Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Paula

A bunch of things happen later that night. Since I’m in a dream, the first thing I do inside Henrik’s grand mansion is call my abusive boyfriend.

He answers after the first tone. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s me.”

“Paula?” He sounds like he is in pain–Henrik must have really done a number on him. “Where are you? And listen, there was some huge buff dude here.Henrik Winter? Is he is he your boss? The guy must have been close to seven feet tall.”

I glance at Henrik. He is lying on his bed with his head propped up on his elbow, smiling innocently at me before mouthing, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes,” I mouth back. “I got this.”

Henrik just smiles, and I go back to focusing on fixing my life in this hyperrealistic dream…if you look away from the fact, I’m “married” through dragon fire with a billionaire dragon. But never mind that! I must get rid of Timothy.

“Henrik isn’t only my boss–he is my super sexy dragon husband, and I’m leaving you.”

“Dr–dragon, what now?!”

“We had sex.”“

“Wh–what?! But babe, I love you! You can’t leave me for your boss! Think about everything we have been through!”

“Oh, you mean all the abusive and gaslighting you’ve made me endure during our time together?”

“Paula, L… You got it all wrong! It was never like that,” Timothy stammers, his voice wavering with desperation. You’re just upset. You will come back home soon. You will see…

I cut him off before he has the chance to begin with his usual manipulative speeches. “No, Timothy,” I say, my voice hard and resolute. “I won’t. Not this time. Not ever again.”

There’s silence on the other end of the line. It drags on for so long that I wonder if Timothy has simply hung up in shock, or perhaps denial–of my words.

“But… You… We…” He tries to protest, but words seem to fail him. I can almost see him now, sweating and nervous in our old apartment, unable to comprehend how his control over me has slipped through his fingers.

“This is goodbye, Timothy,” I say firmly, leaving no room for doubt or hopes of reconciliation.

The silence that follows is deafening. Finally, with a soft click that echoes loudly in the quiet room, he hangs up.

For a moment, I just sit there, stunned at my own audacity. It feels liberating and terrifying all at once. But I have Henrik by my side now, someone who truly cares for me and respects me.

I turn back to Henrik, who has been silently watching this whole exchange. His handsome face is lit by a gentle smile as he opens his arms wide for me.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly as I snuggle into his warm embrace.

I smile against his chest as 1 reply, “Yes…yes, Lam

11:37 Sat, 27 Apr

Chapter 60

He holds me tighter then, humming a sih fullaby under his breath as we lay there together on his enormous bed, the two of us lying in this grand mansion with the right falling gently conside,

The realny of my situation desen on me dowly. I no longer have to fear or worry about Timothy, at least not in this dream. I’m safe in the arms of a billionaire dragon and free from an alanive parmer

A soft sigh escapes me as I close my eyes, content to drift off to sleep in his arms.

Henrik chuckles above me “I have a question?

Choost

“Do you still think this is a dream?

Dindit. “Of course I would have never called you my sexy dragon husband if I thought this was real.”

“No!” he almost sounds disappointed, but there is also amusement in his voice.

“No.” I repeat, Dying from embarrassment isn’t my style of dying, you know.”

“Hnum. I guess you’re up for a grand surprise in the morning then, love.”

I just laugh into his warm chest and hold him tighter. He smells nice, and I could get used to being held by his strong arms. Sucks that this isn’t reality.

As sleep begins to wash over me, I whisper a soft, “Goodnight, dragon husband, causing Henrik to chuckle.

“Goodnight, human wife,” he whispers back. His soothing voice lulls me into dreamland.

When I awaken the next morning, I am momentarily disoriented. The bed beneath me is too large and too luxurious to be mme. The man beside me is too attractive and too kindhearted to be someone who would ever choose me. I blink rapidly as the memories from last night come rushing back.

Henrik stirs beside me, opening one eye to study me curiously. His gaze is both intense and endearing, causing my breath to hitch in my throat.

“Morning” he murmurs. His deep voice sends a pleasant shiver down my spine.

I stare at him for a moment before asking the most pressing question on my mind. “Was all of that real?”

His grin immediately gives away his answer.

With a grogginess that belies his size and supposed draconic nature, Henrik stretches before pulling me into his arms. “Depends on what part you’re asking about.”

1 roll my eyes at his teasing tone. “I mean the part where you’re a dragon billionaire who blew his fire over me to complete a mating or marriage or something.”

Henrik laughs heartily at that. “Yes, love,” he says once he’s composed himself again. “All of that was very real.”

“Buthow? Why?” I ask, struggling to comprehend this new reality.

Henrik rubs his cheek against my hair. I suspect he is doing it to mix our scents together. There is even a purring sound coming from his chest before he talks.

*1 already told you: you’re my fated gate, and that means that you and I will be together forever…well, the forever part is only if you agree to share my lifetime with me. It would basically make you close to immortal.”

2/5

11:37 Sat, 27 Apr M

Chapter 60

“Immortal?!”

Henrik chuckles and hugs me tighter “Gawd, you’re so cute! You really know nothing about us supernaturals, but that’s okay. You have all the time in the world to process this now that you’re mine.”

I turn to stone in his armis, and I swear my soul leaves my body. This is my boss, and I called him “my sexy dragon husband” yesterday, which is so freaking embarrassing!

Wait…

“Í BROKE UP WITH TIMOTHY THAT WAS REAL?1”

“Yes, love. That was real, too,” Henrik responds, his eyes twinkling with mirth..

I let out a squeak, covering my face with the sheets. This is a disaster. I am a disaster.

“You also called me your ‘sexy dragon husband, right? Well, just know that I’m happy with that position.”

“This is a nightmare…”

Henrik’s bellowing laugh echoes through the room, making my heart flutter with joy. “It can’t be that bad being with me, right?” he asks, his words muffled by my hair.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m just I can’t believe this is real. How did I get into such a crazy situation?” I mutter into the sheets.

“There’s nothing crazy about it,” Henrik states, pulling the sheets down to reveal my face. “In every universe and timeline, we’re fated to be together.”

His words send a warm chill through me. Even though this is insane and beyond anything I could have ever imagined, I can’t help but think that there’s nowhere else I’d want to be right now.

But there were still some things I needed to clarify. “So what does this mean for us? For me? Timothy…he won’t let me go that easily.”

Henrik’s expression tightens at the mention of Timothy’s name. “You don’t need to worry about him anymore,” he assures me. His concerned gaze softens as he caresses my cheek with his large hand. “If he ever comes close to you again, I will eat

him.”

“Eat him?!” I shriek. “Do you eat humans?!”

“Sometimes,” there is a mischievous glint in his eye. “Would you like me to eat you out right now? I could human breakfast.”

Even though my cheeks burn, I manage to glare at him. “Be serious, will you? I’m having a meltdown.”

d

for some

“I’m serious,” he reassures me, the playful glint never leaving his eyes. “At least about the part of protecting you. No one will harm you, not while I’m still breathing.”

I sigh and tuck my head against his chest. This is all so overwhelming. One minute, I’m just a normal girl living in a big city; the next thing I know, I’m mated to a dragon billionaire who apparently loves to cause trouble.

“You’re silent,” Henrik observes after a while, breaking the comforting quiet.

“I was just thinking…” I trail off as he prods me to continue.

“About?”

Chapter 60

About how my life has changed.”

Henrik smirks knowingly. “Change is good, love”

“Not always,” I retort, feeling a hint of frustration creeping in again.

“You’re right,” he concedes, pulling me closer against him. “Not always. But this time? Yes.” He punctuates his statement with a gentle kiss on the top of my head, which does wonders to calm my nerves.

I close my eyes and relax into his embrace, trying to accept this new reality. If this is what fate has for me, then so be it.

“So what now?” I ask after what feels like an hour’s silence.

“We move forward together,” he answers confidently,

“But what about my job?”

“Do you want to keep it? You’re really good at what you do, you know. I didn’t hire you just because you’re mate–you’re hardworking, and I admire that.”

“Th–thanks…”

“You’re welcome. Any other questions?”

“Yes. What about my furniture? And my apartment? And-

Before I can panic further, Henrik shushes me gently. “Love. let’s take it one step at a time. We’ll deal with things together. Always.”

His assurance is exactly what I need at that moment. Even though I hardly know him, I feel safe in his arms, like home. It must be because of the mate bond…

“Okay,” I whisper finally, nuzzling into his chest. “I will just go with it.”

“Also,” he adds after a moment’s thought, making me look up at him, curious. “I do eat humans sometimes as a snack.”

With that, he lets out a hearty laugh and I aim a half–hearted punch at his side. Even though I’m unsure if he is joking or not, I can’t help but laugh along. Henrik makes me feel good and cherished.

He also makes me smile–I think he will be the perfect mate for me.

And with that trust in my heart, I let go of my worries and lift my chin to place a kiss on his soft lips.

Henrik smiles against my lips, a soft, gentle thing that radiates warmth into my bones. “There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing you finally accepting your fate.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I caution him teasingly, but my voice lacks the real sting of reproof. After all, here in his arms, something feels right. The anxious knots in my belly have started to untangle.

I think I’m right where I’m meant to be.