Thankfully Falcon didn't drink up a storm. He kept it light and moderate.

We talked and discussed a few things over bottles of beers. Falcon was a humorous guy, my exact opposite, he smiled a lot and cracked silly jokes. Sometimes he gets on my last nerve but I loved him regardless.

This outing was refreshing, especially after I caused two humans to expire three days ago. I held the perspiring bottle in my hand as I stared at Falcon who was chattering away about some guy who got fucked with a broomstick. That must have hurt horrendously.

I wondered if I should tell him what happened or if I should keep it to myself. Falcon's already upset with me, he didn't say that he forgave me so telling him may probably upset him all the more. I took a sip of my beer, lost in thought.

Where was Asche now? It's been a while since he left. I missed him. I wanted him near me so that I can feel his warmth and smell his intoxicating scent.

Perhaps I should call him? No, he'd only get angry at me. Thinking I'm keeping his ass hot, as he negatively thinks, and deciding to stay hours later. I'll give him three more hours. After that, I'm going to smell him out and find him.

"I heard you bought Asche a pricey gift," Falcon said, taking several gulps of his beer, sitting it on the coaster with a smug grin.

"Asche told you? When? Is that why you called me?" I asked, surprised that Asche told Falcon.

"Sure he did." Falcon shrugged. "He sounded happy. You really placed a smile on his face, I'm sure of that. Looks like your efforts weren't in vain."

I sighed, raking my hand through my hair, spinning the beer bottle slowly in my hand as I subconsciously read the label. "I know he likes it, but I crave for him to like me. Not just the gift."

Falcon leaned in, his crimson eyes intense. "Then you have to go harder. Push harder, he'll come to love you and your charms. Trust me, he's thinking of you."

I shook my head disbelieving his statement. "Asche is a fickle man, sometimes I can't tell what he's thinking or what personality I'm going to get hit with next. I don't even know when is his birthday. I hardly know anything about him. I have to do better. We have to go on dates. I promised him that. I should at least uphold it."

Falcon placed a hand on mine, his eyes reassuring and thoughtful. "Stop overthinking and start acting on your feelings. If he didn't like you, he'd probably run away again. Pregnant or not. I'm certain he has some sort of feeling towards you, I'm not sure if it is deep, but he feels for you. He likes you, Drakos. I'm not telling you what I think, I'm telling you what I know."

I nodded and Falcon squeezed my hand fondly, removing it to run lines along the chilled bottle. I watched the movement as the gears in my mind worked overtime. He's right. I'm thinking too much. I have to live in the moment, show him that I'm changed and I want him to be forever mine.

Forever mine...

My heart arrested in my chest. I'm a dragon-shifter and Asche's a human. He won't live as long as I would. I'm basically immortal and I'll eventually outlive him. I never thought about that. Now that I did, I felt sick to my stomach.

Zyros listened to my thoughts, keeping silent.

Is there a way for me to increase the longevity of his lifespan? I demanded.

His elliptical eyes gazed at me and I gazed back, waiting for him to respond.

We must mate with him. He must bear our mark and we must claim him during that time. He isn't fully ours until then. Do not dilly-dally, take him and bring him into our everlasting arms.

Mate with him? Does Falcon know this? I looked at Falcon who I didn't realize was staring at me for a long time.

He quirked a brow.

"Did you mate with Stephon?"

"That's a really blunt question." He said, keeping a keen eye on me.

"Falcon, just answer it." I rolled my eyes.

"I was planning to do it after he gave birth but, I'm anxious to do it as soon as possible. Accidents happen, Drakos and I don't want to risk it."

There's that too. Asche almost bled out when he miscarried our baby. What if something terrible happens to him and he cannot heal himself? I shoved away the thought and tried to think positively.

Do it before he bears our child. Zyros insisted.

I'll think about it. Remember we need his consent. We can't do it against his will. He'll resent us.

Zyros said nothing else and I mentally sighed. He's stubborn and selfish.

"Does Stephon know what it means to mate?" I questioned, reading his reaction carefully.

Falcon looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "I haven't explained it to him as yet, but I'm sure he'll be okay with it. He's understanding."

"Don't delay," I told him. "Because I won't. I'll talk to Asche about it. In the meantime, I'll keep him safe."

Falcon glanced around the bar as people chattered over glasses and bottles of alcohol. He faced me, "You won't be around him twenty-four-seven, so I'd say talk to him later today or tomorrow."

I cocked my head to the side, trying to read his expression and understand what he meant by that but he gave nothing away.

"Come on, we should get going. I was deprived of afternoon sex and I'm feeling grumpy." He stood up, drinking the last of the beer.

I rose with him, slipping away from the table. "Thanks for taking me out. It was a breath of fresh air. I hope you'd be willing to do this again," I said, giving him an unsure look.

He smiled. "Drakos, I forgive you. Even though you felt like you were doing the right thing. I can't stay mad at you forever. We only have each other and Felicia. So we must stick together. Don't look at me like that, you'll make me go fucking mushy, okay?" He stormed off, embarrassed.

I smiled adoringly at my brother, following him.

***