Dragon Star (A Shifter Football League Novel)

by Aurora Reid

  When she got to where he should've been, right above the Ocean, the California coast with a field of wild violet roses spread over it, she couldn't spot him.

  Then a big splash of water hit her in the face.

  She spun back as a form sped right past her belly. It was Nico, who had been hiding under the ocean. He flipped around, splashing her in the face again, and then he peered down at her, blotting out the sun.

  “Don't you have a wedding to go to?”

  Cass laughed. She flapped up to meet him.

  “I'm not late am I?”

  “No, not yet, but everyone was beginning to get a little worried. It's not normal for the bride to go for a flight before their wedding day. You've got a dress to get into.”

  “Fine,” she said to him through their dragon minds. “I'll race you back.”

  “Oh, great. Not this again,” Nico groaned, but he was right behind her.

  Her dragon was much faster than Nico's. His was beefier, more muscular, so she often liked to challenge him to contests in which she'd win. Cass liked to win, and she liked to fly. Fast.

  Like they both thought, Cass got to their wedding spot first. It was almost a tie when she slowed at the last second.

  The view was spectacular. It still shocked her that this would be for her. Cass always thought she'd be going to the local church and then after to IHOP—not that Nico wouldn't find a way to make that special too.

  There was a heart-shaped courtyard on a beachfront lookout. It was on a field of soft, fresh grass. White arches and stones had been laid out which made it look like it could've been set in ancient Greece, if it weren't for all the flowers—flowers everywhere, tucked and wrapped and hanging all throughout the gardens.

  They gave a few of the workers a fright when they were coming in. That really couldn't be helped. They landed at the bottom of the outcropping, and then headed inside past the sand to an alcove.

  She waited for Nico there. He was panting and sweating, just how she liked him.

  “Very funny,” he said. He looked upon her naked body, the shadows of the cliff hiding her rosy, perky nipples. She pressed her thighs together, getting way too excited.

  This was probably the reason why the bride and groom shouldn't meet on their wedding day. If it was real love, they'd be fucking like rabbits.

  Nico slipped inside of the alcove. All of a sudden there was very little space inside. She was practically touching him, and then she was, as she looked down and noticed he had a hard-on.

  “We can't now. What happened to me being late?”

  “It could be a quickie.”

  “With you?” She lifted on her heels and kissed his moist lips. “You're going to have to wait for tonight.”

  “But it's perfect now, isn't it?”

  “It is, but wait until you see me in my dress. You'll cry.”

  “I certainly hope not. Those pictures will be on the Internet in one minute.” His cock was raging against her, hot and swollen and throbbing.

  Then she was in his arms, facing the beach, his hardness against her back.

  With his hands over her stomach, she broke down. “I have a secret.”

  Oh, shit. He started to turn her. Cass kept herself grounded.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. You'll have to wait until later.”

  She tried to pry his fingers off her stomach.

  “Uh uh. You can't keep a secret from me.”

  They were struggling, until he got to her side and began to tickle her. She tried to flee but he caught her hips.

  And his cock was still pressing into her. She wanted so badly to slide back and let him enter. But she knew that they'd be worthless afterward. Nico would pass out on the beach, completely naked, while the others above looked around for the groom.

  Nico pulled her against his hard chest. She felt his solid abs flexing against her lower back as he curled his massive bicep near her neck. His other hand kept her hips steady.

  She wasn't going to be able to keep the secret before the ceremony, was she?

  It would be terrible timing to tell him now.

  “Tell me the secret,” he said, his hand near her waist now going lower.

  Spreading her thighs, she couldn’t resist.

  “Or do I need to tease you to get your secret?” His finger played against her pubic mound. Then he stroked between her inner thighs.

  “No,” she screamed.

  “Shh, they're not supposed to know we're here.”

  Cass tried to be quiet. It helped that her breath was taken away when he shoved a finger inside her. She was already wet and sticky between her thighs, and he began to slip his finger in and out until the knuckle, moving faster.

  “Fuck,” she muttered. Her body shook as he held her closer. His precum streaked across her back.

  Cass clenched her teeth. She stood on her toes. Her dragon was asking to be freed. But then her pleasure burst, and her dragon wanted to stay put. Smart dragon.

  If he kept going...she was going to come...

  She couldn't show up to her ceremony looking sloppy.

  No, no, she had to stop this...

  “I'm pregnant,” she shouted.

  Nico kept going like he couldn't hear her, only for a few seconds, then he slowed and tossed Cass around to face him.

  “You're what?”

  “I'm pregnant, Nico. We're going to have a baby.”

  His jaw dropped.

  “We're what?”

  “I know you heard me.”

  “Yeah, I'm just—this is incredible! I'm so happy.” Nico swung his great arms around her and gave her a big dragon hug. She felt like he was going to squeeze all the energy from her before the big day.

  His eyes were shimmering with tears.

  “Don't cry now. I didn't want to surprise you like this. I wanted to wait until after the ceremony. But you had to get all sexy interrogator with me.”

  “It just gives us even more to celebrate.” Nico brushed her hair back and kissed her neck, soft and cool. She wanted more, but knew it was getting late.

  On the beach, their wedding being set up beautifully above, Nico holding his hand out for her to take... this looked like paradise.

  “Come on, we have a wedding to attend, Dragon Momma.”

  “I have so many questions,” she said, bouncing on the hot sand behind him.

  They headed their separate ways once they were on the overlook. She went to find the clothes she'd stripped off before shifting. Back in her clothes, she was so worried about how late she'd be that she didn't notice her whole family waiting in the courtyard.

  It was only her mom and dad who were supposed to be there, because tickets were so expensive, and Mom and Dad wouldn't let her fly her younger siblings there on her back.

  But this was the whole family. Even neighbors and friends!

  Nico must've done it.

  She rushed to go meet them, and then was taken to the back with the ladies, where they prepared Cass to look memorable on her wedding day.

  They fought and they struggled long enough.

  This was going to be one long celebration, and everyone was invited.

  Epilogue

  The walls went up with a grand explosion. Fireworks rained down on the compound as Nico strolled the hallway to see Cass.

  Those great walls to keep people out were down now. Everyone was welcome. Shifter, human, it didn’t matter, this was a giant party for his friends and fans.

  After the big party at their wedding ceremony, Nico admittedly liked it too much. He had such a good time that he invited them back a year later.

  The smells of the catered food—pastas, meats, salads, and desserts, floated throughout the household walls. They were having quite the time outside with a live band and entertainment and lots of drink and food. It was enough to keep an army happy for a year.

  He met his wife in their baby’s room.

  Here was the true magic.

  Sometimes when he look
ed at little Olivia, his eyes would fill with tears of joy. Today they did as everyone was happy around him. It was contagious.

  All because of Cass, who stood proudly in the front of their treasure room. This celebration reminded him of how he almost lost her. If she hadn’t been able to trust her strength that day, it all might’ve been lost.

  She must’ve just laid little Olivia down in her crib. The walls like they had been before were created out of gold, the floor like before was made out of gold, and all around Olivia’s golden crib, there were golden coins.

  She was going to grow up to shop just like her mother. Nico chuckled.

  “What’s funny?”

  “Nothing.”

  “She wants to see her father.” Cass leaned on her toes and kissed him.

  “Okay,” he said. He took careful steps not to wake her.

  Once he got to the crib, he looked down at his beautiful daughter sleeping peacefully.

  “She’s too beautiful, like you,” he said and kissed Cass. “She takes after her mother. Proud, powerful…and too smart for her own good.”

  “How do you think I found you?” Cass gave him another peck. But he was reaching down for Olivia to cradle her.

  Let them have a good time around him. He could join them later. This, Nico never thought he could have.

  They had a family now. And Nico wasn’t afraid, or worried, or suspicious. He rubbed Olivia’s soft head and then placed her back down into her crib.

  He turned to Cass. “This is all because of you.”

  She beamed. She seemed to understand what he was saying.

  If it wasn’t for her courage, none of this would’ve happened.

  She squinted with happiness. “It takes two.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” he said, looking down at his little girl.

  They controlled the narrative after Jae was gone. There were cameras that picked up his kidnapping of Cass, so it was easy. They had time to enjoy one another. They were going to build a new home in California, because the fans wanted both of them back, this time, he had no excuse not to go all the way. The fans forgave Cass and Nico.

  He would get that ring. And he’d do it for his new family.

  Cass hugged him closely. He wrapped his arms around her as they both looked down on their daughter.

  Olivia startled awake. Her big eyes were curious for a moment. A single spot formed on her right shoulder. She began to cry, but then quieted, too stunned as the golden scales broke out over her body. Olivia already knew how to Turn.

  “We’re all going to fly together.” Cass hugged and kissed him.

  There was nothing stopping them now…

  Dragons might be on the endangered species list, but they wouldn’t be once Nico was done with Cass.

  They were in love, and their fire would burn forever.

  Bear’s Bride

  A new book for Black Bear Clan fans.

  Are you ready for Keith to find his mate?

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  Jax’s Mate (Wood Bear’s Unexpected Mate)

  Mia nervously twirled her black locks as she waited in Black Bear Tavern. To be this close to bear shifters was something rare, and in a few minutes, she expected even more to pile in.

  More shifters, and she was all alone.

  Mia had never even met one bear before. Soon, she’d be meeting with a whole council. That’s why she was an exceptional bundle of nerves on this balmy autumn evening. Also, because there was a lot on the line. Her company. Her workers. Their families’ futures.

  As she began to think about the pressures, someone entered. His giant shape cast a shadow over the whole bar as he approached. This new bear was gorgeous...and a little scary.

  He was a tower of broad muscle, his arms capable of easily dangling Mia from the ground, and she was not one ever to be lifted up by a man. Past boyfriends had tried that act of seduction and failed miserably, but this guy looked like he could throw her over his capable shoulders and take her away without one strained breath.

  He had sleek, medium length black hair. His beard was neatly trimmed, and his eyes were like warm honey that trapped her upon first glance. She had to force herself to look away, fearing that she was staring. A black t-shirt that hugged his muscular biceps, a big leather belt with a great buckle, and some dark jeans that showed his powerful, awesome thighs—all of it made Mia think this bear looked badass, and once again, frightening.

  His leather boots thumped on the wood like a T-Rex approaching. She kept her stare at the bar counter where the owner of the place, a woman with wild, frizzled hair, glared back at her with unnatural silver eyes.

  Usually, shifters went through the trouble of hiding. Or at least, making it difficult for humans to figure them out.

  Not this guy.

  He emanated unworldly power. And his eyes, while a vastly different color from the bartender’s silver ones, were just as ethereal and enchanting.

  Mia peered down at her glass of iced tea. She’d do for some wine, but upon her arrival, she was told they only stocked the local Black Bear Winery, and she wasn’t sure how much of a kick that stuff would have. The last thing she needed to do was get sloppy for the most important business meeting of her life.

  The shifter sat down at her table and she jumped back. Mia looked around at the empty tables, like he’d taken the wrong one.

  “Oh, I’m here for a meeting,” she said softly. She hoped he wouldn’t be offended. The last thing she needed to do was to piss him off.

  He placed his giant triceps onto the tabletop. He leaned in. Even sitting down, he would eclipse her if she stood up.

  “Let’s start the meeting then,” he said, his voice clipped with rough tones, but still finishing smooth.

  What? Where was the rest of the bear council?

  “Wh-what are you doing here?” Mia asked as she tilted her feet toward the exit. This looked more like an intimidation scheme rather than a business meeting.

  “You’re the person who sent us the fancy letter, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” Mia said, shocked, but she still dragged her seat in. “I’m sorry. I expected more.”

  The bear leaned back and threw his hands up, letting Mia feast on his glorious body. “What, this isn’t good enough for you?”

  She scoffed with a snort. “No, I meant…”

  His eyes narrowed. “I know what you meant. It was a joke, unless you don’t do jokes in fancy business land?”

  “Maybe we’re getting off on the wrong foot.” She didn’t want to—she thought the bear would crush her hand, but she reached and offered it to him anyway. If this was what she had to work with, she would do her best to make it work.

  “My name’s Mia Marchini.”

  “Too late for that, I’m afraid. I already know your name.”

  With a gracious squeeze, he said, “My name’s Jax.”

  After pulling away, Mia’s heart thudded in her chest, and she tried her best to focus. A sip of iced tea helped her relax a little. If he already knew who she was, Jax would probably hate her guts, and she wouldn’t blame him. Her father didn’t have the best reputation, especially when it came to keeping nature pristine and pure.

  Jax tilted his head and smiled. “Never heard of me, huh?”

  “I’m afraid not. This is the first I’ve come into contact with the Black Bear Clan.”

  “Guess you didn’t do your research.” He leaned back, kicking up a boot. The chair screeched. She let out a little whimper.

  “Look, Jax, I’m not sure who you are, but I assume you’re someone important.”

  “Head alpha.”

  “Head alpha. That’s important. I mean, it sounds very important. Might you be able to agree to deals that pertain to Black Bear Woods, specifically contracts involving Black Bear Park?”

  “We don’t have fucking contracts.
We have our word. Our word is enough.”

  It was strange. It seemed like Jax avoided her eyes all of a sudden. Like he was afraid.

  “Good. Then we’ll agree by word that you’ll sign my papers, because you seem like a swell enough guy.”

  Mia pushed a manila folder across the table. “I'd like you to look over this contract.”

  He glanced down at it with disgust. Then he shoved it back at her. “You tell me what you want. I decide if you're telling the truth. I'm not reading the papers. I want to hear it from you.” He leaned forward, meeting her gaze now, producing a shiver in Mia. But then he turned away again and folded his arms.

  “All right,” she started, her voice meek but growing in confidence from necessity. “I have an offer for you and your clan. As you're well aware, my family, the Marchinis, have owned the land that you've settled on for many generations, but have let you stay there.”

  Mia moved on, fearing that he would interrupt her. This wasn't even the worst part of it.

  “We've had a silent agreement for a long time, but as the new owner of the Marchini company, I need to make you a different offer.”

  “Is it an offer I can't refuse?” He grinned, and she smiled too, until he growled, “Continue.”

  “We're not that type of business, but this is an offer you'd be a fool not to accept.”

  He groaned. Her cheeks flared when she said that. Okay, so that was corny, let me try again.

  “I know you're already opposed to this idea, but please, hear me out. You know my company is involved in the logging business, so you're already skeptical of us. Bad blood between my family and your clan goes back a long time. I'd like to change that.” Mia rose in her seat. She thrust her chest high. “I'd like to offer you a chance to live, cost free, in one of our houses.”

  “Our homes are fine,” he snapped.

  Jax's immense size forced her to scurry back.

  He leered over her and said, “Tell me what you really want. You want to kick us off our land, don't you? I'm guessing you'd like to relocate us?”