Page 12 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss (Mated to the Monster: Season 3)

Chapter Twelve

BEST IN SHOW

Sunny Adlawan

I should be panicking.

The stage lights are blinding, the flashes from cameras nonstop, and yet I’m somehow not afraid.

Maybe because Khanner is still holding my hand.

Maybe because, after all the nerves, all the self-doubt, I did what I came here to do.

I gave it my best.

And I’m so damn happy.

“Holy shit,” Mei breathes, appearing at my side. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

“Me neither,” I laugh, still half in shock.

Khanner, standing imposingly beside me, doesn’t say anything, but I feel the weight of his steady presence.

Mei looks between us. “Okay, so… what now?”

I hesitate, suddenly very aware that I left a whole work conference for this.

Khanner probably wants to go back.

Or, you know. Fire me.

I open my mouth to say we should probably leave, but Khanner beats me to it.

“We’re staying.”

I blink. “Wait. What?”

He looks down at me, completely serious. “You deserve to be here when they announce you as the winner.”

A surprised laugh escapes me. “Khanner, there were so many good costumes! I don’t stand a chance.”

He arches a brow. “What category did you enter?”

I shift uncomfortably. “Novice.”

He merely nods, expression unreadable.

I get the distinct feeling that he doesn’t agree.

The banquet hall is a riot of colors, fabrics, and armor.

People are mingling in character, banners drape from the ceilings, and the scent of roasted meats, cinnamon mead, and fresh parchment fills the air.

It’s honestly perfect.

I fidget with my napkin, trying to ignore my nerves.

Khanner is ridiculously composed, but I know him well enough to tell that he’s paying attention.

When the Novice Category is announced, I hold my breath.

“And the winner is… Briar Moonblade!”

A cheer goes up from a table nearby.

I smile, clapping politely as the winner goes to accept their trophy.

Khanner, however, is staring at the judges like he’s about to reduce them to ash.

“I’ll speak with them,” he mutters, tone dark.

“Khanner, no.” I grab his arm, laughing despite myself.

“You should have won,” he grits out.

“I had fun!” I insist. “And I did my best. Plus, you didn’t fire me on the spot, so that’s already a win.”

His glower doesn’t fade.

“Look,” I say, squeezing his arm. “I came here for the experience. I got it. That’s enough.”

For a moment, it looks like he still wants to go full dragonkin wrath mode, but then his shoulders relax slightly.

“…Fine,” he says, though he doesn’t sound happy about it.

We start to stand, getting ready to leave.

And then the next announcement happens.

“And now, for Best in Show…”

I don’t expect to hear my name.

I’m already grabbing my bag, already ready to go.

But then?—

“Sunny Adlawan!”

My brain short-circuits.

I freeze.

Mei screams.

Khanner—

Smirks.

I whip my head to look at him. “Did you know?”

He shrugs, entirely too pleased with himself.

Before I can fully process anything, Khanner simply takes my hand and leads me forward.

Everything is a blur.

The stage. The weight of the trophy in my hands.

The absolute cheers that follow.

The announcer smiles. “And can we get a picture with our Best in Show winner and her stunning dragon knight?”

I glance at Khanner.

He doesn’t even hesitate.

For the second time that day, he extends his hand.

I take it.

I’m still buzzing with excitement as I finally get the chance to eat.

Mei is still vibrating with energy beside me, while Khanner is?—

Well.

Khanner is acting like all of this was inevitable.

I shove a bite of roasted chicken into my mouth, still processing.

Meanwhile, Khanner is completely unfazed, typing into his phone like this is just another day at work.

Guilt creeps in.

“I—” I swallow, then try again. “I’m sorry for pulling you away from work.”

Khanner barely glances up. “Royce practically threatened me to stay away.”

I blink.

Mei, overhearing, laughs into her drink.

“Seems,” Khanner adds, completely unfazed, “that we both earned a little time off.”

Warmth blooms in my chest.

Because for once, I am not the only workaholic.

For the rest of the night, we fully embrace the convention.

Between the mead tasting, impromptu jousting, and endless rounds of gushing over costume details, something hits me.

Something I probably should’ve noticed before.

I have fallen.

Hard.

For Khanner Rokoth.

The realization is a little terrifying.

Because how am I supposed to go back to work like normal after this?

By the time I finally scrub out the last of the pixie glitter from my hair and skin, I am bone-tired.

I’m about to collapse face-first into bed when there’s a knock at my door.

A very familiar knock.

My stomach flips.

I pull open the door, expecting business-mode Khanner.

Instead, I get… this.

Khanner in a simple button-down, sleeves rolled up, golden eyes sharp and focused.

And that is a very unfair combination.

Before I can overthink, he says smoothly, confidently?—

“I’m not sorry.”

Then he kisses me.

And I melt.

His mouth is warm, firm, undeniably possessive.

My hands grasp at his shoulders, pulling him closer.

He deepens the kiss, slow and thorough, as if staking his claim.

And honestly?

I think I want to be claimed.