TEMPEST
Fuck dragon boy! I have to get out of here and away from this infuriating dragon. Corbin may be afraid of this big bully but I’m not, and I refuse to spend one more minute with this arrogant son of a bitch. And I do mean that literally! Once he revealed his mother’s name, I know immediately who he is… a member of the infamous Draglen family. Every supernatural being on Earth knows who they are.
I stomp out of the coffee shop and storm across the street. I race past my two guards toward the forest but I feel them following me.
“I know to report to Corbin. Stop following me,” I snap.
Corbin ordered them to protect me and I know they’re only trying to do their jobs but I’m so furious right now. I pick up my pace. I just want to get back home and forget any of this ever happened. Without conscious thought, I remove my clothing and shift into my white wolf form.
My beast senses my turmoil and needs to run. She’s as upset as I am about this whole thing. How dare Corbin make me meet with this exasperating dragon. Domlen was just so invasive, so blunt and way too personal. How did he even know about my dreams? How dare he talk to me like that! I don’t know who I’m angrier with… Corbin, the stupid dragon boy, or myself for being so attracted to him, although he is hot. And the vision he somehow placed in my mind of the two of us having sex made me horny as hell. I feel like my own body has betrayed me.
I’ve lost track of time and have no idea how long I’ve been running. I slow down and glance around at my surroundings. I have no clue where I am. In my anger, I’ve run too far, which can be very dangerous in my wolf form. It’s reckless, stupid, and certainly not safe. Where I live in Michigan, it’s not legal to kill a wolf, but that doesn’t stop the hunters from doing it when they think they can get away with it. I quickly turn around and follow my tracks back toward town, my home, and my pack.
A sense of relief washes over me once I’m back on our land, but that feeling is short lived when I realize I’ve defied my Alpha. My instructions were to report back to him immediately after the meeting with dragon boy. I’m sure Corbin is already waiting for me but I need a shower and some fresh clothes. Hopefully, a few more minutes won’t make the situation worse.
After a quick shower, I slip on a pair of shorts and t-shirt, then leave my house and head out. As soon as I near our pack community center, I hear Corbin yelling at the two guards I ditched. Shit! He’s mad and already on the war path.
I yank open the door to our meeting hall and see a crowd gathered inside. The Alpha, Beta, plus the entire Council are all waiting. Oh god, I really messed up this time. I lost the two guards about an hour into my run and Corbin knows I broke the rules.
“Look who has decided to grace us with her presence,” Sam remarks with a smirk. Sam is Corbin’s Beta and right hand man. He’s cute although I’d never tell him that. He’s also damn irritating at times.
“I’m sorry, but he made me so angry and I needed a run to calm my wolf,” I reply.
“Run? From whom? Us? You disrespect your Alpha and run from your pack? Tell me what we did to make you so angry that you needed to run… and, I might add, keep running until you were no longer on pack land?” Sam asks angrily.
I turn to see the Alpha glaring at me. Shit! If looks could kill, I’d be road kill.
“No, I…I…I’m sorry, Corbin,” I stutter out.
Corbin looks away and gives Sam a nod to back off, then walks over to stand directly in front of me.
“Tempest, what did the dragon say that made you so upset? I need to know so I can protect you,” Corbin demands.
“Do you know who he is, Corbin?”
“Of course, I know. He’s a dragon,” Corbin replies.
“No, Corbin. Do you know who he really is?” I ask.
He looks at me questioningly, shaking his head. “I just knew he was a dragon threatening my pack and he swore he would not harm you. Who is he, Tempest?”
“His name is Domlen and he’s a Draglen dragon. And he told me to give you his apology with a message. He said we need more time together.” My eyes begin to burn as tears well up in my eyes. I desperately try to hold them back. I will not cry! I refuse to let them see me cry! Damn, I’m crying!
“A Draglen? What the fuck? Every supernatural being on Earth has heard of the Draglens. Those fuckers are vicious. They think they own everyone and everything. Did he hurt you? I never would have allowed you to go had I known he was a Draglen. You have to believe me, Tempest.”
“I believe you, Corbin, and I understand. There was nothing else you could have done. You have to protect the pack.”
“But what did he want, Tempest, and why the fuck does he need more time with you? That lying son of bitch! He said he just wanted to talk and then he would leave. I want to kill him!” Corbin growls outs. He raises both hands and spears his fingers through his hair, then turns to look at Sam and back at me.
All the other wolves are watching as Corbin starts to pace. I can’t stop the tears now streaming freely down my cheeks. This is so not good.
“It’s okay, Corbin. He didn’t hurt me…not really,” I reply hoarsely.
“We will protect you, Tempest. I’m going to find out what this dragon asshole wants with you. But beginning immediately, unless you have my direct permission, you are not to leave this compound. Are we clear?”
“Yes, I don’t plan on leaving, but I believe I already know what he wants,” I confess hesitantly.
Corbin glares at me, waiting for me to explain. My first thought is to just blurt it out and tell Corbin the dragon wants to fuck me, but I know I must choose my words carefully. My pack can never know how attracted I was to the dragon. They will see it as a betrayal. They hate dragons… I mean, we hate dragons, especially Draglen dragons.
“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think he wants to have sex with me. He said his mother had some kind of vision in which she saw the two of us together.”
“Shit! His mother is Queen Nala and that bitch is legendary for her evil ways,” Sam interjects, shaking his head.
Corbin looks at me and for the first time in years, he reaches out and pulls me to his side for a hug, just like he did when we were kids. Corbin is more than my Alpha; we’re family. He’s my first cousin which is probably why I get away with more than anyone else in the pack.
“Temp, please don’t worry about any of this. I’ll die before I let him take you. As a member of my pack, you are my responsibility. But you know it’s more than that, you’re my blood and I will always protect my family. Fuck that dragon! We will not bow down to him!” he bellows.
The entire room erupts in howls. I can’t help but smile but not for the reason they think. I must guard my secret. They can never know, but I wonder how they would feel if they knew how aroused I became when Domlen sent the images into my mind of us having sex. Oh God! Stop thinking about it Tempest.
I don’t want to desire Domlen and I tried not to be attracted to him but my body refuses to listen to reason. It seems to have a mind of its own when it comes to him, but who in their right mind wouldn’t be attracted to a male like him, dragon or not. Come on, he’s so handsome, all that dark hair and eyes the color of the darkest chocolate swirling with flashes of red, and his lips are a work of art, so full and sensual. But oh my god, the muscles on that man would make any woman wet. Male wolves are tall and muscular but he’s bigger than any wolf I’ve ever seen.
Why on earth would Domlen want to have sex with someone like me? He could have anyone he wants and I’m sure he does. After all, who would say no to him? Exactly! No one but me.
I guess I look okay, but I’m not tall and athletically built like most female wolves. I’ve been told I have a pretty face but I’m short with lots of curves. I like to say I’m fluffy. Don’t you dare laugh! Fluffy is better than fat but I don’t really mind, at least not anymore. Well, maybe I do, a little, but I never let anyone know how insecure I feel. I guess that’s why I love to be in my animal form. My wolf is sleek and beautiful with thick white fur. At least, when I shift, I feel like everyone else.
I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but even I know Domlen Draglen is playing a very dangerous game, and it’s obvious, at least to me, he doesn’t play fair. I only wish I knew the game he’s playing and what he thinks he will win.
I can only stand here and listen as the council begins formulating a plan to keep me safe, one that involves me hiding, at least for a while. I can’t intervene. What would I even say? But still, I can’t stop myself from thinking about Domlen and what he could be planning. He has to know my Alpha would never just hand me over like a piece of meat, right?
After several hours, everyone decides it’s time to call it a night. I’m sure they’re tired. I know I am, plus Corbin’s mate keeps calling him. I think they’re trying to start a family.
I hurriedly make my way to my home. At least here, there are no prying eyes watching my every move. As I get ready for bed, I replay the scene at the diner over and over in my head. What could I have said differently to make Domlen leave me alone?
I lie down and try to clear my thoughts. I close my eyes and suddenly, a vision of Domlen between my legs, eating my pussy, floods my mind.
“Shit!” I yell into the darkness while I try to calm my racing heart. “Leave me alone, you sick freak!”
I look around the room but see no one and nothing appears out of place. I close my eyes and try to sleep again but another vision explodes into my mind, this one is of me naked, blindfolded and tied to a bed. OH MY GOD!
“LEAVE ME ALONE!” I scream.
I’m so angry… and so aroused. My wolf is pacing in my head. Panting loudly, I take several deep breaths and try to calm my beast. My body finally begins to relax and cool down. There’s no denying it, even my wolf wants to have sex with Domlen. I lie back down, close my eyes and curl into a fetal position. Sleep finally claims me, but not without seeing Domlen staring at me from my dreams.
It’s a very long night!
***
The next morning, I’m awakened by the sound of voices. I blink and try to force open my eyes. I look at the clock on my nightstand. Damn! I overslept. I’d planned to get an earlier start on my day but dreams of a certain dragon kept me busy all night and now I feel like crap. What the heck is going on? Why are there people in my house and why do I smell food?
Jumping out of bed, I grab a robe and race to my small kitchen. I’m surprised to see my mother cooking breakfast, a very big breakfast which means more people. I look through the doorway into my even smaller living room and see it filled with my family, my blood family who are not part of Corbin’s pack. That could only mean one thing. Corbin must have called them after our meeting. We’re not in the same pack so why did he call them? If Corbin has contacted my brothers, he must have something planned. Shit! This can’t be good.
“Hey, Temp, it’s about time you got up. Come tell your big brothers about this dragon that’s giving you a hard time,” my brother Lanny says.
I still can’t believe they’re here. Corbin had no right to call them. I’m in the Night Pride Pack for a reason. I don’t get along with my family, especially my brother Lanny who is the Alpha of my old pack. He tried to force me into an arranged mating. My other brothers, Kane and Reynold, are just as annoying as Lanny, always trying to tell me what to do. I left home to get away from my family and I don’t want them here now.
“Temp, are you ok? What’s wrong? You’re not saying anything. I need to know everything about this dragon,” Lanny says again. I feel him trying to inflect more power into his voice but that crap won’t work on me anymore. He’s no longer my Alpha and it makes me angry at him for trying to pull that shit on me.
“All I know is he said his mother saw the two of us together in a vision,” I say, agitatedly. I know Lanny is trying to help but just saying the words pisses me off all over again.
“What do you mean together? Like mated? Why would a Draglen dragon want you?” he asks snidely.
“What’s wrong with me? Are you insinuating I’m not good enough for a dragon, Lanny?” I demand. I can’t believe he said that.
“No, Temp, you know that’s not what I meant. Why would he want a wolf? You know the dragons all think they’re better than we are.”
“Well, he didn’t say anything about mating but I think he meant sexually,” I answer, looking down at the floor. I don’t want to see the judgment on their faces.
“That bastard! Well, he can’t have you! We’ll protect you, Temp. Don’t you worry about a thing,” Kane interjects quickly.
“That’s right, Temp. We’re here now and we won’t let anything happen to you,” Reynold chimes in.
I look around the room and see their bags everywhere. They’ve taken over my home. I feel the walls closing in on me.
I take a deep calming breath and try to concentrate on my mom humming in the kitchen. I love my mom so much. There’s no sign of my dad, thank heavens. I’m sure he’s not pleased about this. Knowing him, I’m sure he’ll try to find a way to blame me or my uncle, who is Corbin’s dad. He was my Alpha until his recent retirement but he still advises Corbin. My dad probably thinks none of this would be happening had I not left home, and against his wishes, I might add. But I don’t think it would have mattered. Domlen didn’t come right out and admit it, but from what little he did say, I think he’s been searching for me.
I can’t bring myself to say anything else. I don’t even know what to say, so I just nod at my three brothers and walk back into the kitchen.
Standing there watching my mom as she prepares our breakfast brings back memories. She always could find the bright side of anything when we were younger. Even when I left home, she tried to reassure me and to this day, I still remember her words as she tried to console me, “My sweet baby girl, please don’t despair. This may turn in your favor. Things have a way of working out for the best, even if we don’t realize it at the time. You never know; you may meet the man of your dreams.” Little did she know at the time, I would meet him. Unfortunately, the man in my dreams is a dragon who wants to eat out my hoo-hah. If she had any idea what Domlen wanted to do to me, she would probably wish she’d never said it. Shit, I feel like I’m about to cry again. I try to shake it off and swallow back my tears.
“Mom, what’s with all this food?”
“I’m making your favorite, Tempest, sausage, French toast, and hash browns with cheese. A mother can cook for her daughter, can’t she? Besides, it’s been an entire year since I saw you last, so just humor me,” she says, finally turning around to look at me.
Her eyes are red and I can tell she’s been crying. I rush to her side and wrap my arms around her. I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, but this is not how I envisioned a visit.
“Mom, please don’t cry and don’t worry. I know everything will work out,” I say, wiping the fresh tears from her cheeks.
“No matter how much I wish to spare you any hurt, I’m old enough and wise enough to know this is your path, Tempest,” she says as she kisses my cheek and takes in my appearance with her beautiful blue eyes, a mirror of my own.
“Mom, what are you talking about? This is not my path. It… it couldn’t be.”
“Tempest, you are still so innocent. You’ve never been in love and have no mate. You live in this house alone so I can’t help but worry about you.” She pauses, pulls away and sits down at my table, then continues, “I’m not a fool, Tempest. Corbin spoke to me and I know this dragon wants you sexually. But if the stories about Queen Nala are true, she is capable of seeing the future and has foreseen this in a vision. She believes you will be with her son, possibly as his mate, and she may see this as a threat to her family. Despite never having met you and not even knowing your name, this dragon still somehow found you. And let’s not forget, he’s known all along you’re a wolf. Yet, he’s here, and not only did he demand to see you, he forced Corbin to allow a meeting alone with you. I’m sure everyone will do everything in their power to protect you, but think carefully before you answer my next question. Do you think he wants to do you harm? Or does he simply want you, my beautiful daughter?”
“I’m not sure, but I do know he likes to play games with people,” I reply truthfully, remembering the vivid images he flashed into my mind.
“What do you mean, baby? What kind of games?”
“Games with people’s lives, Mom. The kind of games I have no desire to play. I’m not afraid of this dragon but the only way I’ll ever see him again is if he comes here and forces me to go with him. I want to be with my own kind and mate with a wolf who will love me and give you grandbabies.”
“And that’s my greatest wish and my greatest fear. I want you to be happy but I’m afraid you’ll never find love and will never know the fulfillment of having children. You and your brothers have been my greatest joy and I want that for you. Most shewolves your age have already mated but here you are, still alone and single.” A single tear spills from her eye as she rises from the table to finish breakfast.
I don’t know how to respond. There’s nothing I can say to ease her mind. I stand and step back into the living room and listen as my brothers discuss their plan to keep the dragon away, but my mother’s question echoes through my thoughts. Does Domlen want to hurt me? Nothing he’s done so far indicates he means me any harm. In fact, if anything, it’s just the opposite. If the images he showed me are any indication, he only wants to pleasure me… in many different ways.
Well, one thing’s for sure, I’m never going to find out because I meant what I said. The only way I’ll ever see him again is if he takes me by force and I think he’ll find that to be quite difficult. I’m stronger than my mother thinks; I had to be growing up with my brothers.
My mom announces that breakfast is ready and we all race to the kitchen, pushing and shoving to see who could get there first to fill their plates. I learned at a very young age, if I wanted to eat, I had to beat their greedy tails to the food. Some things never change.
There’s still no sign of my father. I’m sure he’ll turn up soon. He always does, but in the meantime, we eat, talk, and laugh as we reminisce about the good times of our childhood. I always loved how my brothers took me on all their adventures. Yes, they teased me mercilessly and pulled more than a few mean pranks, but I never felt left out and they were never intentionally cruel, at least not until we became adults. Then Lanny became Alpha and everything changed. According to him, I needed a mate so he picked a wolf I didn’t know from another pack. I think it was meant to be some sort of political move to form an alliance but I had no intention of marrying a stranger much less someone I didn’t love. It’s been five years and our relationship is still strained. But we’re still family, and there’s no doubt in my mind, if it comes down to it, he would die to protect me.
I know I became angry when Lanny asked what a dragon wanted with me, but even I don’t understand it myself. Why does Domlen want me? It’s more than a little obvious that I’m not what this guy is accustomed to. I’m not beautiful, I have a smart mouth, I curse a lot, I’m stubborn, independent, and I don’t bow down to anyone. I give as good as I get. I have very little experience with the opposite sex and have only fooled around a few times, never full penetration and that’s on purpose.
I’ve always thought I would wait and give my purity to someone I loved, a man with whom I could share friendship, happiness, intimacy and hopefully one day children. I wanted the whole package. Yet, inside a busy diner full of people, Domlen made me feel something I’ve never experienced, and it was so much more than just arousal. It was… need. But the only need I should be thinking about is putting all thoughts of Domlen Draglen out of my mind. I can never be with him. He’s a dragon, I’m a wolf, and we’ve always been enemies. Domlen needs to tell his mother he doesn’t want me and just move on, because I’ll die before I ever have sex with a dragon.
***
A few days pass and thankfully, I hear nothing from Domlen but now that my brother’s pack is also here, they’re both on high alert. They should be since dragons are known to be powerful as well as deadly, and judging from Domlen’s behavior, never take no for an answer. My father finally showed up but he only comes to my home to sleep. He acts like he can’t bear to be in my presence and still hasn’t spoken to me. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my mom. She says my dad doesn’t know what to say, so he says nothing, but he could at least try. I don’t understand why he thinks any of this is my fault.
My mom and I are sitting outside enjoying the view from my front porch. It’s a gorgeous day. The sun is bright, the sky is blue, and there’s a pleasant breeze lightly rustling the leaves on the trees. It’s so peaceful. There’s no need for words on a day this beautiful. I lean back in my chair and close my eyes as I feel the warmth of the sun on my face.
Suddenly, I feel a powerful urge to touch myself, and I think you know where. The sheer intensity coursing through me is overwhelming. My eyes snap open and I gasp, trying to force air into my lungs.
What in the world is happening to me?
“Tempest? Baby, are you ok?” my mom asks, her voice laced with concern.
“Yeah, I think so. It’s probably my time of the month coming,” I answer, hoping to play it off.
“Oh, I remember those days, and I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with them anymore,” she says jokingly.
I turn to her and smile, then we return to our interlude of silence with only the sounds of the forest to disturb us. In only a matter of seconds, I hear the pack guards crashing through the trees along with loud voices shouting out orders.
What the hell?
“Get Tempest to the safe house,” I hear Sam yell.
Before my mother and I can even blink, we’re being pulled by four pack guards toward what looks to be an underground bunker. They lead us down the stairs, then step back outside and quickly close the door. We’re beneath the earth in a structure with no windows but we can still hear everything happening above us. There’s very little light but our wolf vision enables us to see. My mom and I sit down at a small table but I can tell she is upset. I can hear one of her feet tapping nervously against the floor.
I look around slowly as I continue to listen.
“He’s walking into the woods,” I hear someone yell.
“Corbin will get there in time,” someone else shouts back.
I hear children crying, people running to their homes and locking their doors. All this because a dragon wants to see me again? Can I really let everyone go to their deaths because I refuse to see Domlen? Am I lying to myself? Do I want to see him again? After the conversation with my mom, I’m not really sure any more. He hasn’t hurt me or threatened me, not really. He said he just wanted to spend time with me, but this is not the right way to go about it. I don’t have to have sex with him and I certainly don’t plan on it, so if I can save my family and pack from harm, then it’s my duty to ensure they are safe.
“I have to go,” I say to my mother.
She stands and walks over to me, then wraps me in a tight embrace.
“I know, baby. Your mom knows,” she whispers.
I quickly make my way up the stairs but see two wolf guards at the top, baring their teeth at me. I dart around them and start running. They chase me, but I have to get to Domlen before someone is hurt or killed. I can only hope I’m not already too late.
A dragon will show no mercy to anyone standing in the way of them getting what they want. Unfortunately, Domlen wants me and my family is standing in his way. I may be running to my death but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep those I love safe. This could be the smartest, or quite possibly the dumbest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m sure as hell not changing my mind.
I know I’m close when I can hear Corbin and Lanny shouting. Then I hear Domlen’s voice, almost as if he were standing right next to me.
“She is coming to me. I can smell her. Run to me, Tempest,” he growls.
I can’t help but roll my eyes as I keep racing toward their voices. Soon, I have them in sight but my brother Lanny turns around and surges backward, trying to stop me. I see Domlen narrow his eyes, but I just keep running, hoping to out maneuver my brother. I try to dart around him but he blocks, tackling me to the ground. I struggle to free myself from his grasp but it’s no use, he’s too strong.
“LET ME GO!” I yell.
“HELL NO!” Lanny bellows.
Domlen steps forward and gets right in Corbin’s face. He’s bigger than any wolf I’ve ever seen and towers over Corbin, but no Alpha will ever back down, not even for a Draglen dragon.
“She said let her go, and it would be a wise decision to do so.” Domlen’s voice is low, but commanding.
“I’m not giving her up because you say so. Go back where you came from, dragon, before this gets ugly,” Corbin spits back.
Neither is backing down. There should not be this much fuss over me. I can’t believe Domlen is behaving this way when he doesn’t even know me. Corbin and my family are risking their lives and for what? This is wrong. I begin to struggle again but can’t fight my way free. Lanny may have me pinned down but I can still speak.
“Corbin, I want to speak with him. Please, let me,” I plead. My brother Lanny growls at me to submit, but he’s not my Alpha, Corbin is, so I growl back.
“Tempest this is not up for discussion,” Corbin snarls, his voice filled with alpha power demanding my submission.
I look over at Domlen, the asshole responsible for all this trouble and he just smiles at me. That cheeky, sexy bastard! I knee Lanny in the groin, causing him to loosen his hold. He yelps in pain and grabs his balls. I jump up and lurch forward toward Corbin and Domlen. The wolves who have already shifted begin to close in, but this is my life and I have something to say.
“EVERYONE, STOP! I will speak to Domlen, so knock it off!” I demand.
“Are you sure about this, Tempest?” Corbin asks.
“Yes, Corbin, I’m sure,” I reply as I turn to face Domlen.
“Look, dragon boy, this time I want a nice dinner,” I say jokingly. I’m really annoyed at Domlen, although I’d be lying if I didn’t admit he also amuses me…a little.
“Dragon boy?” Domlen questions as he narrows his eyes at me.
Oh shit! He did warn me. Now what?