Once they got there, Drake found it very crowded. He followed his father as they waited to greet Markus. Once it was their turn, Markus greeted Samuel like an old friend.
“Sam, I am glad you could make it.”
“We wouldn’t miss an event such as this. The next one may not be in my lifetime.”
“You have seen one already, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Two in my lifetime is incredible, no?”
“Yes, it is. But your kind does live longer than most of us.”
“That is true.”
“Please, come sit. She and her family will be out soon.”
“Of course. Drake, why don't you go mingle.”
“Yes, father.”
As Drake walked through the town, he couldn’t help but notice the air had changed from the last time he was here. As he walked, he saw an old friend, flirting no less. He walked up to him and realized the look in his eye and thought against it, but he had seen Drake.
“Drake, what a surprise.”
“Yes. Wasn’t going to disturb you.”
The friend looked at the girl, whispered something and the girl went off. His full attention back on Drake.
“So, who was that?”
“A fox shifter.”
“Come on.”
“She’s my mate, I just know it.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Thanks. So, is it just you or you and your father.”
“Both. Father insisted I come to see this white wolf. He says it is a rare event.”
“He is right about that.”
“Do you know her?”
“Of course.”
“No, not by pack association.”
“I know what you meant.”
“So, who is she?”
“My sister.”
“Oh, Josh. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“Last I was here, it was right after your father’s death. How are Joslyn and Joseph taking all this? I imagine they are with her now.”
As Josh hung his head low, Drake saw the emotion run all over his face.
“Josh?”
“Aveline is with Aurora.”
“And who else? Your mother?”
“My mother and Joseph were slaughtered by Markus. He wanted Aurora back and we had no choice but to come back if we wanted to stay with her and keep our lives. Markus means to mate Aurora with Rafe.”
“That poor thing.”
“He looks at her like she is a damn piece of meat. I want to dig his eyes out.”
“That bad?”
“Yeah, you want to meet her before everyone else?”
“Sure.”
Josh and Drake walked to the cabin. Aurora was sitting all alone on the couch. Drake felt a twinge in his heart when he saw how sad she was and had the urge to comfort her. He looked at Josh as he walked to his sister.
“Little wolf, was is it?”
“Why is he throwing a big celebration for me?”
“He wants them to know he has a white wolf in his pack.”
“Don’t lie to me, Josh. I’m not a kid anymore.”
“He’s announcing your engagement tonight. Rafe will be by your side all night.”
“NO!!!!”
“I know. I don’t like it either. But. I want to introduce you to a friend of mine.”
As Josh turned to Drake, Aurora finally noticed him. She was captivated by tropical blue eyes that seemed to try and stare into her soul. For a moment, it felt like her soul was trying to reach out to him. He must’ve felt it too, due to his reaction.
Drake felt an instant pull when those big brown eyes locked onto his. When he felt the mating bond form between them, he wanted to run. He stopped because he knew Josh wanted him here to help watch over her and just now, he was feeling very protective. He walked over and knelt in front of her to look into those eyes.
“You are my brother’s friend?”
“Yes. I have known Josh for some time. But I must tell you a secret.”
“What?”
“I knew your father a lot better. He helped me get along after my mother passed. He helped my father as well. We are indebted to him. Since he too has passed, we are indebted to you. Anything you would need of me, just ask.”
“You mean it?”
“Absolutely.”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
She leaned forward then and wrapped her arms around his neck. He got a nose full of her scent; fresh powered snow mixed with evergreen pine. Hell, she smelt like Christmas morning. He put his arm around her and returned her hug.
She was going crazy in her head. The smell of him gave her mixed feelings. Feelings she has never felt before. He smelled of a volcano and coconuts. It was intoxicating. He must be feeling something too because it took Aveline coming in to break them apart.
Drake got up and greeted Aveline.
“Drake, it is wonderful that you are here. I know Josh will feel a lot better.”
“Avy, it is always a pleasure. I heard what happened. The truth of it. I am so sorry.”
“I knew he would tell you. Just don’t tell your father.”
“I won’t. I know what it’ll start. Don’t need that.”
“They said it’s time, little wolf. Are you ready?”
“No.”
They all escorted her to the feast. Aveline, Blake, Josh, and Aurora would be seated at the head table with Markus and Rafe. Drake and his father would be seated closest to the head table due to the bordering lands. The rest had no particular seating.
Markus introduced Aurora to everyone and sure enough, Rafe was almost glued to her side. Every time Rafe touched her, she winced and Drake saw red. He kept his temper in check. It was unheard of for a dragon and a wolf to mate. She was no ordinary wolf. She was the white wolf and she was half Ascendant. He knew he would do anything to keep her safe. As the meal progressed, Drake got angrier seeing what Rafe was doing. Finally, he had to get up and walk away before he ripped his throat out. When it was time to mingle, all she wanted to do was go home. Rafe eventually left her side and she immediately went looking for Josh or Aveline. Instead, she found Drake. She walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
For about two years, Aurora trained with her uncle. The sessions were getting more intense. Rafe was trying to force himself on her. One of the other trainees had to play Rafe and not back down. Able was stronger than her, but so was Rafe. When she was knocked on her ass again, Dominik helped her up.“You cannot fail at this. If Able were really Rafe, he’d be inside you already. Do better.”“I’m trying. It’s not exactly easy.”“It’s not supposed to be. I’m not letting you back u
On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Rafe greeted her at the door to escort her. She accepted but led her away from town. As soon as they were in the clearing, he acted.“You are mine. Do you understand? Mine, not Drake’s.”She fought him off easily thanks to her training which surprised him. She could smell Drake in the distance and decided to go for him. She reached out to him as she shifted and ran for him. Rafe shifted and gave chase. As she crossed the border into the dragon lands, she stopped and spun around to find Rafe would not cross. Drake walked up, seeing the two wolves snarling at each other. He knew Aurora but felt
Everyone was tense to be around Drake, ever since the day she left. Drake was like another person. He trained harder and was fiercer. Before, Rafe would’ve challenged him. Now, you’d have to be an idiot to challenge Drake. He was mean, dark, and ruthless. Rafe was sure if Aurora came home, she’d want him. Every day that passed and he couldn’t feel her, he grew stronger from forcing himself to train harder. Everyone thought it was to keep his mind off her. Little did they know, he was distracting himself. It’s his fault she left. She knew he loved her, but because he didn’t want to try to complete the mating bond, she left. He hoped as time went by, she’d forgive him and come back. Now, a year has passed. She’d be seventeen now and no one has seen her.
Drake went home more confused than ever. Would she come back to him? She has a whole new outlook than just this piece of land. He wanted to write her back but had so many questions. Did he even know her anymore? When he got home, his father asked to see him.“Son, I need to speak with you.”“What is it?”“I assume you went and saw Markus. Did he tell what you wanted to know?”“I do
Aurora began to cry as she knew she would have to tell him what has happened. Michelle came in to check on her and found her a mess on the floor. She read Drake’s letter and hugged her closest friend. “You have to tell him.”“I don’t want to. I don’t want to go through with it.”“It’s the only way Rafe won’t retaliate. He still has your brother and sister.”
Drake had stayed away from home. Especially now that he knew she would never be his. He knew it was happening today and fought to stay away, but he was close enough. He landed and shifted back and walked through the woods, trying to keep his mind off it. He was dozing off a bit when a sudden, sharp pain vibrated through him. It felt like he had been shot. He looked down and saw no blood, nor a wound. He hurt bad enough for one to be there. As he pondered this, he heard her voice. She called out to him and in an instant, knew something happened to her. He wasted no time as he shifted and took flight. Flying as fast as his wings would go. Drake got home in time to see Mage and one of the Ascendants leaving. He grew paler as he got closer to his home. Will and Jake wer
She expected to be dead by now, but instead, she was feeling stronger than she ever had. She had Drake. They had mated and there was no denying it. She doesn’t know why her first instinct was to shift and run. She wanted to stay and bask in his heat. She knew why she had to run. Markus had nothing to do with what happened and Dominik might think she is dead. Rafe would pay but on her terms. She reached the guardians in record time. She could run faster, her senses were more alive, and she felt downright confident. She shifted, dressed, and went to find Dominik.She found him in his chambers. His back was turned, and the smell of whiskey assailed her nostrils. When he spoke, he didn’t sound himself.