Chapter Seven

Seline

I hold the sleeping child to my chest as I sit on the couch. Ares. She chose that name hoping it would be something great someday, and it will. It has been two hours since we got home and the moment his mother handed him to me, I knew I would give my life for him.

"Are you ever going to put him down?" Liam asks from the doorway.

"Not if I don't have to."

He chuckles. "I just found you and already another man has stolen your attention," he jokes, and I can't help but laugh.

"Someone is coming to fix a nursery for him. I was planning on having it done, just not quite yet," he explains. "I do want us out of the apartment until they are done. And we need to work on getting your dragon fully shifted. You need to build your bond so you can summon her at will. If you ever end up in a situation where I'm not there to protect you, I need to know you can. We can go to the lake house for a couple of days."

I know what he is saying is true, but I also know I don't want to do this. Having a dragon is dangerous. As Liam explained, others will want me. If I can keep her hidden, then we will all be safe.

"Of course you have a lake house," I say rolling my eyes and trying to change the subject.

"You can't hide her forever," Liam says softly, pulling the thoughts from my mind and keeping us on the task at hand. He gently cups my face in his palms until we gaze into each other's eyes. "We need to prepare for the inevitable."

Nodding, I place Ares in the bassinet beside the couch before making my way to our room. I can't very well shift into my dragon in a sundress. I will need to change into something more appropriate. Angela smiles softly as I pass her, and I know if the situation were different we would be friends. I wonder if there is something we can do for her, help her find her way to a better life. It's something I can discuss with Liam later.

Grabbing a set of cutoff jeans and a t-shirt, I quickly change before packing a bag with the essentials, just in case. We will be leaving the Capital today and it may be a few days before we return. I know nothing of the place we are going to except that it is near a lake and I don't know what I will need so I toss in random items.

I hear him approach before his hands grasp my hips.

"Are you sure this is what you want? Do you really want to raise another woman's child?"

"I'm not sure of much right now," I reply, leaning back against his chest. "But I do know, without a doubt, that Ares is your son and we are in a position to give him a better life."

His lips skim along the column of my neck, raising goose bumps in their wake. His touch sets me aflame and already I want to beg him to fuck me. His erection grinds against my ass and I push back. His hands lift my t-shirt over my head before dropping it to the floor, leaving me in my cutoff jeans and bra.

"Liam," I whisper. "There are people in the house."

"Do you think you can be quiet?"

I shake my head from side to side. I may not have much sexual experience, but I know the sounds I make when we are together are out of my control.

"Try, little mate," he rasps, undoing my shorts and sliding them down my legs. "I need to feel your pussy clamp down on my cock."

The sound of his zipper and belt is loud in the enclosed space of the closet. I know I should stop him, that we need to get out of the house and the Capital, but the words never leave my lips.

His cock spears into me from behind, my body falling forward into the clothes hanging from the rail. For a moment I feel like I am going to lose my balance before my hands grip the pole above my head. There is nothing sweet about this. Liam is using my body to slake his lus t— and mine if I'm being honest. He drives his cock deep into me before withdrawing and doing it again and again, each plunge lifting me higher off the ground until I am standing on the tips of my toes. I fight to keep my moans locked inside, not wanting to be heard, but some inevitably escape.

"Quiet now, Mate," he commands before landing a blow on my left ass cheek. "Your moans are mine and mine alone."

My body convulses around his length, the bite of pain and his possessive words pushing me over the edge, milking him as I bite down on my arm to keep my pleasure hidden.

"Fuck, yes," he mutters, his own orgasm rolling through him as his knot inflates and locks us together before his teeth sink into my shoulder once more.

A second orgasm rips through me, the pain and pleasure melding together and becoming something more. His knot holds me in place as I buck violently against his hold, taking every drop of pleasure he offers before my muscles finally relax.

****

Liam

It's been three hours since we all loaded into the car and drove away from my apartment. I am taking us into the countryside where we have a family cabin beside the lake. Since my father passed away three years ago, I haven't been out there so I don't know what state it is in, but I do know it is far away from everyone and it will be a safe space for Seline to let her dragon out.

She stares out the window as we drive, a small smile gracing her features while Angela and Ares sleep in the back seat.

I have a son.

Holy fuck. How did everything become so complicated so quickly? Last week I was one of the most eligible and powerful bachelors in the Capital, and now, well, now I have a fated mate and she is the first female dragon in a thousand years. And the woman in the back seat is someone I never thought I would lay eyes on again but now have a son with.

The only saving grace to this whole situation is the fact that my dragon is calm and accepting of all these changes. He rarely likes or welcomes change but he is being very receptive. I have not been this grateful for something so simple in a very long time.

Turning off the main road, I take the uneven dirt track that leads between the pine trees to where I know the cabin is located.

"It's beautiful!" Seline gushes the moment we spot the cabin between the trees.

It's not very modest but my father never was someone to do things in half measures. A double-story wooden structure looms up ahead. Painted white shutters keep the windows from our sight and a large wraparound porch with a swing completes the picture. The pine trees are lush and green forming the perfect backdrop to the house.

The moment the vehicle comes to a stop she is out and moving about. She takes in everything from the house to the trees and the lake, all with a stunning smile. I feel a ridiculous amount of pride in the fact that she likes it, even if I had nothing to do with the creation of this area.

"Let's get everyone settled and I can give you a tour," I offer, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind.

"I would like that."

She takes my hand and leads me back to the car where Angela is now awake and waiting for us. Ares is still sleeping in her arms while she looks at him with equal parts adoration and sadness. It can't be easy to give up your chil d— not that I would kno w— but she seems to be dealing with it well.

"We can unload everything and then get the rooms sorted," I explain. "I think we all could use a break after the drive."

****

It's strange sitting here in the kitchen for breakfast, watching my mate and the mother of my child move around each other as they prepare a meal for us. I thought they would hate each other but they seem to be getting along well. There is a flow to everything they do and an outsider would think they have known each other for years instead of hours with the way they move and work together.

"When we're done with breakfast, I want us to start practicing," I say to Seline as I sip on my cup of black coffee. "It will take a while for us to coax your dragon out and I would prefer we started sooner rather than later."

"I think that's a good idea," she replies sipping her own coffee.

"I was also thinking we should practice closer to the lake. We don't want any fires spreading to the house or throughout the forest."

Her terrified gaze turns to me. "I didn't even consider that."

"Don't worry. My dragon will be able to help if anything goes awry. But I have faith in you," I assure her. "I also think Angela and Ares should stay in the house until we know your dragon is under control."

She nods before disappearing deeper into the house and reappearing a minute later. I stare at her trying to figure out what she just did but she looks the same as she did before. Her fiery red hair is up in a ponytail, jean shorts, and a strappy white top with flip-flops.

"I'm ready. Just had to brush my teeth," she says with a smile, hopping from one foot to the other. "Let's go meet my dragon."

I can't hold back my laughter at her enthusiasm. It's a nice change of pace that she isn't ignoring her dragon anymore.

Walking hand in hand we make our way to the edge of the lake. I've never done anything like this befor e— no one alive has, to be hones t— but we will have to give it a shot.

"What I want you to do is close your eyes," I explain. "I want you to breathe deeply and just relax. Let the nature around you fill you and wrap around you. Allow it to become a part of you and center you. A stressful situation will force your dragon out, but I would prefer your first shift to be natural. It's going to take a lot out of you, and I don't want anger or fear coloring this experience as well."

She nods with a small smile, her eyes closed as she tilts her head back. The rays of sunlight glint off her hair and make it look like it really is a waterfall of fire. Her beauty astounds me and has me drawing a sharp breath. My fingers twitch with the need to touch her, hold her, caress her skin, but I hold back. This moment isn't about what I want, it's about what she needs. I see the magic shimmer around her as her dragon finally makes her appearance.

But dark thoughts filter into my mind, ruining the moment. What would have happened to her had I not been selected for this year's hunt? What if her father was a better man and didn't force her into that situation? Would I still have found her?

Footsteps on the gravel path draw me from my thoughts. Turning, I see the one man I never thought I would have to lay eyes on again. Gregor fucking James. And he has Angela and Ares with him.

My heart rate spikes as I watch them walk closer to us. The air around us turns acrid with her fear and his anger and soon enough breaks into Seline's calm. She sees them coming closer and I watch as her dragon fades away until she barely shimmers beneath the surface. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. Her dragon won't be held back for long.

"Why are you here, Gregor?" she asks when they are only a few feet away from us.

"Show some respect, you little bitch. I am still your father!" He levels the gun in his hand at my mate.

Angela flinches away from him but he holds her tightly in his grasp. Ares starts crying and I know it won't be long before my mate loses her shit. Already her talons have elongated, the change rushing down on her quickly.

"This matter has already been settled," I cut in, stepping between the two of them to keep him from my mate's view. I hope this will help her settle before she lets her dragon out and all hell breaks loose. I also won't have this idiot pointing a gun at my mate even if she can shift and heal.

"This matter, as you put it, is far from settled," he roars, his dragon also dancing below the surface. With every second that passes this situation becomes more volatile and I know someone is going to die today, no matter what I say or do. "Seline will accompany me to the Capital to speak with the Alpha Council. She will restore my good name."

"Or what?" Seline growls behind me. "Are you going to hit me again? Burn me?"

The gun goes off and I watch in slow motion as Angela falls to the ground, a wailing Ares cradled to her chest. Her vacant stare locked on me.

"Motherfucker!" I roar.

I charge at him but I don't get the chance to do anything as I am knocked to the ground.