3. Tyson

CHAPTER THREE

TYSON

M y dragon snorts of laughter, complete with smoke rings and the hint of deep red flame, cut off as the only woman still not across the start line virtually ran across my clawed feet and vanished into the forest.

My jaw dropped in surprise, and my long, forked tongue suddenly tasted the world. Hints of licorice and sweet, salty sweat added to the eucalyptus and scaly hide I was used to. I liked it too much and hastily rolled my tongue back in, purposely not letting her scent touch my nose. I glanced around to see if anyone noticed my lapse in control, but no one watched me. Every eye focused on the spot the woman disappeared into.

Fearless, brave, stupid… beautiful.

The words came to me on a wave of unwanted emotion. I pranced uncomfortably. The woman's taste filled my dragon maw pleasantly and made blood flow to all the wrong places.

She shouldn't have any effect on me. I was not a slave to emotions. My back ached, and my wings trembled with pain that was long gone. A mush of emotions and colors from my turbulent childhood tried to crack the box I'd stuffed them into. In my peripheral vision, a yellow glow outlined a blue-haired water dragon with his fanned ears on display. I closed my eyes and shook my head.

I am strong. I am a prince of fire, born of fire, destined for greatness. Nothing will stand in my way.

I silently repeated my truths until only the man I wanted to be existed. I opened my eyes and glared at the water dragon, but the glow was gone along with my past.

The sun shone off my glorious scales, and I beat my massive wings. My gust of wind hit the backs of the three women, still leisurely strolling down the path. One of them had a pink disk in her hand. She jumped and screamed. The object went flying before being completely forgotten in her fear. All three women peeked back at me before gathering closer together and increasing their pace.

But they still walked. Damnit. I wanted to spew fire at their arses. They had no idea what this hunt meant to our kind. How fecking messed up our island had become. I moved my focus to the women running down the hard-packed trail.

Every year was the same. The ones at the front would be athletic and competitive. They'd run straight and fast, not truly understanding what The Hunt was about but loving the game. A second wave would be at the first's heels but realize they couldn't outrun something with wings. These women would eventually veer off and hide or set up traps. Some of them even greeted their prospective lovers with riddles or little tests. They understood more of what it meant to love a dragon but didn't enjoy the thrill of the chase.

Although Tia would never bear my children, she was a dragon. Fierce and strong. I was content with her. Content. I looked away. A longing I couldn't indulge in tried to fill my heart. I stamped it out, literally slamming my tail down on the path the woman had taken into the forest. This was not my hunt.

Dust from my tantrum floated to my nose. A heady whiff of the woman seeped into my dragon senses. Licorice and spicy sweet pheromones filled with confidence rushed through every fiber of my being. The world turned red, then went white. Whatever thoughts I'd been having vanished from my mind.

Mine.

The world came back into focus, and the woman's path into the forest flickered with color. I growled and shook my head. The colors vanished, but my need remained.

Mine.

I eyed the stadium, no longer seeing my fellow dragons but competition. Too many eyes lingered on the woman's path, and I slid forward, hiding her spot from view. Rehan, the water dragon's next in line to rule, narrowed his eyes but inclined his head, accepting my challenge. My blood rushed.

Mine.

I puffed out my chest. The water dragons didn't run this island. Fire did. Me. My family. This was my hunt.

I lowered my head and pulled in more of her scent. The decaying feel of her passing wasn't enough. It would never be enough. I needed her in my arms, between my legs and in my collection.

I growled.

My instincts danced. With whatever rational part of my brain remained, I checked myself, searching for signs something was wrong. But no fog of pure lust clouded my thoughts. This wasn't a rut. I was still in control of myself. Ruts only happened when a dragon denied its base instincts…and I did whatever I wanted.

Now I wanted this woman.

I closed my eyes, seeing her cheeky wave and the feel of her body as she almost brushed my claws. My fire simmered, reaching for this woman, no, this fantastic creature who only existed to be my mate.

I danced in place before letting a stream of fire bloom against the bright blue sky.

Usually, in my dragon form, my emotions eased with the simplicity of my animal brain. But she wormed her way into my base instincts.

I pictured her under me, outlined by my silk sheets, her stomach swollen with our child, and I'd never wanted anything more.

Only one dragon could claim her.

That dragon would be me.