“Hurry!” George screamed as Tide jogged up to the couple. Ice had his arm around the male. “They’ve gone that way.” George pointed in the direction the scent trail led. Ice didn’t say anything, he just gave a nod of acknowledgment.

He slowed just a smidgen. “Thank you.”

George looked like he wanted to say something else but he didn’t wait. Tide couldn’t. He picked up the pace once more. By now his body had mostly healed around the steel teeth. It remained uncomfortable. He went from carrying the iron ball until his arms shook from fatigue, to dragging it. The ball would hook onto undergrowth and bounce over rocks, pulling on his flesh, reopening the wound some. He felt weak. Not just from pushing so damned hard but he suspected that blood loss played a role as well. Right now he carried the thing even though his arms shook.

What kept him pushing was that he could scent that fucker along with several other males. They weren’t all that far ahead of him. Shale’s scent was weakest. The asshole was in the lead. He grit his teeth and forced his body to move quicker.

It wasn’t long before the forest gave way to open ground. He dropped the ball, growling as the teeth pulled in his flesh. His thigh burned and fresh blood trickled where his wounds reopened. The scent of his female grew stronger and he noticed a discarded water bottle on the ground. Tide picked it up, sniffing it. Her scent was strong. It renewed his vigor. Dropping the bottle, he forced himself to put one foot in front of the other. To keep going. Higher and higher, he climbed. The gradient wasn’t steep but he could still feel the burn.

What the fuck!? Tide stumbled when he saw them. It was a group of seven males, they headed towards him.

Towards him?

No!

They were going the wrong way. Fuck! His blood ran cold. His scales rubbed. Smoke wafted from his nostrils. Everything in him tightened as adrenaline pumped.

“I’m sorry, Tide,” one of the males announced as he drew nearer. “You are too late. Your female has already been won.”

“No,” he roared. “I will fight.”

The male who had spoken shrugged, looking down at his messed up leg. “Suit yourself. Good luck, I hope you win her back.”

Tide could see that the male thought that Tide was crazy. That he didn’t have a hope in hell.

“Why are you rooting for him?” another male spoke. “Not ten minutes ago you were pursuing the female. You wanted her for yourself.”

The male pulled a face. “Nah.” Then he grinned. “Okay, fine. You’re right, I would’ve liked—”

Tide punched the male in the face. He heard the satisfying crunch of bone. The asshole gasped, managing to stay on his feet despite the impact. His eyes were wide, his hands closed around the injury. Blood flowed unchecked. The others shifted from one foot to the other. “Anyone else want to tell me how they were hoping to win my female? Mine!” He snarled the last, unable to control the emotions that surged through him.

They all looked at the ground. Most of them shook their heads as well for good measure. Tide didn’t have time for this shit. He took off at a run. It wasn’t too late. He would fight despite his fatigue and waning strength. He would win. Fuck that, he was going to kill Shale. The decision had been made. He didn’t care about the consequences.

The fucker was dead.

Dead and fucking buried.

The incline was a killer, only because of the weight of the ball. It pulled on his thigh. Blood ran down his leg but he ignored it. Renewed energy coursed through him as he spotted his female at the top of the hill. Shale stood behind her. Lucky for him, he wasn’t touching her. Maybe Tide would let him live. Maybe.

Shale said something to Meghan and she turned towards him, her eyes lighting up. She tried to run to him but Shale grabbed her around the waist and shoved her behind him. Fuck him! Tide snarled and tripled his efforts. He hoped that the male would underestimate him. He hoped to use surprise as an advantage. Shale had folded his arms. It was clear he was expecting a conversation and not the fight that was coming.

Good!

Meghan stepped out from behind Shale, her eyes widening as they landed on his wound. She sobbed something that sounded like ‘oh no,' but he couldn't be sure. The injury looked as bad as what it felt. Maybe worse. A mangled mess of flesh and metal. Not to mention the blood. So much blood. She covered her mouth and sobbed into her hands, squeezing her eyes shut.

Shale just stood there, arms folded. “It’s about time. You don’t have to,” his eyes widened and he inhaled sharply, reacting too slowly, “wait—” Tide’s fist connected with the side of his jaw. There was a cracking sound and Shale groaned as he went flying to the left. Just as planned. He had to keep Meghan safe. His female screamed. It sounded like she was shouting for him to stop but that couldn’t be right.

He was on Shale in seconds. The male held up his hands. “No, stop!” Tide kicked him in the ribs. There was a loud thud. Not quite hard enough. He really was tired and weak. Tide tried again. There was a sickening crack and Shale screamed. Sweet music to his ears. Tide staggered though, only just managing to keep his footing. Unfortunately, he was running low on reserves. He could feel his leg bleeding again. With it, he could feel the last of his energy spattering on the ground.

He wrapped his hand around the chain and pulled the silver-centered iron ball to himself. Even that was hard work. Shale gave his head a quick shake. Trying to shake it off. He could see that the male was preparing to get back onto his feet. Once that happened, it would be over for him. It was now or never if he wanted to win this thing. If he wanted to win his female. He gave an almighty tug, rolling the ball where it landed at his feet. Then he bent over, breathing deeply through his nose. He picked it up. So fucking heavy. His muscles shook with the effort. Tide was going to brain the fucker. No-one touched his female and lived. No-one!

“No, Tide. Stop!”

He lifted the iron ball above his head.

Shale rolled onto his back, his eyes widening as he saw the iron ball in Tide’s hands. “No—”

“No!” Someone jumped on his back, making him drop the ball. It landed with a dull thud next to Shale, who staggered to his feet. His face was pale. His cheek was puffy and his lip was split. Tide clenched his fists, preparing to fight on.

“Tide, he’s helping us. Tide!” It was Meghan. Her voice was right in his ear. She was on his back. “Don’t hurt him.”

“The female is yours,” Shale assured him.

“Damn straight,” Tide growled. “Damn fucking straight she is.” He leaned down, helping her off of his back. Tide pulled her into his arms, keeping his eyes on Shale.

“I’m trying to help you,” Shale said.

Help him? Like fuck! “What, by going after Meghan, by—”

“No, I never went after her with the intention of taking her for myself. I did it to help you.”

“Why would you do that?” Tide narrowed his eyes. He didn’t trust the male, could scent him on his female. It irritated him. Rubbed him raw.

“You love each other. I could see it back then already, at the Earth lair. There was something between the two of you.”

“So you asked Meghan out on a date?” Tide raised his brows, pulling his female closer.

“I’m a shit stirrer. What can I say?” Shale chuckled, then winced, putting a hand to his chest. “It was fun watching your reaction.” He shrugged one shoulder, wincing again. “You broke a rib.”

“Just like you enjoyed fucking with me at the start of the race?” Tide snarled. “I wish I had broken all of your ribs.”

Shale frowned. “That was to get you going. I wanted to anger you so that you would forget about your leg.”

“Are you okay?” Meghan said with a sob. Shit! He realized that she was crying. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “You should have told me about this.” He could see that she was examining his leg. She touched his upper thigh with the tip of a finger. “You’re going to need surgery.”

“Surgery,” Shale snickered. “Humans are the best. He does not need surgery. He’ll be just fine.”

Meghan’s eyes were wide. “But—”

“He’s right.” Tide thread his fingers through her hair. “I’ll be just fine.”

“Maybe we should get the ball off of the chain. Funny that,” Shale laughed, “you win your female and doing so, we get to take the ball off the chain. Get it!”

Tide shook his head. “Why don’t you want me to kill him again?”

“Because he kept those other guys away by pretending to have won me,” Meghan said. “They thankfully didn’t put up a fight.”

“I was almost too late,” Shale said, his gaze on Meghan. “Your friend slowed me down. He can seriously kick.” He cupped his balls.

Meghan laughed. “Seriously? George kicked you in the nuts?”

“That’s funny to you?” Shale looked horrified.

“George was just trying to protect me. He didn’t mean it.”

“Sure as hell felt like he meant it.” Shale continued to cup his balls.

Tide breathed out through his nose. “I guess I owe you an apology.”

“Nah.” Shale waved a hand. “I had my own ulterior motives. Meghan is a good doctor, it would have been a shame to lose her. Also, you arrived expecting the worst. I couldn’t tell you my plan because you wouldn’t have pushed hard enough. I needed you to use every ounce of strength you had and you did. Thing is,” Shale shook his head in disbelief, “I don’t think you needed me. You would’ve coped just fine on your own.”

“I’d do anything for my female.”

“I love you.” Meghan caressed his cheek.

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. Then quickly turned back to Shale. “You dare kiss my female again and I’ll—”

“It’s not like I had a choice.”

“He didn’t do it because he wanted to.” Meghan tugged on his arm. “He had to do it.”

“Yeah right,” Tide snorted. “I assure you he wanted to.” He kissed her again. “Who wouldn’t want to kiss you?” he said, as he broke the kiss.

“This is my cue to leave,” Shale said. “I’ll help you remove the iron ball.”

When Tide looked up, the male was picking up a rock. Tide went down onto his haunches. He put the chain over a flat rock. Shale hit the chain a couple of times. The links eventually gave out.

“There,” Shale said.

“Thank you,” Tide said as he stood up. “I appreciate it.”

“No problem. Who knows, maybe one day you can return the favor.”

Tide nodded.

Meghan stepped towards Shale. “Thank you.”

“Good luck to you both,” Shale said. “Don’t try to take that off until you get back to the lair.” He pointed at the contraption embedded in his thigh.

“I won’t.” Tide shook his head. “My thigh has partially healed around the teeth.”

“Exactly. You’re going to have to rip it out. You’ll be incapacitated for a day or two.”

Meghan’s heart-rate picked up, as did her breathing. She was worried about him. Tide squeezed her hand. “I’ll be okay. I’ve got you to look after me.” He winked at her, trying to look relaxed and light-hearted. It was going to hurt more coming off than what it had going on, but it would be worth it.

They said their goodbyes and Shale shifted. He hadn’t won a female, so no need to get back to the lair in his human form. They watched as he lifted into the air and flew away.

Meghan sagged against him. “I’m so glad it all worked out. I can’t believe you did this. You should have told me.”

“You would never have agreed.”

She shook her head. “You’re right.” Her eyes welled with tears. “Look at your leg.”

“I don’t have to.” He smiled down at her. “I’m looking at you. You are everything to me and I meant what I said, I’ll do anything for you. To keep you at my side, to keep you happy and healthy.”

“I know.” A tear slid down her cheek.

“No need to cry. Everything is fine now.”

“I’m crying because I’m happy.”

He wiped away the tear. “You seem to have this backwards.”

“I have to be honest with you,” she chewed on her lush lower lip, her teeth denting the flesh, “I was worried that things between us were moving too quickly.” She blinked her beautiful blue eyes a few times.

“I know. We can take it slow. Torrent will try to push for us—”|

“No,” she shook her head, “that’s the thing. When Shale grabbed me and I thought he had won me …” She swallowed thickly.

Tide couldn’t help himself, he growled. It was a low, deep rumble that vibrated right through him. “I’m sorry. I can’t help being possessive of you.”

Meghan smiled. She reached up on her tip-toes and cupped his cheeks in her tiny hands. “That’s what I’m trying to say … when I thought I’d lost you. That I’d have to go back to Walton Springs, that was when I realized how ready I am to take the next step. I don’t want to wait. I know what I want and that’s you.”

Tide grinned. Something eased in him hearing her say it. He knew that there had been a hesitancy there. He couldn’t blame Meghan. Humans were different to dragons. Love though, love was universal. It superseded race, color, sex, even species in their case. “I love you so much.”

“Love you too,” she said. He captured her lips, put his arms around her and pulled her close. Tide couldn’t wait for the rest of their lives. He planned on savoring each and every moment.