Page 56 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

“Who? What? Where?” The questions fly out pathetically as Felix frowns at the screen. Realization washes over him, and he turns his head toward the heavens, muttering something unintelligible under his breath.

When he turns back to me, he clicks his tongue. “You took her back home?”

I point at the screen. “The more pressing issue is that she’s been abducted, Felix.”

My brother turns back to the screen. “Any idea who it was?”

I shake my head. “I couldn’t see their face. But I have my suspicions.”

“Blaze Legion?” he heaves. “Why would they…?”

“You heard what the meeting was all about,” I remind him, closing the screen and sending it back to its two-dimensional format with a swipe of my hand. My jaw tightens as my hands curl into fists at my sides. “Cadmus is watching our every move.”

“We don’t know that for sure, Brother,” Felix warns me as he places a hand on my shoulder to stop me from leaving the room. “Until we do, we can’t just burst onto Samui Island.”

“So what do you suggest we do, huh?” I roar, smacking his hand away. I grab fistfuls of his sweater, my angered outburst knowing no limit as I shove him. “They have Lily!”

“Relax, Draco,” Felix says sternly. “Let us first make sure it was Blaze Legion who took her. Any sudden movements might warn them that we know. And if they have her…”

His voice trails off, avoiding the words that speak of the unknown. About what might happen if her life is in danger.

“You’re right,” I finally breathe, releasing my brother from my wilful grip. Taking a deep breath, I calm my nerves and feel my anger subside. I can’t act impulsively.

I’d done that already by taking Lily back home. And see where it’s gotten her!

If she was still in Aurora Island, she would have been safe. Even if I thought I was protecting her, it turns out that I’d done more harm than good. The guilt is my demon to wrestle with internally, while it takes my brother’s clear mind to come up with a plan.

“I’m gonna fly into Redmond and check if the dragon has left any scent trail behind,” he offers as he checks the address on the bottom of the screen.

“Good idea,” I relent. “Make sure no one sees you leaving.”

Felix turns to me with a frown. “Did anyone see you leaving when you took Lily back?”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t think so.”

Felix throws a suspicious glance around the room. Aidan hadn’t come back inside after rushing out to call Felix.

“Perhaps we should keep this to ourselves,” I suggest. “Until we find out what’s going on.”

“I’ll speak to you when I get there,” Felix nods as he turns to leave. He pauses at the door, throwing over his shoulder, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through. But just try to remain calm.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding, finally allowing my inner turmoil to wrap its haunting tendrils around my being. The horror of not knowing where Lily is has me pacing the room until the walls feel like they’re closing around me.

When I step out of the surveillance room, Aidan waits timidly behind the door.

“You can go back to your duties,” I instruct him with a nod. “Be sure to keep an eye on the perimeter.”

When Aidan nods and disappears into the room, I relax my shoulders. At every turn, I’m forced to put on an iron mask. A brave face so that the capability of the Alpha of the Aurora Dragons isn’t questioned.

Sometimes, it doesn’t feel like it’s fair at all. To carry that weight on my shoulders. It’s a huge responsibility. And now that my fated mate has been abducted, I’m meant to be strong while my heart breaks inside my chest.

“Brother…” Felix calls mentally when I’m back in my quarters upstairs. I haven’t even bothered to go to Lily’s bedroom and inform Kairo of what just happened.

I don’t have the heart to do such a thing.

“Yes, Felix? What did you find?” I press a finger to my temple as I close my eyes, focusing on the mental link with all of my attention. Though no one can hear us, I don’t want to risk anyone being able to tap into our conversation.

“It’s definitely Blaze Legion,” he reveals with a huff. “That distinct stench is all around her bedroom.” Thank the gods, each of the dragon clans has a distinct scent. We’d been made aware of scents when the Council members gathered in our boardroom.

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