Page 20 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

The meadow at the bottom is lavish, with all its dark greenery basking in the navy moonlight. Straining my gaze, I notice the dark head of the only man I’ve met so far.

Draco.

His muscular arms lift on either side of him, his honey-golden skin radiant under the moonlight. The tattoos inked on both arms seem to take on a life of their own, moving like serpents over his skin.

I lose the ability to breathe as I watch him lift his head to the skies, eyes closed. He fills his lungs with a deep breath, and out of nowhere, a pair of wings burst through his back.

Wings that I recognize as the webbed veil from my dreams. The webbed wing in glorious gold, ribbed with ruby crystals at every sharp point.

The transformation from human to the shape of a dragon from my dreams startles me.

Recognition, realization…

Panic, as everything fades to black in my vision.

Chapter 9 - Draco

As I saunter back to the ground, my father waits for me at the cusp of the meadow.

“Father,” I acknowledge with a curt nod when I’m back in human form.

He greets back in the same way, offering me only a nod as I pass him. When he clears his throat, I pause at the entrance of the castle.

“Son…”

“Yes, Father?” I reply as I turn around slowly. The tension in the air is palpable, enough to have me realize that there’s a lot he wants to say to me. I’m not exactly in the mood to hear anything.

But if there’s anything I’ve learned in the thousand and two years of my life, my father deserves the utmost respect.

After all, he saved the Aurora Dragons from complete extinction through his valiant service in the war. It’s a known fact that Dedrik Vulkan saved our clan and the other dragon clans in the war.

He’s never been able to live it down since then. And he deserves the honor that comes from his bravery during that war. Though I hadn’t even been born then, I’ve heard all the tales of his bold fighting against Zark’s brother—the ex-leader of Blaze Legion who began the war.

It was Father’s final blow that ended the war.

Hanging my head with the shame of my recent abrupt behavior, I sigh heavily. “Forgive me, Father, I—” I begin, but my father stops me when he clicks his tongue.

“There is no need, Draco,” he interjects as he takes a step forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “How have you been?”

I look up with a frown, realizing Father’s innocent question that isn’t pressing at all. He stares at me longingly, a faint smile curving his lips.

Relaxing momentarily, I ease the tension with his hand on my shoulder. It’s a much-needed moment of release, all things considered.

“I’m alright, I guess,” I admit earnestly. “It’s just been a strange few days.”

My father chuckles lightly as he releases his hand and walks away. When he goes toward the patio just outside the castle, I follow him there. He sighs as he takes a seat on the swing, and I join him there.

A pleasant silence follows while we enjoy the cool air and stare ahead. The night sky is painted by the stars where I’d enjoyed a lonesome flight earlier. I needed the time alone to think. To gather my thoughts and decide what I need to do next.

“How is the human?” he asks after the long moment of silence. He continues staring out, allowing me to be brutally honest as I stare at the moon.

“Lily…” I whisper softly as I take a deep breath. “I haven’t been able to speak to her much. She’s… stubborn.”

Father chuckles. “Well, she cannot be blamed. She’s been kidnapped to the island and has no idea who we are.”

I press my lips into a firm line. “I don’t think I can go through with it, Father. She’s too weak.”

“You underestimate the human, Draco,” he assures me firmly. “The process of choosing a human mate for you comes after much deliberation by the Council. We know what we’re doing.”

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