Page 6 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

Lily.

That’s the name I’d been given, along with a picture of the face that matches the one staring up at a suited man apologetically.

Why am I not surprised to see her frantically cleaning up after herself? The mess she’d made because she’s human.

Flawed.

Incapable of carrying prestigious dragonspirit children. A bloodline so powerful, it would probably break her.

The thought alone churns my stomach as I slide off the barstool. Feeling suffocated by the ruling made by the Dragon Council, I go in search of fresh air.

“Pathetic,” I grouch when I’m outside. As the crisp evening air fills my lungs, it does little to douse my fuming disposition.

No amount of technological advances could change my mind. The human virgin woman, Lily Turner, is no match for me. Even with her fuller hips, her plump breasts. Or the womb screened by the Cube of Knowledge as a suitable one to bear my children.

That’s what they’re calling it. The Cube of Knowledge. Proudly at that.

The only source of knowledge I can trust is in my skull. Running a hand through my hair, I feel my cell vibrating in my pocket.

“Mother…” I greet flatly when I answer the call. Even though the island is hidden, we can make calls between our world and theirs. It’s not something I appreciate right now.

“Hello, my son,” she greets warmly.

Begrudgingly grunting under my breath, I’m remorseful about my behavior. Mother does not deserve it. Not when she was the only one who was opposed to the Council’s methods.

“Forgive me, Mother,” I apologize earnestly. “It’s been an… Interesting day.”

Mother giggles on the other end, then asks, “Have you found her yet?”

“Yes,” I sigh reluctantly, glancing back at the joint. The woman, Lily, carries a tray of broken glass shards to the bar.

“Is she as beautiful as the program showed her to be?” Mother’s next question stems from her awe when Lily’s picture showed up on the Cube’s screen. As the suitable candidate, I detected with the help of scientific screening and matched it to my DNA.

Mother described her as beautiful, but I can’t look past that she’s just a measly human. Mother’s only qualm was that this mate wasn’t chosen out of love.

And mine resides in the fact that she’s human.

“The resemblance is uncanny, Mother,” I reply dryly. “Perhaps Felix will be better suited for her good looks.”

I can almost see my mother rolling her eyes in the silence that follows. “Nonsense, Draco. Your brother will have his turn. Right now, it’s yours.”

Grunting under my breath, I notice the woman hanging at the bar. Knowing my mother is right, I decided to go back inside. Like a predator stalking his prey, I take a deep breath for composure.

“You have an example to set, Son,” Mother reminds me sternly. “As Alpha of the Aurora Dragon Clan, you have responsibilities that cannot be overlooked.”

“Of course,” I concede. “I’ll speak to you soon, Mother.”

Cutting the call, I return to the tavern. This time, choosing a table near the window. A perfect spot to remain incognito.

Or so I thought until the woman spots me from the bar.

It’s the first time since my arrival that I see her face. Illuminated by the soft yellow lights overhead, it’s like her skin is kissed by the sun itself. And when our eyes lock, her brown orbs are challenging. As gentle as they are, they’re judgmental.

The eyes that assessed me in my vision on the island. Even now, I’m as startled as I was that night. Breath caught like a lump in my throat, she gives me an escape from my retribution when she turns to her friend.

That’s all the time I need to disappear.

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