Page 40 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

“Felix,” I acknowledge with a nod. “What are you doing here?”

My younger brother waves the book he’s reading in the air. “I’m going through the Elder Manuscript.”

My heart skips a beat as I take another step into the study. That’s exactly the book I needed to read.

“Any reason why you’re reading that?” I ask with a nervous chuckle.

Felix looks up with a discerning frown. Almost as if he sees right through me. “I’m learning about humans and the old traditions.” He sighs. “Once you make your human pregnant successfully, I’m next.”

“About that—”

“I know,” Felix interjects with a huff. “You don’t have the balls to do it yet.”

“Felix…” I warn with a stern voice, to which my brother lifts his hands in surrender. “If you’re so concerned about finding a human mate, then you’re gonna help me.”

Felix perks up, becoming interested, when he leans forward and tilts his head. “Help you with what?”

“What do you know about the fated mate bond between a dragonspirit and a human?”

Chapter 16 - Lily

The remnants of the electric feeling in my wrist remain long after Draco has left. Standing on the balcony, I try to make sense of what I felt earlier.

At least the midnight hour is a beautiful sight to behold. The waxing crescent moon lights up the dark blue sky along with the stars. I gaze longingly at the picture it creates as my imagination runs wild. In each star, I see my loved ones.

A pang in my heart grips me to the point of tears. I never imagined that I’d be torn from them. Ripped from my home, immersed in the world of dragons that I know little about.

When I picture Violet’s face, I allow the weeping caught in my chest to spill over. A hole digs a path in my heart, and it’s only filled with pain. I can’t imagine their turmoil right now. And truthfully, I don’t want to.

Perhaps it’s that deep, inner knowing that I actually want to be here, away from the troubles of my world where I’d only been facing hardships. Here, I get to be as free as the bedroom allows, now with the privilege of the balcony where I can gaze at the stars.

Along with the man from my dreams who turned out to be completely different than I ever imagined. Far from perfect, he’s frightening. Still, I can’t see myself being anywhere but here.

Sighing, I say goodbye to the night, hoping the morning will be better.

***

Opening my eyes to the full capacity of the sun’s rays, I find myself smiling as the sun kisses my cheek.

I haven’t felt that warmth in two weeks. And it’s rather pleasant, even if I wake up in the bedroom that’s been my prison all this time.

Stretching my arms over my head, I yawn away the last bit of my sleeping phase as I open my eyes. As soon as I do, I find Draco standing beside the bed.

Scrambling to an upright seated position, I gulp hard. Fear lingers as I recall the electric shock that had run through me when he grabbed my wrist last night. But for some reason, the hole that had been in my heart when I cried on the balcony is gone.

I feel… Whole?

“Good morning, Lily,” Draco greets rather gently. Not habitual for the Alpha of the dragon clan.

“Good morning…” I whisper in reply. There’s an evident shift in the air around us. It’s no longer as tense as it was before. And I find myself feeling drawn to the ambiance as Draco offers me a smile.

“I brought you some breakfast,” he says as he lifts the basket he’s carrying.

“Thanks,” I acknowledge tersely as I cross my legs and pull the basket over. When he doesn’t immediately leave, I follow the hunger pang in my belly and open the basket lid.

I frown when I find two plates instead of just one. He must notice my reaction, because he steps forward and says, “I thought we’d have breakfast together for a change.”

“Er—” I look up, still frowning, when I notice his ears turning red. Almost as if he’s shy. “Okay.”

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