Markus introduced Aurora to everyone and sure enough, Rafe was almost glued to her side. Every time Rafe touched her, she winced and Drake saw red. He kept his temper in check. It was unheard of for a dragon and a wolf to mate. She was no ordinary wolf. She was the white wolf and she was half Ascendant. He knew he would do anything to keep her safe. As the meal progressed, Drake got angrier seeing what Rafe was doing. Finally, he had to get up and walk away before he ripped his throat out.
When it was time to mingle, all she wanted to do was go home. Rafe eventually left her side and she immediately went looking for Josh or Aveline. Instead, she found Drake. She walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
“Drake?”
“Aurora? What is it?”
“I can’t find Josh or Aveline in the crowd. I was wondering if you would escort me home.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Thank you.”
As they began walking, he had to know about Rafe.
“Forgive me for asking, but why not asking your intended?”
“Rafe? I’m pretty sure he would take advantage of me. I hate him and all he talks about is what he’ll do when I’m his.”
“I’ll kill him for you.”
“Don’t joke. Rafe has terrified me since I met him.”
“You don’t look terrified.”
“Grown used to it, I guess.”
“That’s not fair.”
“I know. I keep hoping my uncle Dominik would come to get me.”
“Dominik? As in leader of the Ascendants?”
“Yes.”
“They would take you, wouldn’t they?”
“Yes. Why do you sound so sad about it?”
“You can’t tell me you can’t feel this between us.”
“You are my brother’s friend. You are older than me. I don’t know, maybe it’s wrong.”
“Mating bonds are never wrong. Do you know why you found me where you did? I had to walk away to keep from tearing that little prick’s throat out.”
“Drake, I…”
“I know. Talk for another time.”
“I won’t lose you, will I.”
“Never.”
Drake went silent as an eerie feeling settled over the entire town and everyone was on edge. Drake and Aurora went to the door and followed the feeling. In the center by the tables stood the fiercest looking men Drake had ever seen. Before he had time to react to them, Aurora flung herself at them.
“Uncle Dominik!”
“My darling niece. How are we?”
“I could be better.”
“If you were away from here?”
“You know me so well.”
“You are your father.”
They stood talking while everyone watched and Markus came forward, afraid his prize was being taken.
“We are honored by your visit, but I must ask why, after all this time?”
“My niece of course. She has come of age. Even though she is half-wolf, she can now be welcomed into the fortress of the guardians. And if she were to choose to come now, we would take her.”
“She is engaged to my son.”
“Yet no mating bond is between them.”
“Not yet.”
“If one hasn’t formed now, one never will.”
“Now wait just a minute…”
“My dear, we need to brand you.”
Drake came to her side and held her hand as they seared the brand on her wrist. It burned as the metal sank into her flesh. Once done, she stared at the mark. She looked up at her uncle.
“You may come anytime you wish and stay if you wish. It is your choice.”
“Thank you, uncle. I will consider it.”
Dominik nodded his head and they left. She had now been branded a guardian. She was connected to the Ascendants now. They knew her thoughts and wondered why she would stay.
Drake escorted her home again and questioned her about her choice.
“I thought you wanted to go with him?”
“If I go and train, I’ll never see you again.”
Drake stood speechless and stared in wonderment. He wanted to take her in his arms but resisted. He was a man, but she was still just a child.
The next morning was a hard one. He had to say goodbye to her. Before they left, she took Samuel aside.
“Your son mentioned something about a debt?”
“Yes. What is it you need?”
“Safe passage through your lands anytime to the mountains.”
“Of course. Anything you need.”
“Thank you.”
They left, and she was reassured about her situation.
For about two years, Aurora trained with her uncle. The sessions were getting more intense. Rafe was trying to force himself on her. One of the other trainees had to play Rafe and not back down. Able was stronger than her, but so was Rafe. When she was knocked on her ass again, Dominik helped her up.“You cannot fail at this. If Able were really Rafe, he’d be inside you already. Do better.”“I’m trying. It’s not exactly easy.”“It’s not supposed to be. I’m not letting you back u
On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Rafe greeted her at the door to escort her. She accepted but led her away from town. As soon as they were in the clearing, he acted.“You are mine. Do you understand? Mine, not Drake’s.”She fought him off easily thanks to her training which surprised him. She could smell Drake in the distance and decided to go for him. She reached out to him as she shifted and ran for him. Rafe shifted and gave chase. As she crossed the border into the dragon lands, she stopped and spun around to find Rafe would not cross. Drake walked up, seeing the two wolves snarling at each other. He knew Aurora but felt
Everyone was tense to be around Drake, ever since the day she left. Drake was like another person. He trained harder and was fiercer. Before, Rafe would’ve challenged him. Now, you’d have to be an idiot to challenge Drake. He was mean, dark, and ruthless. Rafe was sure if Aurora came home, she’d want him. Every day that passed and he couldn’t feel her, he grew stronger from forcing himself to train harder. Everyone thought it was to keep his mind off her. Little did they know, he was distracting himself. It’s his fault she left. She knew he loved her, but because he didn’t want to try to complete the mating bond, she left. He hoped as time went by, she’d forgive him and come back. Now, a year has passed. She’d be seventeen now and no one has seen her.
Drake went home more confused than ever. Would she come back to him? She has a whole new outlook than just this piece of land. He wanted to write her back but had so many questions. Did he even know her anymore? When he got home, his father asked to see him.“Son, I need to speak with you.”“What is it?”“I assume you went and saw Markus. Did he tell what you wanted to know?”“I do
Aurora began to cry as she knew she would have to tell him what has happened. Michelle came in to check on her and found her a mess on the floor. She read Drake’s letter and hugged her closest friend. “You have to tell him.”“I don’t want to. I don’t want to go through with it.”“It’s the only way Rafe won’t retaliate. He still has your brother and sister.”
Drake had stayed away from home. Especially now that he knew she would never be his. He knew it was happening today and fought to stay away, but he was close enough. He landed and shifted back and walked through the woods, trying to keep his mind off it. He was dozing off a bit when a sudden, sharp pain vibrated through him. It felt like he had been shot. He looked down and saw no blood, nor a wound. He hurt bad enough for one to be there. As he pondered this, he heard her voice. She called out to him and in an instant, knew something happened to her. He wasted no time as he shifted and took flight. Flying as fast as his wings would go. Drake got home in time to see Mage and one of the Ascendants leaving. He grew paler as he got closer to his home. Will and Jake wer
She expected to be dead by now, but instead, she was feeling stronger than she ever had. She had Drake. They had mated and there was no denying it. She doesn’t know why her first instinct was to shift and run. She wanted to stay and bask in his heat. She knew why she had to run. Markus had nothing to do with what happened and Dominik might think she is dead. Rafe would pay but on her terms. She reached the guardians in record time. She could run faster, her senses were more alive, and she felt downright confident. She shifted, dressed, and went to find Dominik.She found him in his chambers. His back was turned, and the smell of whiskey assailed her nostrils. When he spoke, he didn’t sound himself.
Drake held her close and was almost afraid to let her go. He took in her scent and he was afraid to believe she was here. Doubt plagued him as he thought she wouldn’t have long. She must have heard his thoughts. She separated them and looked deep into his blue eyes,“I’m okay and yes, I am here.”He wrapped her tight against him again and rested his head on top of hers. She pushed away from him and turned to Able. “Go home. Tell my uncle what has happened.”