When dawn was breaking, Aidan sat by the edge of the bed, staring out into the sky. The sheets were a mess, the pillows thrown somewhere in the room, and the blankets were ruffled up on the floor, but he made no move to fix it. He didn’t feel like sleeping. Arke was alright with it.
Smoke trailed up one end of the joint between his fingers, embers lighting a bright yellow as he took a long drag from the other end. From the glassy reflection staring back at him, the stinging red handprint on his right cheek was visible.
Samantha had slapped him, and she slapped him hard – something that women seldom did to him. He had a good time; he didn’t mind it. Besides, the split-second sting was nothing compared to a real injury.
Tonight, however, was different. It bothered him. Not the slap, or the fact that Arke was delighted when she did and slowed down his healing so the print stayed longer.
<“That’s a long list,” said Van as Emma wrote down everything she needed to buy for school. The fire took everything, including her books and study materials.“Tomorrow’s Monday, Van. I can’t go to school without these,” Emma mumbled.“So, we’re going out today?”“We?” asked Emma, looking up from the table.Van smiled in return. “Yes, we. Why’s that a shock to you? Did you plan to go out with someone else?” she asked, giving Emma a mischievous look. “Like … a certain someone who is literally just a friend?”Emma rolled her eyes at her. “You need to rest, Van. I’m taking Gladdy out with me. I think it’ll be good for her to go out every once in a while. We can take a stroll in the park or something.&rdqu
Aidan followed her around the bookstore, pushing a cart behind her as she added more books, stationery, pens, and other school materials. As he did, he was thinking as to why he took it upon himself to be her chauffeur for the day. Gladdy was awake now, and Emma was patting her bottom as she browsed through the books she needed.He noticed her head turn to the fictional books, then back to her textbooks. It was subtle at first, but as they went nearer the end of the aisle, he was sure she wanted a particular set of books from the opposite shelf. He made a mental note to browse through it later, or maybe just buy all of it since he didn’t know which ones she wanted exactly.What am I thinking?Aidan held back a sigh and brought himself to focus on her. That was when he sensed it. He looked to his left, then behind him. Someone was watching him … or them. And whoever it was
Emma pulled down a section of the wrap, unfolded both sides, then pulled Gladdy right out. As she did, Gladdy was making cute baby noises that Aidan went aww inside. Try as he may, there was no denying within himself that he, the big bad Alpha, had a soft spot for babies, especially cute ones. Of course, it was a secret only he and Arke shared.“Do you like it here?” Emma asked her, in a slow and playful manner. “Yes? Do you like going out?”Gladdy kept cooing like she was answering her mom’s questions.Emma was beaming. She laughed and giggled as she played with Gladdy and nuzzled her head.All the while, Aidan watched them with an alien feeling washing over him. Gladdy wasn’t his, but at that moment, it didn’t matter that she carried a dragon’s genes. In his eyes, all he saw was his mate - a caring, loving mother playing wi
Niquel tried to concentrate on the papers on his desk, but his mind kept drifting to the events of the previous night. Holding her in his arms felt so right. He missed the soft feel of her, her warmth and comfort. He was afraid she’d push him away in panic. Instead, she welcomed his embrace and leaned into him as if finding in him the same kind of comfort he found in her.His beast was threatening to surface. Knowing they were within arm’s reach of their mate; it couldn’t help but want to mate with her again. It missed her in more ways than one and wished to show just how much it loved its mate.Niquel sighed, his shoulders dropping. She was still in love with Dylan, he could see it in her eyes.Should he tell her? Could he? He promised himself that he wouldn’t let her go through pain again because of him. Reopening
She crossed her arms and raised a brow, a smirk on her pretty face. “You finally found your mate! Word’s been going around that the Dragon King’s dating again!!!” she squealed. “You and Aidan are trending gossip right now!”“What can I say?” he said smugly, “He doesn’t know when to give up.”Nira crossed her arms and cocked a brow. “I’d keep it under wraps but you know how my journalists are.”“Always poking their noses where it doesn’t belong.”“Which has always benefited you, hasn’t it?” she said with a smirk.Allied with the fairies who run the publications of news of all sorts for the supernatural, getting to certain information first before they went public had definitely helped him maintain his throne. Niquel shook his head and grinned. &ldqu
“Van, why did you do that?” she hissed as soon as the bedroom door closed. Emma was too shocked by Niquel’s actions and words that her mind short-circuited back at the kitchen. She didn’t even speak up for her boss, who so graciously helped her for the day and even took the liberty to accompany her and Gladdy to the park.Vanessa flipped her long blonde hair and rolled her eyes. “You were going to say yes anyway.”“No, I wasn’t!”She raised a brow. “Really?”“I – I mean, I was thinking about it.”Gladdy was laid down on the middle of the bed and covered with a thick blanket. “Em, I’ve seen the way you look at him. What is it?”Emma averted her eyes. “What is what? I don&r
Why was he so nervous on taking his wife out to dinner? Solaris, the brightest ray was clinging to his arm. Her scent drifted over to him, driving his beast to the edges of control. It wanted to ravish her upon seeing her in that little black dress.It’d been a year. Emma’s body might’ve gone through changes, but she still had it, her natural allure, her effortless charm. Even if she didn’t know it. A pin-up model could be naked in front of him right now and Niquel would still shove her out of the way just to get to Emma.While he was soaring in the heavens, Emma was obviously uncomfortable and nervous. Her eyes kept darting to the exit as she walked stiffly beside him. They were led to their table, which was situated by the windows to give them a view of the city lights. Dragon’s Lair was a highly-regarded restaurant situated on
The panic returned. “What? Let’s just go!”But he had already closed the passenger door and locked the doors. “Stay here,” he mouthed then disappeared along the line of parked cars. The spaces between them were dark, and he could feel them lurking, following him. Niquel sighed, his beast threatening to surface.At least the area was clear of humans. The guards were humans. All three bleeding on one corner of the basement – a sight Emma could’ve seen if she was on his side of the path.They don’t kill humans. It was an unwritten supernatural rule. Human deaths were messy and involved more nosy humans. Only the independent factions didn’t care, which risked the entire community, and were therefore anyone’s fair game.This one was new. He recognized the scents to be a rogue’s, a defect’s, and another that