Chapter 194 Dragon POV

Chapter 194 Dragon POV
These past two days have been… interesting, to say the least. We’ve hosted everyone—our friends, Damian and Asteria included. Lilith has been too exhausted to protest any of it, which is probably the only reason I haven’t kicked half of them out already.

I gave Damian space, another chance to prove where he stands—friend or foe. But honestly? I’m not even worried about him anymore. Not when I’ve got a house full of wolves watching Lilith like she’s a fucking meal.

And I hate it.

Is it because she’s pregnant? I mean… they’ve always watched her, but this is different. More intense. Hungrier. I’ve come to terms with the stares—the subtle ones, the not-so-subtle ones, even the lingering looks that make my skin crawl and my wolf, Dread, pace inside me, ready to rip heads off.

I hold it in. I always do.

Everyone’s been sleeping downstairs, far away from us. Rage has been sharing a room with Nova and Ares—though apparently, they don’t all pile in together like I assumed. He told me they take turns with him. The only time they were all together was the night of their ceremony.

We actually talked about it—what it’s like to share a mate. Strange conversation, but… needed.

Lacy has been keeping Lucas in check. He got handsy with Lilith once. Once. That was enough. Caleb’s been mostly cool, but I’ve caught him staring more than a few times. Liam thinks he’s slick, like I don’t notice—but I do.

Matt...I didn’t expect it from him.

Fuck me, there are too many of them.

I cannot wait until they all leave.

The only reason Matt and Rose are still here is because they won’t drink and drive. Great. Fantastic. Love that for me.

Teresa just finished altering Lilith’s white dress. Black and white is the theme—black tie, of course. It’s not some massive event, just a select guest list. Us, and the “who’s who” of rich werewolves.

The ceremony is at the Moon Goddess temple, then the reception back on our grounds. Jackson Stone—Jenna’s dad—called to ask if they could set up the main tent here. Best view, most land.

I’m not complaining. I like the idea of walking home after.

I fasten Lilith’s beating-heart necklace around her neck. The dress hugs her perfectly, molding to every curve. Her tits—fuck—they look incredible. Full, heavy, impossible to ignore.

My mouth actually waters.

My pants tighten instantly, straining against my zipper like I’ve got no control over my own body.

Lilith catches me staring and starts giggling.

"Do you want to go again?" she laughs.

"No!" I hesitate, dragging a hand through my hair. "We’re going to be late. And I am going to have to beat werewolves off of you all night. Maybe I should have stayed a Rogue until the pup was born."

"It hasn’t been that bad," she says, still laughing like this is all a joke.

"Yes—yes, it has." The words start spilling out before I can stop them. "It’s always like this, but now it’s worse. Guys always stare at you, and in the back of my mind...Dread and I are constantly pissed off, constantly holding it in. I’ve learned to deal with it, but it still bothers me."

I run a hand over my face, exhaling sharply.

"You’re like a butterfly."

"What are you saying?" she asks, brows pulling together.

"You know how butterflies can’t see their wings?" I pause, my throat tightening unexpectedly. "They don’t realize how beautiful they are. They can’t see it."

I feel it then—that crack. That unraveling. And I don’t even try to stop it.

"All the damn mirrors in the world can’t show you what I see. What everyone sees." My voice drops, rough, honest. "I feel like some lucky bastard you picked out who doesn’t fucking measure up. Like I’ve fucked up too many times for you to still choose me. I don’t even know why you do."

I laugh, but there’s no humor in it.

"I hope our pup is ugly like me. Thank the Goddess he’s a boy, because I don’t know how the hell I’d handle another female that looks like you. How would I even protect both of you?"

My chest tightens.

"I miss Dimitri. He was my backup. He should be here."

Lilith grabs me, snapping me out of it before I can spiral any further.

"You dumbass!" she says, shaking her head. "You are not ugly. That face—and that dick—are you fucking kidding me? I should not have to explain this to you."

She narrows her eyes at me. "Since when do you have low self-esteem?" She pauses for a moment. "Are you ok? Where is all this coming from?"

"Are we sure he’s not the pregnant one?" Lucas yells from downstairs.

Fuck me.

I knew they were listening. Every single one of them.

Now I look like a complete idiot.

You know what? Fuck it. I don’t care.

I grab Lilith’s hand and lead her downstairs without another word. Everyone is gathered by the door, waiting for us. It’s dead silent for about half a second—just enough time for me to know it’s about to get worse.

"That was really sweet," Lacy says with a soft smile.

Lucas opens his mouth—

"Shut up, man. I don’t care," I cut him off, pointing at him.

"I was just going to say..." he grins, already laughing, "you are one ugly fucker!"

Lacy elbows him hard. Caleb reaches over and messes up Lucas’s perfectly styled hair, making it worse.

Asteria smiles at me, her grip tight on Damian’s hand—tight enough her knuckles go white.

"You had all the girls losing their minds that night," Teresa chimes in. "When Headmaster Williams introduced your dad, you, and Dimitri? Genetic perfection." She laughs. "I was off to the side, in the shadows, but you could hear the gasps."

I shake my head, dragging a hand down my face.

"Yeah, yeah. We need to go," I mutter. "We cannot be late."

Ares speaks up from behind everyone. "Lucas you better stop teasing my brother in law or else, I am going to have to tell everyone how you have a huge fan boy crush on him." she starts to laugh. "Oops, did I just say that out loud!"

We all freeze. What the heck did she just say? Everyone is laughing, Lucas is crimson red, his hands cover his face. Lacy is trying to get him to uncover his face while she folds over, wrinkling her white gown.