He cried himself to sleep. After all of the struggling and fighting, he finally gave up and gave in to his fatigue. I laid him in bed, gently pulling the cover over him and imparting a kiss on his temple. His cheeks were stained with his tears, but his face was relaxed in slumber.

I felt relieved that he wasn't grimacing in pain despite being unconscious. My heart ached staring at him. There has to be a reason why he's so hostile and so distrusting. What exactly happened in his youth to create such anger in a small man? My frown deepened as I ran a finger across his perfectly arched eyebrow. I'll find out the cause, and when I do, I'll ensure that I'll erase every bad memory and rewrite it with marvelous ones.

He'll never have to cry anymore or feel afraid to open up to others.

I reluctantly left the room and went back downstairs only to find Lisa putting up a fight with Falcon. Stephon entered at the same time from the opposite threshold that led to the guest wing, wearing an angry expression.

"Bitch, get off of him!" He roared lunging for Lisa, not knowing that Falcon was more than capable of subduing her. He's only exercising restraint, not wanting to hurt the woman.

I didn't bother to stop him and smiled smugly when he landed an echoing slap to her face, sending her to the floor with a startled yelp. She glared at both men, cursing them viciously.

"I demand to see Drakos this instant! I don't deserve to be treated like this!"

"Bitch, if you ever place your hands on my man, I'll skin your boney ass alive." Stephon threatened.

Falcon sent him a loving stare that Stephon returned with an air kiss.

These two. I shook my head.

They weren't aware that I stood on the other side of the room. I cleared my throat and walked further into the room.

They all turned to me.

"Drakos, darling--" She began.

"I thought I told you to leave, Lisa." My tone was calm but venomous.

She got up on her feet with much struggle, placing a pitiful look on her face, pointing a finger at Stephon, "He attacked me!"

"As he should." I said flatly. "You were told to leave and you refused to."

"Drakos you mustn't treat me like this," She demanded. "I'm carrying your child."

"This brazen bitch," Stephon rolled his eyes to the heavens.

"Stephon," Falcon hissed.

"What? It's obvious she's a a whore, that child could belong to a hobo for all we know," Stephon said bitterly, displaying his dislike for the woman.

I glared at Lisa who stared back, her eyes filling with tears. My eyes lowered to her slightly bluging stomach with creased brows. So she is truly expecting. But I felt no connection to the child.

"Lisa you've been gone for almost three months, if I assume correctly, that child cannot possibly be mine. Who knows what cock you bounced on to conceive it. However, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. I'll take a paternity test, and that is after the child is born. So, I'll see you in about...what? Seven months?" I said, fixing my cufflinks with nonchalance.

"Drakos!" She cried out and I strode angrily over to her, fighting the notion to strangle her.

"Leave, now. You are not welcomed here! I will have security do so if you do not. This is my final warning."

She sniffed, regaining her composure. "Let it be that way, then. When this child is born, you will be sorry you turned your back on us. This is the child you've always wanted." She said angrily.

I smiled, not giving a fuck about her or her bastard child. "Oh, no, Lisa. You are dreadfully mistaken. I turned my back on you, not the child because it's not mine. But, I will have you know that I've already gained my heart's desire. As a matter of fact, I'm headed upstairs to give it a little nourishing. Falcon, see her out please." I spared her not another glance and left the room, a small smile pulling on my lips when Asche and our unborn child entered my thoughts.

***

Asche woke up hours later, his eyes fluttering open to rest upon my face.

He blinked several times before realization kicked in. He tried to sit up but I tenderly placed an arm on his shoulder to keep him down.

"Rest,"

"No," He grimaced.

"Did you forget that you are carrying a child? You must take care of yourself for the sake of the child." I told him.

He rolled his eyes and looked away.

I watched as his cheeks turned scarlet, possibly from a lewd thought.

I raked my fingers through his hair, feeling a burst of love for this young man. I desired to know more about him. What makes him laugh, what makes him cry, how he came to sell his body and many more. The good and the bad. I wanted to search through his mind and body inside and out, to get lost in his memories, to become one with him.

I ran my hand down his flat stomach with a rush of possessiveness, anticipating the arrival of our child.

He bit his lips, gazing up at me. "So this means you won't let me go?"

I sighed, sensing an argument brewing.

"Asche, don't you find me endearing?" I asked, caressing his cheek.

"Your cock is, but you, I'm not sure. I don't trust you. You've hurt me." He accused and truthfully, his comment stabbed me excruciatingly.

He likes my cock but not its wielder? How is that possible?

"Asche, I'm a half-dragon. You must understand that my dragon tends to want control. Especially since I've met you. He's obsessed with you."

Mate. Ours. My dragon said from my conscience.

I ignored him and tried to get my point across to Asche.

"Tell me Asche, tell me that you do not want what I can give you. You crave to be loved but you are afraid. I can love you with all my being, all my heart and all my soul. Just tell me who hurt you, where you're hurting and I'll try my best to fix it. Just tell me, please."

His eyes filled with tears and he glanced away once more, "Don't beg like that, you'll make me cry."

***