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His face was already starting to shift into his majestic but dangerous dragon, his hands clenching into fists, the talons that had sprouted from his fingertips piercing his palms and causing blood to drip onto the carpet.

Zoey curled her hand around the top of his arm. “I’m with you now, Hunter. I’m going to be your mate. And I know you will never allow anyone or anything to ever harm me again.”

His eyes glowed as he stared down at her.

“Being a dragon’s mate is forever. Many human lifetimes.

You must be very sure before making that decision.

” His nostrils flared, releasing those wisps of smoke Zoey had seen at the beach yesterday.

“You also have to make that choice because you want to be with me. My brothers and I will make sure Wallis is punished for what he’s done to you and others, no matter what you decide about our mating. ”

Zoey’s gaze met his unflinchingly. “I made my decision when you cradled me in your arms on the flight up here, ensuring I was warm and safe. I made it again when we arrived here, and I saw the deep love and respect you and your brother have for each other, and for Lachlan and his mate. Only good men—or dragons,” she teased, “incite that sort of deep regard for each other. I confirmed that decision when the two of us made love last night. Which is why,” she added huskily, “I also know you are the sexiest man or dragon it has ever been my good fortune to meet.”

“Thank you,” he accepted gruffly. “But is that enough for you to decide to spend centuries with me?”

“I love you, Hunter.” Her cheeks felt warm.

“I feel that love here.” She placed her hand against her chest directly over where her heart lay.

“I also know it here.” She touched her head.

“I feel it again here.” The heat in her cheeks deepened as she placed one of her hands over her breasts and the other against her mound.

“I believe we’re meant to be together. That you are destined to be my one true mate as much as I am meant to be yours.

And I want that to happen before any of us continue looking for Edgar.

” She released a heavy sigh. “He’s already taken so much from me.

I won’t allow him to take anything else. ”

“I love you, my Zoey,” Hunter murmured before lowering his head to capture her lips with his.

Zoey kissed him back, knowing she would never be able to get enough of Hunter’s kisses or the depth of his love for her.

She pulled back after several minutes. “Now that’s settled, I want you to tell me what it was Ranulf was going to say earlier and you stopped him.”

Hunter’s smile was rueful. “You picked up on that, hm?”

“I did, yes,” she assured dryly.

He nodded. “If you refuse me and our mating, I would go insane and eventually die.”

“What the hell!” Zoey stared at him in horror. “And if I hadn’t told you I love you and want to be your mate, if I hadn’t asked, you weren’t going to tell me this?”

His jaw tightened. “No.”

She pulled completely out of his arms. “Why the hell not?”

“Because it would not be fair to put that burden on you?—”

“Now you listen to me, Hunter Drake.” She poked him in the chest. “You do not get to make those sorts of decisions for me. Which is why, in future, you will not keep something as important as that from me. Do you understand? I don’t need that sort of protection. I want to be your partner. Your equal.”

Zoey looked every inch Hunter’s mate in this moment. Strong. Fierce. Proud. Magnificent .

“I understand,” he confirmed.

Her eyes flashed a deep emerald green. “Then you will also promise me not to do anything so stupid ever again.”

He huffed a chuckle at her fierceness. “I promise.”

She gave a satisfied nod. “In that case, let’s forget all this”—she waved in the direction of the computer screens—“tell Ranulf where we’re going for…however long it takes, and then disappear into your mountain lair.”

Hunter felt as if his heart had leaped in his chest as he witnessed the absolute certainty in Zoey’s expression. “However long it takes,” he echoed lightly.

“Enjoy teasing me while you can,” she taunted. “Once we’re mated and I can also shift into a dragon, I might just be able to kick your arse.”

She wouldn’t, because Hunter was a born-dragon and so would always be stronger than her. But Zoey looked so buoyant, so happy at the thought, Hunter didn’t feel the need to tell her that.

Omission wasn’t lying, was it?

He had a feeling Zoey would think it was, he conceded with an inner wince.

He would tell Zoey, but after they were mated. Maybe once they took their first flight together.

Together.

It was a word Hunter had never thought he would ever be able to apply to himself.

But, like Zoey, he had absolutely no doubt that they were meant to be together.

Forever.

Fated and eternal true mates.

The mystery of the missing journal began in LACHLAN (Snow Dragons Hunting 1) – Lachlan and Belle’s story.

It continues in HUNTER (Snow Dragons Hunting 2) – Hunter and Zoey’s story.

And concludes in RANULF (Snow Dragons Hunting 3) – Ranulf and Sophie’s story.