“You are welcome. If you need anything else, just let me know.” He backed out of the room.
My phone beeped with a new text. I grabbed my purse and dug around till I found it, and I swiped the screen to check my notifications. Most of it was the usual: email, Facebook, games, and Instagram. I cleared all those and then my text notifications popped up.
One from Mom: Have a fun day researching. Remember, I love you.
I smiled, her love for me even came through in her texts. The next one was from Sandy.
Yo, bitch, where you at? I tried calling last night when I got back, but you didn’t answer. I have tons to show you, call me!
I rolled my eyes. It’s always about her and what she got or is doing or who she’s dating. For the first time in our friendship, I ignored her message. I silenced my phone and dropped it back in my purse.
After pouring a cup of tea and adding the perfect amount of sugar and milk, I turned the page and began to learn the history of dragons and the man who was destined to be my mate.
Mate. I let the word roll around in my head, getting a feel for it. A smile spread across my face. Yes. Mate. The moment I accepted it was part of my world now, I felt something shift inside, and another piece of what made me who I am settled into place.
* * *
Time flew by as I turned page after page, learning about the creation of the dragon shifter and the evolution of their species. I was enthralled and rather impressed at what I learned. Some I had deduced from the stories and legends I had already read through. Like the fact that unlike other shifters, the dragons were created by the fae king of the time to end the petty wars among the fae courts. I felt the truth of it when reading that legend, but seeing it also written in this journal confirmed my instincts were right.
Each page brought to light a new aspect of what being a dragon shifter was like. Since they had been created for the purpose of protection and loyalty, their shift was different from all others. It was a magical change in their DNA, and the magic worked so quickly, they didn’t experience the pain and discomfort many other shifter species experienced. The fae king had demanded the dangerous difference when he had the first three created. They also had the ability to cloak themselves from sight, which was originally for the ability to approach a foe unknown. The fae queen saw what a life of fighting and anger would do to the first three, so she prayed to the goddess asking to grant them a mate, a female half to balance them. Her wish was granted, with a catch of course. Three pairs of mates per generation. They would be the only ones able to create children who could shift. Other offspring would have gifts, but only a truly mated pair would produce a child who could fully shift to dragon.
As with any species or races, as they grew, so did the animosity among those who felt they deserved to have more than what they did. Some thought that rather than serve and protect humans, it was their right to plunder and pillage what they wanted, thanks to their massive strength. It was due to those who went rogue that the species went from revered to feared and hunted within the span of two generations. As the world of humans changed and became greedier, so did some clans of the dragons.
Humans didn’t see the differentiation of clans among dragons. They saw them as a whole, one species that needed to be eliminated. The threat they imposed was more than humans wanted to deal with, so they began the elite specialization of dragon hunters. In our legends and myths, some of the most known dragon slayers are Beowulf, Sigurd, and Lancelot. Many of these had fictional stories written and even studied in school. I always felt a connection with those stories and did well on any test or paper we had to write about them.
My stomach chose that moment to interrupt my thoughts with a loud demand for food. I sat back and stretched, trying to loosen the cramped muscles in my back. I also realized the muscles in my ass were asleep. I tapped the screen on my smartwatch to see I had read through lunch and it was now close to dinnertime. I had read all day long and was only about a quarter of the way through the journal. The scrolling cursive handwriting had taken a few pages to get used to, but it soon felt like I had jumped into history myself. I discovered the name of the woman writing the journal was Geneva and her husband, or mate, was William but nicknamed Red due to his fire-red scales and temper to match. Theirs was a true match on all levels, and I loved reading how she would describe him and her feelings for him. No matter how much he pissed her off, her response was always laced with a love so strong it hurt to read.
That was what I dreamed of, to find someone who loves me so much it hurts and whom I love as much in return. The more I discovered, the more excited I got about meeting my dragon.
I placed the strip of leather in between the pages I had just finished and gently packed it in my purse. I stood, again stretching, and left my little research room. Mr. Crawford was doing his final rounds as I walked out.
“Good evening, Miss Seraphim. I was just preparing to check on you. I am locking up, but you are welcome to stay if you need.”
“No thank you, Mr. Crawford. I’m stiff from the chair, and my stomach is demanding to be fed. Mom is probably waiting on me anyway.” I smiled at him.
“Very well, and take care of that journal.” He held the door open for me.
“Oh, should I leave it here?” I asked, not even thinking how it may belong to the library, though I thought he had told me earlier that it didn’t.
“No, dear, it doesn’t belong here. Even if you did, you would find it among your things before the night’s out. Just be careful who you share it with, and wrap it carefully when you aren’t reading it.”
“Oh yes, sir, of course.” I smiled again as I walked out the door. “Thank you.” All I heard in response was the loud clang of the door lock as Mr. Crawford closed for the day. “Well, ‘you’re welcome’ would have been an appropriate answer,” I said to the empty air around me. I checked my phone for messages and turned the ringer back on.
11
Sandy’s little blue sports car screeched to a halt just as I was stepping into the street. Her hair was windblown, her tan glowing, and her big Hollywood sunglasses were pushed up on her head as she pinned me with her stare. “Where the hell have you been all day?” She glanced at the building behind me and answered her own question before I could open my mouth. “That place again.” Her nose scrunched in distaste. “You need to get out of that place and bring your head back to reality.” She patted the seat next to her. “Come on, let’s go have dinner and then you can come back to my place and see all the great items I got down in Asheville.”
My phone rang before I could respond to her. I dug it out of my purse in time to see my mom’s face light up the screen again. I held up my index finger, telling Sandy to give me minute. She crossed her arms and pouted.
“Hey, Mom, what’s up?”
“Nat, it’s getting late. Are you coming home?”
“I was just leaving the historical library—”
“Oh, good,” she said, cutting me off. “I have dinner ready to go, and I made something special for dessert.” I could hear the smile in her voice.
“Oh, well Sandy just pulled up and asked me to go with her.” I shrugged at Sandy.
“Well, dear, you will have to tell her no this time. We have company tonight.”
My suspiciousness went on high alert. “Company. Mom, who’s there?”
“You just come home. Trust me, it’s someone you’ll want to see. Tell Sandy you girls can get together tomorrow. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Mom didn’t wait for an answer before she hung up.
I glanced at my phone and back at Sandy as I dropped it back in my purse. “Sorry, Mom wants me home for dinner. She says we have company.”
Sandy’s face went from happy to hateful in the blink of an eye. “Whatever, if you don’t want to spend time with me, just say so. Don’t use your mom as an excuse.”
Her words set something off inside me. I was done being the follower and being her groupie. “I’m not using her as an ex
cuse. I wouldn’t have gone with you even if she didn’t want me home. Sandy, I’m tired of following you everywhere you want to go. I have always supported you in anything you wanted to do, and you have never done the same for me. I don’t want to see what new dress or pair of shoes you bought.” My chest heaved with the frustration that had been building for months. I felt a warmth growing in the pit of my stomach, and anger radiated from me. A red tint blurred the edges of my vision. “I deserve friends who believe in me and what I am doing, not scoff at it.” The back of my throat began to burn, and my tongue tasted tart and sour. I shook my head. “Why can’t you do that?”
Sandy just sat there, her mouth hanging open and eyes shining with tears she would never let fall. “If you don’t want to hang out, you just have to say so. I have always been here for you, to cheer you up, to hang out, to shop, whatever.” She huffed. “This new thing, the dragon thing, I just don’t get it and think you are putting too much into the old woman’s words.” She averted her eyes from mine. “Whatever, go home and have a nice dinner with your mom. I really didn’t want to hang out anyway.” She peeled away from the sidewalk and sped down the street, the local cop pulling out behind her about two blocks away. I stood there breathing deeply, trying to calm myself from our little confrontation.
I shook my head, feeling a bit sad. I knew she would cool off and then be back to her old self. I still held out hope that our friendship would be what we both needed to change. I stepped off the curb after checking for traffic and crossed the street to continue home. My thoughts changed from Sandy to the unknown company awaiting me there. Mom’s voice had contained an undertone of excitement when she announced we had company. I had no clue who it could be.
I felt back to my old self by the time I walked up the steps to my house. The sound of a low growl coming from my left side stopped me in my tracks and raised the hair on the back of my neck. I didn’t turn my head, but my eyes found a large wolf lying at the edge of the front porch, staring at me. It had been hidden from sight by the porch railing until I had reached the top step. It didn’t make any move to get up, so I turned my head and looked at him full-on. Instinct told me he was a shifter, even though I had never met one in person in their animal form. I subconsciously turned my whole body toward it and took a step before realizing what I was doing. It growled softly again, but it didn’t feel like a warning, and again it didn’t move from its place, only followed me with its eyes.
I slowly lowered myself until I was sitting cross-legged as I continued to stare into its eyes, watching as it took a deep inhale and whined. His eyes left mine and looked over my shoulder at the same time I heard the screen door open behind me.
“Oh good, you two have met,” an old raspy voice declared.
I knew when dealing with a predator to never take your eyes off them, but I took the chance and glanced over my shoulder, curious who the voice belonged to. My eyes met a pair that were the color of a storm-filled sky, full of love, amusement, and wisdom so deep I could drown in them. They were set in a face lined by years and framed by long silver-white hair down to her waist in two braids. Her shoulders were hunched, and she wore a broom skirt in deep blues and a peasant blouse in rose tones that added a radiance of youth to her cheeks. Her clothes billowed around her when the breeze picked up. Her smile radiated warmth, and her wrinkled hands reached out toward me in invitation.
“Who are you?” I blurted.
My mother gasped behind our guest. “Natalie, manners,” she admonished.
“I am just an old woman who has been waiting a very long time to meet you.” She laughed. “You may call me Gran, as my name was forgotten long ago. The young pup lying opposite you is Stephen and has been restricted to his animal form to learn a lesson. Don’t let his growls bother you. He’s not happy with me now.”
I glanced back at the wolf. “But he’s whining too. Is he in pain?” I wanted to reach out and comfort him.
Gran’s head fell back as she laughed. “No, child, he’s not in pain. He is whining because he wants to talk to us, and I won’t let him. He has one more night he has to stay in this form before he’s allowed to shift.” She motioned toward me when I looked back at her. “Come along. Your dinner is getting cold, and we have much to talk about.” She took my arm after I stood and looked over her shoulder. “If you can behave yourself, Stephen, you may join us inside.”
Mom held the door open as Gran and I entered, followed by a sulking wolf. I had never seen a wolf sulk before. Well, I had never been this close to a wolf period. The scent of Mom’s pork roast with red potatoes and carrots made my mouth water. I also smelled fresh herb bread. I took another breath and recognized the tantalizing scent of my favorite dessert.
Gran patted my arm. “Sit and eat first. Even my ears, dulled from centuries of life, can hear your stomach growling.” Her smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but return it.
“Yes, Nat. Sit, I’ll bring you a plate.” Mom rushed off to prepare plates for all of us. I sat in my usual spot. Stephen the wolf curled himself around my feet and placed his head in my lap. Gran tsked at him but didn’t tell him to remove it. I wasn’t sure how to react. I didn’t know if petting him would be okay or if I should ignore it. I knew wolves weren’t dogs, and shifters were a whole other species. I didn’t want to offend him with my lack of knowledge of shifter etiquette. He made the decision for me when he pressed his snout against my hand.
I slowly ran my hand over his head and between his ears, amazed at how soft his fur was. I expected it to be wiry and stiff, but it was thick and soft. I sank my hand into the fur at the base of his skull and massaged. He closed his eyes and tilted his head toward me. My fingers connected with his skin, and a sense of calm washed over me. The remnants of anger and frustration that had hung around after my confrontation with Sandy faded and was replaced with a feeling of peace.
“That’s enough, Stephen. Remember your control,” Gran said in a low voice, as if instructing a child.
Stephen opened his eyes and shook his head blinking. The sensation of feelings leaving me stopped but the calm remained.
“Good, now if you behave yourself, I might let you shift before your punishment is up.” She smiled at him and then at me. “Now, child, eat your supper and then we can talk. I know you have questions, and I have answers.”
The aromas rising from my plate were divine. “Mom, this smells fabulous.”
“Thanks, Nat, now dig in. I made your favorite for dessert too. We’ll have it with coffee, and you and Gran can talk.”
Supper went quickly, and after helping clear the table and wash the dishes, I carried the tray with coffee and all the fixings back to the table. I sat down heavily, my tummy full and happy. I was thankful I had worn elastic-waist pants, otherwise I would be unbuttoning my top button right about now. Mom followed shortly after with dessert. She had made my favorite, Wacky Cake, with cream cheese frosting. It’s a decadent chocolate cake made from scratch and icing made the same. She took the pie plates from the tray I had brought in and sliced a piece for each of us.
Stephen sat up between Gran and I and quietly whined, tilting his head at Gran in question.
“Yes, go shift and rejoin us. I placed your clothing in the bathroom down the hall.”
Stephen yipped in response, and I swore he was smiling as he trotted away, nails clicking on the hardwood floor. When he returned, I was surprised to see he was shorter than I expected. I had always imagined shifters to be tall, muscular types with gruff attitudes. I knew about them and had a sneaking suspicion I had met a few in town, but I had never seen one in animal form and then human form. Within our town, we kept our mouths shut and didn’t ask questions. Stephen approached and extended his hand.
“It’s nice to officially meet you, Natalie.” His voice was calm and melodic, a midrange tenor in tone and his smile warm and inviting.
“You too.” I grasped his hand briefly.
“Stephen, would you like a piece?” Mom held a plate
toward him.
“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Seraphim.” He sat next to me and placed the plate in front of him.
I felt the need to sit closer, seeking the calm I had felt earlier. I wasn’t physically attracted to him, but I felt like my soul, deep down, was seeking him. I stared at him trying to figure it out. He inhaled his piece of cake and accepted a cup of coffee, black, from Mom. His eyes met mine, and I could tell he knew I had been staring. He reached out and placed his hand on mine.
“It’s a lot to take in. I know. I won’t bite, I promise.” He teased.
Gran replied. “Stephen, it’s more than just seeing her first shifter. Her soul seeks your omega, and she doesn’t know why. Maybe you should try to explain.”
His eyebrows scrunched together. “But she’s not—”
Gran raised her hand. “Take another whiff.”
Stephen leaned toward me, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His eyes fluttered behind his eyelids, and his face registered shock when they popped open.
His gaze roamed my face, searching for something, and then I saw the eye of his wolf in his. Recognition showed, and he gasped.
“Wyatt.”
12
Wyatt
I left a message on Selena’s voicemail and tossed the phone on the bed roll I had put together inside the cabin. Patience was a requirement in my line of work, but since landing on this mountain, I have found it slowly dwindling away. I paced the small area I was camping in, anxious to figure out a way to get past the barrier. My head told me to keep traveling, to finish the mission I had set upon myself, but my heart and soul refused to move on. My dragon was content to stay as well, knowing something I didn’t. Emotions were not something I was used to dealing with. For the past century, I had been in tune with my dragon. We were simply a tool to be used in the fight against injustice. Something shifted when I found that scale at Jerome’s though, and now everything inside me was jumbled. My head couldn’t make sense of things.
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