Chapter One

 

“I have to go where?” Wolfe snorted before adding, “Is that part of the world even been colonized?”

“Ha, ha,” Rian mocked laughter, looking like he was anything but amused. “Yes, it has been colonized. It’s where Angus is living with his new mate, Olivia.” The Dragon Leader ran his hands through his hair for the second time in as many minutes. “Olivia seems like a really nice girl…for a wolf.” He winked. “And if you tell the old guy I said that you’ll be mucking the horse stalls for the rest of your natural life.”

Frantically shaking his head, Wolfe quickly agreed, “No worries. All I’ve heard of Angus tells me that he’d kick my ass before you ever got the chance anyway.”

“True enough,” Rian nodded. “Olivia and her brother, Marrok, the Alpha of Pack Gaelach Lán, are trying to orchestrate a pact with two other Packs and it’s not going well. From what Angus tells me, the wolves in North Carolina are so busy fighting off rogues trying to take over their land, they have time for little else.” The Elder Dragon turned towards the window before continuing, “The only thing they’ve found these outlaw wolves are scared of is… us.” He chuckled sarcastically, “And since you and Grey have nothing to do, you get to head across the pond to the Florida swamps.”

“Great,” Wolfe sighed, running his hand through his hair. “Swamps, huh? Sounds like a blast.”

“Yeah,” Rian chuckled. “And you get to tell Grey.” The Dragon Leader turned away from the window and grinned, “Oh, and you have to leave tonight.”

Nodding while trying not to groan in disgust, Wolfe shook his head, “Thanks for that, Boss.”

“Not a problem,” Rian snickered.

Wolfe got up and had just laid his hand on the doorknob when the Dragon Leader added, “Have fun.”

Letting out the groan he’d been holding back, Wolfe scoffed, “Whatever you say, Boss.”

Walking straight out of Rian’s office, through the Grand Hall and out the front door without a word to anyone, Wolfe grumbled under his breath as he stalked towards the training pitch in search of his best friend. Rounding the corner, the blue dragon ran headlong into Kayne, a much older golden dragon who just happened to be the son of a god and possessed a wicked sense of humor.

“Whoa there, young’un, where’s the fire?”

“Sorry, Kayne,” Wolfe grumped, dancing to the side and trying to pass.

Unfortunately, the demi-god was in the mood to talk…or meddle, as the case may be. Throwing up his arm, Kayne asked, “What’s up? Why the long face?”

Wolfe was always astonished at how well Kayne, as well as all the Enforcers, were assimilating to the twenty-first century. After all, they had been locked away by evil wizards for nearly a century. He guessed the demi-god had a leg up on the other Guardsmen from the Elite Dragon Guard Force after being turned into a hellhound and not locked in a silver box. At least he’d kept up with the times through the demons who went topside. Still, there were times the younger dragon would forget how old the golden dragon truly was since he spoke with no accent at all and had even been known to throw out a y’all here and there.

Shaking his head, Wolfe quickly answered, “Nothing, just gotta find Grey. Rian gave us an assignment.” Trying for the second time to walk around Kayne’s outstretched arm.

Stepping into his path, Kayne shook his head, “Nope, not buying it. What’s the assignment? Why’s it bothering you so much?”

Blowing out a long-suffering breath, Wolfe rolled his eyes as he finally gave in and told the demi-god what was really bothering him. “Know that I’m only giving you these answers because you won’t leave me alone until you weasel every damn detail outta.” The blue dragon tapped his forehead, “I seriously hate the way you ‘old guys’” he chuckled, “have such powerful intuition.”

“Sucks to be us. But I’m not ready for the Old Dragons’ Home just yet, sonny boy,” Kayne laughed out loud. “Now, out with it. Your emotions are chaotic, and you’re broadcasting your frustration like a beacon. So, spill or I’ll go get Maddox.”

Shaking his head in mock horror, Wolfe feigned fear, “Oh damn, not the mad dragon. You’re pulling out the big guns.” Then he barked out a laugh, “I just know I’m gonna pay for that one, but it was so worth it.”

Laughing right along, Kayne agreed, “I’ll get in more trouble than you. Maddox hates when I use him as a threat.” The demi-god shrugged, “He’ll get over it. Now, stop stalling. What’s going on?”

Nodding as he leaned his shoulder against the wooden panel of the training barn, Wolfe once again ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “It all started about two weeks ago. First, there were dreams of this gorgeous woman. It seemed like she was calling to me. I could literally feel her fear and see how haunted her beautiful brown eyes were. Later, she would reach for me and call out but when I tried to get to her to answer her plea for help, the dream would fade away, and I would wake up. It happened and continues on every night, just like clockwork and always ends the same way. I’m so damn frustrated and irritable I can’t see straight.”

Looking up at Kayne, Wolfe was surprised to find the demi-god hanging on his every word, so he continued. “Then this morning, Rian calls me in to tell me that he needs Grey and I to go to Florida and help Angus’ mate and her brother broker some deal with two other Wolf Packs.” He stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets while looking Kayne right in the eye, “The last thing I need to be doing right now is trying to make peace between a bunch of crazy lupines. I’ll either make more trouble or…” He scoffed, “Maybe we’ll all get lucky, and my brain will explode.”

“Well, you can hope, but I know for a fact your brain won’t explode,” Kayne chuckled. “If mine hasn’t by now, then there’s no way yours will.” The demi-god swatted him on the arm. “But seriously, you’re looking at this all wrong. Time away, different surroundings, different people – it’s exactly what you need to take your mind off things. Solving someone else’s problems always puts your own in perspective.”

“Yeah, but Angus is like dragon royalty. If I screw this up, not only will he and Rian kick my ass, but I’m sure Rayne will get in line, as well.”

Chuckling, Kayne patted him on the shoulder, “Angus’ bark is much worse than his bite. Sure, he’s super protective of Olivia and still getting used to a hundred or so years of changes in the world, but for the most part, he’s understanding and patient.” The demi-god dropped his hand and took a step back. “I can talk to him if you want. Tell him what’s going on.”

“I appreciate it, but I’ll handle it,” Wolfe held out his hand to shake Kayne’s, but the demi-god shook his head.

“Not yet, kiddo. You’re not getting away that easy.”

Wolfe could only take a deep breath and prepare for what the golden dragon, who was not known for his tact, was about to say. Not surprisingly, Kayne did not disappoint. “About those dreams you’re having, you know what they mean, right?” The demi-god cocked his head to the side and stared, obviously waiting for an answer the blue dragon didn’t have.

Shrugging, Wolfe slowly shook his head. “I’m not sure what you want me to say.” He sighed, feeling his frustration mounting as his dragon growled in his mind. “I really have no idea what the hell is going on.” The young dragon dug the toe of his boot under a rock and kicked it so hard it bounced against the wall of the barn and flew out of sight.

“Calm down, young’un. It’s nothing bad.” Kayne paused, scratched the stubble on his chin and snickered, “Well, I guess that’s a matter of perspective.” He stepped forward and again put his hand on Wolfe’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze before clearing his throat and schooling his features. “It means your mate is close by,” he nodded, “or you are about to meet her.”

“Nope, no way. You have to be wrong.” Wolfe backed away, with his hands in the air in mock surrender and shaking his head so furiously the world around him was little more than a blur. “There is no freaking way I’m ready for a mate. There has to be another explanation.”

Holding up his hands in a mirror image of Wolfe’s, Kayne nodded, “Okay, okay, whatever you say. Maybe I’m wrong. Things could’ve changed from my day. It’s just a guess.” He was saying all the right things but the demi-god’s expression still said he was sure Wolfe was about to meet his mate. “Take a breath, I’m sure things will get better as soon as you get in the air and focus on your mission.”

Needing to be anywhere but where he was and wanting to get clear of the demi-god, Wolfe nodded instead of arguing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak out. It’s just that…well…” He paused, images of his mother’s death at the hands of their enemies and then his father’s demise battling those same evil beings rolling through his mind. “I’ve seen firsthand what can come from having a mate. I don’t blame anyone, but…” He stopped, unable to say anymore past the lump in his throat.

“I knew your parents well. Know what you went through dealing with your first transformation all alone, but you know your father did what he had to. He and your mother had that ‘once in a lifetime, all-encompassing’ kind of love. The kind we all wish for. I…”

Clearing his throat, Wolfe finished his thought, “Yeah, well, it’s not what I wish for. Like I said, I don’t blame them. Mom couldn’t have known those bastards were coming for her and dad avenged her death the only way he knew how. I saw the need in him from the moment mom’s memorial was over. He did what he had to do.” He walked to the fence leaned forward and watched the horses as they grazed on the sweet grass. “It’s just not for me. I’d rather be alone.”

Long seconds of silence ticked by as Kayne walked up beside him, leaned his shoulder against the fence and crossed his arms over his chest. Wolfe could feel the demi-god staring at him but refused to turn around and meet Kayne’s gaze. He didn’t want to see the look of doubt or even disappointment he was sure was there. Finally, the demi-god spoke, and his words surprised Wolfe so much that his head whipped to the side as he listened.   

“I know what you mean,” the demi-god chuckled. “Like my dad likes to remind me, even the gods have no say in when our mate will appear. It’s all up to Fate, and She can be a real pain in the ass.” The golden dragon laughed out loud. “And then there’s the Universe, I swear She’s a damned hopeless romantic.” He shook his head still chuckling, “Don’t ya’ just wish they’d butt the heck out sometimes?”

Chuckling despite his frustration, Wolfe quickly agreed, “Hell, yes. It seems like mating has become an epidemic around here and there’s no inoculation or cure.”

Throwing back his head, Kayne laughed so loud, the Guardsmen training in the pitch behind them stopped what they were doing and looked over. Thankfully, the only one to head towards them was Grey, who Wolfe needed to talk to anyway.

“What’s going on? Y’all having a party without me?”

“More like commiseration than celebration, young’un,” Kayne snickered. “But you can get in on it if you like.”

“Oh damn, did my boy here tell you about his dreams?”

“What the hell? How did you know?” Wolfe growled.

“Ummm…let’s see. I live in the same house, and you are shit at blocking your thoughts when you’re sleeping.” He shoved the tip of his sword into the ground and leaned on the handle. “And, before you go getting all huffy, I should get a gold star for keeping my mouth shut this long.”

“He really should,” Kayne snickered. “That’s monumental for this guy.” He motioned with his head while grinning from ear-to-ear.

“Whatever,” Wolfe sighed. “No more talk about my dreams or mates or any of that crap, okay?” Looking at Kayne as he nodded with an all too knowing look on his face and then to Grey who was shrugging, the blue dragon added to his best friend, “I was coming to find you before I ran into Kayne.”

“Yeah, what for?” Grey suddenly looked interested as he stood tall.

“Rian gave us a mission. We leave tonight.”

Wolfe spun on his heel and waved goodbye over his shoulder as his friend followed, asking, “Leave? Where are we going?”

“The sunny swamps of Florida?”

“What the hell?” Grey spat, jogging to catch up with Wolfe. “Why are we being punished?”

“Who the hell knows. Just be ready to go as soon as the sun goes down.”

“Well, son of a …”

Grey shoved his sword into his scabbard and stalked alongside Wolfe as the blue dragon sighed, “My thoughts exactly. Just another day in paradise.”