The fresh, pine-scented air of Davelriden Forest greeted Emory and Kane as they stepped through the portal. Through the canopy of trees, the sun filtered through, casting long shadows around them.

Taking a moment to look around, she let her eyes and senses sweep their surroundings for any trace of Lycans or wolves. Kane stood next to her, and his presence was both comforting and powerful. Again, her eyes roved over him, appreciating the way the light played off his sculpted body. He was spectacular.

As she enjoyed the pleasure of her debauched thoughts, she couldn’t escape the dilemma her mate’s presence put her in. He threatened the chance that wolves and Lycans could live in peace together. It took too long, too much effort to finally find her mate, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to give him up.

“Ready?” His deep voice drew her attention.

Emory nodded, pulling herself together. “We might need to get you some clothes,” she joked lightly, trying to ease her frustration. “Walking like that might cause a riot.” She gestured playful at his minimalist outfit and Grecian sandals.

Kane raised an eyebrow, a playful grin forming on his face. “Is my” form not to your liking?” he teased.

Her heart skipped a beat. “Oh, it is,” Emory admitted. She allowed her gaze to linger, her admiration and lust clear in her gaze. “More than you could possibly know.”

“I do know,” he said with a knowing smile. “You underestimate the strength of our bond, Emory.”

She placed her palm against her chest, feeling her heart beat wildly at the sound of her name rolling off his lips. It was crazy how just a simple utterance got her so fired up. With her cheeks burning with embarrassment, she looked away, trying to find her footing in this new, explosive relationship.

“We’re connected deeper than you might think. I feel what you feel,” he continued, his eyes locked on hers with a look that made her knees weak. “Our senses and emotions are connected. I can feel your desire, Emory, as strongly as if it were my own. And right now, I know just how much you enjoy hearing me say your name.”

“Damn it,” she muttered, her hands settling on her hips as she tried to regain control of her reactions.

She made him laugh, a deep, rich chuckle that made her smile. Then he stepped closer, reaching out to hold her. “There’s no need to fight it, Emory.”

When he pulled her against his solid form, her breath caught in her throat. Her hands came up to rest on his chest and his warmth seeped into her. He smiled down into her eyes, making her heart race. She knew he was right; there was no point in fighting it.

“See?” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. “Our bond is irrefutable.”

Her fingers trembled as she reached out to trace the intricate glyphs that covered Kane’s chest. Touching him sent a thrill through her, and his pecs were way more solid than she’d imagined. She noticed a gradual change in his eyes—they shifted to a light brown, but she could still see the golden flecks of his true nature.

His smile deepened, and his lips grazed her neck with a tenderness that made her knees weak. In surrender, she closed her eyes. Her hands instinctively tightened around his biceps, feeling the solid strength beneath her fingers.

His breath was warm against her skin as he kissed his way up her jawline, each touch igniting a fire within her. When his lips finally captured hers, the kiss was an elixir of sweetness that took her breath in a long sigh.

Their lips collided with fiery passion, igniting a spark that consumed her. Her heart pounded wildly against her chest as the kiss deepened, and his steady, powerful beats mirrored hers. Her veins vibrated with electricity as every nerve in her body fired up. Kane kissed her with such urgency while cradling her face like glass. Every touch, every caress, sent shock waves of pleasure through her, leaving her breathless and desperate for more.

As they finally parted, breathless and flushed, Emory looked up into his eyes, seeing the abyss of her emotions reflected at her. They stayed like that for a moment, their lips still touching, their gazes locked and their hearts beating in tandem. Slowly, she backed away, her cheeks burning from silly newfound coyness.

“We should head back to Kedar and find you some clothes” or at least reconnect with the rest of the wolves,” she suggested.

She closed her eyes, hoping she could harness her senses to find a path, but the forest swallowed all fragrances except Kane’s honeydew scent. It was disorienting how his presence could overwhelm her.

“Are you familiar with Davelriden?” he asked.

When she opened her eyes, she found Kane staring at her with an expression that was new to her. Was that curiosity or what?

“Are you?” she threw back, her own curiosity piqued.

“It is Dragon Haven,” he explained. “Davelriden, “Davel” in the old dragon tongue, is our Royal bloodline, ancient and pure. I’ve roamed these woods countless times; every trail and cave is known to me.” He reached for her hand, his touch sending tingles through her. “What are you looking for exactly?”

“Wolves,” she responded, momentarily distracted by the spark in his touch. “We entered through a tunnel that leads back to Kedar. I stumbled into your lair, and I do not know my way around here.”

“Why are the wolves here?” Kane asked. Suddenly, he lifted a finger to his lips, signalling her to pause. His gaze lifted skyward, and his eyes glazed over as if he was having a vision, his body momentarily rigid.

As she observed him, she noticed the clash between the stubble of dark hair and his striking silver locks. His features were sharply chiselled and perfectly symmetrical, almost unreal in their perfection, casting deep shadows across his strong jawline under the forest’s light.

Standing beside him, she subconsciously touched her own face, his presence stirring a wave of self-consciousness. She wondered if her features were just as striking as his. Did her unruly mane of red hair have the same effortless style? He made her question her own appearance, even though she knew she should feel equal to him.

After a moment, Kane’s gaze returned to the present, focusing on Emory. “North,” he said, pointing ahead. “The wolves” scents lead that way.”

Nodding, she shrugged off the self-consciousness. “How” What was that?”

His lips curved into a slight smile. “A dragon’s senses are not limited to the ground. We perceive more than just the immediate; we connect with the forest. It guides us.”

“Let’s go then. North it is,” she said.

He took her hand and led the way, and as they walked, the forest seemed aware of Kane’s presence. The leaves rustled softly, parting on their own as if they had a mind of their own. Emory watched him move with the ease of a man familiar with the area for centuries. His steps sure and silent, almost blending into the natural sounds of the forest.

Seeing him move like a hunter, a warrior, undid everything she knew about dragons. For one thing, she didn’t know they could shift. Seeing that alone was mind-blowing, and she was sure Trey and the wolves would be astounded as well.

Her gaze drifted to him occasionally, still awed by the natural symmetry of his face, the way his silver hair caught glints of sunlight through the canopy, making it almost shimmer with a life of its own. She wondered how someone could embody such a powerful mix of otherworldly beauty and deadly prowess. As they moved closer to the source of the scents, Emory felt a growing sense of anticipation, her heart beating in sync with the muted sounds of the forest.

But one thing hammered on her mind, whether she should tell him exactly what the prophecy demanded.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked.

“How does the mate thing work with dragons?” she finally asked, her curiosity overcoming the hesitance. “With wolves and Lycans, the males mark the females, a bite to claim.” She knew dragons didn’t do the same and assumed they mated in a more traditional way.

Kane’s eyes twinkled with amusement at her question. “Dragon bonds are formed from the soul,” he explained, slowing his pace to match hers. “It’s less about physical marks and more about a deep, spiritual connection. When dragons choose their mates, it’s for life. No bites,” he added with a wink, “just an unbreakable bond that grows stronger with time.”

“So, we’re bonded for life now?” she asked.

“Yes, this life and beyond,” Kane confirmed. “Once dragons choose their mates, there is no turning back, no second guesses. You are my mate. My heart knew you before I ever saw you.”

It was a lot to take in, this sudden shift from being alone to being a dragon’s mate. “And you’re okay with that? With being the mate of a wolf?”

Kane stopped and turned to face her. “I chose you. All of you. I may not know you well enough yet, but I recognise your courage, spirit, and tenacity - it’s part of why you are my perfect match. I didn’t fall for a damsel; I fell for a warrior.”

“I believe you, I really do. But there’s a prophecy hanging over my head. There’s hope it’ll end this long-running war.”

“That’s a lot to carry alone,” he said, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand.

“And I thought I could handle it alone,” she admitted, her voice faltering a little.

He reached out, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’re not alone. Not any more.”

“The only problem is, I have to make some choices that could tear us apart.” She swallowed as her eyes searched his.

He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. “I don’t believe that is possible. Now, tell me about this prophecy. What does it expect you to do?”

She took a big breath. Suddenly, the forest felt too constricting. “It wants me to marry someone else.”

Kane’s golden eyes brimmed with rage. “And if you don’t?”

“The fear is that the war will escalate, more lives lost,” she explained, her voice barely above a whisper.

Then he looked away, his jaw tightening as he processed the news. After a moment, he looked at her again. “Then we will find another way.”

A knot of anxiety tightened in Emory’s stomach. What was the alternative? She didn’t want to come off as cynical, but the reality gnawed at her. “And if there is no way around it” what then?”

His frown deepened. “I know you’” He trailed off, looking from side to side as if something was wrong.

“Kane?” she whispered, trying to figure out what he was sensing.

Turning back to her, he squinted, golden flecks spreading across his eyes. “Now that you have brought it up. There’s something I haven’t told you yet, about the repercussions of my awakening—I am connected to the others in a way I hadn’t fully explained.” Taking her hand, he picked up his pace, pulling her along.

“I’m glad I brought it up then,” she said as she hurried along. “What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.

Her breath caught as she half-jogged to keep up with Kane’s longer strides, the dry leaves crunching loudly beneath their feet punctuating their hurried stride.

“My awakening impacts all the dragons in Morrian. In the same way as you, duty has me bound to certain expectations for the dragon kind,” he said, almost growling.

Emory stopped abruptly, pulling at his grip to make him face her. Reluctantly, he loosened his hold, his eyes narrowing—not in anger, but in slight confusion at her resistance.

“Is something wrong?” His brow furrowed, scanning the shadows between the trees. “We need to get out of sight, back into my lair.”

“I’m not hiding in your lair. I need to understand what’s happening,” she demanded.

Before he could respond, the air shifted rapidly above them. A loud whooshing sound filled the air, and the shadow of another dragon swept overhead at lightning speed, its massive wings slicing through the air with powerful strokes.

“We have to go-now!” Taking her hand again, he pulled her toward a large, gnarled tree with haste.

Kane put his hand against the rough bark of the tree. It shimmered, warping reality to create a portal like the one they used earlier. He guided her through the portal without waiting for her consent, and they stepped into his dark lair once again.

Once they were in and the portal closed, Emory drew her hand sharply and started pacing, trying to piece things together as her mind raced. The cool, damp air of the lair closed in around her.

“Now, no more secrets. What are the “implications” of your awakening?” she asked in air quotes, turning around to look at him directly.

He stared at her for a moment, shadows flickering off his angular features. He sighed, the sound heavy.

“Let’s get some light in here first,” he said, walking away from her, back to where she had found him.

As he held his hands out, his eyes morphed from brown to their natural gold, and a golden glow spread throughout the cave.

It bathed the cave in warm light and revealed the exquisitely decorated walls and sparkling furniture. Every surface seemed to come alive with breathtaking brilliance, as if the essence of sunlight had been captured and infused into every corner of the lair.

The lair now mimicked a typical flat in its flow and layout, with defined rooms and distinct areas for living, dining, and sleeping. The golden light that flooded everything gave it a magical ambiance, creating a cosy and enchanting atmosphere.

She gasped. It was so beautiful! Looking back at Kane, she noticed he’d changed too. He wore a flowing black robe that reached his ankles, trimmed with dark embroidery, and long loose black pants. The robe was open at the front, showing off his sculpted torso, a sight that made her heart skip a beat. Above his brow, a crown of white gold encircled his head, its design organic, as if the branches of a sacred tree had decided to rest there, crowning him as royalty in his world.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said.

He had a warm, mischievous smile. “I thought I should dress the part,” he said.

His once dark and oppressive lair now felt safe and strangely like home. Taking in the details, Emory’s eyes wandered around, noticing how the light played off the walls, now displaying the engravings of dragon lore.

“What, you could have changed into this the whole time?” she asked.

He smiled and shrugged, “I didn’t think you really wanted me to cover up.”

Kane
Kane watched Emory explore his lair with a peculiar blend of fascination and caution. Each object she touched fuelled her wonder. Her bright green eyes lit up, drawing him deeper into her spell. She paused often, her gaze lingering on the ancient relics and artefacts of his father. The way she tilted her head when something piqued her interest, the small frown that creased her brow in concentration, the slight bite of her lip in contemplation—it all drew him in.

“You’re quiet,” she noted, turning to face him, her hands resting on her hips. Her green orbs were trained on him with mild accusation. And her voice challenged him to share more of his thoughts, to bridge the distance between them not just physically but emotionally.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Emory. She was perfect. Her skin was reminiscent of legendary Nubian goddesses—utterly flawless, and there was a fierce edge to her that screamed danger. His eyes kept dropping to the cool, lethal blades strapped to her thighs. There was this undeniable pull he felt towards her, her aura captivating, almost hypnotic, drawing him in deeper with every breath. But then, doubt crept in. Could he really trust what he felt? Was he ready to be so open, so vulnerable with someone?

The dragons, with their rigid old rules, would never approve of him, their king, choosing a mate outside their kind. But Emory wasn’t just any outsider; she was a wolf, fierce and magnificent. Something about her was too incredible to ignore. Deep down, he knew it—she was the one. If they were together, it wouldn’t just be a shock—it could spark a war or maybe, just maybe, it could bring everyone together.

Kane smiled. “I didn’t want your first time back here to be like this,” he said, his voice echoing slightly.

She tilted her head, her curls catching the light. “What does your awakening mean for the Empire? Did it wake the other dragons?”

Running a hand through his silver hair, Kane felt the weight of his legacy press upon him. “My return marks a new era for dragons,” he explained. “It’s a beacon for all—those who support and those who fear us. Dragons have always been misunderstood, feared for the power we wield.”

“Is your awakening going to start another great war?” she asked, the cool air whipping through her hair, turning her curls into a fiery halo around her face.

“Possibly,” he admitted reluctantly. The truth was harsh, and he watched her absorb it, her shoulders squared, with a resilience that made him respect her even more. “There are factions among the dragons who think it’s time we took back our rightful place. Others prefer to remain in the shadows. And our enemies” they’d rather we stayed forgotten.”

“But who are you to them?” she pressed, stepping closer. “That crown you wear—it’s not just for show, right?”

He met her advance, closing the gap between them. Everything in him screamed to touch her, to hold her. “I am their king,” he confessed, the title heavy on his tongue.

Her lips parted slightly, her expression one of dawning understanding. “And we had to run because”?” She cocked her head, a look he was coming to recognize as her being intrigued or sceptical.

“We weren’t exactly running,” Kane clarified softly, his eyes locked on hers, intense and earnest. “It’s more that the elder dragons, the council” they’re staunch traditionalists. They have strict views on the purity of bloodlines. They wouldn’t understand, let alone accept, a union with someone from outside—especially a wolf. To them, you’” He paused, struggling with the admission. “You’d be seen as a threat to our lineage.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “A threat? So, your people would’”

He nodded, gently taking her hand in his. “They would go to extreme lengths to preserve the integrity of our species. Even if that means eliminating any” complications.” His grip tightened reassuringly, his thumb brushing her skin in a tender gesture.

“You’re saying they’d kill me to protect the purity of the royal bloodline?” Emory asked with a slow, grim realization.

“I’m saying that my waking up to this new reality—where my bond with you is seen as a betrayal of my crown—is a choice I’ve already made,” he replied firmly. “I choose you, Emory. Over the crown, over the old ways. You’ve awakened more than just my heart; you’ve ignited my spirit.”

Kane watched as Emory paced to the farthest couch in his lair. Her incredulous laugh rippled through the space. Each step she took away from him sent a sharp pang through his chest, the growing distance felt like an ever-expanding chasm. As his heart ached, he felt like there was nothing he could do to reassure her.

She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she collected her thoughts. Turning to face him again, her eyes dimmed. “So what now? We just hide here or fight?”

“Neither,” he answered, shaking his head slightly. “We prove them wrong. We demonstrate that a union between a dragon and a wolf can forge something new, something powerful.”

It was hard not to be captivated by her vibrant green eyes, which clashed with the fiery red of her hair and the rich melanin of her skin. He had never seen such a compelling blend of colours; the green of her eyes, the red of her hair, and the deep brown of her skin. It was an unexpected combination that was devastatingly beautiful—an explosion of the senses, especially her scent.

“I don’t think this is going to work,” she confessed with a heavy sign. “Maybe it’s better if we just end this now, before it goes any further, and go our separate ways. It’ll be easier to reject each other.”

Her words hit him like a physical blow, raw and excruciating. He moved closer, each step heavy, as he tried to mask the fire roiling inside him.

“You think I haven’t considered that?” His voice was low, strained with the effort to keep his emotions under control. “Every moment since you awakened me, I’ve wrestled with our choices. But every time I look at you, every time I feel this connection” it screams that there’s no walking away from you.”

He crouched before her, gently taking her hands in his. “I won’t pretend the road ahead is easy. But tell me, isn’t this worth the fight? To build something new, something free of the chains of outdated fears and prejudices?”

She stared at their intertwined hands with a conflicted expression. “You honestly don’t know the half of it, Kane. It’s one thing to say we’ll fight; it’s another to face the possibility that we might fail.”

“Could it ever be easy? To just walk away from this—walk away from what we feel for each other?” His voice was a soft growl, and full of pain.

Finally, she lifted her eyes to meet his. Her green eyes like twin emeralds, sharp and piercing. “Maybe not easy,” she conceded, “but perhaps necessary.”

He shook his head in protest at what she said. “Our worlds are different, yes, but they’ve brought us together for a reason. This bond—it’s not mere coincidence. It’s destiny, Emory, and we owe it to each other to fight for it.”

As she thought about his plea, her features softened. “And what if we lose?”

“Then we lose together. But we owe it to ourselves to try,” he insisted.

“No, Kane.” She withdrew her hands and stood, her voice gaining strength as she made her stand. “I’m sorry. But if we lose, we’ll be back here, kicking ourselves for not choosing the harder path in this moment. The Empire doesn’t need more chaos, it needs stability.” She turned away from him.

As Emory walked away, he watched the physical space between them echo the emotional rift that was starting to form.

“You think abandoning this—abandoning us—will make things easier?” His voice carried across the distance, strained with anguish. “You think it will hurt less to deny what’s between us?”

Emory paused, her back still to him. She took a deep breath, her voice a whisper lost in the rift. “Not easy, Kane, but necessary for peace. I’m just so tired of fighting.”

Determined, he closed the gap she had created, his strides quick and desperate. “Emory, look at me,” he implored, his command wrapped in a plea.

She turned slowly, her green eyes meeting his. A storm of emotions raging within. “I am torn, and I have the right to be. Every part of me, the last hunter, the last hope of the Empire for peace, tells me this is what I must do. But then’” Her voice faded, her gaze drifting away.

He reached out, gently tilting her chin to face him again. “Then there’s us,” he continued softly, his thumb caressing her jawline. “You’ve always dreamed of finding your mate, and now that we’ve found each other, you want to walk away? Don’t we deserve to see what this bond between us can become? Don’t you deserve to explore what it means to be my mate?”

“Not if our paths are chained to the duties our titles bind us to,” she said, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. “Sometimes, some paths aren’t meant to be followed. I’m afraid that ours is one of them. I have to go back to Kedar.”

For a long, silent moment, they stood together, the world blurring into the background as Kane held her close. His jaw clenched tight, his muscles twitching as he struggled with the pain that spread through his chest. Had he known that his awakening would lead to such heartache, would he have chosen to remain lost in his ancient slumber?

But what was his alternative? His return had brought back the dormant dragon community. “Peace and duty,” he murmured, more to himself than to her. “Is that all we have? Not love? Not happiness?”

She turned to face him, her green eyes glassy with unshed tears. “I wish things were different,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “You have to let me go.”

Kane’s heart squeezed tight. “Emory, we’”

“Please.” Her interruption was firm, her voice cracking under the strain. She carefully pulled away from his embrace, her slight movements under his arms making him painfully aware of every fleeting touch. “I need to leave now, and I need to do it alone.” Her eyes flicked away before locking with his again, pleading. “Could your lair transport me directly to the wolves?”

With a heavy heart, he nodded, the lair responding to her request—a bitter reminder that as his mate, she wielded this power, but they never explored its depths together. She turned towards the portal, then paused and glanced back at him.

“I” good luck, Kane,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. Rising on her toes, she brushed her lips against his—a soft, lingering kiss that burned deep into his soul. Instinctively, his hands cradled her face, savouring the warmth and the bittersweet taste of her lips.

Then, with a small, heartbreaking smile, she stepped back and walked towards the portal.

Kane watched her disappear, the portal closing shut with a finality that filled his now-empty lair. The absence of her presence was immediate and overwhelming, the void filling the space with a cold that penetrated deep into his bones. He stood frozen, staring at the spot she had last been, wrestling with the hollow ache spreading across his chest.

He wondered how long he could endure this solitude again? How long before the absence of her fiery red hair, the vibrant spark in her emerald eyes, and her spirit would compel him to leave his lair in search of her? Could he respect her wish for space? Or would the bond that tugged so fiercely at his heart pull him back to her side, regardless of the consequences?

He had no answers, only the unyielding pain of separation. As he turned from the portal, despair took hold of him. Even with Emory gone from his immediate reach, his responsibilities to her and to his kind lingered—duties that now felt hollow in the absence of her vibrant presence. It was only a matter of time before the elder dragons discovered who his mate was, and the implications of that revelation.

After all, his awakening was no mere coincidence; it was fate, triggered by her presence in his lair. How could he wait, knowing the dangers she would face once that became known?

One thing was clear: he couldn’t—and wouldn’t—just let her go. As Kane walked deeper into his lair, a realization struck him.

She hadn’t rejected him, at least not in the way wolves do.

Hope flickered, a beacon, a way to bridge the chasm that threatened to separate them forever.