The Arena novel Chapter 58

It’s been four days since I claimed Tana. Four glorious days, but I know life is waiting for us and we both have responsibilities we have to get back to. Most importantly, our daughter.

After another marathon love-making session, I pull Tana up to go to the lake we found nearby. We both need to wash the sweat and sex off our bodies.

I waited to have this conversation because I was concerned about Tana’s impression of what life with me would be like. While I want her by my side, I also know that she has created a life for herself, and I need to know that she is willing to argue with me to have what she wants. But now, it’s time for us to think about heading home, and we need to decide what we are going to do.

“Tana, we need to talk about our plans; the next steps for us.”

“You want me to quit my job,” she states.

“I want you and Kenna with me. I want to talk about how we can make that happen.”

I take her hand, pulling her with me into the water.

“What do you want, Tana?”

“I want to be with you. I can’t not be with you now.”

“But …” I prompt her.

“But I like my job. I don’t know anything about being a Luna.”

I pull her to me, cupping my hand to fill it with water and pouring it over her shoulder. “As it turns out, I need an accountant,” I say, watching her.

Her eyes raise to mine. “You want me to manage your pack’s finances?”

“I want you to manage my pack’s finances, my companies’ finances, and our personal finances. All of it. Tana, you know my brain doesn’t work that way. I need to rebuild our companies to make the pack flourish. I don’t know how to do that. That’s not my strength, but it is yours. And I know I can trust you to do whatever needs to be done to make our pack thrive.”

I can see the wheels turning in her mind as I pour more water over her shoulders and arms.

“Maybe I could do contract work for Edur when he needs me?” she asks me.

“Would you like that?”

She nods.

“Then, let’s see if it’s possible.”

“Really?”

“Tana, what did I say about our relationship?”

“It’s a partnership.”

“Don’t douse your fire for me, Tana. I want all of it: your anger, your passion, your intelligence, everything.”

“What about Kenna?”

“What about her? She needs to be with us. I know she may be a mature dragon, but her human form isn’t close to being an adult. I’d like you both to come and see the pack and the pack lands. We have a lot of forests where the two of you can hunt, you can lay in the sun, whatever you want. You are my mate, Kenna is my daughter. The pack will accept you.”

“What about your apartment?” I ask.

I help her to stand, and we close off her cave of treasures. We’ve spent our time inside her cave, our love-making becoming another one of her treasures, one she can remember every time she returns here.

When we walk outside, I give her space to shift. I step as far away as I can, and I wait. And wait.

“Tana, is everything okay?” I call to her.

She turns and looks at me, and I swear there’s panic in her eyes. She nods and turns away. I wait some more before finally coming up behind her. I can hear her heart pounding.

“Baby, what’s going on? I told you, just because I’m your dragon rider, nothing changes between us.”

“It’s not that,” she says, and her voice is trembling.

“Then what is it?” I ask her, turning her around so I can see her face more clearly.

“I … um … I …”

“Tana, you’re scaring me. What is it?”

“I can’t call to my dragon.” Her eyes are wide, nervous.

I pull her to me, hugging her. “What does that mean? Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

“It means I think I’m pregnant.”