Page 44 of Brutal Alpha Dragon

My younger brother frowns at me as if he views me as a madman. “Sure of what, Draco?”

I run a frustrated hand through my hair, ignoring that it’s longer than I usually keep it. But these past few weeks have changed my whole outlook on life.

Especially last night.

“Are you sure that she could be my fated mate?” I ask, raising my brows expectantly.

Felix sighs before turning around and spotting a seat he can plop onto. When he does, he kicks one leg over the couch, arms splayed out on either side of him. “Did we not establish this last night already?”

Glaring at my brother, it takes a moment of silence for my mind to go through everything we discussed last night. Everything we’d uncovered, all the information we had found on fated mates to the dragons.

Every creature known to Earth has one, a fated mate. One is in the entire tally of creations made specifically for them. Two halves of a whole.

And a dragon would only know that it’s met its other half when they touch physically. The electric feeling rushes through the pair, which would be too intense to ignore or pass up. Their matching energies would just create a sense of knowing.

Then there’s the unmistakable scent, which would be too addictingly sweet not to recognize one’s, fated mate.

Both of which I have experienced. And I’d ripped through every viable book and journal in the library to come up with the conclusion that it is quite possible, actually. A human may be a dragon’s fated mate.

Still unconvinced, I’d ensured Felix was there to cross-reference and double-check everything I found. To my surprise, the Cube of Knowledge not only found a suitable mate to carry dragonspirit offspring, but it also found my fated mate.

The one fated to me by destiny, or the Universe as we know it. The higher powers that we pray to have made this possible.

And yet, she still is just a human. My ego can’t accept that little fact.

“We did establish this last night,” I relent while shaking my head with confusion. “It’s just that—”

“You still don’t want to accept any of it,” Felix interjects with sarcasm as he leans forward, steepling his fingers on his lap. “Why, Draco? Because you’re superior?”

“You think this is because of my ego?” I bleat in disbelief, but Felix’s eyes narrow, telling me he sees right through the act.

I can’t pretend anymore. Not after last night. And especially not now, as I refuse to accept the truth, still searching for excuses.

I wouldn’t be this close to pulling my hair from its roots if it meant nothing to me.

Felix shakes his head, leaning back again. “I didn’t say it was, but you did. And maybe it’s time your ego realizes that this is far greater than just you, Draco. Stop being so fucking selfish, and see the bigger picture.”

“I don’t—” I shake my head, shoving away the intrusive thoughts brought on by my ego. It’s just there to warp my reality, make me selfish, and make me feel victimized for everything happening.

“This is a privilege,” Felix goes on to remind me. “A month ago, we had no hope of ever-expanding the dragon race. Now that we do, you need to get your head in the game. If you don’t make Lily pregnant, the rest of us can’t get mates picked with the help of the Cube.”

I take a deep breath, and I hang my head with shame when I exhale. I can’t believe I’d been so lost in my own head, that I couldn’t see the bigger picture.

“Forgive me, Felix,” I apologize earnestly.

When I feel his hand settling on my shoulder, I see my younger brother offering me a cajoling smile.

“There’s no need to apologize to me, Draco,” he assures me. “I can’t even fathom how big of a responsibility it is to be the Alpha of the Aurora Dragons.” He sighs. “But, you have all of us supporting your every move. Don’t forget that.”

“I guess I did forget,” I chuckle nervously, thinking about my behavior over these past few weeks. I’d shut everyone out, including Lily, who I shut behind the closed doors of her bedroom.

Straightening my spine and standing tall again, I feel my resolve strengthening as I shed the layer of being a victim. I have to make the most of what I have. And to be honest, what I have is almost perfect.

Almost.

If Lily’s DNA construct doesn’t accept the gift of immortality, I’m doomed.

But that’s a worry I’ll deal with when the time comes.

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