by C. D. Gorri
Nikolai exhaled and moved to the sink in the corner. It wasn’t that he disliked sex. He liked it very much. The fact was, his body had other ideas when it came to coitus. As in, if it did not involve his mate, he wasn’t having any.
Shit. He dried his hands and strode out through one of the many secret corridors in the castle to the ballroom. He arrived in time to hear his brother announce the name of his beautiful little niece.
“We would like to introduce you all to Rosanna Juliet Falk, our daughter,” Callius’ voice boomed across the ballroom with pride and love as cheers broke out all around.
Niko raised his glass and cheered right along with them, accepting congratulations and brimming with love for his brother’s family. But at the same time, he couldn’t ignore the hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Will I ever have this for myself?
CHAPTER 2
“Ms. Casper! How nice to see you, honey! Isn’t it exciting?”
“What’s that, Mrs. Grayson?” Melody Casper looked up from her oversized purse and smiled at the shorter woman. Mrs. Grayson was a fixture at the company watering hole! Well, it was actually an exclusive, organic coffee and pastry shop.
“Well, now that we have addressed all external threats to our accounts with this improved firewall from Draco Fortis and Graves Enterprises, I expect you are sleeping better these days! Oooh, are those cranberry scones, dear?” Mrs. Grayson, a softly rounded woman in her mid-sixties smiled with her sharp little teeth showing as she spoke to Melody.
“yes, ma’am, I think they are,” a management accountant for Merlin Banking Solutions, Melody Casper was responsible for verifying whether or not certain projects were worth the risk to her company.
They’d recently been hacked by a magically enhanced virus that had been downloaded by a fellow management accountant in their Dallas cooperate offices and everyone was shaking in their boots expecting to be fired.
Merlin Banking Solutions was based out of New York City, but they had offices all over the world. They handled professional and personal banking needs for millions of people, mainly those in the supernatural community.
“Yes, Mrs. Grayson, I am very excited about the new firewall and I believe those are cranberry currant scones with cream cheese frosting!”
“Oh my, I think I’ll have to get me some of those!” Half-Sugarplum Fairy, Mrs. Grayson had a bit of a sweet tooth. Melody shared the affliction, though she was a Coyote Shifter herself.
The two had become office friends a year ago when they’d both almost fought over the last salted-caramel brownie in the shop after a particularly trying week. Melody had offered to split it, and they’d hit it off.
“You know, I’d never have believed anyone could pull it off, if I hadn’t seen the improvement in network performance myself,” Melody sighed and inhaled the sweet fragrances coming from the shop. The line was a mile long, but she was not getting off before she had a steaming peppermint latte in her hand!
“Really, dear, well I am glad to hear it! It came at a substantial cost.”
“All good things do, Mrs. Grayson. Even the magical element is a vast improvement than what we had in place before.”
“Yes, well of course it is! Melody dear, you do know the owner of Draco Fortis is a very rare, very powerful, and I hear very handsome, Dragon Shifter!” The older woman’s eyes practically glowed in glee at the secret she’d revealed to Melody.
“Really?” She smiled at the older woman with wide-eyed interest. As a Coyote Shifter, Melody knew when others were lying or faking. Thank goodness Mrs. Grayson was not a Shifter of any kind.
It was rumored the older woman, while one-half Sugarplum Fairy, was also half-Sprite, a tricky, gossipy bunch if supes if ever there was one. But it didn’t matter to Melody. Mrs. Grayson was a sweet woman and Melody enjoyed having coffee with her.
“Yes! A real Dragon! Can you believe it? And I hear he is a bit of a hound, if you know what I mean, you know if I were your age, ooh la!”
Of course, Melody was very aware the owner of Draco Fortis was, in fact, a Dragon. Having heard the whispers and rumors about the formidable and quite brilliant, Nikolai Falk, she was both impressed by his genius as she was in awe of his beast.
Dragon Shifters were rare and uniquely gifted with more magic than any of the other Shifter groups. Melody was a Coyote Shifter herself and relished the ability to change shape into her cunning little animal.
When she was in her human form, she still had many of her supernatural senses like fast healing, heightened senses, and the usual. Coyotes were sort of like Wolf Shifters, or Werewolves as they were commonly called. They lived in smaller Packs or Bands and adhered to a hierarchy based on dominance. Her family was not in the inner circle, but the ruling Alpha of her small band back home was fair enough.
She was to dominant enough to gain notice, but she was no pushover. She couldn’t afford to be. Unlike many of her kind, Melody sported a rounded figure with large breasts, wide hips, and big legs. Chubby as a child she was used to taunts and the meanness of other pups.
Nowadays, she stood five and a half feet tall and had long brown hair with large, natural, honey-colored chunks that fell framing her face. Her hair had always been multi-colored and where she hated it as a child, she loved it now. Not that many believed it was her real hair.
She wondered what they’d say if they knew her hair was honey-colored down below too! Not that she cared what others thought. They could suit themselves or not. Melody liked her body and her hair!
Her best feature, of course, were her fiery amber eyes. Sometimes they gleamed like liquid gold. A true Coyote trait inherited from her father. Of course, he was all muscle and good looks. Like her mom. Both of them still thin and muscular in their late-fifties.
Melody sighed. Oh well. She was still pretty, if a little plump, and more so, she was happy. Her size was what it was. She ate healthy and exercised, but yes, she had a sweet tooth and she did not deny it.
It in no way affected her happiness with her shape. Something her ex-husband could not understand. Thomas had tried in so many ways to change her, to her utter mortification and eventual heartbreak. But she was at peace with it now.
Their marriage had ended three years ago, and she was better off without him. Still, that didn’t mean she was an option for the Dragon playboy. But she smiled and listened to the rumors Mrs. Grayson had gathered all week about the elusive techie millionaire.
Melody knew a lot about Nikolai Falk, including his amazing portfolio. Apparently, the wiz didn’t just develop software, he was also a genius at investments. He’d been in charge of his brothers’ portfolios for a long time. She’d been able to trace his work back to about two hundred years or so.
Records got tricky any further back than that. He even kept some of his money with Merlin Banking. And from what her boss had told her that morning, they wanted more.
She’d been put to work assessing the risks and benefits of using the Draco Fortis firewall weeks ago and had voted in favor of the change much to her boss’ approval. He’d wanted to do business with the Dragon very badly.
“Dear, did you hear me?” The lilting voice of her companion brought her back to reality.
“I apologize, Mrs. Grayson, what did you say? My mind just wandered a bit there,” she smiled apologetically.
“That’s alright, Melody dear, I said I ordered your latte.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, you were far away in thought I gather? You know you do remind me of myself when I was younger,” the older woman smiled, and Melody returned it.
“Nah, I’m much too shy to be like you!”
“Nonsense! I know what you need, a nice shopping trip! Go on and get yourself something sexy and new for the World Banks Charity Ball!”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’ll be there! He’s the VIP, you know!”
“Oh, Mrs. Grayson, I doubt someone like Nikolai Falk will even notice I’m there,
” she began.
“He sure won’t if you don’t make an effort! Melody dear, life is passing you by! You work eighty hours a week-”
“How did you know that?”
“Honey, I’m in human and supernaturals resources, it is my job to know! Now, everyone there will be vying for the man’s attentions! You have to stick out, dear! My daughter-in-law runs an up and coming little boutique down on West 37th Street, just tell Carol I sent you!”
Melody didn’t have the heart to tell her that the boutique was unlikely to offer anything that would flatter her fuller figure, but she listened silently. After a lengthy monologue by her colleague and some nudging, she eventually promised to go and check it out herself before taking what would amount to two buses and a train ride back to the small apartment she rented in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Damn my commute! She said her goodbyes, promising to stop by Mrs. Grayson’s daughter-in-law’s shop, Skin Deep, before she headed home that night. She stood and threw away her used cup and napkin before heading back to her desk. What have I gotten myself into? She groaned.
Melody had truly loved working in the city at first, but she’d hated living there immediately. She’d frequented the one-square-mile town of Hoboken to partake of its restaurants and bars, as well as, the frequent festivals the place offered. It had small-town charm, with the convenience of being close to her place of employment. Of course, after ten years the shine had worn off.
She longed to just slow down. Work had become her life, when all she really wanted was a family of her own. She had no one left here. No siblings or cousins. Her parents had moved down to Florida the second she was old enough to move out. Melody visited once a year, but even that was strained and awkward. Close, they were not!
Life was supposed to turn out differently, she growled. She’d married the first man who’d asked her out of sheer joy that someone had wanted her. Her parents and peers had told her often enough she’d never find a mate. Ugh.
Thomas was handsome and funny at first. A Coyote Shifter like her, but unlike her he had a gambling habit and no ability to hold down a job. Yeah. He was a real winner.
His teasing had quickly turned ugly. The comments about her weight grew frequent and nastier over time. Thomas Newton had battered her fragile ego until she couldn’t stand to be in the same room with him.
He’d wanted her to lose about forty pounds and wasn’t shy about saying it loudly and in public. She stuck by him for five years, trying every fad diet she heard of to make him happy. All that time together and with very little to show for it, she’d finally had enough, and said goodbye.
That was three years ago, and she hadn’t looked back. The thing was, she hadn’t looked forward either. Mrs. Grayson is right, Melody, you need to start living. Working eighteen hours a day was hardly that.
If she was being honest, she’d admit what she really wanted was a real home. Children. But at thirty-five years old how likely was that to happen? Anger threatened to cloud her vision as she felt herself slide into old patterns.
No! I don’t need a man to make me happy ever after! Fuck that! That was true enough, but Mrs. Grayson hadn’t suggested she needed a member of the opposite sex to find happiness. She’d said a night of wild sex and fun. Hmmm. The idea had merit after all.
Maybe a new dress was called for. Hell, maybe after I splurge on something sexy for this godforsaken party, I will have me some wild sex with a hot as hell Dragon too! Hell, to the yeah. Melody Casper was single and free. She could do anything she damn well pleased!
Melody straightened her shoulders and went back to her office, her new plan in tow! Operation Get Me Some was under way!
CHAPTER 3
What the fuck is with all the emails and voicemails this morning? Nikolai fumed as he went down the huge list of contact information his inbox was streaming with.
True, they were potential clients, but really? Was all this necessary? I mean, give a guy a day to get back to you. Some of them were repeats. One particularly insistent firm, which after a little digging, he found was run by that bothersome Witch, Angie White, was located on the west coast. They called themselves Viridi Lux or Green Light Coven.
He rolled his eyes. He’d dealt with their kind before. Witches had access to a finite amount of power and often held the upper hand in dealing with Shifters. This particular Witch seemed upset at his turning her down.
Well, Dragons were not like typical Shifters. She’d find out soon enough if she persisted in antagonizing him. Virdi Lux was spreading rumors that his firewall was less than what it was described as. He’d fix that very quickly.
Dragon Shifters had stepped out of the world at large some centuries back, preferring to deal with their own kind. Perhaps the Witches simply forgot that he had access to magic of his own. Phenomenal powers with unlimited access, unlike Witches.
He’d get back to Viridi Lux when he was damn well ready. He disliked liars and bullies in general, those traits in a Coven of Witches was a serious no-no. He sent a quick email to Callius, as head of the Falk Clan, he was to be kept abreast of all potential threats and this was a threat. However slight.
When he’d announced that Draco Fortis was building a firewall for Merlin Banking Solutions, he had no idea how many other companies would be interested in his product. Both in obtaining it and in destroying it.
Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He’d had some idea, of course. But this? No. He was not prepared for this bombardment. How was he supposed to code and work on growing their treasure horde if he had to answer all these inquests?
He’d need to take on more help if he was to continue. Creating something as complex as this firewall project with Graves Enterprises wasn’t like playing the stock market. This was something else. He needed an assistant. Someone to manage the business end of things.
He’d ask Randall for suggestions. In the meanwhile, he needed to pack a bag. He was headed out for the World Banks Charity Ball and to meet with the Merlin Banking Solutions president about the last upgrade to their system. Everything had gone beautifully, and he had the report to prove it.
So, why was he so fucking restless? Hmm, you know why, damn you. He was a lone Dragon Shifter in a castle surrounded by his three mated brothers and their families. He was not jealous per se, but he was feeling his age and his circumstances grievously.
It was wreaking havoc on his inner beast. His Dragon roared and slunk off in the deepest most cavern of his mind’s eye. The beast was still pissed off after his last failed encounter.
After that brief and somewhat embarrassing scene with Ms. White, he’d attempted to try again. He’d convinced himself it was okay to try and let off some steam with the opposite sex.
For fuck’s sake, I am a Dragon! Unfortunately for him, Nikolai found he was still unable to, um, rise to the occasion.
His Dragon roared and huffed out a breath of green smoke at the memory. Only our mate will do, he growled at Nikolai. None other.
Fucking bloody bastard. His body had failed him, and he was beyond furious. No sex for a century could do that to a male!
His Dragon’s scales glowed like emeralds in his mind’s eye as the beast opened his massive jaws to let loose a roar. The deafening sound was enough to send Nikolai to his knees.
He glanced at his chest to the place where his emerald rose sat as he undressed and went to shower. His frown was deep as he gazed upon the sacred marking. It was closed and pitiful looking. A tight, wrinkled bud, where a powerful blossom should be.
Fuck. He was running out of time. Alexsander had told him how he felt at Death’s door before he’d met his mate. The legend is true, Nik, without Noelle I’d have died.
Fuck. Nikolai did everything he could to find the one the universe had created for him, to no avail. So, he’d occupied his time with as much activity as possible. Trying to fill the void inside of him.
This new firewall he’d developed was a great accomplishment. Something he was very proud of. And yet, without
finding his maiden, his one true and fated mate, it was all for nothing.
Soon, his beast would do one of two things. Either, he would wither and die, or he would go stark raving mad. Nikolai already had an inkling which way things were headed.
His EnergyDragon was growing increasingly hard to control. Anger rolled off the beast in waves, he was restless and furious with his human half for failing to find his lifelong companion. His lack of libido was just one small symptom. There had been others lately.
Quick rise to fury. Lack of focus. Why just this week he’d almost decked two normals at the local sushi place, Roll Over, that he frequented. He couldn’t even think of a reason why he should be so angry at them. Only they’d rubbed him the wrong way somehow.
He shrugged as he stood under the hard spray of hot water. Even the normals had enough sense to avoid him. They knew better than to approach a predator in his state. Humans had some self-preservation skills at least, all evidence to the contrary aside.
He bathed himself in quick steady movements. Efficiently washing over his no longer working bits. FML. He growled and rinsed off his shoulder length dark hair, scrubbing his face roughly before stepping out onto the thick bathmat.
Nikolai stared at his reflection. His eyes glowed a pale green as his Dragon came forward. Yes, he was too thin, his rose shriveled, and his mood foul. But he had to push it all aside for now.
He had work to do. First thing on the list was to pack his bag and head out to New York City. He’d be driving himself in his sleek silver Phantom Rolls Royce. The luxury vehicle dominated the road the way his Dragon did the skies.
Though he could fly into the city unnoticed, Callius frowned upon such theatrics. So, Nik opted for second best. He hurried out of the castle without running into any of his brothers or their wives and exhaled a breath of relief.
Soon, he promised his Dragon, we will search for our mate again and we will find her. Or die trying.
CHAPTER 4