Mated to the Griffin (Elemental Mates 5)

Marianne could barely hold back her laughter when she shook her head at them. “Please tell me this didn’t end with any broken arms.”

“Hey. It’s perfectly safe,” Jared said, pretending to be insulted by her distrust. “After all, it was invented by me!”

“And me,” Gregory added, grinning at him. “This was the world’s first ever dragon- or griffin-powered waterski resort.”

It was really just the lake behind Gregory’s mansion. But during their childhood summers, they’d felt like adventurers.

“Do you remember? I was so certain that by the time we were adults, this would be an Olympic discipline.” Jared laughed and shook his head at himself. “I’m not quite sure how I imagined the dragon- or griffin-powered would go over in the human world...”

“I’m pretty sure you didn’t think about that at all.” Gregory nudged his shoulder with an amused sound, then added, “But neither did I. In any case, we had fun, and that’s what matters.”

“I’m glad I’m at least getting a warning,” Chiara muttered at them, although she was smiling, too. “I guess I know what to expect now.”

“It’ll take a few years until they start being nothing but trouble.” Gregory wrapped his arm around his pregnant mate, giving her a tender look. “And we’ll enjoy what quiet time we’ve got left.”

“You’re joking,” Naomi declared, “but I look forward to the crazy antics. Don’t take too much longer, do you hear me? There are lots of people here who want to meet you.” She curved her hand around her belly again, smiling dreamily as she looked at the lake.

One day that’ll be me and Chiara, Jared thought as he looked at the two of them.

And then there’d be another generation of dragons and griffins growing up together, becoming best friends.

***

By the time the sun was starting to set, they’d explored most of the shifter town. It had been a glorious day.

Jared had sometimes dreamed of the day when he’d first get to introduce his mate to his friends—but he’d never dared to hope that he’d do so with his parents by his side.

“How about you stay here with us tonight?” Naomi said to his parents. “Braeden and Alyx only just left his home. And I was thinking that we could go through a couple of photo albums together...”

“Oh, no,” Gregory said, although he was smiling. “I should never have brought those out.”

Naomi giggled. “It’s too late now, I’ve seen it all! And I bet you two would love to see the ones where Gregory tried to turn Jared into a dragon by gluing glitter to his skin...”

Gregory grimaced and gave Jared an apologetic look. “Hey, at least it wasn’t super glue. It came off easily, didn’t it?”

“Only took a week of glittery baths.” Jared shook his head at the memory, amused by the weird things they’d gotten up to together as children.

He wanted to stay around, to go through those albums together with his parents—but there’d be time for that. They’d have all the time in the world to get to know each other.

And right now, the newly mated griffin inside him wanted to proudly show off their home to his mate.

As amazing as it had been to spend an entire day with their friends and family, it had been ages since they’d had any time to themselves. With the heat of the new mate bond still sizzling in his blood, the prospect of an entire night all alone in their own home was more than enough to make up for the embarrassing childhood stories Gregory would tell his parents.

And if they wanted to give the new dragonet a little griffin friend, they’d best start early...

Some of his thoughts must have filtered through the mate bond, because Chiara’s cheeks were flushed as they made their goodbyes.

It had been a long day, but even so, Jared was wide awake by the time they’d made it down the hill from the storm dragon’s mansion.

They were silent for most of their walk, watching as the sun slowly sank below the mountaintops. As twilight settled on the small town, lights began springing up everywhere.

His own house was built against the side of the mountain as well, overlooking the town from a different angle. When they finally made it there, their hands entwined and walking so closely together that their shoulders kept bumping into each other, the driveway was deserted, the last boxes gone.

“Welcome home,” Jared said softly, trailing his thumb down Chiara’s cheek before he leaned in to kiss her.

Her eyes were warm and knowing when he drew back.

“Welcome home,” she said in return.