10. Draven/ Tobias

CHAPTER TEN

DRAVEN/ TOBIAS

DRAVEN

I shot a look over my shoulder. I couldn't shake off the guilt gnawing at me.

Tobias was trailing behind, silent but undoubtedly brewing with questions and emotions.

I cursed myself for keeping him in the dark about my true nature. His expression earlier, a mix of confusion and shock, haunted me.

I owed him an explanation, one that should've been given long ago. Zane had warned me to come clean with Tobias, but I'd brushed it aside until now.

With a heavy sigh, I steered my motorcycle toward the Red Vine Woods, a place I frequented at night for my shifts.

I got off my motorcycle and Tobias emerged from his bike. He continued following me on foot without complaints.

We trudged deeper into the woods, Tobias remained silent, his footsteps echoing mine.

The tension between us lingered in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. I hated the awkward silence that had settled between us.

Before, Tobias had been so at ease around me, and I wished I could turn back time to avoid all this.

"Where are you taking me?" Tobias finally spoke, his voice hesitant.

"Somewhere quiet, where we won't be bothered," I replied.

We continued our hike in silence, the only sounds the rustle of leaves underfoot and the occasional chirp of a bird.

Tobias's breathing grew heavier as we ascended a hill, and I forced myself to slow down, mindful of his pace.

Eventually, we reached the summit. The view before us should've been breathtaking, but we had more important matters to discuss.

Turning to Tobias, I reached for his hand, but he took a step back, his expression guarded.

Admittedly, that hurt, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I let his hand drop, my own feelings of disappointment tucked away for now.

"Tobias, I owe you an explanation," I began. "I should have been honest with you from the start, but there are things about me that you need to know."

"Draven, what are you? Some kind of fire mage and shifter hybrid? Why were you hiding the truth from me?" Tobias demanded, his voice edged with frustration.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself before answering him.

"No, I'm a dragon shifter," I said, watching Tobias's expression shift from confusion to disbelief.

"A dragon? I thought your kind was wiped out a long time ago..." Tobias faltered, struggling to make sense of it all.

"There are only a few of us alive," I confirmed.

"Even so... why didn't you tell me from the start? Didn't you trust me?" Tobias's voice cracked with hurt, his eyes searching mine for an answer.

"I do trust you. My kind, or what remained of us, we swore an oath to keep our existence a secret from the rest of the world. I'm aware that sounds like an excuse. I eventually planned on telling you, but knowing Belladonna is still out there looking for me, she's an added complication," I explained, hoping he would understand.

"So by keeping your secrets to yourself, you thought you were protecting me?" Tobias asked, his voice softening with understanding.

"Belladonna's dangerous, Tobias," I said.

I closed my eyes briefly, the memories of being under her control still haunting me.

Tobias reached out this time, his touch grounding me in the present moment.

His fingers closed firmly over mine, and I opened my eyes to meet his gaze. I was here, with him, I reminded myself.

Since meeting Tobias, my life had taken a different turn.

I still had bad days where I felt like I was losing control of my body and my actions, but they were becoming increasingly rare, and I owed that to him.

"Draven, talk to me. Why are you so... scared of this witch?" Tobias asked, his voice laced with concern.

Still holding his hand, I led him to a fallen log and sat down.

Taking a deep breath, I began to recount the events that had brought me to this point.

"I was just minding my own business, living on my mountain and going about my routine when she knocked on my door, playing the damsel in distress," I started.

I finished telling Tobias everything, from the moment Belladonna knocked on my door to the day Zane and his bear shifter allies helped free me from her binding curse.

Tobias tentatively reached out, his hand hovering over my chest as he began unbuttoning my shirt.

My first instinct was to push him away, to hide the mark of shame etched into my skin. But I forced myself to stay still, to let him see.

As he exposed the cursed rune on my chest, I braced myself for his reaction. Would he recoil in horror? Turn away in disgust?

But to my surprise, Tobias remained calm, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, the tension between us threatened to suffocate the air. My inner dragon roared, restless and agitated.

Part of me was a little worried he’d force me to change forms and hurt Tobias in the process.

But Tobias was our anchor, our common ground. We would both protect him at all costs.

"Draven, I'm sorry for everything you've been through," Tobias murmured.

As his fingers traced the cursed mark on my chest, I felt a warmth spread through me, a comfort I hadn't known in a long time.

"So, Belladonna, does she still have a hold on you?" Tobias asked, his gaze searching mine.

"Thankfully, no," I replied, gently lifting his hand from my skin and pressing a soft kiss to each fingertip.

Tobias flushed at the gesture, his smile lighting up his face in a way that made my heart skip a beat.

"Okay," he said once I was done, his eyes locked with mine. "I forgive you for not telling me earlier."

I raised an eyebrow, disbelief flickering in my eyes. Was it really that simple?

But then again, Tobias was special. He’d always been kind and understanding, generous not only to me but to everyone else.

"Just like that?" I couldn't keep the doubt out of my voice.

"Yeah, just like that," Tobias affirmed, leaning in close until our lips met in a tender kiss.

TOBIAS

Was I foolish for simply forgiving Draven after his explanation? Maybe, but as I looked into his eyes, I couldn't detect a single trace of deception.

The haunted look within them told me more than any words could convey. I understood his hesitance in revealing the truth from the beginning.

After all, we were still getting to know each other, and this Belladonna... If she could manipulate a dragon shifter, then she was far more dangerous and frightening than I had ever imagined.

But despite the fear lingering in the back of my mind, I couldn't deny the connection between Draven and me.

The warmth of Draven's lips against mine sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a spark that seemed to grow with each passing second.

Trust wasn't built overnight, but in that moment, as we shared this kiss, I felt a sense of connection that was undeniable.

His touch was electric, sending waves of pleasure through me that I couldn't ignore.

All of my doubts melted away, leaving only the intoxicating feeling of being with him. Draven closed one hand over the back of my neck, taking control.

A shiver of want went down my spine as he thrust his tongue down my throat.

I unbuttoned the rest of his shirt and this time, he no longer seemed conscious of the blackened rune on his chest.

When we parted from the kiss, I leaned down, kissed the tip of where the rune began and made my way down, tracing the mark.

I wanted to show him there was nothing to be ashamed of. This rune was a battle scar, and he should be proud of it.

Draven groaned when I knelt in front of him and unbuttoned his jeans. I unzipped him, a little gasp escaping my throat when I unveiled his glorious cock.

It was already long and hard for me and I loved knowing I was responsible for his erection.

“Tobias,” he murmured, voice husky with need.

He looked down at me with his golden eyes and seeing the intense hunger there made me shiver in anticipation.

Draven speared his fingers through my hair, tugging me close.

Eager to please him, I closed my lips over his shaft and licked him from root to tip.

I took my time as well, ensuring I didn’t miss a spot. Draven groaned, tightening his grip on my hair when I softly sucked on the tip of his cock, before taking him down my throat.

I gagged at first, unused to the size of him but eventually succeeded on my second try.

It didn’t take long for Draven to come. I bobbed my head up and down a few more times, before he gave my hair a tug.

“I’m close,” he murmured.

I didn’t pull away as he came, instead I took all of his seed down my throat. Watching his eyes glow with pleasure, was worth it.

Once I was done, I rose to my feet, surprised to find Draven’s hand on my waist. He pulled me close, sitting me on his lap.

I found I liked the position a lot, loved how he placed his arm around me tightly, ensuring I wouldn’t fall off.

I rested my head against his incredibly warm chest. A dragon. No wonder he always seemed so warm, warmer even than most shifters.

Draven lifted my chin using two fingers, and kissed me again. My dick thickened in my jeans.

“I want you, Tobias,” he murmured after the kiss, breath warm against my ear.

“Fuck me,” I whispered.

He loosened his hold on me so I could get off his lap, only to take off the rest of my clothes.

“Is anyone…watching us?” I asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

When I was with Draven, I felt strangely bold despite normally being a shy person.

“There’s no one around for miles,” Draven said.

I believed him. Draven was emitting so much of his frightening aura, his dragon probably scared off any nearby paranormals into hiding.

Draven stood up, shedding his clothes and I took a few seconds to appreciate his muscular body.

I couldn’t believe we were actually doing this outdoors.

A thrill of excitement went down my spine as Draven led to me a grassy area. I lay down, the soft grass cushioning my body.

Draven draped himself over me, taking his time kissing me and leaving a path of burning kisses down my neck, my chest, my ribs and finally, he planted a kiss on my aching dick.

“On fours,” he commanded.

It was so hot, the way he gave me orders and I was eager to obey. He helped me get into position, then stood behind me.

I parted my legs eagerly for him and groaned when he slipped a finger in my ass.

Omega shifters were self-lubricating and I was already wet and ready for him.

Nonetheless, Draven widened me for access, adding a second and a third finger until I was moaning and begging him to take me.

He pulled his digits out, gripped my hips and finally entered me.

I gasped at his entry. Oh, I knew he was big, but still, it was a pleasant surprise.

Draven didn’t rush, instead he took his time, making me feel every inch of him. Finally, he was buried balls deep in me.

“You good?” Draven asked and I laughed, unable to help myself.

Despite being so terrifying at times, Draven could also be terribly sweet when it counted.

“Better than good,” I said and that seemed the only answer he needed.

Draven started with slow strokes, picking up speed when I begged him to. He drew moans and whimpers out of me as he went deeper and deeper.

Each time Draven entered me, it felt like he was close to touching my soul. My inner wolf howled inside me in approval.

Draven reduced us both to panting and sweating animals.

The next time he entered me, he found my sweet spot. I gasped, arching my back as Draven kept going for the spot.

I clawed at the ground, groaning as the pressure inside me continued to built and threatened to split open.

My balls drew in tight against my body.

The next time Draven slid inside me, I climaxed. The trees and forest fell away from my line of sight and I saw stars.

Draven pumped in and out of me several more times, before filling me with his seed.

I collapsed against the grass, feeling utterly spent and content. Draven slid next to me, his movements smooth and sure, as he drew me into a fierce embrace.

He wrapped his arms around me with a strength that both reassured and thrilled me, pulling me close until I could feel the heat of his body against mine.

It was as if he wanted to envelop me in his protective embrace, shielding me from all the dangerous monsters in the world.

Draven kissed me softly, his lips conveying tenderness and affection.

As he pulled back, his expression shifted to one of seriousness, and I wondered what he was going to say next.

"Tobias, I hoped you didn't regret this," he said, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

“Why would I?” I asked, though his words prompted me to ponder further. “You thought...this happened in the heat of the moment?”

Draven held my gaze, and he nodded solemnly.

"I won't blame you," he said. "if you change your mind about me, about us afterwards. It's dangerous being with me after all."

I reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Thank you for telling me everything, Draven," I said. "But I'm not going to change my mind. I'm all in."

Draven nodded, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotions.

"Yeah?" he asked, seeking affirmation.

"What we have is good and special," I pointed out. "Something that happens once in a lifetime. The day I saw you at the bar, I knew fate put you in my path for a reason."

"Same here," Draven said, his words making my heart flutter.

"I don't care if a witch is after you or the fact that you still have…unresolved issues," I declared firmly.

"I'm working on myself," Draven responded. "Being here, spending time with you, it takes off the edge."

"I'm glad to hear that," I said, nestling my head on his shoulder.

With my eyes closed, I felt incredibly at peace.

But beneath the tranquility, a lingering question remained: how long would this moment of happiness last?