"No, no, don't do that. I'll be fine for a short while. However, I'll let you know if it becomes too much, and you can sneak
me out." She glanced warily at the house. "If that's even possible, given how many people are probably in there, judging by the shadows in the windows."
"Oh, I'll find a way out, love. I promise you that." As he stroked his human's waist, he tried imagining what it was like to be her. Jose, while not the most charming male at first meeting, didn't have a problem with strangers or groups.
Dragon-shifters, in general, had rather nosey and close-knit communities, both out of necessity and tradition. To try and stay away was futile, as almost every teenager learned super quickly.
Victoria glanced back at him with a smile. "I'll just think of it this way—it's more people who can answer my questions about dragon-shifters."
He snorted. "Then go for it. Ask some rather scandalous ones while you're at it. I'd pay to see the reaction of some of my aunts and uncles to anything deemed racy or embarrassing. I don't know, you could ask how instinctual their inner dragons are, especially about sex."
She blushed. "Maybe. Although I have to be careful about not going too far if I want to make a good impression."
The fact his female wanted to try so hard to win approval made both man and beast stand tall with pride. "They'll love you, just wait and see." They approached the bright yellow house and Jose put a hand on the doorknob. "And here we go."
Opening it, the music grew even louder. It was always a mad scramble for who controlled the playlist for the family get-togethers. The rule was that whoever got their phone connected to the speakers and played music first would have control of it for the entire dinner or gathering.
And judging by the Spanish-language pop music blaring, his cousin Luna had won. Again.
His dragon chuckled. She does it because it annoys the older ones, but most especially Gaby.
I know. But it's getting old. I can't remember when someone other than Luna or my sister have won dibs on the playlist.
No sooner had they stepped inside than his mother rushed right up to them, a big smile on her face.
She was only slightly shorter than Jose, which meant she still towered over Victoria. His mother took Victoria's shoulders and then pulled her into a hug. "You must be Tori. My son has told me all about you."
He'd had exactly one fifteen-minute conversation with his mom earlier in the day—dragons didn't call others during a frenzy, so he'd never had the chance before.
But regardless, he'd learned long ago not to waste time correcting his mom on minor things or it could take up an entire evening.
His mother leaned back and studied Victoria. "But he didn't mention how thin you were. Come, I have a table of food for you to choose from. With a little work, we'll get you nice and plump for the baby."
He groaned. "Mom."
His mother raised her brows. "She's human, Jose. That little dragon baby will steal most of her calories if she's not careful. So, yes, she needs to put on some weight."
He glanced at Victoria. At the amusement in her eyes, his irritation eased a fraction. After all, to his mother, cooking was love, and she wanted everyone to have it.
His mate's reaction also meant she didn't offend easily, which should make the night—and blending in with his family—all the easier.
His dragon murmured, Mom will be good for Tori. They all will.
Laughter broke out in one of the nearby rooms and his mother looked over her shoulder. "If we don't hurry, my brothers will eat half the table in the next twenty minutes, and the rest will go to my nieces and nephews. And since everyone brought something to dinner, you can have your pick. The more you eat, the more we can learn what you like."
Victoria blinked. "What I like?"
"Of course, Tori. We rotate favorites at our house." His mother frowned. "Even though that can take a while to rotate through, we'll make an exception for you. After all, it's not every day I have a new daughter and a grandchild on the way."
As Victoria stared blankly, no doubt trying to figure out how to handle that statement, Jose stepped in. "Mom, Tori just got here. Let's try to tone down your master life plan until later, okay?"
His mother waved a hand in dismissal. "I don't have a master life plan."
She did—she most certainly did. It involved a dozen grandchildren and her entire extended family moving up from California, Arizona, and Mexico.
With Victoria and his mother’s first grandchild being added, his mom would probably find a way to bring the human's family to PineRock, too.
He decided to change the subject so as to not spook his mate. "You could at least introduce yourself to my human before rushing her to the kitchen?"