Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 148

Jesse

It took us driving for three days straight for the group of us to narrow down where the elder dragon was. I was pressure we found the right place because the ground was literally trembling the closer we got.

Lia had one of her visions during the night, saying that there was a hidden entrance that someone with dragon blood had to open. Xaveria was with us so she said she would be able to open it.

Colby suggested we sleep first. All of us had to be at tip top shape to confront the elder dragon.

one thing that was bothering me was what we were going to do when she faced the elder dragon. During dinner around the campfire, Rain blurted out the question because that was the type of person Rain was.

“So what are we going to do when we see the elder dragon?” he asked nervously. “I think we are going to fight, right? Or are we just going to try to talk with him?”

Xaveria cleared her throat. “Or her. Are you sexist now Rain?” He paled. “Oh my god I am sexist.”

Lia sighed. “Rain, get it together and to answer your question, I don’t know. I’m just going to go down there and hopefully we live to tell the tale.”

“Pragmatic and to the point,” I said with a nod.

There was nothing else Lia could say or do, anyway. She was in this whether she liked it or not. We all were. Rain scoffed. “Define ‘stupid heroics’ because I feel like that’s kind of our thing.”

Xaviera smirked. “He’s got a point.”

Lia rubbed her temples. “Let’s just-let’s just rest. We’ll deal with the dragon in the morning.” Tomorrow, we faced an elder dragon.

And we had no idea if we were walking into a battle-or our own doom.

This was kind of amusing to think because the next day we sort of were working into our own doom when we found this secret underground entrance that Xaveria was about to open.

Before we walked down, Xaveria stopped and stared. For a second I thought she was going to remain above but she didn’t.

Maybe she was hoping the dragon would kill her. It was so obvious that she wanted to die. I couldn’t blame her given for how long she had been alive. If I were as long as she was then I think I would want to die as well.

All of us went in together. After silence, we ended up being attacked by this strange creature. I could only describe it as a zombie dragon.

Rain’s words and not mine.

But Lia jumped to action, fighting for not only herself and the back, but also the world. They had no idea what was going on and a part of me was pissed off. Though I’d address that at a later date.

For a moment, I did stop and stare at Lia. Watching her during these types of situations were always fascinating because it showed how much she had changed.

Seeing Lia in action when she’s fighting all these dragons, traps, and everything thrown our way is amazing. She has come into her power as of late, and I couldn’t be more proud of her.

All of us have done our best to adjust. It hasn’t been easy. Sometimes she asks us if we’re okay, like she’s worried we’ll say no, but the truth is, we are. We have to be. There’s no other choice.

I try to roll with the punches. Every one of us is doing our best because none of this is Lia’s fault. If anything, it’s the fault of a little fucking thing called destiny. And destiny doesn’t ask permission-it just steamrolls over everything in its path.

But fuck if I don’t get nervous when I lose sight of her or if she takes a particularly strong hit. She falls to the ground, and my first thought is that something serious has happened.

Then, like always, Lia gets back to her feet, angrier and more determined. Sometimes, she’ll flash a smile in our direction, as if that alone is enough to reassure us she’s okay.

It’s moments like that when I fall in love with her a little more than I already am.

I never expected being someone’s mate to soften me. I used to be indifferent, never letting anything get under my skin. But now? Lia changed that. She changed me. And I don’t hate it.

I glance at her, still high on adrenaline from our latest battle. “You know, Lia, you’re kind of terrifying when you fight.” She snorts. “Gee, thanks.”

“No, I mean it,” I say, crossing my arms. “It’s impressive. The way you take charge, the way you don’t back down. It’s…” I trail off, my voice softer. “It’s incredible.”

Lia blinks at me, caught off guard. Then, to my absolute delight, her cheeks turn pink. “Oh my god,” I smirk “Are you blushing?”

Her eyes widen. “No.”

Colby, always quick to jump in, laughs. “Oh, she is.”

Rain leans in. “We should document this. Someone take a picture.” Lia groans, covering her face. “I hate all of you.”

“Jesse!” she shrieked.

I chuckled, tossing the rag back. “Alright, alright. I’ll stop-for now.”

Lia narrowed her eyes. “You’re going to hold this over my head forever, aren’t you?” I smirked. “Absolutely.”

Lia let out a long-suffering sigh. “I should’ve known. You’re never going to let me live this down.” I raised an eyebrow, still smirking. “Of course not. You’re too easy, Lia. It’s practically a gift.”

Rain leaned back, crossing his arms. “Honestly, I’m impressed. I’ve never seen anyone get under her skin so quickly.” Lia shot Rain a glare. “Shut up, Rain. You’re just as bad.”

Matt leaned in with a mischievous grin. “I don’t know. This is pure gold. Keep it going, Jesse. She’s already lost.” I laughed and winked at Lia. “You know you’re just making it worse by getting so flustered.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I am not flustered.”

I raised my hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay. No more teasing for now.” She glared at me suspiciously. “I don’t believe you.”

I shrugged. “Well, you’ll just have to wait and see.”

She groaned, shaking her head. “This is my life now, isn’t it?” “Yep.” I grinned. “Welcome to the entertainment, Lia.”

Colby snorted. “Bet you wish you could trade us in for a quieter life, huh?” Lia rolled her eyes. “Honestly, some days, yes.”

“Too bad. You’re stuck with us,” Matt chimed in, chuckling.

“Great,” she muttered sarcastically, but there was a smile creeping back onto her face.

I crossed my arms, satisfied. “Told you, you like it.”

She shot me a look that could’ve burned a hole through the ground, but it was a half-hearted effort. “You’re impossible.” “And you love it,” I teased again, unable to resist.

I could tell the guys were staring at me, but I didn’t care.