Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Z ane strode down the quiet street, his breath coming out in puffs of steam in the chilly mountain air. But despite the cold, he felt heated to his core. His encounter with the mystery woman just an hour earlier had left him shaken and stirred in a way he'd never experienced before. From the moment their bodies collided, it was like an electric current had jolted through him.

He couldn't get her out of his head: those mesmerizing hazel eyes, her soft curves, and most of all, her intoxicating scent. His inner dragon had practically roared to life the moment they'd collided, every sense heightened and attuned to her. It had taken every ounce of self-control not to sweep her into his arms then and there.

Even now, his hands itched to shift into claws, his body ached to transform into scales and wings to fly after this stranger, this woman who had sparked his dragon's desire like no other before.

Every primal instinct was still screaming, Mate!

"Don't be ridiculous," Zane muttered under his breath. "You don't even know her." He shook his head, trying to clear it. Get a grip , he scolded himself. But deep down, though he was doing his best to suppress it, he knew there was something more at play. The connection he'd felt went beyond mere physical attraction. Way beyond. It was primal, visceral, like two halves of the same soul recognizing each other across time and space. He had never felt something so strong.

But still, he didn't need the distraction.

He tried to push it away. As a member of the powerful Livingstone clan, the one that had practically built Misty Vale, he had had more than his share of women. It was just a sudden infatuation. It would pass.

It better.

As he approached his brother Striker's house, Zane took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. He couldn't let on how rattled he was. Especially not now. Today was important, and he couldn't fuck it up. Besides, Striker would never let him hear the end of it if he knew some random woman had Zane tied up in knots.

Zane took a deep breath before knocking on the carved wooden door of Striker's sprawling mountain home. A moment later, Striker swung open the door, his trademark devilish grin spread across his handsome face.

"Zane! Good to see you, brother. Come on in," he said, clapping a hand on Zane's shoulder.

Zane stepped into the grand foyer, surveying the familiar surroundings. A few oaken chairs and side tables lined the walls. He followed Striker into the study, taking a seat in one of the plush leather armchairs.

"Drink?" Striker asked, already pouring two glasses of whiskey without waiting for a response. He handed one to Zane before lowering himself into the chair opposite.

Zane took a sip, hoping the alcohol might take the edge off his rattled nerves. But he could still feel his dragon rumbling within, stirred up by the encounter with the mystery woman.

Get it together , he chided himself again. Focus on the business at hand.

"So, you want to talk about this deal you're working on with the Forsaken Riders?" Zane asked. Although he wasn't thrilled about the idea, he was eager to get to the reason for his visit from his brother's point of view. On top of that, he needed to distract himself from replaying the encounter with the woman over and over in his mind. He needed to focus, because once his brother laid out whatever he wanted from him, he was ready with his own talking points.

Striker leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Yeah, it's moving along. We're finalizing the contracts to turn operations of Misty Brews and Club Chaos over to them. Should be a nice boost to the clan's profits. They've guaranteed us an extra bump over what we are already making, plus it will free up a lot of manpower to dedicate to other projects, all while barely lifting a finger. And the extra income will really help fund that community center project Audrey and I have been wanting to get off the ground."

Zane frowned. He knew the motorcycle club's money would pad the Livingstones' coffers, but he had misgivings. Though if some of this extra income could be forwarded to his project, maybe he would come around to the idea.

"And we're sure getting involved with a bunch of bikers is really the best move? Seems like we'd just be fanning the flames with the bears," Zane said, still hesitant despite the possibility he could work it to his advantage. "I'm not saying I am totally against it, but the potential headaches will have to be worth it."

Striker waved a hand dismissively. "First of all, who cares what those flea-ridden furballs think? My patience is wearing thin with them. We need to diversify our holdings, and the bikers have a lot of connections beyond Misty Vale. Connections we could use. Let the bears stew in their jealousy. Besides, why shouldn't we get our taste? And as far as the bikers' reputations, look, they've been doing security for the bears' Oktoberfest for years without incident. If Smith and his clan can handle them, we sure as hell can, too."

"I hear what you are saying, but I don't want to be a little short-sighted, is all. I am sure the Forsaken Riders have connections, but are they the kind we really need? We are opening up a world of problems if we start getting involved in illicit activities. And bringing them to Misty Vale? We have to live here, after all."

"Oh, calm down, Zane. No one said anything about getting our hands dirty. This is a lucrative opportunity. We've made it clear, no drugs, no guns, okay? And believe it or not, but they do have some legit business connections as well. Transport, unions, that sort of thing. Distribution. So maybe there will be some money laundering going on? The businesses they will handle for us here are legitimate. It will just be like a ‘cleaning service,' you could say. They get to wash some of their money… and we will get a piece. It's a good deal."

He thought it was madness, but he had to trust his brothers had some greater plan. They seemed dead set on it. Zane let out a breath as he steeled himself to once more bring up his own reason for visiting. "Have you given any more thought to my proposals? Dash and Father said they would take a look. And in my eyes, if we can put some of this Forsaken Riders profit into it—"

"Zane." His brother stood and put up a hand as he interrupted him with a dismissive chuckle. "We already have a project earmarked for those funds, okay? The resort deal we have been working on for Lone Reach. I'm sorry, but this is just not a good time."

Zane gripped the arm of the chair so hard, he was afraid it might break, and his brother continued.

"And while you have some interesting… let's call them ‘outside the box' ideas, we aren't looking to expand into, what do you call it, ‘adventure tourism'? Right now. We need to stick to what we know. And we can't allow the bears to get an advantage over us. So, just leave the business decisions to Dash, Dad, and me, okay?"

Zane bristled, biting back a retort.

Dammit.

His dragon breathed fire inside him. He could feel the skin tingling on his exposed forearms as he held his dragon at bay.

It was the same old story. His family didn't take his ideas seriously. He was just the baby of the family, always relegated to the sidelines.

Now he really didn't think this deal with the bikers was the right call.

"I'm just gonna say it once more, Striker. I think this is the wrong move. I get it now. You want the money to get your community center on track, but Dad and Dash are also gunning for the project in Lone Reach. I get it. But the other end of this, this constant one-upmanship with the Bears, is not going to end well." Zane shifted in his seat. "What about the days when the bears and dragons worked together? Like with the Grand Lodge? Don't you think that is what we should be working toward?"

"The Grand Lodge?" Striker let out an almost incredulous laugh. "I admire your optimism, brother, and perhaps we can one day get back to that. But from where I stand right now, it seems that those days are ancient history. I mean, it burned down, for god's sake. That should tell you something. Or have you forgotten? ‘Cause generally speaking, that's what happens when Bears and Dragons mix, as far as I can tell," Striker replied a bit hotly.

"Oh, come on, the fact that the original one burned down is beside the point. It was rebuilt… by working together," Zane pressed. "That's the take away."

Seeming not wanting to completely alienate him, Striker adopted a somewhat conciliatory tone. "It would be great if we could all ‘just get along,' but times have changed. A lot. And as for today, I know you want to make your mark. And you will. Right now, though, we need to deal with reality." He moved around the desk and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "And we need to stand together as a family. And that means shoring up our interests. For all we know, the bears' deal with bikers is just the first step in some master plan to expand into our territory and interests. We can't let that happen."

Zane sighed. "Look, I get it, and I am no friend to the bears, either, obviously, but this whole thing just makes me nervous."

"I understand, and so do Dad and Dash, okay? And just to be clear, this is not a flat-out rejection. They're interesting. And in truth, it is a growing industry. Once we get this Forsaken Riders deal stabilized, perhaps we can try out some of your ideas. On a small scale. Maybe the kayak rentals or rock-climbing excursions."

"Really?" Zane perked up a bit. Maybe today wouldn't be a total waste.

His dragon reared up as his encounter with the mystery woman came roaring back to the forefront of his mind.

Again, he had to push the memory away just so he could focus. Even so, he felt a pulse of pleasure stiffen his manhood as he replayed the encounter—and the effect she'd had on him.

"That's actually why I called you over here. Dad wants you overseeing operations at Misty Brews," Striker said. "We are going to need someone to be sure they are living up to their side of the deal. Keep an eye on the books, not to mention to be sure they don't get up to anything nefarious, just as you already pointed out."

Zane blinked in surprise. "Really?" he repeated for the second time in as many minutes. But his excitement at finally being given a little responsibility was short lived as some suspicion arose. "You're not just telling me what I want to hear in order to get me to take care of this?"

"Absolutely not, Zane. Just do a good job with it. We think you're ready. Then we'll talk about zip lines and river rafting, okay?"

Zane wanted to believe him, but he had been disappointed so many times. His dragon and him seemed to be on the same page for once, and he felt it bristle as well. Still, it was something. Maybe he did need to just be patient for a little longer.

"And if this new deal does start an even bigger war with the bears? It's been relatively peaceful, after all. But let me guess, you guys have thought it through?"

"It's a calculated risk, Zane. And despite what you think, Dad, as well as Dash and I, are trusting you to keep an eye on things. You are right to be concerned, and actually, that is why you will be best to keep an eye on them. But you watch the bikers, and we'll worry about the bears."

Zane felt somewhat relieved at his brother's apparent recognition of the potential dangers of the path they were on. A century of bad blood and rivalry simmered beneath the surface of their peaceful mountain town. There was no denying they had to tread carefully. But that was nothing new.

Still, Zane hoped that somehow, the old wounds might finally heal. That one day, the Livingstones and Savages could put aside their differences and build a better future together.

Wishful thinking , he thought as his dragon growled cynically. Well, the die had been cast now. He would do as his family asked.

"Fine, so when does my new job start?"

"We'll let you know when the deal is finalized, but in the next few days, I would think. A week, tops."

"Cool. I better get my own office," Zane quipped, breaking what tension remained between them.

Striker laughed easily as he raised his glass, and they toasted the new venture.

"I hope you guys mean what you said about giving my ideas a try," Zane said as they eyed each other over their raised glasses.

"I always mean what I say," his brother replied before they both took another drink.

With business handled, Zane's mind quickly drifted back to the raven-haired beauty with whom he had collided that morning.

Her face, those eyes, that scent… It was all seared into his senses. She was seared into his senses. The visceral connection still buzzed through his veins, setting his nerves alight. It was like he could still feel her. Again, he felt his cock stir as a thrill shot through him once again.

Settle down. Jesus.

Mine, his dragon rumbled again. Mate.

This is getting out of control. I don't even know her name. I don't know a thing about her. He thought she looked vaguely familiar.

Maybe?

At this point, he couldn't be sure.

Because you're a mess, he chastised himself.

But despite his attempts to get a rational grasp on what had happened—on what was still happening—his inner beast refused to relinquish the certainty that they had met their destined mate.

Mine.

I must be losing it.

Oblivious to Zane's inner turmoil, Striker drained his whiskey and stood.

"I need to go over some paperwork. But I'll keep you updated on the Riders' deal. I know you still have reservations, but trust me, little brother. This is a good move for the Livingstone clan. Do a good job with this, and I think Father will be a lot more receptive to that adventure business of yours. Maybe we can launch it properly." He clapped Zane on the back.

"Yeah, sounds great," Zane muttered, rising to his feet. Try as he might, he just couldn't focus on what Striker was saying, though. His thoughts had firmly returned to the mystery woman as he made his exit.

Back outside in the bracing mountain air, Zane closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to refocus.

So what was on the rest of my to-do list for today?

But it was no use. Absently, he reached up to rub the spot on his chest where they had collided, as if he could still feel the ghost of her warmth and curves against him. His inner dragon hummed with the memory of her feel, her scent… her everything.

God. It was taking everything to fight off the primal urge to chase after his apparent mate.

This is getting difficult.

He almost screamed. What is wrong with me?

She was no one. A stranger. He had to forget her.

Zane's inner dragon was still rumbling as he left Striker's property and headed down the street. He was so worked up, there was practically smoke trailing from his nostrils. He needed to fly, to stretch his wings and clear his head.

But this was like no need he had ever faced. Though his own home was just down the road, he realized he couldn't wait. His dragon wouldn't wait.

Fine!

This was like no desire he had ever felt take over him. His dragon needed her, needed to search her out…

Taking care that no one was around to spot him, Zane ducked into the forest alongside the road. Once shielded amongst the dense pines, he swiftly tore off his jacket and then the rest of his clothes. To hell with it. They would be there to retrieve later. He left them in a semi-neat pile in the crook of a small tree. Then, almost immediately, he shifted into his dragon form in an explosion of scales and sinew.

With a roar, his massive wings unfurled and propelled him skyward. Zane relished the feeling of the brisk mountain air rushing beneath his outstretched wings as he climbed in altitude. He quickly headed into the clouds, where he wheeled and dove, his dragon reveling in his pure power as his spirit soared free.

Though the rush was undeniable, even now his dragon would not let go of the thoughts of the woman. If anything, her image burned even brighter in his dragon's eye.

Mate. Protect. Mine.

Zane's acute dragon senses could still vividly recall every detail about her. This only seemed to fuel his dragon on. However, with her identity a mystery, all he could do was pour his frustrations into every wingbeat as he cut his way through the sky.

Still, his dragon searched. And searched…