Felix

by Terry Bolryder

  Lock sat back in his chair, slumping. “You know what? You’re right. I don’t want to know.”

  The oracle chuckled as she took a bite of her sandwich, then turned her attention to Harley. “You know, I don’t usually eat human food, but this is delicious. Thank you very much.”

  Harley flushed from the attention, the bright red of her cheeks clashing with the coppery color of her hair. “Thank you.”

  Felix wanted to know what the oracle was if she wasn’t human.

  “You’re a curious type, aren’t you?” The oracle turned her attention to Felix, taking a sip of her lemonade.

  For a moment, she just studied him, and then her eyes narrowed, her mouth twisting with pain. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through.”

  Felix had no idea how to respond to that, so he just laughed nervously, keeping his arm around Diana. “It’s okay. It’s the hand I was dealt, and I would do it all again just to be with Diana.”

  The oracle looked at Diana. “And you. You don’t seem happy to be a dragon. Would you like me to remove it? Take you back to being a wolf?”

  Diana’s eyes widened hopefully. “Could you do that?”

  The oracle nodded. “But are you sure you would want me to? Being a blue dragon is an incredible gift.”

  “I suppose so,” Diana said. “But I miss my wolf sometimes, and I wasn’t given a choice about losing it.”

  “What if I made it so you could access both of them?”

  Diana bit her lip. “Is that possible?”

  “You’re kind of a medical mystery,” the oracle said. “I suppose anything is possible.” She stood up slowly, then gestured for Diana to come over to her. “Can I take a look at you?”

  Diana looked at Felix, and when he nodded encouragingly, she went over and knelt at the oracle’s side.

  “That isn’t necessary,” the oracle said, taking a seat back in her chair. “But it does make this a bit easier.” She put one hand over Diana’s eyes and closed her own. “Hm.”

  Her expression tightened, and she frowned. “So much anger. You fought them.” Her lip curled up. “You defeated one, the one who hurt you. Good for you. He was a monster.”

  Felix’s heart felt like it was caught in his throat. She had to be talking about Winslow.

  “Interesting,” the oracle said. “You two were connected before you even knew about it. Winslow was in charge of the wyvern project, and he’d heard a rumor that a certain pack had blue dragon blood in their lineage. That’s why he sent Felix there to check in. Not because of the threats against the Tribunal.”

  “Great, but it’s still my fault,” Felix said.

  “No,” the oracle said softly, holding up a hand. “Winslow knew about her from birth. Apparently, there were complications with the baby, and there were rumors that her mother had blue flames in her hands as she healed Diana.”

  Felix nodded as everything was pieced together.

  The oracle still had her eyes closed, apparently still going over everything in Diana’s history.

  “This man, Winslow.” The oracle shook her head slowly. “Very, very evil. I am glad that he is gone. That his project is gone.” She opened her eyes and removed her hand from Diana. “Would it comfort you to know that you probably saved hundreds of lives?”

  Diana bit her lower lip. “I don’t know. All I cared about was avenging myself. I’m glad I also avenged Felix, but—”

  The oracle sat back in her chair, looking more tired. “Anyway, you don’t have to worry about Felix betraying you. Winslow came as soon as Felix was done with his mission so Felix wouldn’t know. It had nothing to do with anything Felix said or did. He would have come for you anyway.”

  Felix slammed a hand into the table angrily. “I still should have stopped him.”

  The oracle pinned Felix with weary, faded-purple eyes. “You think I don’t have regrets? People I couldn’t save in time? Things I wish I could do over again? But we can’t protect everyone from everything that happens. Sometimes we just have to move on.”

  Felix nodded. “I think we have, but sometimes—”

  “You two are together. Stronger for the time you were apart. More able to appreciate what you are together. Not that it would be worth it to go through it again, and not that the bad things should have happened, just that you are where you are now and there are things to be grateful for. The one you love is still at your side.”

  Diana walked back over, and Felix stood, taking her hand to help her into her seat.

  “I looked into your blood,” the oracle said. “You have wolf and dragon blood inside you. The wolf is dormant, but I think I was able to balance things out. If you want to, you should be able to shift into your wolf.”

  Diana looked like someone had opened the curtains and streamed light over her as radiant happiness beamed out from her face. “You really think so? Is that really possible? Don’t tease me.”

  The oracle laughed. “I would never. If you want to go outside and try it…”

  Diana put her hand to her chest. “No, I can feel her. Almost like my heart is beating normally again.”

  “And if you need her, you can also call on your dragon,” the oracle said. “I have to admit you’re the first female double dragon I’ve seen, so I’m curious to see how you get on with it.”

  Diana flushed, leaning into Felix, as always. “I don’t know if I’ll ever bring her out again.”

  “Darn,” Felix said. “I did like the idea of flying around in your talons.”

  Diana glared up at him. “Really?”

  “No,” Felix said. “But I do look forward to doing everything with you from now on.”

  The oracle said. “This is the only thing I’ll miss when I hand the mantle over. I love seeing people in love. I always have. Lions. Wolves. Dragons. Love is love, no matter who is feeling it.”

  Everyone in the room got a little closer to their loved ones, and the warmth surrounding the table was almost unbearable.

  “Anyway,” the oracle said, standing. “I have other things to do now. I have to worry about my dragons going wrong, of all things. Two sucked into a portal in such a short time. It really isn’t going well so far.”

  The others at the table looked like they had a million questions to ask about that, but given the good feeling in the room and the fact that the oracle had refused any more information, no one dared.

  “It would take a miracle to bring them all together,” she said. “Perhaps something harsher than the thing they rebelled against in the first place.” She looked at the group at the table. “Yes, you’ve given me an idea. Love is redemptive. If anything could save them, love could. Not simply love for a mate, but also for each other. If they could all band together and—” She shook her head. “Please excuse the babbling of an old woman. You have all helped me a lot, though you have no idea. Did any of you need anything else before I go?”

  Everyone else shook their heads, but Diana raised her hand tentatively. “With what I am, will it be okay to have children?”

  The oracle took a deep breath and smiled her brightest smile so far. “Of course, dear. I promise that would work out.”

  “Ooh,” Felix said, palming Diana’s stomach. “I want a baby dragon.”

  She slapped his hand away. “Well, I want a wolf.”

  The oracle motioned for her driver to bring over her umbrella. “Whatever they happen to be, they will be raised with much love.” She gave a slow wave as her driver opened the door, holding the umbrella open over her. “Best wishes to all of you if we don’t meet again.”

  And then she walked out, and the door closed with a little clink, rattling softly in the wind.

  Felix looked over at Diana. “Well, that was unexpected.”

  “Which part?” Lock asked. “She dropped several bombshells.”

  “I guess the part about Winslow,” Felix said, stroking Diana’s hair back. “Does it comfort you?”

  She shook her head. “I had already decided to tr
ust you. To let the past go. I already knew there had to be an explanation. I’m just glad to know what it was.”

  “I see,” Felix said. “And the wolf thing?”

  Diana smiled brightly at that. “I’m really happy.

  “Do you want to go try it out?”

  “No,” Diana said, touching her chest again just over her heart. “I know it’s going to be fine now. And besides, I just want to spend time with all of my friends.”

  Felix beamed as Benny went with Harley to get another round of drinks.

  No more worry about the Tribunal. No more dragons to fight. No more grief over things he couldn’t change or deal with.

  Just a long, happy life with his mate, surrounded by people who cared.

  He raised his lemonade in the air for a toast. “To love,” he said simply. “Because it saves us.”

  And of course, everyone raised their glass.

  * * *

  * * *

  Thank so much for reading Felix and Diana’s story! If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate it if you would consider leaving a review to help other readers find it.

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  Thanks again for reading!

  Sincerely,

  Terry

  Also by Terry Bolryder

  A Note From Terry

  Most of my series go by species. Most of my books are standalone, but if you want to read them in order and see characters reappearing, here is my list of the order for each species. So just choose your favorite shifter!

  Dragon Reading Guide

  Awakened Dragons

  These powerful, newly awakened ancient dragons are stronger, more vicious, more powerful, and ready to save humankind, if only they can decide to be heroes rather than villains…

  Awakened Dragons Boxed Set (best deal!)

  Onyx Dragon

  Sapphire Dragon

  Ruby Dragon

  Diamond Dragon

  Amethyst Dragon

  Emerald Dragon

  Rent-A-Dragon

  These ancient, viking-esque dragons just woke up and are ready to get to work finding their mates and new lives in the modern world! Shenanigans and sexiness ensue!

  Steel Dragon

  Iron Dragon

  Titanium Dragon

  Date-A-Dragon

  These noble metal dragons have just joined the good side, formed a very odd dating agency, and are ready to protect the world and find their very own fated mates!

  Gold Dragon

  Silver Dragon

  Platinum Dragon

  Citrine Dragon

  Awakened Sea Dragons

  These dragons have things in common with both the metal dragons and the gemstone dragons, and first show up at the very end of the Date-A-Dragon series!

  Zircon

  Tourmaline

  Aquamarine

  Dragon Guard of Drakkaris

  Sexy dragons introduced in the last book of the Awakened Sea Dragons that have come to Earth to settle down and find mates!

  Lead

  Cadmium

  Arsenic

  Zinc

  Cobalt

  Chromium

  Nightmare Dragons

  Three mysterious dragon brothers set out to solve the mystery of their existence and find love, while trying to hide secrets so dark they could ruin everything.

  Midnight

  Nightmare

  Starlight

  Frozen Dragons

  Three dragons wake up after being frozen in ice, ready to rule the modern world, steal the hearts of modern women, and fight back the forces of evil while finding curvy mates.

  Lord of Winter

  Master of Frost

  Prince of Ice

  I have a separate series of dragon books that are menage and have different world building, and they come before the Awakened Dragons but don’t need to be read prior as they are completely different.

  Here they are:

  Dragons of New York (Menage)

  Dragons work in pairs, the fire-breathing enforcers of the shifter world and rescuers of anyone in distress. And these sexy dragons are about to find mates:

  Double Dragons Boxed Set

  Double Dragons

  Desired by Dragons

  Destined Dragons

  Tiger Protector Series (Spin-off of Dragons)

  Three tiger brothers trained by dragon shifters work to bring evil shifters to justice while finding the perfect curvy mates.

  Tiger Protector’s Boxed Set

  A Tiger’s Bounty

  A Tiger’s Treasure

  A Tiger’s Destiny

  A Dragon’s Heart

  Bear Reading Guide

  Bearstone Park Series

  A billionaire tech mogul, a movie star, and an Olympic snowboarder come back to Bearstone Park and find unexpected but wonderful mates.

  Bearllionaire

  Bearlebrity

  Bearthlete

  Beary Sexy Boxed Set: All three brothers in one (BEST DEAL)

  Soldier Bear Series

  These ex special-forces fighting bears are about to find curvy mates in beautiful, remote Bearstone Village.

  Big Bad Bear

  Big Sexy Bear

  Big Strong Bear

  Bear Haven Ranch Series

  These rancher bear brothers need to find mates to keep the family land. Luckily, three curvy city girls are about to arrive just in time.

  Mountain Bear

  Rancher Bear

  Wild Bear

  Mountain Lion

  Bear Claw Security

  These sexy ex-special forces soldier bears are ready to protect in a whole new way, as bodyguards of the exclusive Bear Claw Security.

  Bear to the Bone

  Bear-ly a Hero

  Bear to the Rescue

  Bear-ly Human

  Bear to the End

  Polar Heat Series

  A matchmaking papa bear sets his three bear shifter sons up with women on a Caribbean island.

  Bear-ever Yours

  Some Bear to Love

  One in a Bear-l-lion

  Remem-bear Me (Dad’s book)

  Polar Heat Boxed set (Savings!)

  Trapped in Bear Canyon

  Sheltered by the Bear

  Craved by the Bear

  Redeeming the Bear

  Built Fur Love

  Love at Furst Sight

  Mine Furever

  Purrfect for Me

  Lion Reading Guide

  Lions of Pride Island

  The hot royal family of shifters is ready to find mates!

  King of Rock

  Prince of Fate

  Protector of the Pride

  Wolf Reading Guide (The Alpha Series)

  Alpha Games Serial (Complete story with boxed set)

  An alpha female returns home to the pack mates she left and finds herself choosing between three alpha males in this paranormal romance serial from Terry Bolryder

  Alpha Games Boxed Set

  Alpha Rogue Serial (Novellas with cliffhangers between volumes)

  An MMA fighting shifter meets his match in his exciting paranormal romance serial from Terry Bolryder.

  Alpha Rogue Boxed Set

  Alpha Contender Serial (Novellas with cliffhangers between volumes)

  A average human woman finds out she’s a desirable female alpha and ends up in a mansion with ten possible suitors in this paranormal romance serial from Terry Bolryder.

  Alpha Contender Boxed Set

  Ultimate Alpha Boxed Set (One huge series)

  Ultimate Alpha Boxed Set

  Alpha Defender

  When alpha wolf Thor finds an acquaintance on his doorstep needing his help, will he take the mysterious person in, or step aside?

  *Stars Thor from Alpha Contender Series*

  Alpha Defender on Amazon

  Wolf Protectors Series

  Three hot, wolf shifte
r brothers run a martial arts studio and divide their time between training to be the toughest around and winning over their sexy, independent mates. All in KU!

  *Stars Asher from Alpha Contender Series*

  Alpha Champion

  Alpha Hero

  Alpha Protector