3.

Peggy

I t’s just one night until we leave for Clan Thunderstorm. Somehow, I’ve never been there, so I don’t even know what to expect. I appreciate that Wilson lent me some weapons. At the very least, I’ll be ready to fight any rogue humans we encounter. Cameron and the other dragons can handle the shifters, but I’ll be ready for whatever else comes out way.

Tonight, I snuggle up with Cameron on the couch in our living room and rest my head on his shoulders. I’m nervous, I realize. Anxious. It’s been a long time since we dealt with any sort of invasion like this. For the past four years, I have felt safe. Secure. I’m not feeling ready for something like this. It’s too much. My heart starts racing as I let my thoughts get away from me.

“You’re nervous.” Cameron speaks before I tell him. He rubs my shoulder. “Tell me what’s got you bothered.”

“Are you scenting me?” I ask quietly. I love being with a dragon man. Sometimes it’s nice that I don’t have to stress about expressing myself. On the other hand, Cameron doesn’t let me get away with very much. If he thinks I’m holding something back, he’ll call me out on it.

“I always scent you,” he tells me. “You’re my sweet human.”

And he’s my dragon shifter: now and forever.

“It’s weird that you can smell my emotions,” I point out.

“And yet so very helpful.” He raises my chin, and he presses his lips to mine. “Are you okay?”

“No...maybe...I’m not sure.”

“Tell me what you’re feeling.” Because he can scent my emotions, but he can’t read my feelings.

“Have you ever met the other clan?” I ask quietly. I want to know what they’re like. Should I be scared? Will they actually be thankful for our help?

“A long time ago.”

“What are they like?”

“They’re dragons, love.” He says this like it’s enough, and it is.

“Ah, that explains it. So, they’re snarky and sarcastic? Maybe kind of sexy?”

He growls, and I know I’m getting under his skin. Good. I need to get under Cameron’s skin a little bit tonight because I need his attention. Also, I want him to distract me.

Tomorrow is going to be an insane sort of day. We’re all going to travel to the other clan, and we’re going to be connecting with people we’ve never met before. We’re reaching out because that’s what clans do. We help others.

And he’s right: I am stressed. Maybe if I get him riled up, he’ll help me take my mind off of things.

“What?” I ask innocently.

“You’re trying to make me jealous, mate. It will work.”

“Would I do that?”

“If you wanted me to paddle your sweet ass, you would,” he says. My pussy clenches instantly at the words. Shit. Yeah, Cameron knows what I like. He knows I like to touch him, and he especially knows I like to be touched by him. He knows I love being under his hand in every way. “Ah.” A smile crosses his face. He sniffs the air. “You like the idea.”

He can smell my arousal. Just like a dragon to be sneaky like that.

“I’m not trying to make you jealous,” I say, blinking innocently. “I’m just trying to get to know this other clan a little bit better.”

“Is that all?” Cameron strokes my cheek. I nod.

“That’s all,” I say. Then I climb up and over, lowering myself onto him. I’m straddling him on the couch now. The television is forgotten. I cup his face, just looking at his beautiful eyes. Sometimes I can’t believe I was so lucky as to meet my mate.

Mocha and Frappe, our kittens-turned-cats, scurry out of the room. They’re probably going to go get a little snack or find some sort of tasty treat before they settle down for bed. Either way, Cameron and I are very far from settling.

His hands glide up my sides and over to my breasts. He cups them, gently playing with them as his lips cover mine.

“You’re mine,” he growls. “My mate. Mine forever.”

This should probably sound ominous, but it doesn’t. Instead, this statement makes me feel safe. Protected. Cared for. Cameron is going to do whatever it takes to protect me, and I’m his in every way.

I reach for his clothes, tearing and tugging as we kiss. A moment later, we’re both completely nude. I grip his shoulders as I lower myself onto his length. He groans, grabbing me by the throat and tugging me back to his lips again.

“I love you,” I murmur. I can’t hold back the way I feel about him. More importantly, he doesn’t seem to want me to.

“You’re mine,” he tells me, and he kisses me again.

And again.

And again.

Time seems to pause as we make love on the couch. His hands are everywhere all at once, just the way I love for them to be, and I find my own hands grazing his abs, rubbing his muscular biceps, and finally, settling on his cheeks. He thrusts up into me, and I threaten to come right then.

“Do it,” he groans. He wants to feel me just as much as I want to feel him.

“I’m close,” I admit. He knows how to work my body. It doesn’t take long.

“Show me what a good girl you can be, Peggy.”

And that’s it.

That’s all it takes.

When I fall apart for him, he joins me. Together, the sounds of our pleasure fill the house. He holds me as he fills me up, pulsing inside of me, and then he kisses me, holding me as my body continues to thrum with pleasure.

And then we hold each other, melting into one.

Cameron and I grip each other together on the couch, whispering to each other and promising that no matter what comes next, we’re going to be just fine. Tonight, we have each other, and tomorrow, we can worry about saving the world.

And even though I’m not a dragon shifter, I’m aware enough of my mate to know that he’s as relaxed as he should be right now.

“You’re worried,” I say. I press my hand to his chest. I may not be able to scent his emotions. I might be wholly unable to figure out exactly what the situation is here, but I do know one thing. Cameron is tough. Strong. He’s not going to let anything bad happen to either clan. Together with Wilson, Lee, Lawrence, and Donald, Cameron is going to fight for the safety of Fablestone, and he’s going to fight for the safety of Thunderstorm.

“We don’t know much about this threat,” he says. “I thought we’d put all this behind us.”

For four years, our clan has been safe. Quiet. Blooming. We’ve rebuilt emotionally after living in fear for so long, but this reminds us that no matter how strong we feel, danger is always lurking, always waiting.

It’s always there.

“We’ll be fine,” I say.

We have to be.