The Dragon's Charm

by Emilia Hartley

  Pulling into the mechanics, Tom got out of the car and stretched. His muscles needed movement, his whole body needed a run. Looking about, Tom couldn’t see anyone and, sniffing the air, couldn’t smell anyone either. Stretching again, he let his muscles lengthen, his bones extend until he was standing on his hind legs, fully bear.

  Dropping to the ground, Tom let out a long, low roar, knowing that Nick would hear it. It was a roar of frustration, and it felt good to let the bear growl. Lengthening his stride, Tom crashed into the forest, enjoying every moment.

  Nick froze, his ears almost pricking up as he heard a roar. It was Tom's roar, he'd recognized it immediately.

  “Is everything okay?” Jo glanced up, seeing Nick standing still with a strange look on his face. “Nick?” When he didn’t respond, she walked over to him, lightly touching his bare arm.

  Nick sprang to life immediately, turning around to face her. His lips were pulled back into a feral snarl, his eyebrows pulled together so tightly, he looked like a wild animal. Jumping back in fright, Jo stared at him in surprise. “Nick,” she said, finally. “Is everything okay? You look….strange.”

  The bear wasn't going to go to sleep this time. Tom was calling for him, telling him to come out and meet him and Nick couldn't refuse. The bear was almost being driven from his body, his brother's roars forcing him to tense, ready for the change. His throat rattled, his lip slowly curling. "I need to go," he said, through clenched teeth. "I can hear a bear. I won't be long."

  “But Nick –”

  He didn’t even wait for her to finish, stomping to the door and throwing it open so hard that it rattled on its hinges.

  “Just be careful,” she whispered.

  Nick caught his brother's scent even before he changed, his anger practically ripping the bear from his skin. He’d barely had time to take his clothes off and drop them by the cabin. Snarling, he ran into the woods, following his nose until he found his brother.

  What are you doing?

  Tom snorted, his breath frosting in the cold.

  Showing you it’s dangerous.

  Nick snarled, rattling his teeth. You don’t need to.

  Yes, I do.

  No, Nick growled, moving closer. You don’t.

  They were going to fight. They always did. It was their way of working things out when words just wouldn't do. His teeth snapped together, just as Tom charged.

  What seemed like an hour later, both Nick and Tom were left exhausted, sweat streaming from their bodies. Neither of them were satisfied, but they couldn't take any more. There had been no blood drawn, but Nick could tell that he would have plenty of bruises to show for it.

  Are you going back?

  Nick turned around and made his way back out through the trees, ignoring his brother.

  I’ve warned you, Nick!

  Leave me alone. Walking into the gloom, Nick turned his back on Tom and walked back towards the cabin – and to Jo.

  Tom snorted, pain tearing through him as he changed back into his human skin. Nick hadn’t listened, despite the beating he’d taken, and there was nothing more Tom could do. Mating with a human was both dangerous and stupid, but Nick was determined to be with her anyway. Walking back towards his car, Tom pulled out the parcel from the trunk and walked into the office.

  He needed food. Yes, he could have gone hunting but that would just have taken more time and he needed to get on with Jo’s car. Wondering what he had left in the refrigerator, Tom stopped and sniffed.

  There was a smell of food, as well as of Nick and Jo. Flicking on the lights, he walked to the back room, stopped by the note on the desk. Frowning, he picked it up.

  Tom, it read. We came by but you weren’t around so I picked up takeout for you anyway. Chow Mein. It’s beside the refrigerator. Hope you’re hungry! Jo.

  Dropping his head, Tom was racked with guilt about what he’d done and what he was going to do. Jo was both kind and generous, and if she’d been a shifter, he wouldn’t be worried about his brother at all. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, as though she could hear him. “This isn’t personal.” Picking up the food, he walked back to the office and sat down to eat it. Then he’d get to work on her car.

  CHAPTER 14

  Jo paced up and down the cabin, hoping Nick was okay. He’d looked pretty awful before he’d left. Maybe he just really hated bears. His food sat on the table, getting colder by the minute while she’d eaten hers waiting for him to come back. She’d hoped this night might be special for the two of them, but not if he kept on running out like this!

  The door swung open, and Nick walked in looking completely exhausted.

  “Oh my goodness,” Jo exclaimed, running over to him. “Are you okay?”

  “Can you lock the door?” he asked, his chest heaving as he staggered to the sofa.

  Jo nodded, throwing him a concerned look before shutting the door and bolting it tightly.

  “Is everything else locked?”

  Remembering that she’d opened a couple of windows earlier in the day, Jo quickly checked that they were all locked before sitting down next to him. “Are you okay?” she asked again.

  “I’m fine,” he replied, his eyes already closing as he leaned his head back against the top of the sofa, slumping into the cushions. “Just tired.”

  “Did you manage to get rid of them?”

  “Who?”

  She paused. “I thought you heard the bears coming back?”

  “Oh, yeah. I did.”

  “Did you chase them away or something?” Jo’s eyes were focused on the way his muscular chest was still heaving, sweat making the material cling to his body.

  "Yeah." Pushing himself up from the sofa, he shook his head at the state he was in. "Think I'm going to take a shower." He didn't say anything else, turning around and heading up the stairs without a backward glance.

  Storming up the stairs to the shower, Nick balled his hands into fists and blew out an angry breath. Tom had really riled him, but the bear was tired now, all the fight gone out of him. Throwing off his t-shirt and jeans, he stepped into the hot water, closing the glass door behind him.

  Jo let out a long breath, a wave of want washing over her. She wanted to go with him, wanted to follow him into the water, just to see what he’d do. She’d promised that nothing had to happen between them, but the way he’d been acting towards her made her hopeful. He wanted her, she knew it.

  Throwing herself back on the sofa, Jo leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling, trying not to let the pulsing excitement she felt get any stronger. She could hear the sound of the water running, hear him mutter to himself – and she made a decision. Nick had been the one to tell her that she needed to make changes in her life. He’d said something about her needing to take risks and he was going to be one of the risks she would take. If he rejected her then yes, that would make things completely awkward for the both of them, but she wasn’t going to think about that. Slowly climbing the stairs, Jo stood at the door to the bathroom, taking in a few deep breaths.

  The metal handle sizzled under her hand, her palm sweaty as she turned it and walked in.

  “Jo?” Nick barked, his eyes wide as he tried to cover himself. “What are you doing in here?”

  Not even stopping to take anything except her jeans off, Jo stepped inside the shower, looking up at him. “Joining you.”

  He swallowed, his hands still firmly covering himself. “You can’t be here, Jo.” The bear is still quiet, he realized, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  "I'll leave if you want me to," she murmured, looking up at him. "Do you want me to, Nick?" Pressing herself fully against him, she waited until his hands slid around her waist, before quirking an eyebrow. "It feels like you want me to stay."

  Nick groaned, unable to help himself as he kissed her, hard. His chest was heaving, every muscle outlined by the water that trickled over them both. Pushing her head to the side, he let his mouth trail fiery kisses down her neck, along her collarbone a
nd back up the other side until he reached her ear.

  A soft noise escaped from her throat as she let her fingers explore every part of him, running gently down his back and back up his chest again. “Aren’t you going to help me take these off?” she whispered, blinking back the water in her eyes.

  “I have a better idea,” he growled, pushing her back into the stream of water. The hot water soaked through Jo’s cami, clinging to her every curve. He stood there for a few moments, just watching her, a low growl whispering from his throat. For once, Nick felt more in control of his bear. His need for Jo was pushing him to take her while the bear was tired, while it was safe. “Turn around,” he ordered, gruffly, watching her with dark eyes. The moment she did, he pressed his body back against hers and ran his lips back down the side of her neck while his fingers tore at her underwear. The sound of ripping material, plus her gasp of surprise, made him grin but he didn’t move away. There were times when being strong had its advantages.

  Jo tried to turn to face him, but he grabbed her hips and held her fast, his muscles tightening. “Just wait,” he whispered in her ear, letting his hands move higher until he cupped her breasts through her soaked cami. Unable to help herself, Jo leaned her head back onto his shoulder, pressing her lips to his neck.

  She loved the feeling of him behind her, his arousal pressed against her. Reaching around, she heard him give a shuddering breath, tilting his head back to the ceiling as though finally giving in.

  Turning to face him, Jo deliberately pressed her breasts up against him, reaching up to kiss him again, sliding her tongue into his mouth. He tensed, grabbing her arms and pinning them high above her head as he pushed her back against the shower wall, his kiss hard and fierce. Her breath seemed to vanish, her body beginning to tremble as he ran his hands all over her and rolled his hips against her so she had no doubt how much he wanted her.

  “Please, Nick,” she moaned, grabbing his face between her hands. “Promise me you won’t leave this time. I can’t take it.”

  He didn’t answer, giving her a wicked smile before turning her around and pushing himself into her. No, he wasn’t going anywhere this time. He couldn’t.

  Jo let out a long, languid moan as he filled her. Nick let out a long breath, barely moving for a moment. He had to make sure the bear stayed relaxed, struggling against the urge to move.

  “What are you waiting for, Nick?” she groaned, rocking back against him.

  Nick bit his lip, not able to explain. “I just wanted to make sure you were ready.”

  She leaned back, lifting her arms to wrap around his neck so that he could easily reach her breasts. “Does it look like I’m ready?” she whispered, pressing her lips to his neck.

  He couldn’t help the growl that filled his chest, letting it out slowly as he began to move. Warmth pooled in Jo’s stomach, spreading down between her legs. Closing her eyes, she focused on the slowly growing pleasure building between them, moaning as his hand moved to caress her breast. Biting kisses were pressed along her neck, as she rolled her head to one side.

  “Kiss me, Nick,” she whispered, opening her eyes to look at him.

  Angling his head, Nick pressed her lips to his, licking her top lip lightly. He was teasing her, relaxing as the bear stayed quiet. Jo moaned against his mouth, begging him for more. One hand scrunched into her hair as he gently pulled her head back, dipping his tongue into her mouth this time.

  Jo could feel her release drawing closer, pressing her bottom against him a little more firmly. Nick’s lips drew back, pushing her shoulders until she leaned a little further forward. Thrusting harder, he waited for her to find her release. Jo panted, her orgasm inching closer as he continued to push into her, one hand sliding around her hips to find her clit.

  With a single touch of his fingers, Jo exploded around him, her entire body pulsing as she moaned loudly. Her eyes squeezed shut, as she gasped for air. She’s had sex before, but never has it felt this good, there was something about his touch that made her crumble. Nick moved slower now, letting her enjoy the moment, waiting for her to be ready to accept him again.

  When Jo finally opened her eyes, she leaned back and lifted a hand to Nick’s face. “Don’t stop now,” she whispered. “You can let go, Nick.”

  He needed no encouragement. Long, smooth strokes filled her again, beginning to get faster and faster as Nick drew closer to his own release. His lips nipped at her neck, before he arched his head back, his teeth bared as he finally gave in, pulling himself from her at the last moment. Tugging her bodily against him, he let out a loud snarl, pressing his mouth to her ear, her hair, her neck, taking in her scent. “You’re so beautiful, Jo,” he whispered, as she turned to face him.

  Her only response was to kiss him again, her lips almost frantic. Once hadn’t been enough for her and Nick couldn’t help but respond.

  Jo couldn’t get enough of him, rolling over onto his side of the bed and giving him a slow smile. “Have I tired you out yet?” They’d moved from the shower to the bed and that had been hours ago. She had no idea what time it was now.

  He grinned up at her, his eyes burning with dark flames. “I was tired already.”

  “You didn’t seem tired to me.” Running her hand down his body, she grinned as he caught her hand, kissing her palm before letting it go.

  “Fine,” he yawned, pulling the blanket up to his waist before lying back down. “I’ll admit that I’m exhausted.” On top of that, the bear was beginning to growl again, and if he took Jo now, he wasn’t sure that he could stop himself from changing. Their time together had been wonderful, but he’d have to satisfy himself with that. He couldn’t risk having her again now. Not unless he wanted another fight with Tom first.

  Jo yawned too, feeling completely satisfied. Finally, they'd both gotten what they'd been looking for, although now she was faced with a different problem: leaving. Being with Nick had only made her realize that she didn't want to go back to her old life. She didn't want to just up and leave, making him just another memory that she might look back on one day. He was more important to her than that. "What am I going to do about you?" she mumbled, resting her head on his shoulder and draping her arm across his chest. Within a few minutes, she was asleep.

  Nick eased himself out of bed and padded from the room, walking down the stairs and into the kitchen without turning on a single light. He needed something to eat. It was late, but he was hungry having exerted himself by fighting Tom and then with Jo soon after. Wondering if he had enough energy to go out and hunt, he spotted his cold Chinese sitting on the table. Putting into the microwave to warm up, Nick pulled out some cutlery and a glass. He didn't mind eating alone, in the middle of the night. Both he and Tom were used to it since it was easiest to change when the rest of the world was asleep. Less chance of being spotted that way too.

  Stuffing a forkful of food into his mouth, Nick sat back with a sigh of pleasure. The fact that Jo was upstairs asleep made him smile, happy that he could crawl back into bed with her. The bear was quiet now, the constant desire for Jo finally being satisfied. How long it would last, he didn’t know, but Nick knew he couldn’t risk being with her again, not now. His fight with Tom had practically exhausted him and that was the only reason he’d felt safe enough to be with Jo. She’d shocked him, walking into the shower that way, but looking back, he quite liked her boldness. See, I told you, Tom, he thought to himself. I can be with her and not hurt her!

  “Even if that was only because you fought Tom so much that the bear had no strength left,” he muttered aloud, spearing another piece of chicken. If the bear had been awake and roaring, Jo could have been in real danger.

  She'd certainly made a mark on his life. Remembering what the Northern Wind pack had said made Nick frown. They'd called her his mate. Was that what she was? The bear had gone into a peaceful state since he'd been with her, which wasn't something he'd felt before. Was it because he'd connected with the one he was meant to be with?

  Shaking
his head, Nick concentrated on eating the rest of his food. Shifters didn’t mate with humans, so the chances of Jo being his mate was practically zero. She would just have to be someone he remembered from time to time, perhaps the only human he would ever be with. Clearing his dishes to the sink, Nick tried not to feel the swift stab of pain that came with that thought. He didn’t want Jo to just be a passer-by in his life, he wanted her here. With him. She’s your mate.

  “She can’t be,” he growled, slamming the refrigerator door shut. “She’s human.” Jo couldn’t give him the cubs he would need to carry on the family line. As the eldest, it was his responsibility. He’d never really thought about it before, guessing he’d find his mate later on in life, but Jo had changed all of that the moment she’d walked through the door.

  A light flicked on upstairs. “Nick?”

  “What’s wrong?” Walking across the kitchen and up the stairs, Nick saw Jo standing in the hallway, waiting for him.

  She pressed a hand to his cheek. “Is everything alright? I woke up and you were gone.”

  “I just went down to get something to eat,” he said, softly, slipping an arm around her waist. “I didn’t manage to eat my Chinese, remember?”

  “Oh.” She frowned. “You walked all the way downstairs, made food, and came back up – all without putting on the light?”

  His stomach knotted. “I didn’t want to wake you.”