by Meg Ripley
Kieran sat up. “You’re trampling on dangerous ground now. I haven’t ventured up to Mount Taendru, not knowing if the ogres are living at the base of it, but I hear there are still a few prophets in the world. They won’t like you butting in on their job.”
“I’m not butting in on anything, and if they want to come on over here and look at it themselves, then they’re more than welcome. If the clans start fighting with each other, then we really are worse off than we were during the War.” Archard knew that Kieran liked to play devil’s advocate simply for argument’s sake, but he wasn’t in the mood to debate this. “Anyway, there’s this one wall that indicates a return of the Awakened One.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve heard of this. A descendant of royalty, if I recall correctly, but who isn’t from here.” Lucia’s dark eyes were bright.
Archard nodded enthusiastically. Day-to-day life didn’t intrigue him much, especially not compared to the potential for what else might be waiting for him out in the universe. “I don’t really know what that means. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I can’t help but wonder if there are other dragons out there.” He looked to the sky again, wondering where they would come from. There were so few of their own kind left on Charok, and he knew he wasn’t the only one that felt the loneliness of it. They were sociable creatures, ones who needed their duties, their clans, and their mates. With only his aunt and his cousins around him, Archard knew there was a lot he was missing.
“I wish I had the answers for you.” Lucia stretched and leaned a little closer to the fire. “I admit the idea is compelling, but I’m afraid I also have to say it’s far-fetched. If ever there was a time when we needed someone to come and help us, it would’ve been decades ago. During the War or even right after, we could’ve used some back up. I’d like to think they’re coming, Archard, but I don’t think it’s very likely.”
He knew she was just being practical. That was how Lucia was. Archard liked to think he was practical most of the time, but he couldn’t deny the deep swirl of emotions that lived inside him. It was like the universe was tugging at him, demanding something of him, and yet he didn’t know what it was or what he should do about it. Archard hadn’t told anyone, not even Lucia, about this. It was ridiculous, a reflection of the old ways, of the ancient rhythms of the dragons on Charok, of the way things no longer were.
He knew what he would be asking for during Zimryr.
* * *
If you enjoyed this preview of Dragon’s Royal Guard, check out the remainder of the story HERE. Available with Kindle Unlimited.
Preview Of Sawyer’s Mate
Shifter Nation
Werebears Of Big Bend
1
Madelyn
I looked up at the hotel standing tall before me as I turned into the parking lot. What they say is true: everything is bigger in Texas. I pulled my rental car up to the entrance and grabbed several bags from the trunk. A man came to help me and loaded them onto a cart. I’d never traveled with so much luggage before, but I wasn’t on a short-term trip. I would be there, in Big Bend, Texas, for an entire semester.
I headed into the hotel’s lobby and took off my cardigan while I waited. Even in January, the temperature was warm enough for t-shirts—nothing like the Januarys back home in New Hampshire, where the high was only 18 degrees that day. It was hard to imagine snow in this arid climate where the sun shone so brightly. But soon enough, I would be back home, with a fresh degree in paleontology from Harvard in my hand.
After I checked in and got my key card, I followed my luggage up to my room. I was pleasantly surprised; Harvard had said the accommodations would be first-class, and they certainly were. The room was actually a suite with a bedroom and bathroom on one side and a small kitchen on the other. A living room was nestled in the center, where a large TV hung over an electric fireplace.
The bellhop finished unloading my luggage, and after I handed him a tip, he thanked me and padded off. I was alone, and for a moment, I felt overwhelmed. Not only was I far from home and my family, I was also far from school and my classmates. I hoped my new partner, whoever she was, would be pleasant and that we’d become friends. It’d be nice to have at least one person to hang out with while in town.
As I unpacked my things, I thought about what this semester would be like. Long days in the extreme heat, digging in the dirt, hoping to unearth bones or fossils. I needed to find something in order to write my master’s thesis and graduate. That final semester, where everything I’d learned so far would come into play in a real-live dig site inside Big Bend National Park, was going to provide part of the research needed for my paper.
I pictured the hot days, the cool showers and air conditioning afterward, and my evenings spent writing or seeing the town. A few months of that and then I’d be moving back home. I’d likely live with my parents for a few months while I found a job and a place of my own. Then, I’d be on my way into a new career—and a new chapter in my life. It was so close, I could taste it.
It would be great to be near family again. The two years it’d taken to complete my coursework had flown by, but felt long at the same time. What made it worse was that my niece was born just a month after I’d left. I’d never been able to spend a lot of time with Allison, and was looking forward to getting to know her while making up for lost time with the rest of my family. Alli’s angelic little face popped into my mind and I smiled.
Someone knocked on my door and I was unsure of who it might be. But when I opened it, a man stood there—a rather good-looking man. He wore a sport jacket, hanging open to show off his button-down shirt. He looked like he had money and dressed accordingly. His short, dark hair was so glossy and sharp that it looked untouchable. He was stylish, no doubt. But I had no idea who he was or why he was there.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
He looked confused. “Room 521?”
“Yes?”
“Are you a Harvard student?”
My confusion mounted. “Yes…”
“Here on a dig at Big Bend National Park?”
“Yes…”
“And there are still only two students coming this semester?” he asked.
“As far as I know.”
“Then it seems that there’s been a mistake. I’m your partner.”
How could that be? We were supposed to have partners of the same sex, not co-ed. I would be spending a lot of time with my partner and we’d be working together closely. Neither I nor the department head wanted any distractions in the way of romance.
“We’d better check our paperwork,” I said.
He held up his hand with his papers in it.
“Come in.” I stepped back to let him in and then went to find my own papers. According to my information, my partner was to be in room 520, across the hall.
“Are you in room 520?” I asked him as I pointed to the room number on the sheet.
“I am. But I think I’ve found the problem.” With his index finger, he traced a circle around his name. “I’m Julian Kensington, the fourth.” He held his hand out proudly and I shook it. “Not Julia.”
“Julia-n. Oh. Seems there was some sort of mistake.”
“One little letter makes a world difference.”
“You’d think they would have given more information than just a name.” I’d have to make some phone calls to get this straightened out.
“It’s no big deal, really.” He grinned and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Besides, I sure wouldn’t mind looking at you for the next few months.”
My mouth went dry and I swallowed hard. “Thanks…I…really am here to focus on my schoolwork, though. I have a thesis to write.”
“Don’t we all? We can work together, you know? Help each other out.”
I didn’t need help from a fellow student, but it would be too rude to say that. “I’m sure as we work together, we’ll help each other plenty.”
“I look forward to it. You have a good night.”
&nbs
p; “You, too.”
I felt relieved when I closed the door and locked the chain. What a nightmare it could have been if he’d turned out to be one of those people who just hung around all the time and didn’t get the hint when you wanted to be left alone. Maybe it’ll all work out. Hmm…he is quite good-looking…
No, that would never work. I picked up my phone and called my program advisor.
“We have a bit of a situation,” I explained to her. I told her about Julian’s name being incorrect on the paperwork.
“I do see that,” she confirmed. “What a mix up.”
I chuckled. “I’ll say. I knew we could get this straightened out.”
“Well…” I could hear her keys clicking through the phone. “I do have someone in line for the program who is definitely female.”
“Perfect.”
“However,” she continued, “she is in classes this semester, finishing her coursework.”
My stomach dropped. “There’s no one else?”
“Everyone has been assigned already, I’m afraid. And anyone who hasn’t would be enrolled in classes. I’m terribly sorry about this. We’ll understand if you’d like to wait a semester to be partnered with a female.”
Wait a semester? And do what, just hang out for months, waiting for a new partner, waiting to start my life? “No, I can’t do that. I’ll just deal with it and hope this doesn’t cause...problems.”
“Well, if it does, be sure to call me. There’s no room for unacceptable behavior, just because you’re not on campus. Both of you must represent Harvard well.”
“I want nothing more. Thank you.”
I hung up, but my stomach hadn’t settled. I didn’t like the idea of working closely with a man. And the fact that he was attractive and had already flirted with me made it even worse. I’d have to keep my focus and not let him or anything else get in my way.
2
Sawyer
I drove down the same dirt and gravel road that I took every day to get to work. My truck, a black Silverado, bounced along, but handled the rocks and bumps so well that I barely noticed. It was a few minutes before 8 a.m., and it felt like I was racing the sun to see who got to work first. Bright orange rays reached me between trees and rock formations in the distance. I made my favorite turn and got a full open view of the park’s highest point, Emory Peak, for a moment before another rock formation blocked it from my sight.
I pulled up to the Ranger station that I managed and headed inside. It wasn’t a big station in particular; only about six or so Rangers worked out of it. The park had many other stations, and we all worked together to form a bigger team. My job ended up being a little bit of everything, depending on what the day called for.
I picked up the stack of paperwork that the office administrator left for me and reviewed the less urgent requests for the day. There wasn’t much pressing; just some maintenance tasks and tours that needed to be planned. Most of the work would be assigned to the others, but one task would have to be handled differently.
Two female students were coming to start a paleontological dig at the park. That would normally be something I took care of, but since they were both female, I thought they might be more comfortable with a female Ranger to assist them. I made several calls and left a few messages, but time was running out, and so far, I had no one else to assist them besides me.
One thing had been made clear to me through the notice I received from my regional manager. The dig was a big deal, and we were to treat these students and the dig as a top priority. It would create a lot of positive attention for the park, and we needed that to keep people coming in. But that also meant that whoever took on the job would be very busy for several months. The hour drew near for the students to arrive and I still had no female Ranger who was available.
When I heard two car doors shut, I knew they’d arrived. I waved to them and squinted against the sun as I held the door open. Once inside with the door closed, I was surprised at what I saw. My heart skipped, and I felt my inner bear stir with desire. I swallowed hard and tried to regain myself, but one of the students was gorgeous; maybe the most captivating woman I’d ever seen in my life.
The other student also caught me off guard—but only because he was male.
“Oh,” I said. “I thought two females were coming.”
“There was a mix up with the paperwork,” the male said. “They had me listed as Julia, but my name’s Julian. Julian Kensington the fourth, to be precise.” He stuck out his hand and I shook it, but I immediately felt the urge to wipe my hand after touching him. I wouldn’t want his cockiness to rub off on me somehow.
“Then I guess I don’t have to worry that I was unable to find a female Ranger to assist you. I made several calls, but I haven’t heard anything back, and well, here you are. I can keep trying if that would be more comfortable for you. I can probably find someone within the next few days, and she could take my place,” I said to the woman. Am I rambling? Gol-ly, she has me frazzled.
“I don’t know that I’d mind a female Ranger,” Julian said with a sly smile.
“You don’t have to go to any more trouble,” she said. “I’m fine with whomever is available.”
Oh, she is fine, indeed. And I’m more than fine with being the one to work closely with her for a few months. “I’m Sawyer Montgomery.” I held out my hand to her. “Howdy.”
“Madelyn Sutton.” As she shook my hand, I didn’t want to let go.
I looked into her big, brown eyes and completely forgot what I was going to say. She stared at me back, though, and we both blushed.
I had to look away to recall my words. “Do either of you have any questions before we get out to the dig site?”
“What sort of heavy equipment you have?” Madelyn asked. “We may need to do some excavating of the site.”
“We have a shed of tools that you’ll have access to, and a backhoe has been rented, so whatever you need, just let me know, and I’ll move the Earth for you.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. I looked away quickly and hoped they assumed I meant earth as in dirt.
“That’s perfect.” Madelyn pressed her lips together, holding back a smile. Her cheeks reddened as she looked away.
In my chest, my inner bear was going nuts, telling me I could not let this woman get away. She was like a magnet drawing me to her.
I decided to just lead them outside and hope the fresh air kept me straight. I gave them the keys to the ATV they’d been assigned for the duration of their time at the park. I hopped into the big Jeep that was part of the station’s vehicle collection and had them follow me over to the dig site.
Okay, Sawyer, get your act together, man. It’s just a woman. But I’d never had a response like that to a woman before. Sure, I’d dated plenty; I’d even fallen in love once or twice. But when I met Madelyn, my reaction was something entirely different. The animal in me roared as if he were sending out a mating call. I almost missed the turn, I was so tangled in my thoughts of her.
But finally, we got to the dig site. I just had to find a way to function and stop thinking about Madelyn. Then a thought occurred to me: what if they were together, her and Julian? I couldn’t see her with that pretentious jerk, but sometimes women were drawn to men who treated them badly. I hoped not. For her sake and mine.
* * *
If you enjoyed this preview of Sawyer’s Mate, you can check out the remainder of the story HERE. Available with Kindle Unlimited.
Also Available In The Shifter Nation Series
Shifter Nation: East Coast Bears Collection
Dangerous shifter secrets.
Heart-stopping suspense.
Unrelenting passion.
This is Shifter Nation.
Shifter Nation: East Coast Bears Collection packs Meg Ripley’s bestselling Werebears of Acadia and Werebears of the Everglades series into one riveting anthology.
Grab Your Copy HERE
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Alaska can be harsh and unpredictable—especially when it comes to finding a mate. But even in this most remote place, these bears are searching for a love that will warm their frigid hearts.
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Daddy Dragon Guardians: The Complete Series Box Set
When a devastating war threatens their planet’s existence, four heroic dragon shifters flee Charok with their slain queen’s eggs to ensure the survival of their race. But will they manage to find their mates in this strange new place called Earth?
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Dragons Of The Darkblood Secret Society Collection
Forever sworn to secrecy and bound by their sacred vows, four powerful dragons find their mates amidst the skyscrapers of Manhattan…
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