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Chapter 7

Grace

I was shocked, feeling weak from such a demanding hold… it was the first time in my life I’d felt the capable touch of a strong man… one that was Mine…. He picked me up off my feet for a second, and it left me as speechless as I was breathless…

“Come. Sit with me.” He said with a smile, and I did so. It was warm and welcoming, as if I were an old friend he hadn’t seen in a long time. His golden hair was in a ponytail, and he looked cleanly shaven. He looked like all he had to do was flex and he would rip out his shirt…

“Thank you.” I said a little sheepishly. It seemed all eyes were on me seeing as how I sat in front of the head of Golden Financial, the sponsor and location of the tournament.

The waiter gingerly came and bowed almost as soon as I was sat, and menus were placed in front of me. There were so many choices, though I could tell by the spiral swirl on the top right, that this was the supernatural menu. My identification, and other things we presented to humans had this swirl. They were told that we were native, which for some of us like myself that was partly true… my mother’s parents both had some native blood, but it kept us managed by the supernatural police and legal proceedings.

I looked at the menu. “I want you to pick.” I encouraged.

“Start us with the antipasto bacon skewers and the wasabi mustard while we think about our main course if Lady Grace pleases.” He said, “Would you like that my lady?” He said the last part thumbing my knuckles. I could only bet he was used to ordering for dragonesses, but hated that he did that with me.

“… stop trying to bribe me. I already like you.” I smiled. He had me at bacon…. I silently cursed myself for liking it so much.

He held a small grin, though I could see a small break in his demeanor…. Behind that smile were sad eyes.

“Would you like the usual La Lavande Bleue? It is a deep red with elvish blue lavender from the Alps. It takes 100 years for one bloom, an exceptionally rare crop, farmed by the mountain fairy people.” He said with a bow, really selling it. It was likely the most expensive wine.

“That’s fine.” I said looking at the menu.

“Bring the bottle.” He commanded.

“Of course, your lordship.” Bowed the waiter, leaving swiftly.

“I now have the chance to formally congratulate and welcome you, your highness.” He said taking a sip of water.

“You don’t have to call me my title Lord Aureus.” I said seeing him smile genuinely.

“And you do not have to call me Lord…. I’m not claimed by my family.” He admitted.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I put my hand on top of his, feeling the tingles that came with it….

“My lord and lady, are you ready to order?” Asked the waiter with terrible timing.

“Yes. I’ll have your steak in rosemary butter sauce, rare, and a raw beef bone.” He said casually. “… forgive me if it’s rude, but I kind of have been craving that all day.”

“No by all means, I’ll have the same. Our people’s diets are similar.” I smiled.

“Very good.” Said the waiter leaving. He placed the wine and appetizers on the table, trying to be as quick as possible.

“…Who are you?” He asked. He knew who I was, but I knew what he meant.

“You are my mate… something I did not Know I would have… being of the Horned One’s blood…” I said silently.

In my home pack, we were trusted… but every pack, everywhere else… we were met with suspicion. I could see it in the eyes of every visitor… and I could hear it in every sigh of relief muttered in passing, or behind our backs that they could leave our aura.

And against my better judgment, I allowed him to see my horns when I walked in here…. I was suddenly ashamed of them, that they could be the reason he would reject me…. But he did not. He didn’t look away, gawk or stare as other men did…

“That cannot be… my people do not receive this blessing…” He said looking at me so intensely, as if he were trying to convince himself that I was lying.

“The Goddess blesses all who walk the night.” I said hearing his heart beat as a drum.

It lasted only a second, and when I looked in his eyes, there was almost a pain in them. He held the face of one who’d seen battle, it was stern and proud… This man felt as a legion soldier you’d read about…his hands enveloped mine, feeling his strength and comfort, having known me for only minutes.

It really did feel as if I’d known him my whole life.

“…. Indeed… the Goddess does bless…. Just… Don’t reject me yet.” He mumbled kissing my hand gently. He smelled my scent., and with it came the gentle wafting of his… He smelled like musky cologne and country air. He reminded me of a sunny day out by the lake….

But I didn’t understand.

“I would not do that.” I said firmly. He looked a little surprised. Food was silently placed in front of us, and I cut into my steak. “I literally came to find my mate.” I said with a small smile; it was very good.

“…. To be honest I thought you came to turn me down.” He said with a smile.

“I still don’t get why that was your first thought.” I was honestly a little confused about that.

“You are a princess descended from the Lord of Night himself…. I figured you would want someone more divine.” He admitted.

I almost laughed. “I was raised in a pack like any other wolf by a man who was an outcast to our people. He Earned his place as Alpha.… if anything, I’m glad you aren’t a wolf.”

“Oh?” He said sipping his wine. I did as well… it tasted almost floral.

“Yes, riding a dragon sounds much more fun.” I did an eyebrow wiggle, and he snickered.

“They say I have the golden touch.” He grinned at such a terrible pun. Blonde hair meant he was a blonde scaled dragon.

I giggled.

“Then if you would have me, I will be your strength.” He said to me as if he’d sworn an oath. I did not know much about dragons, but their people were firm and proud. If it was his word, he would honor it… and I could not pull myself off him.

“Then let me take you to the pack…” I offered.

“Would it be possible if I simply kept you with me instead?” He asked. “Would you stay here? I swear it that you would want for nothing.”

“… with my people, we move to the more dominant wolf’s pack.” I said taking a bite of the appetizer. The smoked bacon really brought out the flavor, especially since they added roasted tomatoes.

“Then all the more reason to stay with me.” He offered.

“I didn’t say no.” I said a little sheepishly.

“Oh? The Wolf Princess wishes to stay with the Fallen Dragon Prince?”

I was silent a moment. I would. I’d been gone from my pack off and on for a decade…. all that waited for me was a position, a lonely floor surrounded by happy people With Their Mates, and a vibrator I forgot to pack.

“You can ride me anytime you like.” He joked.

“Only if I get a saddle.” I knew it was corny, but I said it anyway.

“Gods damnit.” he facepalmed. “This is going to be fun.”

“It will be.” I confirmed. “Please tell me about yourself, oh Fallen Prince of the Drakes.”

“There isn’t much to tell…. …. I’m an elder drake from the first war, though you won’t see me much in books since I didn’t participate. I’m only 20 years younger than the Dragon King Saiyatok the First Dragon. My mother was the Second, though I did not know her. She laid only one egg, me. I’m the Third dragon ever born… My original name was Frag’naw.”

He paused a moment, as if he were dredging up a sore spot.

“… However, I am not a Mighty One anymore, like his title, because I did not side with anyone. I didn’t see the reason to mindlessly kill All life for the Tyrant King.” He said referring to my uncle…. “The Moon Goddess’s imprisonment was Terrible, and I felt for him, as I was told my mother was taken from me. Angels struck her out the sky… but I knew in my heart the goddess would not have wanted Such destruction just as my mother revenge…. Ironic that the Tyrant King made us personally, yet father tried saving the world with the Wolf King, and I took no part in any of it.”

“But now the war is Over, and you did what you felt was right.” I said putting my hand on his.

“I did… but I also lost everything about that life. It isn’t worth talking about to be honest But I will say that this was more fulfilling than being alone in the wilds of Siberia….”

“And what do you do now at Golden Financial other than lead it?” I asked. When he was ready, he would share more.

“Just be the CEO of a multimillion-dollar investment firm to billionaires, as a billionaire myself. I actually come here to finish deals. I basically babysit.” He motioned me. “What does a ‘Gamma’ do?”.

“As Third I am basically an accountant, though I would rather be out there on the border, protecting the pack…The problem is that I’m not Really needed on that front. My brother is the current Crown Prince and Standing King for training purposes. My other brother is Heir to the Kings Left Seat, or the Third Chair Council Member… my father to the south runs the rest of the state….I even trained with my uncle to compete… They are good people, but there I am in the shadow of the Royal family. There is a place for me, but I do not want it.” I admitted.

“So you decided to come here and beat the shit out of random people until I had to stop you?” He smirked, revealing dimples.

“No.” I huffed.

“That sounds like a ‘yes’ if I ever heard it.” He teased. I blushed.

“My Lord and Lady.” Bowed the waiter. Our food was placed in front of us, but we had to have been their priority for it to be done so fast.

The main course was also served with dessert. I didn’t really like sweets, but anything with him was better… the wine also paired very well with the chocolate mousse. It was like eating air.

“What made you change your life of solitude for all this?” I asked… to be fair it sounded like his life until now was Lonely…. But he didn’t answer right away.

“You….” He admitted. “I’ve seen you in my dreams every night for a year…. but before that…. The instinctual urge to prepare for what could be…I kind of just Knew I would get a mate….”

“… All the visions I got were vague….” I said a little surprised by him leaning in so close.

“Maybe it was to prepare you for this.” I said meeting him halfway and we shared a kiss across the table.

It was hot and passionate, though I’d never kissed a man before… I was so used to being surrounded by males who were much smaller and weaker than me… it felt Good to have dominant hands envelop my shoulders…. With a swift tug, he pulled the chair closer, and now our tongues danced under the white and gold ceiling…. But of course… the fun had to be ruined; the alarm on his phone went off. “Damn… it’s 5 already.” He grumbled. There was a real snarl behind that grumble, almost as if he wanted to fight time itself to be with me.

“Wow… I didn’t realize.” I mumbled. He signaled the waiter who came with the bill, one that came in a black leather envelope.

“Dinner was lovely as always. Take Tomorrow off.” He said signing the check.

He smiled and bowed, leaving as they do in the royal castle. It seemed people didn’t care that he was a fallen prince, one disowned by the royal court and likely his god too…

“Then I will take my leave.” I said with a small smile. He seemed not to like my answer, however he was a gentleman about it.

“Indeed.” He said holding my hand, and escorting me downstairs. He took me to the venue floor, where there were still hundreds of supernaturals, mostly drakes by the scent, cleaning up, or directing others to the exit…

It almost felt surreal that he didn’t mark me, however our people were different, and he said he wanted to take it slow. As only the wolf, I would respect that.

“This isn’t over…” He stole a kiss from me this time, snarling as he did so. It echoed off the walls, as if he were showing the world who he’d picked and claimed as his…“I would take you to my roost… but to do this right I Must see you a little later….” He said with a bow. His right hand was over his heart as he did it, which seemed to shock any drakes around.

“Then I will see you later, gentle-drake.” I half jested, and he looked almost as if something agitated him.

“And I Will see you later, my most lovely.” He bowed deeply, getting the attention of every drake there. There were looks as many exited the event in droves, as there were tunnels that led to different places around the city… but I wondered what was this all about.

I also wondered what was the bright flash of light that zipped almost straight up, but as one who could perform magic, I just assumed that’s what it was.

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