Shouts and yells went through the massive crowd. “Only once a female has been marked with a male’s scent can he be considered the victor, and even then, another male may still challenge.”
Thankfully, such challenges were rare. Working even more in his favor was the fact that he was a big motherfucker. His mother loved to tell the story of how he was not only the heaviest male born that year, but the heaviest one born that whole century. Only by a few grams, but he still outweighed Obsidian. Hence his name…Mountain. Let any male try to take his hard-won female and he would pulverize them. Mountain felt his chest vibrate as a low growl left him, eliciting another dirty look from the Fire king. This time directed at him. “You may not kill fellow dragons…you may only maim.” He narrowed his eyes.
Shale chuckled softly. “You do know he’s talking to you, right?”
Maim… Bring it the fuck on! Mountain would tear limbs off of anyone stupid enough to take him on. The male to his right took a step away. At least the fucker knew what was good for him. So far, he had never been able to win a female. This time would be different. He just knew it.
“Your goal is ultimately to claim your female, this will secure your opportunity at convincing her to mate with you.”
Claim.
Mountain had to bite back a groan. Hundreds of males squirmed and shuffled at the mere mention of claiming a female. The tension was palpable. The scent of testosterone grew sickening as each and every male in attendance pictured themselves between the soft thighs of a human female. It couldn’t be helped.
Claim.
Mountain longed for a human female. Like most males of his species, he was driven to procreate. They were base in many ways, most especially since their numbers were on the decline. It had sent their instincts into overdrive. Must hunt female. Must claim. Must mate. These mantras would be going through all of their heads right then. He glanced at Shale. Most of their heads at any rate. Shale seemed immune. The drive in him grew and grew with each passing day. Especially since hunts were limited nowadays.
The dragon slayers were fucking with them big time. Sending choppers into their territory, kidnapping humans and dragons left, right and center. Thankfully there had only been one casualty, but as a result, this was the first hunt in a long time. Hence the high emotions.
The high testosterone levels, on the other hand, were because the stag runs ‒ designed to blow off some steam ‒ hardly ever happened anymore either. This was due to all the extra patrols and added security measures. Extra security meant more work, less time for play. It had been close to eight months since Mountain had been with a female. All of them were feeling it. Even when they did get out, one night wasn’t very long. Mountain would sometimes head home in the morning feeling even lonelier then before he went.
A human female of his very own. Someone to warm his bed every night. To bear him young. To talk to. To hold. To cherish.
Yes!
Hell, yes!
“The biggest prize…it isn’t to win a female.” Blaze shook his head. “It isn’t even the claiming of the female… It will be when she allows you to mate her.” That was exactly what Mountain had been thinking.
A roar went through the crowd. This time, Mountain roared just as loudly as those around him. How could he not?
“Hold up!” The Fire king was smiling, which was rare. “It’s not as easy as you think. Although the females out there,” Blaze pointed to the mountains in the distance, “want to be here. Even though they want non-human mates, they still won’t be easy to win. Be yourself, but,” he seemed to be mulling it over, “you will also need to rein in some of your instincts. Humans are different in many ways. Not as forthcoming. Not as straight down the line. Far more reserved. They like polite males. See to their needs. Get to know them.”
“Now that part sounds good.” Shale shoulder-bashed him. “Don’t you think?” Many of the males around them spoke in this fashion.
“I’m not talking about rutting.” Blaze shook his head. “Human females want more than just compatibility.”
Mountain frowned. What else could they want?
“Yep,” Shale whispered. “They are hard work,” he muttered.
“And don’t think that they will be swayed by trinkets and gifts either.” Blaze shook his head, smiling broadly. Looking completely out of character.
Dragon females wanted attraction and compatibility. That was first and foremost. Secondly, they wanted a male who could provide for them and keep them safe. If a male ticked those boxes, she would generally allow mating and quite quickly as well. There was no long, drawn out courtship. When a male and female were ready, it just happened. Done!
Humans couldn’t be too different, could they? He had interacted with them on many occasions. Mountain looked down at himself. At first, they were intimidated by his sheer size and muscle mass. But it wouldn’t take long for them to warm to him. He had been called good-looking and impressive. He’d been told he had amazing eyes. To him, they were brown. Nothing much to write home about, but he’d had plenty of females tell him they were gorgeous. He’d been called sexy as well…so it must be true. He could tick that box ‒ at least, he hoped he could.
As far as ‘provide and protect’…no problem! Done and done! Tick and tick.
He had this. Mountain might be big, but he was fast and quiet as well. There was no way he was leaving today without a female. Not fucking happening. Also, he vowed to himself, there was no way he was letting his hard-won female leave. Mountain was going to convince her to mate him. He’d do it by any means possible. It was going to happen!
Blaze droned on for a few more minutes. Then the warning bell, to signal that the start of the hunt was near, was rung. He noticed how males moved away from him. They knew better than to get in his way. To get anywhere near him.
Shale was the only one in his immediate vicinity. What the male didn’t realize or seem to comprehend, was that as soon as that final bell was rung, they would be deemed equals. Since Shale was his biggest adversary, he was about to be taken out.
Shale said something but Mountain ignored him, hoping the male would take a hint. He felt every muscle rope and tense as he prepared to go into battle.
Three…two…one …the bell rang out. A shrill clanging that was barely audible over the sudden growls and grunts. Males elbowed one another. Others took off at a sprint. Many more fell from blows, or after being tripped.
Shale tried to run but Mountain raised a fisted hand, aiming at the male’s face. Just like that… Crack! Shale went down like a boulder, landing with a hard thud. Mountain almost felt bad. Almost!
As it was, he had no time. Mountain roared as he took off at a run, felling any he came within hitting distance of. Bones broke. Blood spewed. Mountain reveled in the violence, knowing what was to come.
A human female. Mine! He roared as he surged forward.
Chapter 3
Another large shadow blocked the sun for a moment or two. Erin held her breath, pressing herself against a tree. She stayed completely still. If she could do it, she’d stop her heart from beating, but then she’d be dead and that would defeat the whole purpose of her plan.
What was going on? How had she gotten this so wrong? Maybe it was all a misunderstanding.
Once all seemed clear, she pushed out a soft breath, looking down at her arm. Erin clutched at the bloody wound oozing just above her elbow. It was superficial but a real reminder of what could have happened. Thankfully she’d come fully prepared, or she’d be dead now. A pile of ash.
Erin continued to move, wincing as gravel crunched under her boots. She stood still for a few moments. Nothing stirred. Not even a bird chirped, or an insect scratched. Nothing. Dammit! This wasn’t good. Was one of them stalking her right then? She swallowed thickly, looking around her. Using all of her senses, trying to pick up something. Anything.
She was being silly, Erin finally decided before continuing, careful not to step on anything else. Dragons had fantastic senses
, best she take every precaution.
She hesitated mid-step as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Her skin crawled. Adrenaline surged. Everything in her told her to run. There was someone behind her. Someone watching. She willed herself to calm down. She was just on edge, that was all. There was no one there. In a few seconds, she’d feel silly. Both relieved and silly and in equal measure. Erin slowly turned to the side, scanning through the thick undergrowth. Her heart slowed just a smidgen when she saw nothing. When, once again, she heard nothing.
“Is somebody there?” Her voice came out sounding shrill and nervous. Then she turned around completely. Searching through the undergrowth…searching… Erin sucked in a breath as her eyes landed on him. He was huge, with eyes that bored straight through her. She watched as his muscles hardened up, which was something, since they were enormous to begin with.
Her mouth dropped open as she noticed the silver marking on his massive chest. Shit! Holy freaking shit balls! It was one of them. In the flesh.
His eyes narrowed in on hers. So, this is how prey felt. Surely this was when her life should flash before her eyes. There was no time for that though. Within three seconds flat, he had her hands pinned above her head against a large tree. How had he moved so quickly? “You’re that slayer,” he snarled. “You’re wanted by the dragon shifters. I’m taking you in.” His voice was deep and had a gravelly edge. His jaw was clenched tight. His eyes blazed.
Then Erin realized what he had just said and frowned. “No, I’m not. You have it all wrong.” It was hard to breathe under his scrutiny. He stared daggers at her. His muscles were even bigger up close. Trying to break free would be futile, so she forced herself to stay calm. To stay completely still.
“Nope, you’re her…that female…Alex Bell. I saw your picture, and now, I’m—”
“No, I’m not…” she said forcefully and then looked up at her hands, the ones he was still holding tightly. Shit! She was in trouble. He didn’t look happy. What the hell was going on? Was this shifter going to try to kill her as well? It seemed she had this whole thing all wrong. There was no other explanation. She needed to prove to this hunk of muscle exactly who she was, or she was in trouble. That much was clear. “Look, I don’t have the tattoo. I’m not a slayer. If I was, I would be marked. Alex Bell is marked. I never got that far in my training. I left…I ran away, so no tattoo.”
He laughed. “Please, you expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t expect you to believe anything…take a look.” She gestured to her hands. “See for yourself.”
His eyes stayed firmly on hers for a long while. His frown deepening. Erin forced herself to stay still. Not to say anything more. It was up to him. Surely, they would know about the tattoo. They seemed to know a lot about Alex.
Still clasping her wrists, Mountain finally took down her hands and inspected them, front side, underside…left arm and then right. Nothing. She could see his mind working. Could see the shock. He rubbed his thumbs over the surface where the tattoo should be. He looked up at her before rubbing slightly harder. Like he was trying to rub off some concealer. Yeah! Good luck with that!
“See. I’m not her. I’m not Alex Bell. In fact, I’m here to see her. I’m trying to find her.”
“Bullshit! You look just like her,” he growled. “You have to be her. There is no other explanation.” He shook his head, frowning hard.
“Yes, there is, I’m her identical twin sister. My name is Page.” It felt weird saying her given name after all these years. Weird but good. “My name is Page,” she repeated, feeling something ease inside her.
Page.
Page.
Page.
Not Erin.
Page!
She felt almost cleansed. It felt good.
“What?” he growled, drawing her back to the here and the now. “No,” he shook his head, “you’re just trying to fuck with me.”
God! This guy was slow. “I’m not trying to mess with you. Why would I do that?”
“To save your ass.” His hands tightened around hers.
“Wait a minute.” She shook her head, frowning. “I thought Alex was here on dragon territory, that…”
“Why would we have a slayer here?” He sucked in a breath. “Unless you thought we had captured her. Are you here to attempt a rescue?”
“So,” she paused, “you do believe I’m not Alex then?” She raised her brows. That was something. It didn’t seem like they had Alex though. Where was her sister? What was going on?
“I’m not sure what I believe.” He finally let her hands go and she rubbed them to try to get the blood flow back in her hands.
“It was my understanding that Alex was with a shifter ‒ that the two of them are together.”
He snorted out a laugh that held no humor. “Okay now that’s a load of BS if I ever heard it!” the dragon snapped, his eyes blazing.
“It’s true. Alex must have finally realized what our father was all about. She escaped with a shifter. Killed one of the founding house sons to do it too… Good for her.” She spoke more to herself than to the dragon. Her sister’s ex, Harry, was a dick. A sadistic asshole devoid of a heart. No one deserved to die but he came close.
Leaving Alex all those years ago had been one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do. Her sister had been so under the influence of her father and Harry, convincing her would have been impossible. So, she’d left without her twin. Left without so much as a backward glance. She regretted it at times. Today, was one of those days. “Where are you, Alex?” she muttered, looking up through the gaps in the canopy at the shards of blue sky.
“I think you have it all wrong. You’re talking about Beck who was captured and later escaped. He is here on dragon territory. Alex Bell is still number one on our wanted list. He never mentioned anything about a relationship with the slayer. He would never…” The shifter made a face of disgust.
“They escaped together,” she insisted. “I have it on good authority that my sister left the organization. I assumed they would come here…together. Whether as friends or more I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I gave it some time…a cool-off period. I thought by now she would have convinced your kind that she is not a threat.” She knew Alex. There was no way her sister would have fallen in line with their father’s evil plans once she knew about them. A person couldn’t change their fundamental roots and Alex was a good person. “I thought I would find her here.” She had been so sure.
“Not a threat? Are you out of your mind? Beck did come back…alone. There is nothing between the slayer and him. He wouldn’t go down that road. Would never betray his people like that.”
“I don’t understand!” she muttered. “I trust my source implicitly. She maintained that Alex was still in the dark about the organization up until recently. I know they definitely escaped together as a team. They had been intimate, so I assumed—”
“My kings would never accept a slayer!” His voice was a deep rasp. “I need to take you in for questioning.” His stance was hard. His eyes piercing.
Page pushed out a breath. “Fine! Take me in.” She said it like she actually had a choice in the matter, which she clearly didn’t. “Hopefully someone will have more information for me. I’m desperate to see Alex. Our father has eyes everywhere…they’re searching for her. I hope she’s changed her identity. It seems she’s on more than one Most Wanted list.” By the way that dragon had blasted her helicopter out of the sky earlier, it was kill now, ask questions later. Despite the two-day refresher, she was rusty as hell at flying.
Without thinking about it, she looked down at her arm. Her sister was in grave danger. She burned with the need to help Alex, to see her sister again. Although, she wasn’t sure how that was going to be possible. Not now. Page had a feeling she was going to have a hard time convincing the dragons she was one of the good guys.
“Are you hurt?” His eyes filled with concern.
“I’m fine.”
“What happened?” He reached for her, but she pulled away. “It’s nothing. My arm caught on a branch as I came down.”
“Came down from where?” He frowned.
He really was clueless. He obviously wasn’t part of the search party currently looking for her. “One of your kind attacked me. Great big dragon came out of nowhere and blew a fireball my way. My chopper went down. I’m not sure how I made it out alive.” She groaned. “It was a rental. I’m going to be paying for the rest of my life for it.” She should never have paid extra to have her pilot license added to her new identity. “I knew this was a bad idea.”
“He must have thought you were the slayer…Alex Bell.” He held up a hand. “Just for the record, I’m not convinced you’re not her.”
Page wanted to roll her eyes but held back. She thought about mentioning her glasses but was worried he would say they were fake, which they actually were. If he caught her out, he wouldn’t trust her, and she needed to convince him. “My hair is longer.” She finally blurted, touching the tip of her blonde ponytail. “Let me show you.” She pulled out the elastic band holding her thick mane in place, allowing her hair to tumble down her back. Page even turned, giving him a better view. “My sister’s hair is styled, it comes to her shoulder blades. My hair is much longer…almost down to my butt.” She was actually way overdue a visit to the hairdresser.
“I see that.” His voice was deep and resonating. He didn’t sound convinced though. “You are welcome to check it out. Go on,” she looked back over her shoulder, “give it a tug. Put your fingers through the strands. I’m not wearing hair extensions…it’s real.”
“Hair extensions?” He sounded confused. “What are hair extensions?” He let his fingers trail through her hair, from her roots down. Goosebumps lifted on her arms. She ignored her body’s reaction. It had been a while since she had been touched in any way.
Dragon Guard: Earth Dragons Series: Book 1 Page 2