by Bonnie Vanak
I watched.
The dancing lords below him noticed at the last minute and scattered, ceasing their impressive display of flight and grace. Alec broke them up with his dive bomb…as he headed for the jagged rocks on the shoreline.
“He’ll kill himself,” cried out one onlooker.
I watched and said nothing.
At the last minute, before his claws touched the ground, Alec pulled up – just barely. I saw his muscles straining with the effort, but he remained focused and glided along the loch waters, then dipped his wing into the wing, spraying everyone.
Everyone applauded. Inside, I laughed. I knew Alec would do this – if I forced him into it.
Gavin, Graham and Camden bellowed their approval. I glanced with them. “If you wish me to choose him, and desire me in your bed as your mate after your lord claims his mating rights, then dance with Lord Alec.”
All three shifted immediately into their dragon forms. Camden, the crimson, Graham the gold and Gavin, the smaller, more delicate but equally fierce green. They soared into the air, their wings stirring the grass and dirt and making small waves upon the loch.
They followed their leader, and then flew around him, above him and even before him. The latter caused frowns on the faces of the elder dragons. Protocol required commanders follow or flank their leader, not precede him.
But the sight gave me much relief.
Alec had not changed since assuming lordship of our clan.
I could predict him better this way.
When all four landed and shifted back to human form, clad once more in traditional clan kilts, Angus gestured to the castle.
Once inside the great hall, I did not sit but stood before the throne to indicate I had decided.
Still, ceremony was ceremony. “Have you, Lady Kara Baylor of Clan McKenzie, decided upon your selection of a mate?” Angus boomed.
My cell pinged. I glanced at it.
Go for the biggest cock, not Alec, the biggest dick. Erika.
Smiling I pocketed the phone. Then I faced Angus. “I wish to make a formal protest against this situation you have forced me into.”
A volley of deep sighs. Alec kept his expression neutral.
“I protest this archaic tradition of forcing me into a mating I do not wish in order to remain in one of the 12 clans.” I looked straight at Alec. “Were my father here, he would agree with me. The venerable Lord Baylor would allow me to continue my work as a dragon mercenary before settling down to the life as a dragon mate.”
More deep sighs.
“Your father, rest him, is the reason why you are here, lass. You are the last of your kind and we need your bloodline to continue.” Angus’ tone was not unkind.
Though I knew the rules, I continued. “Must I choose to remain a dragon in my clan?”
“Yes,” Angus boomed. “You must choose now.”
“Very well.” I looked at Alec. “I choose Lord McKenzie.”
Applause broke out. No shocked looks, for many expected this. Except Alec. Surprise flashed in his blue eyes for a mere second, and then his features were arranged in their usual guarded expression.
“However, I wish to choose my mating gift. I have a specific request,” I continued.
Sputters of indignation. Angus rolled his eyes.
“Is that allowed?” Camden asked.
“There is nothing in the tradition against the future mate of a dragon asserting her own request for a bridal gift,” Angus muttered.
He knew it and I did as well. When you were the daughter of a dragon scholar, you studied all the loopholes. I turned to Alec.
“I choose you, Lord McKenzie, on one condition.”
“Here it comes,” muttered Graham, hand on his sword.
“Always something with Kara.” Camden sighed and cracked his bruised knuckles.
“Give her a chance,” Gavin told them.
Unsmiling, I faced him. “When we are mated, I demand you give me the silver dragonstone as my bridal gift.”
Gasps and outcries. If I had asked for Alec’s balls on a silver platter, I don’t think the entire assembly would have been more shocked. I had requested the dragon equivalent of a nuclear bomb for a wedding brooch.
TEMPTED BY MOONLIGHT, COMING SOON.
If you like shifter romance, check out my other books!
Werewolves of Montana Mating Minis
Seduction (available on Kindle Unlimited)
Obsession (available on Kindle Unlimited)
Passion (Jake from Aiden’s pack)
Redemption (Robert, Lupine alpha and friend to Aiden)
Temptation (Sebastian, dragon shifter)
The Werewolf Cowboy (Grayson)
The Black Dragon (Justin)
The Werewolves of Montana main series
The Mating Chase (Dale)
The Mating Hunt (Kyle)
The Mating Seduction (Jackson)
The Mating Rite (Darius, Aiden’s beta wolf)
The Mating Intent (Gabriel)
The Mating Challenge (Aiden, alpha of the Mitchell pack)
The Mating Season (Tristan, the Silver Wizard)
The Mating Destiny (Alex, a dragon prince)
The Mating Game (Xavier, the Crystal Wizard)
The Mating Ritual (Gideon, the Crimson Wizard)
The Mating Frenzy
Snowbound with the Alpha Wolf
Touched by Moonlight
Copyright © 2019 by Bonnie Vanak
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Published 2019 by Bonnie Vanak
Visit www.bonnievanak.com