Page 43 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

“You were hellbent on keeping me here. Why now?”

Draco takes a deep breath as if strengthening his resolve before turning back to me. Staring into my eyes, he says, “If you’re going to be my mate, you’ll have to meet my family.”

“I haven’t decided yet,” I reply blankly as I stretch my arm to pick up the soap bar. Lathering it on my shoulder, I ignore the fact that I’m seated in a bathtub entirely naked, washing myself in his presence.

“Of course,” he relents with a sigh. “Though neither of us has a choice.”

I continue washing myself, pointedly avoiding looking at him. “I would like to believe that I have one.”

“So do I…” Draco murmurs. I hear the hopelessness in his voice, and it fills me with regret.

After all, he doesn’t have a choice. Not since their kind has suffered in numbers and are faced with extinction if they cannot reproduce. Still, it shouldn’t be my responsibility to carry.

After bathing, I pull out the stopper and prepare to stand up. Draco offers me a hand, which I take despite everything I’ve learned.

And as soon as I slip my hand into his, the electric current I felt last night reappears. Though faint, it’s enough to keep me stunned as he hands me a towel.

The simple gesture is enough to touch my heart. Warming it like an embrace, I realize I cannot be angry with the dragon man. He faces a dilemma of his own. And even if it has nothing to do with me, I find myself caring enough to recognize that he’s not all that bad.

Even as a dragon, Draco possesses the traits of a human, which allow him to show humility and care. The small things—like having breakfast with me this morning and running a bath for me—mean more to me than his Alpha status in the dragon clan.

And as he helps me pick out a dress for the day, I watch him intently and see him in a new light. He’s trying to do things differently, even if he has ulterior motives for it.

When I’m done dressing, I see Draco walk out onto the balcony. I follow him there, the warmth of the outside welcoming me.

“Wow…” I marvel as I step onto the balcony. The blue sky is inviting in its clarity and warmth provided by the sun. Only when I step all the way to the balcony rails do I notice the island in front of us.

Vivid colors like burgundies and blues paint the meadows bright and green. The blades of grass are so green, it’s as if the life force that flows through them causes them to sway in tune with their heartbeat. It comes as no surprise that the vast array of trees that make up the forestry seem to give off the cleanliest oxygen—not the kind distorted by pollution in the real world.

Correction… This feels more real than anything I could imagine. Unlike the world I know, this one is brighter. As if all I have to do is reach out—

“Draco…” I suddenly breathe when I realize that he’s staring at me. I’ve been so caught up gazing at the island for the first time in the light of day, that I’d forgotten he’d been there.

Perhaps because it had been so natural for him to be there. A feeling of… Home?

That feeling has me closing my eyes, eyelids fluttering like the soft wings of a butterfly. My lips part as my breath escapes me, anticipating what his lingering stare has conjured up.

My heartbeat quickens as I feel his presence when he steps closer. But then, nothing happens. All I feel is a gust of wind passing through the air before me. And when I open my eyes, Draco is gone.

Leaving me wondering if his actions meant anything at all.

Chapter 17 - Draco

“Fuck!” I yell out in the confines of the elevator, hands curling into fists, ready to be thrown into the silver wall. I’m too frightened to look up at my own reflection, so the mirrors on every wall force me to keep my glare on the doors ahead.

When they finally open up on the ground floor, I storm out as if I’m resenting the elevator.

Meanwhile, it’s me I detest. I have never been a coward in my life. Yet, a measly human has evoked that feeling in me.

“Hello, Brother,” I’m greeted by Felix.

I look up to find solace in his voice—something I’m not used to. I quickly scan our surroundings in the lobby to ensure we don’t have company before grabbing his arm. I drag him down to the far west corner, where I practically kick down the door of this floor’s study.

Each floor has a study of its own. It was merely a coincidence that I’d stumbled on Felix on the fifth floor last night.

He’s the only one who knows of my dilemma. Which is why his presence is the only one I’m drawn to.

“Are you sure?” I ask abruptly when we’re safely in the study.

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