I’d run away from the orphanage and gotten into a fight with Nolan. The two of us had been picked up by the cops, then sent to rehabilitation. It hadn’t been half bad, and Nolan and I had made it through the next few years relying on each other.
Nolan had gone on to study to become a doctor, and I’d trained to become a chef. I’d been working for a Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore when a revenge attack by the berserkers had wiped out the entire restaurant.
That was the first time I’d teleported out, along with as many people as I could save. That was when I discovered my true powers, fucking late bloomer that I was.
Nolan had found me and saved my life. When I’d regained consciousness, I knew without a doubt I’d never let that happen to me again. I’d never manage to lead a normal life. I was never going to be this weak, this vulnerable again. I had to learn to use my powers and defend what was mine. To safeguard my people and protect my country.
When Nolan had mentioned the Fae Corps, I’d jumped at the opportunity. Not that life was easy while training for the Corps, but it was a hell of a lot less dangerous, and not just to my body. My story is similar to that of Dante, but it’s not something I am going to disclose to him or to anyone else. Not that I have anything to hide, but those memories are ones best suppressed. For some reason, all of that comes rushing to the fore, and I can’t understand why.
Maybe it’s because I feel alive. For once, I don’t care about the mission the Fae Corps installed in me.
There’s only this need to feel again. This intense urge to claim. To own. To break her. It’s why I cannot let her go. Why I am going to monopolize her and get her out of here. I am going to ruin her, only she has no idea yet.
“You don’t mean it.” She raises her head so her lips hover at the height of my chest.
I lick the last drops of sweetness from the lollipop then bend to my knees, so I am at eye level with her.
“Try me.” I swing her up and over my shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Then stomp forward.
The crowd of Fae and shifters who’ve gathered to celebrate the upcoming nuptials part.
“Let me down.” She screeches then slams her fists into my back.
I don’t feel it. No, I lie. The vibrations from the hit flood down my spine, pooling at the base. My dick hardens. I drop my hand to my crotch to adjust myself then continue to stalk forward. One step at a time.
“Asshole, what the hell do you think you are doing?”
“Giving you what you so innately crave, and that’s alpha-hole to you.”
“Whatever, you brute.” She wriggles in my hold, and the side of her waist chafes against my neck. Her butt twitches.
I smack the rounded flesh. The feel of her luscious curves sends lust roaring through my veins.
Fuck, not what I’d expected. But so much what I want.
The intensity of my need smashes over me. A low snarl vibrates up my chest. My ears lengthen, and I know then there isn’t much time left. I’d wanted to only teach her a lesson, but the bite of her nails as they sink it into my waist, through my clothes, the renewed moving around in my hold, all of it screams to me that I will not be able to stop here. My vision narrows; my chest heaves. I need to get her out of there.
A figure steps in my path.
“Get out of my way, Doc.” I shove at the other man’s shoulder.
He moves aside, only to grab at my forearm. “You’re not thinking clearly, Chef.”
“Fuck I care about that?”
“My point exactly,” He holds my gaze, his features hard. “Don’t throw away everything you’ve fought for. You fuck up this mission and it'll cost you the Fae Corps.”
Applause rings out around us. Behind me I hear cheering—clearly, the newly mated couple have arrived. The fucker Dante lucked out. He takes over as Commander of the Fae Corps and he’s found the love of his life. More power to my teammate.
It’s all the more reason to get out of here. I'll never have the kind of bond that connects Dante and Gia. No one should have to put up with the seething mass of emotions that lurks inside me. No, all I have is her and I am not letting her go. Not now, not ever.
I angle my head. “You’re right. I can’t mess this up. There’s too much at stake.” I raise my fist and slam it into Doc’s face.
The big man goes sprawling on his back. The thud from the impact of his body shudders through the ground.
Footsteps sound and Hawke comes running up. His gaze falls to Doc, then swivels to me.
“Don’t,” I growl and tighten my hold on the woman in my arms.
She bends her leg and tries to knee me. I ignore it. I step around Doc, and Hawke grabs my arm.
I turn around and snarl at him.
"Don’t do anything you’ll regret." Hawke drops his arm to his side. “I know you’re feeling something powerful for her, brother, just be sure you take care of your mate.”
I set my jaw. “Not my mate.”
Hawke folds his arms over his chest and stares.
My heart begins to thud.
Over my shoulder, all her muscles tense. “What’s the hell is he talking about?”
The sound of her voice sends me over the edge. “You’re about to find out.” I race out of here, weaving through the crowd.
I sense the fear that emanates from them. One of them makes to cross my path. I snarl, and he falls back. Then the faces fade. I reach the edge of the courtyard and leap over the wall.
She gasps. “You do know I am a shifter?" Another thump slams into my back. "I am not a puny human who’ll give in without a fight.”
“It makes this so much more exciting. You’re strong enough for everything I want to do to you and more…” The words come out so harsh, so needy, that hearing my voice only thickens my cock further.
She must catch the intonation, too, for she struggles in earnest, kicking out at me, tearing at my back with her nails, and fuck if that doesn’t turn me on further. My groin twitches, my pulse races, and adrenaline spikes my blood.
Lust sweeps through my body. Strong. Throbbing. So fucking intense. I stumble and almost lose my grip on her. The fuck is she doing to me? Only one way to find out. I draw in a breath in the space. The air lightens. The hair on my neck stands up. I draw up the energy from the hidden Fae part of me, let it rush over me, enclosing her in the bubble of the portal, and I teleport.
To find out what happens next, get Jess and Tristan’s story in PROPERTY OF THE FAE, HERE.
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Bonded to the Dragon
Dragon Protectors, 1
Part I
1
Hope
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Twenty-four hours into her break from being a sentinel of the dragons of Mauritania, Hope had walked into that bar in Bombay.
She wasn't supposed to be in Bombay.
The dragons had flown under the radar for so long. They'd kept away from people until they had all but faded from memory.