“Well, we better be going. Go get your stuff so we can get home before Christmas Day.” Magnis’ demanding voice grated against Stella’s nerves but she didn’t meet his gaze. Gerald clenched his fists and his eyes flashed red, a fire burning in his beautiful eyes.
“I won’t be going with you, Magnis.” Stella finally looked toward the man she was supposedly betrothed too.
“Excuse me?” Magnis growled out his question. Stella squared her shoulders, her dragon itched for a fight.
“I said, I will be staying here.” Her voice a bit stronger.
“You will be my mate, Stella. You are mine.” Magnis moved close to her in a flash. His hand grabbed her arm with a force she didn’t expect. Stella’s dragon roared as smoke left her nose.
“Let go of her.” Gerald growled over his shoulder.
“This doesn’t concern you,” Magnis spat out. Stella narrowed her eyes on Magnis, fire burned in her throat.
“Get your hand off me.” Stella blew more smoke from her nose but it didn’t seem to faze Magnis as his grip tightened. Stella balled her fist.
“You will come with me to Nevada.” Magnis blew a light white smoke from his nose this time. Stella couldn’t take the pressure on her arm any longer. She pulled her strength as she swung her arm and hit Magnis square in the jaw. His grip loosened but didn’t let go completely.
“You can go fuck yourself. Let me go this instant or I will fucking burn your ass to a crisp.” Stella’s claws descended and rage filled her belly. She was an alpha female, not some ass hat’s bitch.
“I’ll enjoy watching your ass die,” Gerald added. Magnis let go of her but kept his stance next to Stella.
“Get your ass in my truck now.” Magnis paused, a spark of delight twinkled in his eyes. “Or, I’ll carry you there myself.”
“Burn in hell. I’m staying here.” Stella stepped back away from him and Magnis looked like he was about to move forward when Gerald grabbed his shoulder.
“The lady said her peace. Now get out.” Most of Gerald’s body blocked Stella’s view.
“Magnis is she really worth the trouble?” One of his buddies asked from the door. Stella felt a bit hurt at the words but was partially glad for someone trying to talk Magnis into leaving.
“She is supposed to be my wife and mate. I have been waiting for her for years now.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of women glad I’m not coming home with you.” Stella raised an eyebrow. She could only imagine the women wanting to throw themselves at Magnis just to gain his favor.
“This isn’t over.” Magnis moved away but stopped at the door. “You had your chance to keep the peace. Next summer we will be at your door.” Magnis’ eyes focused on Gerald for a moment before walking out.
His two buddies paused then they followed Magnis. Stella stood where Magnis left her, waiting for the sound of his truck to fade away.
She looked at Gerald who nodded toward her and walked out of the room toward the kitchen. Her heart clenched in fear as she listened to his footsteps. What have I done? Did I make the mistake in assuming he still wanted me?
Zane patted her shoulder and gave her a short hug before following his brother out of the room. Darius didn’t say anything for a full minute.
“I hope my brother knows what he’s doing.” Darius shook his head and stepped toward the kitchen.
“Do you think I should have left with him?” Stella grabbed his arm before he could get to far. Darius glared at her.
“I don’t know what you should have done. All I do know is we have to prepare for a war with a dragon clan this coming summer because of you.” Darius ground his teeth together. Stella let go of him.
“If you want me gone, then I’ll go. You can call Magnis and tell him I left so you're all off the hook.” Stella walked away before the tears fell from her eyes. She never expected Gerald’s brother to hate her for her choice. Her body collapsed on the bed she slept in the night before. Her body ached and her head throbbed as the tears continued to fall.
She wanted Gerald but fear clenched her body. He may not want us. Her dragon whimpered.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Gerald
Walking away from Stella had been the hardest thing he did a few minutes ago. He didn’t trust a damn thing Magnis said and instincts told him, he needed to be prepared just in case. As the damn alpha, he had to make sure they were semi prepared for any surprise attacks from Magnis. He may have said next summer but Gerald didn’t take the fucker at his word.
“Darius get in here.” Gerald yelled. Zane stood in the kitchen making something with melting cheese.
“What?” Darius walked in and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“After Christmas, I want you to go do some recon on Magnis’ clan.” Gerald shoved his hand through his hair.
“Why? Looks like she is leaving anyways.” Darius leaned against the wall. Zane slid a grilled cheese next to Gerald.
“What are you talking about? Stella is staying here.” Gerald didn’t understand.
“She walked upstairs after we talked. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is trying to steal some of our shit.” Darius pushed off the wall and walked over to Zane. His other brother had a plate for Darius but he declined the offer.
“What did you say to her?” Zane asked.
“I told her she really isn’t worth going to war against another clan of dragons. I told her she should have gone with Magnis.” Darius shrugged
Rage consumed Gerald, before he realized what his body was doing the damage had been done. His fists hurt from punching Darius in the face and gut. Zane pulled Gerald back with great effort.
“Stella is my fucking mate, Darius. Don’t you fucking get that!” Gerald yelled. His dragon hovered on the edge, ready to tear everything down.
“How the fuck was I supposed to know? You didn’t fucking mark her.” Darius stood wiping the blood off his face. Gerald shrugged off Zane. His phone buzzed with a text from Harry about adding new rules to the mine so others couldn’t steal from him. He didn’t give a shit as he shoved the phone back into his pocket.
“And that is going to fucking end now.” Gerald walked away toward Stella. He would talk to his brothers about the war later.
He opened the spare bedroom to find Stella face down against her pillow, the smell of tears filled his nose. He promised to hit his brother again for making her cry. Once he took a step, she scrambled into a sitting position and cleared her face of tears. She pulled the earbuds out from her ears and turned off the blaring music.
“What, do you want to tell me to hurry up?” Stella sat taller. Gerald knew words weren’t going to fix this problem, so he did what his dragon wanted instead. In two swift steps, he moved next to her bed and pulled her into a kiss. Her soft lips froze for a second before Stella leaned into him to deepen the kiss.
“You will not be leaving, Stella. I want you as my mate. If you want me, I’m all yours.” Gerald watched her beautiful eyes soften then a fire to burned. Her lips twitched up into a smile.
“Take me.” Stella soft words vibrated in his soul. Gerald didn’t hesitate as he pushed his body onto hers. This time he wouldn’t wait to mark her. Nothing would distract him from marking Stella. His hands opened her robe so he could take in her beautiful body. Her soft hands moved up and split his shirt in half exposing his chest. A shiver of excitement ran down Gerald’s spine as her hand moved over his chest and down to his pants. He leaned up and pulled off his jeans before she destroyed them.
Her robe now rested in a pile with his clothes. Nothing would keep them apart. His mouth came down on her lips while his fingers roamed down her body to her soft curls above her core. Her moans were his only focus as his fingers skillfully rubbed against her bundle of nerves. A soft caress from her hand against his cock almost sent him spiraling out of control.
“I can’t wait for you any longer.” Stella nipped at his lip. He settled in between her thighs.
“I will make y
ou cum more later.” Gerald placed the tip at her entrance and met Stella’s gaze. She nodded and the fire still burned in her bright blue eyes. He slid himself in and felt at home inside her. A groan met his ears as his balls slapped her ass.
“Mine.” Gerald leaned down and nipped at her shoulder where his mark would soon rest. Stella licked his shoulder right after. The anticipation made it hard for him to take her slowly. Her hands gripped his hips as he slammed into her tight core. Everything was right and nothing else mattered.
His balls tightened as he inched closer toward his release. Stella moaned louder. Her hands moved to his back and her nails dug into his flesh. Picking up his pace a bit, her core tightened around his cock.
“Gerald,” Stella cried out as she reached her orgasm. His teeth lengthened, and he leaned down to mark her. He released himself into her soft body.
Her soft lips met his shoulder followed by a spark of pain from her teeth. An aftershock of release shook through his body followed by a small hum under his flesh.
Both of them shook for a minute before they released each other. Gerald leaned back getting a better view of his mate. Nothing would separate them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Stella
Stella kept her eyes closed as she listened to her mate sleep next to her. Christmas morning had arrived, and an odd sense of peace settled in as she rested next to Gerald. Since her parents had been taken from her, she tried to make Christmas just another day as the pain had been too hard to swallow. Her body seemed different now in a way she didn’t expect as she lay in bed with her eyes still tightly shut. Over the last few days she had been overly emotional and quick to either tears or anger.
She adjusted her mother’s ruby ring, she had grabbed the ring when she woke up in the middle of the night. This time it fit perfectly on her finger instead of almost falling off. More peace pulsed through her body with it resting on her hand. She looked at it the ring, it shimmered in the low light and words filtered through the ruby.
With this ring, the red dragon will pass down all her abilities to her children. After all her worry about whether or not her children would gain her red fire, wearing the ring would help her odds somehow. She chopped it up to magic and tried not to over think the meaning. In her own special way her mother had given her a way to back out of the deal and still give the fire powers to the future generations.
Gerald moved sending heat over her skin. Her core suddenly ached and everything in her body wanted Gerald to touch her again. Slowly her eyes slid open as the realization rolled through her brain. I’m in freaking heat. Stella took in a shaky breath. The swift mood swings and the way her body screamed only happened once a year.
Dragons didn’t seem to be like the rest of the world where every month they became fertile for their partner. No, once a year Stella would stay inside and away from people in fear of trying to jump a guy so he could fuck her. Her gaze slid over Gerald, his naked body open to her with the blanket barley covering his beautiful cock. Rock hard abs sparked her interest even more as her heated gaze moved up to find Gerald watching her. The same heat filled his sexy eyes.
“Merry Christmas.” Stella’s lips were dry as she watched her mate. He stretched his arms behind his head, the muscles bulged making Stella’s mouth water.
“Yes, it will be very merry.” Gerald winked. Before she could figure out what his wink meant his strong body covered hers. “You smell amazing.” He buried his nose into her neck sending shivers down her spine. His tongue flicked over his mark making her core clench.
“That’s because I’m fertile.” Stella kissed his neck, she wondered how this declaration would affect him. He leaned up and met her gaze.
“Do you want children?” Gerald’s calm face warmed her heart.
“Yes,” Stella said before she could really think about it. Being a mother had been a dream of hers but being alone had always put a kink in her dream.
“Good, because I’m going to give you so many dragonlings you’ll be begging me to stop.” His eyes were bright with excitement.
“I think I can deal with it.” Her world was right with Gerald on top of her promising her a life full of kids and love. His lips met hers and talking ended as their kiss deepened.
The tip of his cock brushed against her bare thigh making her core clench. Her hand wrapped around his shaft bringing him closer to her entrance. Foreplay was out of the question as the need raged under her skin grew stronger with every breath. Heat pulsed through her body and the desire to have him inside grew stronger with every shaky breath. Once she released him, he entered her wet and waiting body.
Her hands gripped his arms holding on tight as he pulled out then slammed back in. Patience wasn’t on either of their minds as she met his rough pace.
Pleasure coursed through her in waves with each thrust of Gerald’s hips. Her hands moved to his back to keep herself grounded. Gerald kissed her neck as he picked up his pace, something she didn’t think he could do.
Every fiber needed him, needed her release and more importantly needed his release. She licked his shoulder were her mark rested making him shiver. Stella enjoyed having this erotic effect on such a strong alpha. Her dragon pushed forward to be closer to Gerald sending the familiar warmth over her eyes.
Gerald slowed down and met her gaze, his eyes flashed red exciting her dragon. His sexy grin sent pleasure down her spine. He picked up his erratic pace making her back arch and a moan slip from her lips.
Her teeth grazed against her mark on his shoulder. A low growl left her mate sent a wave of pleasure through her body. Tension pooled in her abdomen and with each sweet thrust it grew. Stella tilted her hips to help create more friction, within seconds of the change her orgasm inched even closer.
“Cum for me, Stella.” Gerald nipped at her neck, the tension exploded in her body bringing her so high she felt like flying.
Her mate bit down on her neck as his cock swelled, and he reached his own climax. A wave of aftershock racked her body making her shiver under him. This orgasm had been just as intense as the mating release.
Gerald kissed her neck where he had bitten her then leaned up to meet her gaze. They stayed that way trying to catch their breath. Stella knew she had made the right choice in staying with Gerald. Magnis’ brute force had nothing on Gerald’s calm but demanding personality.
“Damn it.” Gerald cursed and put his forehead on Stella’s hair.
“What?” Stella asked but her question was answered when she heard Gerald’s mother yelling about breakfast being ready.
“After breakfast, we will finish this.” Gerald kissed her sending a wave of heat through her body. She couldn’t get enough of him. He stood showing off his sexy body, and she watched him walk over to the bathroom. He came back with a washcloth. Gently he cleaned her off and then cleaned himself. Once he discarded the cloth she stood up and pulled him into a kiss.
A low growl left his lips before he deepened it. His rough hands wrapped around her ass and squeezed. Her core pulsed with renewed excitement.
“I don’t think I can wait till after breakfast.” Stella didn’t want food, she wanted her mate inside her again. Trailing kisses down his neck to his shoulder seemed to do the trick.
“We’ll be down in a bit!” Gerald yelled then focused completely on her.
After two more releases each exhaustion crept into Stella’s muscles and her soul held onto the satisfaction longer than before. Gerald lifted her, and they showered and dressed before descending the stairs toward Anish.
“Merry Christmas.” Anish smiled. While looking at Stella, she sniffed the air. “Oh goddess. I had no idea you would go into heat now.” Anish hugged Gerald then Stella and kissed her head. Stella felt a bit of blush filling her cheeks and took in the large Christmas tree.
“I’m happy for it.” Gerald winked at her and started to fix up a plate.
“Well I wouldn’t mind some dragonlings in this big house.” Anish smiled. Stella tucked some of
her hair back, joy warmed her heart, she had found a home. This was the best Christmas gift she could get. Gerald handed her a plate of food and she smiled. No matter what happened with Magnis, she would be happy staying with Gerald. She was finally home.
Darius
The Tundra Series-Book Two
CHAPTER ONE
Darius
Frustration pulsed through Darius' dragon form as he flapped his wings harder toward the small mountain range, miles away from the clan and even farther from the human town of Yellowknife. Having a mate make men weak! My own brother is proof of it! Darius wanted to spit fire, but he resisted the urge, instead black smoke funneled from his nose. He landed with a solid thud onto the rock and ice from the Canadian Tundra. The Northern lights were extra bright tonight without a cloud in sight; which brought him a smidgen of peace and normalcy.
Tomorrow he was in charge of going to Nevada to check out the enemy clan threatening to do his family harm all because of Stella. Just thinking of the new alpha female made a small bit of fire leave his lips.
Over the last two months he had been doing his best to keep his temper under control with nightly flights to his spot on the mountain. With his position on the top, it almost felt like he could touch the northern lights, which helped peace engulf him. Darius liked being able to fly without asking for the alpha’s permission.
Darius stood there for almost a solid hour just listening to the wind at his chest as the mesmerizing lights played in the dark sky. His peace shattered when the crunch of ice made by humans walking came from the west. A small group of humans shuffling around in the tundra which happened but not often. Even on this clear night their weak eyes wouldn’t be able to distinguish him from the mountain.
All three were bundled up in heavy winter coats. One of them turned his way and he could have sworn the woman behind the dark brown eyes stared right at him. Yet that would be impossible unless she were a shifter and any shifter would never walk the tundra in their human skin.
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