmth of her body spreading through mine. I gently embrace her, my fingers tracing comforting circles on her back. She isn’t even fifty, yet I’m silently wondering how much time

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Chapter 48

she has left. Werewolves live long, healthy lives, but dragons are almost immortal–some are.

Not me, though, which is a relief–I don’t want to live forever. Hell, I don’t want to live longer than my family at all. I will be lonely one day, but I will never admit that to my mom. I’m afraid it would break her.

“I know you’re not lonely, son,” my mom murmurs into my chest. “But I just worry that you’ll miss out on the chance to experience something truly wonderful.”

“And what’s that?” I question, pulling back a little to see her face, leyes still glistening with unshed tears.

“Love,” she whispers simply. “The kind that comes with finding your fated mate.”

Even though she knows well, I can’t help but sigh yet again at her worries. “Mama, I love you and the rest of our family… Isn’t that enough?”

“It is for now,” she admits, walking away to find an apron. She then dabs it at her eyes to remove her salty tears. “But there may come a time when it won’t be, and then…I just don’t want you to miss the opportunity of finding your mate. You have so much love to give, Henrik. A beautiful heart. And I believe someone out there deserves to have it.”

“Mama…” I start in an irritated tone but she shushes me, placing a finger on my lips. She is incredibly short, but there she is, standing on her tiptoes. It amuses me and I fall silent to hear her out.

“Just promise me one thing,” she requests. “Promise me that if you ever meet someone who makes your heart beat faster, who makes you feel like the most important person in the world… Promise me that you will pursue it. Don’t close yourself off from the possibility of finding your mate.”

I’m silent momentarily, pondering over her words before finally giving her a small nod. “Alright, Mama, I

promise.”

Her shoulders sag with relief, and she pulls me in for another tight hug. As I wrap my arms around her once more, I can’t help but wonder about this elusive mate she speaks of so passionately. Could such a person really

exist for me?

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