Contents
Title
Lochguard Highland Dragons Series
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Author's Note
Meeting the Humans
Winning Skyhunter
Crazy Scottish Love Excerpt
Books by Jessie Donovan
About the Author
Copyright
The Dragon's Discovery
(Lochguard Highland Dragons #6)
Jessie Donovan
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Books in this series:
Lochguard Highland Dragons
The Dragon’s Dilemma (LHD #1)
The Dragon Guardian (LHD #2)
The Dragon’s Heart (LHD #3)
The Dragon Warrior (LHD #4)
The Dragon Family (LHD #5)
The Dragon's Discovery (LHD #6)
The Dragon's Discovery Synopsis
The Department of Dragon Affairs sends Dr. Kiyana Barnes to Lochguard with a group of human women open to having dragon mates. She’s supposed to help them adjust to being around dragon-shifters while also observing how the clan works on a day-to-day basis. She most definitely isn’t supposed to notice how one look from a certain dragonman teacher sets her skin on fire, let alone ask him to kiss her in a weak moment, given her past.
Alistair Boyd spends most of his time in the clan’s archives, searching for a solution to fulfill the vow he made to himself three years ago. However, when his clan leader orders him to educate the latest group of humans to come to Lochguard, he has no choice but to cut back and do his clan duty. One of the females catches his eye, but he tries to resist her. After all, he made an important vow. One that includes staying away from females until it’s complete.
One weak moment results in a kiss that changes both Kiyana and Alistair’s lives forever. Unfortunately, a clan emergency means keeping Alistair’s dragon silent for more days than he’d like. Will Alistair’s duty to clan end up harming his dragon and pushing away the woman who is his second chance? Or, will he beat the clock to have everything he didn’t know he wanted?
Chapter One
Alistair Boyd stood next to his mother, Meg, inside the great hall on Lochguard and almost wished the roof hadn't been replaced yet.
Scotland wasn't the warmest of places, but he didn't mind the rain, wind, or a combination of both. However, he wanted an excuse—any excuse—to leave and not have to meet the group of ten females who would partially become his responsibility. Not because he regularly shirked responsibilities, but rather he suspected his mother wanted to matchmake.
She'd tried to pair him up for years, and Alistair had made it his mission to leave any and all gatherings early. He had no intention of taking a mate.
His dragon spoke up. You used to dream about meeting human females, and now a whole group of them are here.
That was before, and you know it.
Before referred to almost three years ago, when Alistair had made a vow to stay away from and avoid sleeping with any female. He'd failed the one female he'd cared about most, and he couldn't risk that happening again.
His beast huffed. We did everything we could to help Rachel. Enough with the moping. Even if you pretend not to want it, I need a female. Our hand doesn't compare.
Alistair resisted glancing over at his mother. Let's not talk about masturbation standing next to Mum, aye?
Then at least look at the human females and think about giving them a chance. The whole point of them coming to Lochguard is so that some of the single Lochguard members can find mates.
It was true—the Department of Dragon Affairs, or DDA, was trying something new. Instead of sending one human female at a time and requiring her to take a male until she was pregnant, they were sending a group of ten to mingle freely, with no requirements of sex. The hope was that human-dragon pairings would happen more naturally and cause fewer problems in the long run.
Alistair replied to his dragon, We're to educate them about dragon-shifter ways and nothing else. Finlay Stewart, Lochguard's blond-haired clan leader, walked out onto the raised dais at the front of the room. Now, hush. We need to listen to Finn in case he decides to accidentally add any "extra" duties for us.
His dragon snorted. Nothing Finn does is by accident.
Alistair mentally grunted and watched as Finn raised his arms, calling for silence. As soon as the hall was mostly quiet—Lochguard wasn't known as the quietest of clans—Finn projected his voice into the hall. "I can think of no better day to celebrate having the new roof finished, and not just because of the wee storm outside."
As if on cue, wind rattled the windows. Alistair wouldn't put it past Finn to have someone doing it for him, to make a grand show.
Lochguard's leader was intelligent, skilled in handling the clan, and would die to protect them all. But he was also a charmer and performer who tended to act over the top on purpose.
Finn continued, "After the lively year we've had, I imagine all of you are getting a wee bit bored with the calm, aye? But no longer! The group of potential female mates has arrived, along with their chaperone, Dr. Kiyana Barnes."
Murmurs arose, even though everyone knew this day had been coming for weeks. Finn ignored the rumblings and continued, "While the females will stay for a few months, mingling with the single dragons wanting a mate, Dr. Barnes will be with us a wee while longer. Six months, in fact. She'll be here to observe our clan and collect information to better inform both the DDA and the general human population in the UK about our kind."
Some louder grumbles rose up, mentioning a book about dragon-shifters by a human named Melanie Hall, as well as a videocast series by another human mated to a dragon-shifter, Jane Hartley. Both of which had already helped the humans better understand their kind.
Finn shook his head. "Those were good starts, but not enough. Dr. Barnes isn't mated to a dragon-shifter, and it will offer a unique perspective. Especially as she's an anthropologist and will be trying to take an objective look at how our clan works."
Alistair had spent most of his life dealing with objective facts. He may be a school teacher now, but he'd once been the head scientist and research lead on Lochguard. To say he was skeptical of the social sciences, like anthropology, was an understatement.
His dragon sighed heavily, but Alistair was good at ignoring his beast when he wanted to do so.
Finn motioned toward the back of the stage. A group of females came out to form a line behind him. While one was as nice as the other, it was the female at the end, with curly, black hair and light brown skin, that caught his attention.
She stood taller than the rest, but that wasn't what garnered his attention. The others were mostly focusing on one point in the distance or the ground, but the female with curly hair was scanning the crowd. Every once in a while, she'd pause, study something, and then her gaze would move again.
Alistair would bet everything he owned that she was the female sent here to study
them.
His beast grunted. We've suffered preconceptions from humans for decades, if not centuries. Don't judge her before you meet her.
It's not because she's human.
Still, at least she's not afraid. I rather like that about her.
Warning bells went off in Alistair's head. Och, no, don't even think about it.
Why not? She's bonnie. Not to mention brave to come live with us for six months. After all, stories say we eat humans for dinner.
If you make a crack about eating her, in a name-screaming way, I will toss you into a mental prison, aye?
His beast chuckled. I'd like to see you try. It's been years since you've built one, and you're out of practice.
Before Alistair could reply, Finn spoke again as he motioned to the females. "Behind me are the brave lassies who've agreed to come to Lochguard for a few months and are open to mating—marrying—a dragon-shifter. Let's show our support and welcome them to our clan!"
To Lochguard's credit, they cheered and clapped. Since there had been a reception before the meeting, where there had been quite a bit of alcohol, Alistair bet most everyone was happier than usual.
Including the two older dragonmen standing near his mother.
Not wanting to think of his mum and her two males—or, at least everyone suspected they were her two males—he clapped politely.
His mother nudged his side and whispered, "Maybe you'll fancy one of them."
"I thought you were done trying to matchmake," he drawled.
"Aye, I was. But with all those single females coming at once? There may be hope for you yet, Alistair."
It was on the tip of his tongue to say there was more to him than finding a mate, but decades of experience had taught him that arguing with his mother was pointless. She always found a way to win, no matter if she was in the wrong.
The female he'd noticed with the dark, curly hair moved to stand next to Finn, a microphone in her hand. Once Finn quieted the clan again, she spoke, her accent marking her from somewhere in the south of England. "Hello, Lochguard. As Finn said, my name is Kiyana, but feel free to call me Kiki."
Kiki didn't suit her; his mum had once had a dog named Kiki.
His beast spoke up. Why do you care?
Not wanting to think of why he did, he focused on the female's next words. "While I'll be observing your clan, I hope to get to know many of you on a more personal level as well. I've worked for the DDA for many years, and I know most of the rumors about you aren't true."
A few people laughed, and one male—he thought it came from the direction of one of the MacAllister siblings—blurted, "Then which are true? The ones about how big our—"
Someone smacked the male to quiet him. Definitely one of the MacAllisters then, since the mother of the five siblings often acted as their censor. Well, for the youngest four. The eldest child was one of the most level-headed dragonwomen he'd ever met.
His beast snorted. I wish the mother wouldn't censor them. It's much funnier when they say what's on their minds.
To her credit, the human female Kiyana grinned and replied, "If you want to know exactly what I'm talking about, then we'll have to sit down for a chat at some point, right?"
His dragon muttered, I told you she's brave. If we're not careful, one of the MacAllisters will snatch her up.
And why should that matter? I'm not looking.
But you agreed to stay at one of the parties for at least an hour.
Only to stop Mum from asking ten thousand more times.
Kiyana continued, "But sincerely, thank you for welcoming us into your clan. I know there have been some rocky ties between Lochguard and humans in the past, but all of us"—she motioned to herself and the other females—"are here of our own free will. Again, thank you, and I look forward to talking with you in a bit."
Finn clapped, and so did most everyone else. Kiyana went back to her spot on the stage, at the end of the line of humans.
Their clan leader took center stage again. "Aye, well, now that the formal remarks are finished, it's time for a party! The humans will be mingling with everyone else, so be on your best manners. After all, each has a Guardian here tonight to ensure their safety. And I'd rather not have to deal with any fights, especially since I always have my hands full with my cousins as it is."
Protests came from where the MacKenzies—his cousins—were standing on the other side of the hall.
Finn ignored them. "I officially declare the start to the gathering." He motioned toward the side, and music filled the air.
Alistair turned and took a step toward the door—he wasn't required to meet the human females until the following day—but his mother's hand clamped on his wrist. While his mother was in her sixties, her grip was firmer than some of the males his own age.
She asked too sweetly, "Where do you think you're going?"
He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice level. "I have to prepare for tomorrow. You know I have to teach the human females about dragon-shifter ways."
His mother tsked. "You're always prepared two days ahead of time. Humor your old mum, won't you? At least meet with them. You did promise me an hour, no?"
His mum's words might seem like a request on the surface, but they were an order. One that he had to follow or risk her meddling even more into his life.
To the point she'd invite all of the females to dinner and he'd be the only other guest.
He envied others with parents who didn't need to know everything about their children's lives.
His beast spoke up. Saying hello to the humans won't hurt anyone.
You're supposed to be on my side.
I am. It's not even six o'clock. And Mum's right—you have everything prepared for tomorrow. For once, can't we just have some fun? It's been years since we stayed long enough at a clan gathering to even dance.
Since he was clearly outnumbered and the last thing he wanted was for his mother and dragon to work as a team against him, Alistair sighed. "Okay, Mum. I'll stay for a wee bit, but not the whole night, aye?"
"Maybe you'll have so much fun that you'll forget about wanting to leave. Now, come on. We need to greet the human females before the others do. Lorna MacKenzie may have mated all her children now, but I can't risk Sylvia MacAllister's three sons all snatching the best females in the bunch."
Alistair wanted to say that the females weren't for snatching, but decided against it. The argument wasn't worth it.
Following his mother, he did his best to not glare or look overly bored. Just because he wasn't interested in a mate didn't mean he should be rude to the humans.
~~~
Dr. Kiyana Barnes did her best to keep her jaw from dropping as she looked from one dragon-shifter to the next. It wasn't the first time she'd been on a dragon clan's lands. However, it had been more than five years since the Department of Dragon Affairs had given her anything but desk assignments.
Not that she hadn't deserved them. After all, she'd screwed up big time five years ago by becoming involved with one of the dragon clan members she was supposed to be observing.
It hadn't been love, which had made the mistake all the worse.
But tonight, well, tonight was her second chance. While it was partially luck on her part that no one had really wanted to live with a dragon clan for six months, Kiyana had also spent years learning as much dragon-shifter history as she could. That, plus her past five years of stellar work reviews, had resulted in her obtaining the post.
Of course, she was more than merely an observer this time. She also had to help take care of the other human women. One of whom, Julie, currently hid behind Kiyana.
Being gentle wasn't her way, but she tried her best and whispered, "What's the matter? You were excited about coming to Lochguard, more than any of the others. So what happened?"
Julie replied, "I know, but now that I'm here, it's so much more real. They're all so tall, and fit, and, well, are you sure they won't turn into dragons and snap me in two?"<
br />
Kiyana's first thought was to tell the other woman to snap out of it. No one was going to shift inside the great hall and possibly knock down the walls or roof.
Remember, they haven't been around dragon-shifters as much as you, Kiyana. Play nice. With the reminder, she smiled and spoke as gently but firmly as she could. "Listen, Julie. Not only do you have your elder, ex-military brother coming here to watch over you, do you really think Lochguard will risk starting a war with the humans? Let alone do something as silly as shift inside a building?" She wanted to add they'd wait until a new moon, so no one could see, but resisted the joke. Julie probably wouldn't see it that way. So, Kiyana continued, "This is a party. Maybe a glass of wine will help you calm down and allow you to merely enjoy yourself."
Julie opened her mouth but promptly closed it. Kiyana looked ahead of them and noticed the gray-haired dragonwoman standing next to a tall man, the tattoo on his arm marking him a dragon-shifter. It was hard to miss the toned muscles of his chest and arms, which was another thing dragon-shifters tended to have, their muscles developed from a combination of flying and training.
While he wasn't movie-star handsome, there was something about his face that made her want to study it. Maybe his square jaw, or even his eyes—one was blue and the other brown. However, it was the patently fake smile on his face that made her lips twitch. He didn't want to be here, but the older dragonwoman had a firm grip on the man's wrist.
The older woman spoke first. "Och, sorry to startle you lasses, but I wanted to be one of the first to welcome you to Lochguard. My name is Meg." She gestured to the man at her side. "And this is my son Alistair. My unmated son, aye?"
Kiyana swore she heard a sigh from Alistair, but when she looked at his face again, it was the same fake happy smile as before.
Meg spoke again. "So what is the ginger-haired lass's name, then? I know the doctor because she spoke, but not the bonnie lass behind her."
The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 6) Page 1