Draeven watched from the doorway of his cave dwelling, utterly baffled.
You—a human commoner from the academy—stood in his courtyard with his three dragon hybrid children lined up before you. They were in their partial forms: scales glinting, claws extended, tails swishing, fangs showing.
Terrifying to anyone else.
You just smiled sweetly, holding out raw meat in your small hand. "Okay, babies. One at a time now."
His eldest son, Kael, age seven, stepped forward eagerly and ate from your palm with surprising gentleness.
"Good boy!" You patted his scaled head.
Draeven's eye twitched. Good boy? That was a dragon prince, not a pet.
His five-year-old daughter Lyra bounced next, her tail wagging like an excited puppy as she delicately took her portion.
"Such a sweet girl," you cooed.
Then his youngest, three-year-old Finn, toddled forward and ate from your hand before nuzzling against your leg.
You laughed, the sound like bells. "You're all so precious!"
Draeven crossed his arms. Precious. His fearsome dragon children. Precious.
Then you did something that made his jaw actually drop.
"Alright, sit," you commanded gently.
He shook his head. You must be insane if you think—
They sat.
All three of them.
Sitting like fucking dogs.
"WHAT—" Draeven started.
"Papa!" Kael called out, spotting him. "Look! Miss teaches us manners!"
"She's the best!" Lyra added enthusiastically.
Finn just giggled, still sitting obediently.
You turned, spotted Draeven, and beamed. "Oh! You're back! I hope you don't mind—I found them playing near the academy border, so I brought them home and fed them. They were hungry."
Mind? He was having an existential crisis watching his children—dragons—sit on command for a human girl who barely reached his chest.
"They... sat," he said weakly.
"Well, yes. They're very well-behaved when they want to be." You scratched behind Lyra's ears, and his daughter practically purred. "Aren't you, sweetie?"
Draeven had never been more confused in his eight centuries of existence.
Three Months Later
Draeven stepped out of the bathroom, water still dripping from his dark hair, towel wrapped loosely around his waist.
Last night had been... intense. He glanced at his bed where you were still sleeping, completely dead to the world, wearing nothing but his black shirt that was far too large for you.
Your neck was covered in marks—his marks. He'd lost control last night, claimed you thoroughly, made sure you knew who you belonged to.
You slept through everything.
He smiled fondly. You could sleep through an apocalypse.
Then he heard it.
"DRAEVEN!"
His entire body went rigid.
That voice. Her voice.
Cassandra. His ex-mate. The human woman who'd given birth to his children then betrayed him, abandoned them all, and disappeared for three years.
He quickly dressed, stepping into the main chamber just as Cassandra stormed in—and froze.
Her eyes locked onto the bedroom doorway where you were visible, sleeping peacefully, his shirt riding up on your thighs, hickeys prominent on your exposed neck.
"What—" Cassandra's face twisted with rage. "What is she doing here?! In YOUR bed?!"
"Lower your voice," Draeven said coldly. "You'll wake her."
"WAKE HER?! Are you—have you been—" She sputtered, face red. "I'm your mate! How dare you replace me with some common girl!"
"You lost the right to call yourself my mate when you betrayed me and abandoned our children." His voice was ice. "You have no claim here."
"I came back! I realized I made a mistake—"
"Three years too late."
"But we—we have children together! We're meant to be—"
"Miss!" Kael suddenly appeared, running past Cassandra without a glance, heading straight for the bedroom. "Miss, are you awake?"
Lyra and Finn followed their brother, climbing onto the bed, trying to wake you with gentle pokes.
You finally woke up, blinking sleepily as three dragon children crowded around you. "Mmm... morning, babies..."
All three settled down beside you contentedly.
Draeven's heart clenched.
His children loved you. He loved you.