by T. S. Ryder
Naomi backed away from her father as he advanced, her eyes wide as his growls deepened. Joshua snarled and started forward, only to have a bullet fly past his ear. Naomi held her hand out to him.
"Joshua, you can't interfere." Her voice trembled, but even as he watched he saw a change come over her. She stood straighter, her eyes grew steely and determined. "This is between my father and I. He stole my right to leadership. I have to take it back."
The Wolf Alpha stopped growling. His ears pricked up, tail twitching from side to side.
"That's why you chose to attack me, isn't it?" Naomi said to her father, topping her retreat now. "You sensed that I was coming into my own. After all these years where you have tried to suppress me, I have found my power. I started to find it when I went with Joshua against your will, and I continued to develop it when I refused to give up the baby we found in the woods. I guess there's only one thing left I have to do before I can claim my rightful place as Alpha of my pack. Defeat you."
Joshua burned to drive through the wall of wolves as Naomi yanked her loose dress over her head and shifted. The current Alpha began growling again, but Joshua was shocked to see that even though he was larger than the Wolves around them, Naomi was yet bigger than him. Her paws planted firmly in the ground as she threw back her head and howled.
Tucker flinched back. Naomi charged at him, and he jumped at her. They met with a fierce clashing of growls and barks. Tucker clamped his teeth on Naomi's scruff and she yelped, twisting.
Joshua stepped forward, but another bullet reminded him why he couldn't interfere. He hated this, feeling so helpless as his mate fought for her life.
One of her paws came up and slashed across her father's face. He released her and she drove forward, clamping her teeth on his shoulder. She brought herself to her back feet, pulling her father higher. She wrapped her legs around him and used her weight to bring her enemy down. The Alpha kicked at her belly, making her jump back.
The current Alpha howled. Naomi bit into his throat, choking him. His eyes rolled and he kicked out harder. Joshua groaned in anguish when the current Alpha's claws tore through Naomi's back leg. Blood spurted, staining her fur.
Naomi lifted the current Alpha again and threw him away. Tucker landed on his stomach, and when his daughter jumped at him again, he rolled. His tail was tucked in firmly against his belly as he flashed the white fur of his understand.
Surrender.
She had done it.
Naomi stood still for a moment, panting, staring down at her father. He was utterly still, making whimpering noises. If Joshua was in his Human's form, he would have smiled. After all his years of oppressing his daughter, now he was afraid she was going to kill him. But she wasn't that kind of Alpha or that kind of person.
The new Alpha of the Wolves threw back her head. Her commanding howl seemed to shake the very air. Joshua felt his blood stirring. This was his mate. The four that had been attacking him dropped to their bellies, the ones holding guns on him and his two seconds lowering them. They didn't shift as they howled, joining their voices to hers. All around them, the pack sang as one with their new Alpha.
Joshua reared to his back legs and let out a tremendous roar that echoed across town. Fierce roars answered him. He roared again, this time summoning them, as Naomi's howl changed to do the same. She trotted to him, tail wagging.
They shifted back into their Human forms and embraced, but Joshua didn't kiss her. He knew how his body would react, and with the two packs gathering around them, and the two of them naked… well, nudity might not be a big deal among shifters, but that didn't mean that anybody wanted an eyeful of that.
"I did it," she whispered. "I beat him. I've wanted to for so long, even if I never let myself think about it. I wanted to take my place as Alpha and now I have. But… but I don't know what to do. I've never had any training. What if I do it all wrong?"
Joshua stepped back, grinning at her as he put his hands on her shoulders. "There is a certain amount of mistakes that a new Alpha makes, Naomi. But you were also born with strong leadership instincts. You can always ask me for help, but in the end, you have to trust your gut instinct. Which I think you'll do just fine with."
A nervous smile crossed her face but she nodded. "You're right. I can do this. And Sapphira—"
"She's our daughter. We'll have to go through the correct legal systems, of course, but she's ours. I love you, and I love her."
This time the smile turned satisfied. "Good. Because she's not going anywhere, and neither am I."
Joshua nodded. They would have to decide where they were going to live after this so they could take care of both packs, but that was for another time. At the moment all he needed was to see the calm expression that came over Naomi's face as the packs gathered. Even her sisters, with little Sapphira, were coming to join them. Their eyes were bright.
As Naomi climbed onto the top of a car standing nearby, Joshua retrieved the baby. He took his place as Alpha with Naomi, although for this instance he knew he would remain silent. This was the Wolf Alpha addressing her pack for the first time. His time would come after hers.
"You all know who I am," Naomi called. "I am the eldest daughter of an Alpha who was the eldest daughter of an Alpha who was the eldest son of an Alpha. My father took the rights of leadership away from me, but I have taken them back. He brought you here to kill and cause bloodshed. But that ends. The Bears are our brothers, and this senseless violence between us will destroy us all if we don't end it now."
Her two sisters beamed at her, the other gathered Wolves watching with riveted eyes. There were only a few that looked unhappy about what she was saying.
She cleared her throat. "I know that my father told you all that Joshua, Alpha of the Bears, kidnapped me from my home. The truth is that I went with him gladly. I wanted him, and we have since visited the Mating Caves. He is my mate, well and sure. And we have a child. Though not of our blood, she is ours just the same. And in this union, Bear, Wolf and non-shifter, we symbolize the coming of a new day. No more battles. No more fighting. Only peace and unity."
Joshua handed her Sapphira and scrambled up next to her. He clutched her hand and gazed at his pack. "As my mate has said. We will rebuild was has been destroyed. And we will have peace."
"Peace," Naomi repeated.
And a thunderous cheer rose from the two gathered packs.
Chapter Ten – Naomi
Christmas morning.
Naomi yawned as Joshua opened the door for her to their little cabin. It had been hastily built on the border between Wolf and Bear territory, with plans to make something much nicer once spring came. For now, this cabin was warm and cozy, perfect for the three of them.
"You know," she said as she carried Sapphira into the bedroom, "for being diurnal animals, Bears certainly know how to party at night."
Joshua answered her with a chuckle. The previous night had been the full moon, and they finally had their mating ceremony. It had been strange to Naomi, presenting themselves to both packs and verbally stating that they were mated and would seek no others. After that, they had tied themselves together with a piece of scarlet string and cut their fingers so their blood would mingle.
Once the ceremony was done, it was dancing all night long. Joshua and Naomi had taken Sapphira back to their old house, and they slept the night there while the partying continued. When morning came, however, they decided they wanted to spend Christmas day in their cabin. They had put in a lot of effort to decorate it up nicely, after all.
Naomi settled Sapphira down in the crib and tiptoed out, hoping their little girl didn't wake up. Fortunately, there wasn't so much a peep from the baby.
"Your father didn't come to the ceremony," Joshua said when she settled down on the couch next to him.
A flash of pain went through Naomi's heart at that, but she shook her head. "I know. But I didn't expect him to. He's been living isolated from the pack since I defeated him and became Alpha. Maybe one
day I'll forgive him for the way he raised me, but I don't think I'll ever forgive him for the way he treated my sisters just as badly… speaking of them, they want to take bears as their mates, too."
Joshua nodded. "I know. But let's not talk work right now. I want you to open your Christmas present."
Naomi straightened, her eyes growing brighter. "That sounds good to me!"
Joshua grinned at her. He went to the tree and retrieved the box he had placed there several days ago. Naomi savored the moment, stroking the edges of the box lovingly before she unwrapped it. Inside was a pile of papers. Naomi frowned.
"What are these?"
"Sapphira's adoption papers. I spoke with some of the Wolves and found out that her biological parents actually died, and that was one of the reasons she was left in the woods. So I went to my human contacts, and... She's ours. Legally."
Naomi squealed in delight. She threw herself at Joshua, kissing him passionately. She could feel her effects right away and had to hold off a giggle. He was an eager boy this morning. Well, he'd just have to wait. She had her own plans for today, after all. When she pulled back, he groaned.
"Naomi, I know that you didn't have the opportunity to get me a present, what with you taking over responsibilities for your pack, but I have an idea of what you can give me instead."
She shook her head as he went to kiss her again. "I do have a present for you."
"You do?"
"Yes." Naomi detangled herself from his grasp. "But I have to go to the bathroom before I give it to you."
She desperately held in giggles as she ran to the bathroom. There, she stripped off all her clothes and retrieved the extra-wide ribbons that she had had her sisters buy for her. Anne and Heather thought it was for wrapping a present–which it was, in a way.
Naomi circled her hips with the ribbon, just barely covering herself before she wound it up over her stomach and covered her breasts. She finished it off with a bow, then checked out her image in the mirror. A bit hasty, a bit sloppy. But perfect all the same.
Her heart beat fast when she stepped out of the bathroom. Joshua turned. His jaw dropped Naomi brushed her hair back off her shoulder and walked over to him, careful not to dislodge her ribbon.
"So this is my present?" Joshua asked, eyes trailing over her.
"Yes. I didn't have time for real shopping like you said, but I thought—"
Joshua pressed a finger to her lips. He grinned. "Best Christmas ever."
He tugged the loose end of the bow before slowly unwrapping her. His hands coasted along her skin as he did, pupils darkening. Everywhere he touched, Naomi's skin tingled. She would never grow tired of the feel of her mate's hands on her, the look in his eyes as he gazed at her body. His tongue flicked out of his mouth, running along his lips.
Naomi couldn't help herself. She threw herself on her mate, kissing him hard, trying to catch his tongue. Joshua detangled the rest of the ribbon from her body and picked her up, her thighs parting to either side of his hips. Her core tightened. Fireworks began to pop in her brain.
"Couch?" Joshua panted, holding her with one arm while he slipped his fingers between their bodies.
"Too far," Naomi groaned. "Under the Christmas tree."
The couch was only a step further than the tree but Joshua didn't argue. Kissing her deeply once more, he walked to the tree and laid her down on the red velvet skirt. The heady scent of fir filled her nostrils as he continued to work her, making fire run up and down her legs before it pooled in her legs. His mouth moved to her breath, making something snap pleasantly deep inside her. Naomi arched herself to her lover and mate, helping him as he discarded his own clothing.
"So beautiful. So strong," Joshua murmured into her skin.
"Stop talking about yourself and start talking about me," Naomi joked.
Joshua redoubled his efforts, making her gasp. Somewhere in her own bursts and pools of fire, she managed to find him with her hand. They locked eyes as they pleasured one another. Joshua's face was set in determination, jaw locked, burning passion in his eyes. Sweat was already beading the edge of his blond hairline. Naomi grinned. She loved that after only a few weeks, she already knew her mate so well that she could give him exactly what he needed as he did the same for her.
It was soon difficult to keep herself still. Naomi rocked from side to side, grunting with the effort to stay with Joshua, to avoid spiraling into the ocean of her climax. From the strain on his face, he was feeling the same. He gripped her thighs, spreading them further, and entered. Tremors shook up Naomi's body. As her mate laid over her, she clung to him, digging her fingers into his back. He kissed her hard, swallowing her whimpers.
The rhythm he set was fast, desperate to bring them higher before they finished. Their hands roamed each other's bodies as though they had never felt anything before. Naomi's core was so tight it was almost painful. She flung her head back, writhing. His mouth dropped to her neck, sucking hard, and it sent her over the edge. Her hands clenched on her arms and her whole body tensed, bringing him with her.
Joshua kept moving desperately for several more moments before he gave up and went still. They lay there for a long time, panting. Naomi closed her eyes, savoring the sweet feeling of their bodies still joined together.
"Is it just me, or does that get better every time we do it?" Naomi asked, stretching lazily under her mate's body.
Joshua grunted, nuzzling her neck. "Eventually we're going to find a peak. I hope you're not disappointed when we do."
"Disappointed? No, I think we need to reach that peak soon. I don't think I'll survive if it gets better than that." Naomi laughed. "But maybe we can make this a tradition. Every year."
"I'd like that." Joshua chuckled and kissed her, but broke off with a groan when Sapphira started crying from the bedroom. "I'll see if I can get her back to sleep so we can continue in with Christmas celebrations."
Naomi sighed as Joshua rolled off her. He stood and tugged on his pants, but she wasn't sure her legs were strong enough to carry her just yet to follow. She stretched, smiling. A mate and a child, and Alpha of her pack. All within a month. It was overwhelming, how quickly it happened. But she wouldn't have it any other way.
"She's hungry," Joshua called from the bedroom. "Can you get her a bottle?"
"Sure." Naomi got to her feet as Joshua brought Sapphira out. She quickly made up a bottle before retrieving Joshua's shirt from the floor and pulled it over her head. As her mate began feeding their child, she grinned.
"What are you smiling about?"
She shook her head, unsure if she could explain herself properly.
"Tell me."
Her grin widened. "It's just that this is the best Christmas ever."
Joshua grinned back at her. "I agree. Here's looking at many more to come."
Naomi nodded. Yes, she was very much looking forward to what the future held in store for the two of them.
*****
THE END
Mated to the Dragon King
Description
A lost heir to the dragon throne PLUS a curvy witch who meets the man of her dreams PLUS a fight to win the kingdom!
Sullivan has been wandering the world alone for so long that he’s almost forgotten his dragon. Expelled from his land and forced to live among the humans, he tries to blend in. But when he meets Cynthia, all bets are off. No woman has ever made such an impression on him. His hormones are on high alert and his inner dragon is slowly waking up from its slumber.
Cynthia runs her plus-size boutique with confidence. All she needs to do is wave her wand to give her clients the perfect outfit. But her orderly little world is shaken to its core when she meets the new shop owner next door. Even through his tight, black sleeveless shirt, it’s obvious that he sports a chiseled midsection and maybe even one of those scandalous V’s that leads down to his crotch.
But pleasure and lust cannot hide the danger that Sullivan and his newly found mate are in. Sullivan is the heir to the dra
gon throne, which he can claim once he has found his mate and impregnated her. But Sullivan’s brother has his eyes set on Cynthia and the throne too. Sullivan knows one thing for sure. He’d fly across the Earth for her. And when it comes to that, he’s ready.
Chapter One
Cynthia whisked around her small boutique, making sure that everything was in its place. Even though Better with Size was tiny, it still seemed to carry everything a girl could ever want, from underwear to prom dresses, BWS had it all. It was Friday, and a new shipment of inventory had come in. Cynthia was just putting out the new, summer-style shoes when she heard the sound of the bell ringing, indicating the arrival of a customer.
Cynthia turned around and greeted the large, busty girl, who looked a little embarrassed to be walking into a plus-size store. “Hello. I’m looking for a prom dress…” Her voice was low and she kept looking out into the hallway as if the mall goers would judge her for being in there.
“Not a problem miss. I’m sure we can find you something to your liking in our selection. Are you here alone or do you have someone to help you?” Cynthia asked, wondering what this sweet, young girl was doing all by herself. “May I add that you have great skin?” She reached out, touching the girl’s arm, letting her fingertips run along the soft surface. “Do you use any foundation?”
“I don’t wear makeup…” the girl said meekly, batting her eyelashes.
“Oh? No? Really? I would’ve never guessed!” Cynthia said enthusiastically, a bright smile on her face. “Well, I wish I was that lucky.” The high school student looked up at the shop owner and shook her head.
“Are you kidding me?” the girl blurted out. “You’re gorgeous.” Her cheeks colored and she quickly looked down. Cynthia just smiled at her and took her hand, bringing her toward the back of the store, where there was a rack of dresses.