Origin (Scales N' Spells #1) - A.J. Sherwood Page 0,136

Everyone in Burkhard Castle has been whistling and skipping. It’s like living in one of the romantic comedy movies Gunter swears he doesn’t religiously watch when he’s feeling down. We are ecstatic that our king has finally found his mate. And we are thrilled that his mate is so worthy of him.”

Some of the tightness in Alric’s chest eased, making it easier for him to draw a breath. “You really think he will want me?”

Baldewin snorted. “According to Ravi, he already wants you plenty.”

Alric barked out a harsh laugh and shoved his friend away. “As a mate, you idiot!”

“Yes, Alric. I have no doubt that one day Cameron will demand you officially bond with him. His mind might not know it yet, but I’m sure his heart has already figured out you are his mate.”

Alric leaned back in his chair and just let those words sink into his skin. Mate. Cameron was his mate. After so many years, he finally had found his mate. They would spend the rest of their days together. With any luck, they would have a child—No! children—together. The world needed many dragon-shaped Camerons running around.

And Alric would give himself over to making sure that his mate had everything his heart desired. Cameron would always know that he was loved and cherished. They would have a long life together and—

“Verdammt!” Alric jerked upright and looked down at his watch. 17:59.

“What’s wrong?” Baldewin jumped to his feet, looking as if he was ready to launch himself into battle for his king.

“You’ve made me late! I’m meeting Cameron for dinner.” Alric shoved out of his chair and jogged across his office, ignoring the deep echo of Baldewin’s laugh.

“You can blame me if he’s angry with you.”

“Of course I’m blaming you!” Alric shouted back as he jerked the door open. He hurried down the corridor toward the dining hall, but there was a smile on his lips. He was meeting his mate for dinner. It didn’t matter if it took Cameron another month or twenty years to figure out they were mates. Alric would happily wait for him. Cameron was his and always would be.

Cameron breathed a little easier as they pulled through the castle gates and headed toward the city. The presence of Dieter behind the wheel didn’t exactly relax him, but just getting outside the castle and putting some distance between himself and Alric lifted some of the weight from his chest.

Not that he wanted to be away from Alric.

Shit, maybe that was the problem. With every day that passed, Cameron spent more and more time with the dragon. It had to be obvious that he was falling for Alric and falling fast. No wonder people assumed. They didn’t seem to realize just how much that assumption alarmed Cameron. It wasn’t that he didn’t want it—he just had no idea if he was ready for it. Choosing Alric meant turning his life completely upside down, and that was a rather hefty decision to make.

Gunter’s words had been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Or in this case, Cameron’s last nerve. Because if even Gunter, who was admittedly very out of touch with castle gossip, had picked up on it? Then Cameron might be screwed.

As the feet turned into yards with the looming threat of becoming miles between them, Cameron felt his skin growing too tight and itchy. A part of him already wanted to turn around and find Alric. He was like a freaking drug addict going too long without his next fix.

This was stupid.

He didn’t need someone like he needed air. This wasn’t his first relationship. No, there hadn’t been a lot of others in his past. Okay, maybe only three and they hadn’t lasted long, but dating had never been like this.

With his other boyfriends, his day didn’t automatically get better when he saw their smile. He didn’t endlessly think about them and wonder what they were doing. He didn’t worry about whether they were taking too much on and needed a distraction. He didn’t plot ways to “randomly” run into his boyfriend.

Oh my god! Was he a stalker or a boyfriend?

“Cameron, take a deep breath.”

Dieter’s calm voice pierced the spiraling thoughts, and Cameron could now hear the ragged panting was actually coming from him.

A high-pitched laugh escaped him, and he shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m good, I’m just freaking myself out a little.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just realized I’ve literally never acted like this with a previous boyfriend. That I’m making