by M. A. Church
“You’re welcome to come, if you want to.”
“I know, but I thought I’d give the two of you time to get to know each other. Don’t forget to call your father so he’ll know to send your things over.”
“I will. There really isn’t much. Most of the stuff in my bedroom my mother picked out. She was a stickler about the decor.” Avery shrugged. “I may set the room up as a type of office, since that’s something I’m apparently going to need.”
“Good idea. If you need anything, let me know. We can go shopping.”
“You like shopping?”
“What can I say?” Warwick bit into a piece of toast. “I can shop with the best of them.”
“Glad you can. It’s something I could take or leave.” Avery wiped his mouth with his napkin and laid it back down. “I also need to talk to my father about the party planned for our mating, and give him a heads-up about my mark.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anything we need to bring?”
“No. The mated couple only needs to show up. There’ll be drinking, dancing, and a good time had by all. If you want to invite anyone, please feel free to.”
“I doubt LeMoyne will go, but Clarence might,” Warwick said. “That reminds me. When I met with your father last, Clarence took an interest in your pack’s lawyer, Lisa.”
“Really? She’s a nice person.” Avery ate some of the eggs, which dripped with cheese.
“I haven’t had a chance to ask him much about it, but I do believe they exchanged phone numbers.”
“That’s great. I don’t know Clarence, of course, but Lisa is a lot of fun,” Avery said. “We can find out if Clarence wants to go and take him with us. I’m sure Lisa would enjoy that.”
“As would Clarence,” Warwick agreed. “It’s been a while since he’s taken an interest in somebody, so I hope it works out. Is he her mate, by chance?”
“Well, when she saw him, did she throw him over her shoulder and carry him off?”
“Um, no.” Warwick sipped his orange juice.
“Then he isn’t. But that’s not to say they can’t still date or even mate. Lisa has a fated mate out there somewhere and may find them. So many of us don’t find the one, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have relationships. Speaking of my pack, that reminds me. I need to check in with Father about him announcing Mandy as a contender for the next Alpha. He promised me, and I’m going to make sure he adheres to it.”
“Are you expecting problems?”
“It isn’t going to be easy since it’s not something seen within the werewolf community as a rule, but it does happen. Father is progressive enough that he’s open to her taking over when he’s ready to retire. She may lose some pack members, but I think many more will stay. She’s going to have to fight for what she wants.”
“Anything worth fighting for usually is. I’m not sure exactly how your hierarchy works, but if it helps, we can throw our weight behind her.”
“It certainly couldn’t hurt,” Avery said, eating more of his eggs. “It’s definitely going to be an interesting situation, but I know Mandy. She can handle anything thrown at her, and she will make an excellent Alpha.”
“Speaking of interesting situations, there’s something else I need to tell you about dragons and their abilities.”
“And the surprises just keep coming with you, don’t they?” Avery snickered. “What new and exciting things do you have to show me now?”
Warwick cleared his throat. Once we share blood with someone, we have the ability to speak telepathically with them.
Avery jumped in his chair. His eyes bulged as he frantically looked around the room. “What the hell was that?”
That was me.
“Ho-ly crap! I-I can hear you in my head.” Avery pressed his fingertips to his temples. “Wow, that’s freaky. Guess that’ll teach me to joke about your abilities. That’s amazing, strange, and hell, is there anything you guys can’t do?”
Warwick frowned. Does it hurt? It shouldn’t hurt.
“No, no. It doesn’t hurt.” Avery dropped his hands, picked up his drink, and took a long swallow. “It… you know, totally caught me off guard. Seriously, I need you to sit down and write out a damn list of things you can do.”
It would be miles long.
“Now that I can believe.” Avery shook his head. “Nevertheless, we will be making that list.” He blew out a breath and took a sip of his coffee. “Okay, you can speak to me telepathically. Can I speak back to you?”
Of course. Clear your mind, then concentrate. Try to envision speaking to me without moving your mouth. Use your mind and try to project the words to me. There is a connection now, outside of our mating, since you took my blood. That connection is different for every person, but you should be able to feel it. Clarence said it’s like a long line between me and him.
Avery shut his eyes and concentrated. He knew all about connections. He had one with his Alpha, and there was a tentative one growing between him and Warwick now that they’d mated. He searched, looking for something new, something that hadn’t been there before.
Finally he found it. It looked like threads wound together into something like a rope that flowed from him to Warwick. Clarence was right. It did resemble a line. The bond they shared was almost golden in color but there was a deep, rich thread of purple that ran through it. He assumed it represented Warwick.
“Okay, got it.”
Telepathically, remember? Say that again, but use your mind.
Avery struggled, trying to force his mind around the very idea. Since he had no experience to go by, he decided to throw himself into it fully. Okay, got it.
Warwick flinched. Excellent. Now try to dial it back a bit, please. You’re basically shouting. Think of speaking normally. What do you sound like? Apply that to this.
So, inside voice, right?
Exactly. And well done. It took Clarence struggling for almost an hour before he got it.
Avery opened his eyes, and grinned. “Looks like I’m a natural.”
“Indeed it does. We can speak that way anytime we want. Also, having this ability doesn’t mean I can read your mind.”
“Oh, thank the goddess. No offense, of course, it’s… sometimes I can get rather snarky in my thoughts.”
“You? I would have never thought it.” Warwick bit into a piece of sausage. “And in case you’re wondering, that was a joke.”
“Didn’t know dragons could joke.”
“Ha-ha. I’ll have you know we have a killer sense of humor.”
“Uh-huh. By the way, tonight is a full moon.” Avery finished off his eggs.
“Do you need anything?”
“Only someplace to run. I could join my pack, but I’d like to be with you, if that’s okay.” Avery paused. “Hey. What if you joined me? Like, joined me in your shifted form. Do you think it could cause any problems?”
“I would love to join you, and in what regard?” Warwick asked as he picked up his napkin and blotted his lips.
“Don’t laugh or get mad, but your dragon isn’t going to want to like… eat me or anything, is it?”
“Would you want to eat me if you were in your werewolf form?”
Avery huffed. “That was a stupid question, wasn’t it? I should’ve known better.”
“I could no more hurt you than you could hurt me, but I understand you asking. Simple fact of the matter is, even in your werewolf form, you’re defenseless against me in dragon form. But know my dragon would lay down his very life to protect you.”
“Yep, stupid question. I’m sorry.” Avery took a last sip of coffee and set his cup down.
“Don’t be. It’s understandable.”
“Well, I’ll certainly not get mad anymore when humans ask shifters that question.”
Chapter Eighteen
AN hour before sunset, Warwick noticed the increased tension in Avery. During dinner, he fidgeted and didn’t eat much. He was in constant motion, either tapping his foot, scratching aiml
essly at his arm, or irritably shoving his hair out of the way. When Warwick asked him, Avery said it was because of the upcoming shift.
It was fascinating. Since he wasn’t ruled by the full moon, he’d never experienced what Avery was going through. Now that he had seen it, he was thankful nothing had the ability to command him to shift.
At dusk they walked outside. His staff knew better than to disturb them during this time. He brought a duffel to leave their clothes in while they shifted, since Avery had been upset when Warwick let his clothes lie on the ground. Together they cut through the courtyard and came to the large field with the woods just beyond.
Warwick glanced up at the sky, pleased to see it was a clear night. “Are you ready?”
“Past ready. I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my own skin.”
“Why don’t you shift first since you’re being so negatively affected?”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Avery stripped, almost tearing his clothes in his haste.
Warwick shook his head. Avery must have really felt the moon’s call since he didn’t bother putting his clothes in the duffel. Warwick picked them up and placed them inside.
Avery dropped into a crouch and seconds later a silvery white wolf stood in Avery’s place. Avery shook out his fur, then sat, his tail thumping the ground. Unable to resist, Warwick knelt and scratched behind Avery’s ear. Avery yipped, and his long pink tongue swiped over Warwick’s fingers almost as if to say “hurry up already.”
Give me a second! Warwick chuckled. Patience is a virtue.
Hey! I can hear you even in this form.
I had assumed you would, but it’s nice to know for sure. Warwick stood.
Get naked and shift, already!
Inpatient pup, but Avery’s excitement was catching. Warwick couldn’t wait either. He stripped and added his clothes to the duffel. Avery backed away, giving him room. Breathing out, Warwick called his dragon forth.
Seconds after he shifted, something sharp and wet at the end of his tail caught his attention. Huffing in amusement, he turned his huge head to see Avery bouncing around near the arrowhead point of his tail, nibbling at it. He twitched it, wanting to see what Avery would do. Avery dropped his chest to the ground and growled, his tail waving madly behind him.
Wolves, Warwick huffed.
I heard that! Avery jumped on his tail, and Warwick slithered it back and forth until finally Avery fell off and rolled away, then jumped around, barking excitedly. Warwick snorted, and little zaps of lightning formed around his snout. Avery’s head jerked around. Quick as a flash, he raced underneath Warwick, darted out in front of him, and barked. Do that again!
Charmed by Avery’s eagerness, he did.
So cool! I wish I could breathe lightning.
Warwick lifted his head and looked down at Avery, who yipped again, then darted at one of Warwick’s forelegs. Avery ran a circle around his leg, then lightly head-butted it. Warwick rumbled in laughter when Avery staggered back a couple of steps, shaking his head.
You okay?
What are you made of? Steel? Jeez. Avery rushed back toward Warwick’s front foreleg but skidded to a stop and dropped his chest to the ground about a foot away. Avery barked at it. Warwick swiped at him, but was careful not to let his claws make contact. Avery scrambled away, then ran in a circle, chasing his tail.
Good gods, what energy you have. If Warwick could bottle that, he’d be a rich man. Well, richer.
All the better to amuse you with.
Wrong fairy tale.
Hey! There’s a wolf in that one. Avery stopped, dropped his ass on the ground, and panted, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.
Warwick shook his head at the goofy look on Avery’s face. He had no idea werewolves could portray such humanistic expressions in their animal form. Warwick decided to return the favor and dropped his head down so he was closer to Avery’s level.
He slowly rolled his eyes.
Avery sneezed, then tipped over, rolling back and forth.
Fell over laughing, did you?
Everybody wants to be a comedian. Avery jumped to his paws, his muscles bunching.
Warwick prepared himself since it looked like Avery was getting ready to rush him. Suddenly Avery’s head snapped up and he lifted his nose, sniffing. Warwick raised his head and scanned the surrounding area, but didn’t find anything that constituted a threat. All he smelled was the land, cold and hibernating. High above he heard the rumble of an airplane. In the distance was the low hum of human vehicles. Scents carried on the air—smoke from a fireplace, the detergent used on their clothes, and his mate.
And prey. That was the other thing Warwick smelled.
Avery’s stare was intent as he watched the woods, his body as still as a statue. One ear twitched. Gone was the playful pup, and in its place was a deadly predator. Avery threw his head back and howled, then raced for the woods, his paws barely touching the ground.
Warwick slowly lowered himself and got comfortable. Since there was no way he could venture into the woods in this form, he decided to rest while Avery hunted. He dropped his head to the ground and closed his eyes. The nighttime sounds surrounded him.
Since he had nothing better to do, he decided to see if he could mentally follow the thread that connected him to Avery. Suddenly there were brief pictures in Warwick’s mind. He almost opened his eyes but stopped himself in time. He caught images of things Avery saw as he hunted.
Warwick had never heard of that happening before and was intrigued. In his mind’s eye, he saw Avery racing through the woods, his attention focused on whatever he stalked. Warwick sensed Avery’s happiness to be on four paws instead of two feet, and the freedom to run with the wind. The dead leaves crunching under Avery’s paws brought him joy, as did the wind in his fur. There was also Avery’s sheer determination to bring down the…. Warwick caught the image of a large buck running in fear.
Hunger pierced him. Warwick was surprised. He wasn’t hungry. It was Avery. Warwick gently disengaged. He didn’t want to distract Avery while he hunted. Next time, though, he would stay in human form and hunt with Avery instead of watching from the sidelines.
He dozed for a while, then snapped awake at the sounds of Avery trotting toward him. He lifted his head and stared at the woods, waiting. Avery emerged with the haunch of a large buck dangling from his mouth. Slowly he approached Warwick and dropped the meat in front of him, then backed away.
Touched, Warwick lowered his head and sniffed at the meat. For a dragon it wasn’t much. It would be like Warwick eating a buffalo wing while in human form. But that wasn’t what mattered. Avery brought him food.
Warwick rumbled his thanks and snapped up the offering, eating it—bones and all. Avery howled again, then slunk closer, low to the ground. Warwick lowered his head, his tail thumping in pleasure behind him.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
Avery sidled up next to him, then rubbed his body down the side of Warwick’s enormous snout. The scent of blood on Avery’s fur wafted up to him. He flicked out his long tongue and licked at the sticky wetness.
Avery dropped down next to his foreleg and curled up, his nose tucked underneath his tail. Warwick sensed the exhaustion radiating off Avery. Warwick slid his foreleg around Avery and pulled him closer. He rumbled softly, and together they napped.
HOURS later Avery rose, trotted off, and shifted back. There were streaks of dried blood on his skin, especially around his throat. Warwick looked up at the sky. The sun was rising, so he stood and shifted too. Avery didn’t seem to want to talk, so after a brief kiss, Warwick helped Avery dress and they returned to the castle. They showered, had a quick breakfast, and fell into bed.
When Warwick woke again, night had fallen and there was no sign of Avery. As he rose, Avery walked out of the bathroom in the robe Warwick had loaned him.
“Hey,” Avery said. “You hungry?”
Warwick passed Avery, his hand traveling along
Avery’s hip. “I could eat. Let me use the bathroom and get dressed, and then we’ll have dinner.”
“Cool. I’m starving. I’m going to get dressed too.”
Warwick sat next to Avery in front of the fireplace. “Any idea when the celebration reception will be?”
“In a few days. The pack needs time to settle after the run. I’ll call my father later and ask.”
“Okay. Food should be here momentarily.”
“Can’t wait. What are we having?”
Warwick smirked. “I’m in the mood for venison.”
“Funny, so am I.”
LeMoyne brought the cart with their trays to their room but didn’t linger. Avery dug in to his food. Once dinner was over, Warwick pushed the cart outside their bedroom and shut the door.
Pausing by Avery’s chair, he ran his hand over Avery’s long hair. “Do you feel okay?”
“I’m fine.” Avery nuzzled Warwick’s hand. “I’m usually tired after a forced shift. Plus, being on unfamiliar land kept me tense. Next month I shouldn’t be quite so tired.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I could sense how exhausted you were. You sure you’re okay?”
Avery glanced at Warwick. “I really am. Why?”
Warwick held out his hand. “Well, if you feel up to it, I’d like to show you something.”
“Okay.” Avery stood and took Warwick’s hand. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see soon enough.” Warwick led Avery out of the bedroom and through the castle. They passed several servants, who greeted them, then continued down several hallways.
“Good thing you’re here, or I’d be completely lost.”
“Oh, it gets better. Just wait.” Warwick led him to another long hallway.
“Where exactly are we in the castle? Are we going down? I feel like were going into the ground.”
“In the middle, and yes, we are. But….” Warwick stopped in front of a tremendously thick steel door. There was a computerized panel next to it. First he tapped in a combination of numbers, and then he leaned closer. A beam scanned his eye, and then he placed his palm on the panel. That too was scanned.