Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

A lena's mind was still reeling from her brief encounter with Zane outside the diner. Just seeing him across the street had sent her heart racing and her bear into a frenzy.

What the hell are we doing?

She couldn't help but have doubts as to the wisdom of pursuing a relationship they could never fully embrace.

Not in Misty Vale, at least.

"Earth to Alena!" Kelly's voice snapped her out of her reverie. "You've been wiping down that same table for the past five minutes. Something got you distracted?"

"No, what do you mean, Kel?"

Kelly raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I saw that look you exchanged with a certain dragon from across the street, hon. That's what I mean," she said with a wink. "Come on, you can tell me."

"Oh, it's nothing, come on, Kel."

"Riiiight," Kelly drawled, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Because you always get that googly-eyed look. Happens with everyone."

"I did not get googly-eyed!" Alena protested, swatting at her friend with a dish towel.

"But you did!" Abi chimed in from her perch at the counter, where she was happily playing with Rainbow, with whom she had finally been reunited. It had actually been a little disappointing. Alena had expected the child to be more excited to see her stuffed unicorn again, but she only expressed mild surprise that Rainbow came back so quickly. She continued addressing Alena. "Your aura goes all pink and sparkly when you look at him, too."

Alena groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I don't know what you guys are talking about."

She had thought it had just been a stolen little glance. Apparently not. And now she was basically lying to a seven-year-old.

"Fine, so we exchanged a glance," she finally admitted. Today of all days, some scheduling got mixed up, and the short story was that she'd stepped up for Archer and Ruby, and it had become ‘bring your niece to work' day for her at the diner.

Kelly laughed, patting Alena on the shoulder. "Oh, so this is a full blown thing? I see. I guess you've got it bad for that dragon boy. And who could blame you? He's pretty easy on the eyes."

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Alena hissed, glancing around nervously.

This was spiraling quickly. The last thing she needed was for one of the other bears to overhear their conversation. The gossip train was in full effect, and she didn't want any part of it.

"It was just a look. Calm down."

"I know you think you and the dragon can't be together. Not for real," Abi piped up, setting down her crayon. "But Auntie Lena, you can. Your aura said so!"

Alena's heart clenched at the little girl's words. If only it were that simple.

"Well, that settles it. Go for it, why don't you?" Kelly said softly, giving Alena a pointed look. "Maybe you should listen to your niece. She's a smart cookie."

Just then, Brandon came bursting out of the kitchen, his face red and harried. "Alena! I need you to run down to Jensen's and grab as much bacon as you can get your hands on. Someone obviously screwed up our order! We're almost out, and the lunch rush is about to hit."

Alena blinked, startled by the sudden request.

Saved by the… by the boss.

"Oh, uh… sure thing, boss. I'll head over right now." She was only too happy to interrupt the conversation.

Brandon grunted his thanks before disappearing back into the kitchen, leaving Alena to grab her purse and head for the door.

As she stepped outside, her bear perked up, immediately seeking out any sign of Zane. But the street was empty, no trace of either her man or the bikers.

She felt a little disappointment but knew it was for the best. She needed to get a handle on herself.

Good luck with that. Just the sight of him, and you go all loopy.

Lost in thought, Alena made her way down the block and around the corner towards the market. She was so distracted, she almost didn't notice the group of rough-looking men loitering outside the entrance.

Forsaken Riders. Didn't have to go far to find them.

There was no mistaking their weathered leather cuts, their bold patches proclaiming their allegiance for all to see. She thought maybe she recognized a few of them as having been hanging out in front of Misty Brews.

Alena's steps faltered, a trickle of unease sliding down her spine. As she drew closer, snippets of their conversation reached her ears, making her bear bristle with alarm.

"…shipment coming in tonight…"

"…Zane doesn't need to know…"

"…gonna make us some pretty coin…"

Cold dread pooled in Alena's stomach, her mind racing. Shipment? Of what? Guns? Drugs? And they were intentionally keeping it from Zane?

She had been right to be concerned. She had to warn him. If Zane was being kept in the dark by his own allies, he needed to know.

I didn't think that was just boys being boys. Those bastards.

Doing her best to remain nonchalant, Alena entered the market, determined to grab what she needed and then get word to Zane as soon as she could. He had to be told about the shady dealings happening right under his nose. She could not let any harm come to her mate.

There you go with the ‘mate' thing again. But she was getting tired of fighting it.

When Alena emerged from the market ten minutes later, her arms laden with packages of bacon and her mind racing, the bikers were nowhere to be seen. But their words still echoed in her head, fueling her urgency.

She had to find Zane. Now. No more screwing around. Forbidden love or whatever be damned. This was too much.

Hurrying back to the diner, Alena practically threw the bacon at a startled Brandon before whirling to face Kelly.

"I need you to cover for me," she said breathlessly. "There's something I have to do."

Kelly's brows shot up, her eyes widening as she took in Alena's frantic expression. "Whoa, hey. What's going on?"

Alena shook her head, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. She lowered her voice to an urgent whisper and checked to be sure no one was near. "I overheard some stuff… about the Riders. I think Zane might be in trouble. I just need five minutes."

Seeing the look of confusion etched on Kelly's face, she added, "The dragon. My dragon. I have to warn him."

"Warn him?" Kelly echoed incredulously. "‘Your dragon,' did you say? Lena, are you crazy? I thought he was just a crush! This is escalating rather quickly."

"Oh, whatever! I don't have a choice, Kel," Alena insisted, her voice cracking with emotion. "He's… he's important to me. I can't explain it, but I know I have to do this."

As if on cue, Zane emerged from Misty Brews across the street, squinting against the late afternoon sun. Alena's breath caught in her throat as she watched him, her bear practically vibrating with the need to go to him.

"I'll only take a second."

Kelly grinned, giving her a quick salute. "Well, if you're going to do it, then I guess, go get him, tiger. Er, bear."

With a deep breath, Alena pushed through the diner doors and out onto the sun-drenched sidewalk. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she crossed the street, her eyes locked on Zane's retreating form.

This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy , her mind chanted with every step. But she couldn't turn back now. He had come to her in her hour of need, and now she would go to him.

Mate! her bear rumbled for what felt like the tenth time in as many minutes.

"Zane!" she called out. "We need to talk."

He whirled around, his eyes widening in shock as he took her in. "Alena? What is it? Are you okay?" He scanned the area as he pulled her into the alley beside the bar. She could see him preparing to fight off any threat.

"Yes, yes, I am okay. Besides the fact that I can't get you out of my mind…"

"Nor I you," he said as he laid a deep kiss on her.

"Oh, my god, Zane, don't…"

Again, she felt rockets of pleasure shoot through her body. Her sex ached at his very touch.

"I couldn't help it. But this is dangerous. What's going on? We can't be seen together. My brothers and your—"

"I know," Alena cut him off, grabbing his arm. "But this is important. Please, Zane. Just give me a second to speak."

She did her best to push her raging hormones down. Or to the side.

Somewhere! Oh, this is bad!

He searched her face for a long moment before finally nodding, his jaw tight. "Fine. But not here."

He knit his brow as he looked around. Suddenly, an idea seemed to occur to him. "Tonight, ten o'clock, can you make it? Corner of Oak and Grayson. Be discreet. I have an idea."

"Oak and Grayson? Okay, yes, I'll be there. Ten o'clock. But Zane, you can't trust the bikers!"

He shot her a questioning look but did not look particularly surprised.

"Tell me what you know tonight."

"Yes!"

On impulse, she leapt into his arms one more time and was rewarded as another thrill shot through her.

She pressed her lips to his for an instant and allowed him to hungrily devour her. She grabbed at his well-muscled arms and restrained her desire to let her hands wander further afield.

"I should go," he muttered, pulling away with a clear act of will.

With that, he turned and strode down the street, leaving Alena staring after him with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation swirling in her gut. Despite the danger, she was already being swept away with excitement. Her body was still pulsing with desire, left in the lurch, so to speak, by his sudden absence.

Tonight. We will be together again tonight.

This is crazy.

But still, she dared to consider that perhaps they could find a way forward.

A girl can dream, right? Alena thought wryly, already counting down the hours until their clandestine meeting.

Alena's heart raced as she arrived at the corner of Oak and Grayson, scanning the shadows for any sign of Zane. She couldn't believe she was actually doing this—sneaking out to meet a dragon in the dead of night. Her bear paced restlessly within her, eager and anxious all at once.

Suddenly, the clip-clop of hooves caught her attention. An old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage emerged from the darkness, pulling up alongside her. It was the famous ghost tour, a common sight, even late night, and a favorite among the tourists of Misty Vale. The driver was a top hat clad young woman Alena didn't recognize.

Clever dragon.

Hiding in plain sight. Or at least blending in.

"Hop in," she said with a knowing smile. "Your chariot awaits. I'm Beth, a friend of Zane's."

Alena climbed into the carriage, her stomach fluttering with nerves and anticipation. A moment later, Zane appeared, sliding onto the bench beside her. His presence was both thrilling and comforting, his warmth seeping into her very bones.

As the carriage wound its way through town, Alena filled Zane in on what she'd overheard: whispered mentions of secret shipments and shady dealings. Zane's brow furrowed; concern etched across his handsome features.

"I knew those Riders were trouble," he muttered. "We have to get to the bottom of this."

"And there is one other detail," she began, a little hesitant to describe the rude gestures she saw the men making. But she wanted him to know everything. As she described the scene, she saw his eyes blaze with a smoldering fury.

"They will pay," was all he said in a controlled voice that was hard as iron. Somehow, it was more intimidating than any show of screaming or yelling she had ever witnessed.

The carriage came to a stop behind the ruins that still remained of a few of the old outbuildings of the lodge that were not rebuilt. They still seemed to be shrouded in shadows and secrets.

"If you guys ever want the real tour, just let me know," Beth said, bidding them goodnight with a wink before riding off, leaving Alena and Zane utterly alone.

Alena turned to Zane, her blood singing in her veins. "Zane, I—"

But before she could finish, he pulled her into his arms, capturing her lips in a searing kiss that stole the very breath from her lungs. Fire raced through Alena's body as she melted against him, her bear roaring in triumph. This was where she belonged, consequences be damned.

"Alena, I have to have you," he breathed.

"And I you, Zane. It's been tearing me apart."

"I could have laid in that clearing with you for days," he confessed.

They passed through the ruined doors and into a small clearing in the center, which was covered in a mat of green grass.

"Zane, I never thought I could feel so connected to someone even before you came for me. But since then, it has been like a slow torture to be apart." He interrupted her with another well-placed kiss. It stole her breath and filled her with another hot surge of pleasure that shot through her pussy, radiating out in every direction. It almost knocked her off her feet.

"We are meant to be one, Alena. I can't deny it, and I can't fight it. And that's all I need to know."

"Zane." That was all she could say, but in that one word, she was able to convey all her longing, all of her desire, and all of her lust.

He kissed her again.

"But Zane—" She pulled herself away from him for a moment, giving voice to the last of her resistance. "We can't… we shouldn't…"

"Tell me you have been able to sleep one night through since we met," he breathed back to her. You have been all I could think about. The only thing on my mind. This can't be wrong… I don't care… dragon, or bear… you—you are who I am meant to be with, Alena. I have to have you.."

She couldn't deny anything he said. She had felt it all, and then some.

"But the town…" She managed a breath. She knew she wouldn't be able to resist him much longer. She didn't want to.

"Screw the town. I don't want to think anymore, Alena. I want you…"

And with that, he brought a hand to her breast, and she felt a thrill of pleasure shoot through her as his rough palms grasped her flesh through her shirt. He kissed her again, moving his lips down to her neck as his hands worked at the buttons on her blouse. With what seemed an effort, he suddenly pulled himself away.

"But shouldn't we—" he began to say, but she didn't care. She wanted him to, and it was clear their desire would not be denied.

She kissed him, exploring his mouth with her tongue, as his hands went to work freeing her breasts from her blouse. He dropped his face to nuzzle them both, and she moaned in pleasure as the moonlight fell upon them.

But even as he began to suck on one nipple, and then the other, her hands fell to his belt. Below his belt. Through the fabric of his trousers, she could feel his sex, impressive, hard, and insistent. God, she wanted him. She grasped at it, reveling in his thickness as he thrust his covered sex against her touch.

He brought his hands to her ass and immediately pulled her against him. She felt her pussy grow even wetter as his strong hands kneaded at her flesh. She went to work on his belt as he again took her in his arms and kissed her deeply.

There was no turning back now. He was pulling up her skirt and had his hands down her panties in a flash. She began to press her hips more insistently against his erect manhood as he half led her, half supported her up to a wall in the small courtyard.

This might not have been the most romantic spot in the world, but Alena didn't care. Her bear would not be denied. The desire she felt for Zane was like nothing she had ever felt.

Oh, Jesus.

Zane had dropped to his knees and was pulling down her panties. Before she knew what was happening, he was kissing her belly, and now her thighs.

Oh, my god. Pleasure shot through her as he brought his hands to her core. He slipped a finger inside her slick folds even as he darted his tongue against her to taste her wetness. She slid down the wall a little and pivoted her hips forward as he began to nibble and lick at her clit. She practically saw stars, feeling a fresh surge of wetness pulse through her yearning sex.

She began to press her soaked pussy against him as he eagerly licked at her juices, until she couldn't handle it and pulled him to his feet. Quickly removing her skirt herself, she dropped to her own knees as she began to pull off his belt. With a moan, Zane fell back against the wall to let her have her turn with him.

"Alena, you're incredible…"

Rather than answer with her words, she unbuttoned his pants and pulled them down just enough to free his huge cock.

She had, of course, seen him naked before. But now they were alone.

Big difference.

Emphasis on big , she thought with an inward chuckle.

She pulled him free as he moaned at her touch. Looking up at him, she seized his thickness with both hands as she first kissed the head before gently taking it in her mouth.

She reveled in the feel of him as she began to suck gently before releasing him and licking him up his impressive length. He moaned again as she took him in her mouth, straining at his size. She began to piston her head against him as he brought a hand down to grab at her hair.

"Oh, my god, Alena," he groaned.

But just as he began to push his cock into her mouth in rhythm with her own movements, he suddenly pulled out and lifted her to her feet. He instantly brought his fingers against her pussy, rubbing at her clit. She grabbed at his shaft in the same moment, and they locked lips again, both panting and gasping for breath.

Alena leaned back against the wall and brought one leg up to rest on some rubble as she guided his thickness to her soaking hole. She felt her bear close to the surfaces and swore she could see flecks of fire in Zane's blue eyes as she felt him press into her.

"Ohh," she sighed as he began to stretch her with his girth.

But he was gentle, insistent as he began to pull out and then press forward again. The second thrust took her breath away. She felt a pulse of intense heat radiate out when he pressed into her core deeper still.

Zane began to speed up even as she brought an arm around his neck to steady herself. He pumped into her again, even deeper, and she felt her body adjusting to his size. Before she knew it, he had lifted her completely off her feet and pulled her against him, her legs wrapped around his back. He filled her completely—in an instant, he had penetrated her to the hilt. A series of unintelligible gasps and moans escaped her as he began to thrust into her again and again. The built-up tension they had both been fighting was finally released as she felt the spring of her building orgasm tightening. His hips slammed into her clit, even as she held onto his shoulders and willed herself to take him deeper still.

"Alena, oh god," Zane gasped, seemingly completely consumed by his desire.

"Yeah, baby," Alena cried as she bucked on his cock, reveling in the feel of him driving into her, stretching her and filling her to the core.

"Oh…" Suddenly, she felt him quickening his pace. He held her under her ass and pounded into her.

Another cry escaped her lips as she felt him release his hot seed deep inside her. She felt her own orgasm rock through her in the same moment. She wrapped her legs even tighter around him. His hardness convulsed inside her as he drove his length in again and again in his final thrusts. She convulsed around him in time until he drove in one last time and stayed there, emptying the last of his come into her.

She felt shakes rock her body as he held her suspended against her until he finally withdrew and brought her into a hug. They almost instantly collapsed to the soft earth, and he pulled her up against his warmth.

They just lay like that for a long while, and she allowed herself to bask in the warm buzz of their coupling.

She couldn't help a few thoughts that tried to intrude on her peace. At some level, she knew they had crossed a bridge, or maybe cemented some sort of bond, though nothing had been declared. Still, something had happened. There was no turning back now.