Page 58 of Gift from the Stone

Instead of jumping straight in the way he did, I let out a small little warning rumble, my dominance fluttering out only enough to test his reaction. His wolf doesn’t like it at all. The human side of him may think I’m weak, he’s already convinced he’ll force me to my knees, but his animal can tell I’m just toying with him.

After the second fierce growl, with no more than a smirk from me, he starts to get pissed. We go back and forth, him letting out fierce, menacing growls, and me smiling, letting out sweet little chirps. Draken’s standing to the side laughing, knowing I’m playing with him, and I should be ashamed of myself for taking pleasure in the fact that he’s happy about this little game I’ve started with Gage. Instead, it just boosts my ego and makes me want to do it more.

This growl that he lets out does rouse my dragon. It’s his full force, and she doesn’t want to back down from the disrespect he just showed her. But I keep a tight grip on the control I have on her and pat my lips, covering a faux yawn.

“Are you done?” I ask, sugary sweet.

“Answer me this, little tree. When you’re done whoring yourself to the dragon over there, how about you give me and my Nexus a turn fucking that sweet little mouth of yours?” he asks with a twisted smile.

Wrong thing to say.

Locking eyes with him, I let the full power of my dragon out. From the depths of my chest, a deep, deafening growl shakes the ground beneath my feet, and I watch in satisfaction as Gage’s knees slam into the grass, his head bowing low.

Sauntering over to him, the dominance and power rolling off me in waves floods me with a confidence I’ve strived to have my entire life. My Nexus may treat me like a priceless gem, but that doesn’t mean other males will, not that they should, but treating someone more than an object they can fuck to their liking should be a given. I know what it’s like to be picked apart like a piece of carcass and I refuse to allow any man to treat me in such a way ever again.

“If you ever speak to me or any female that way again, I’ll make it my personal vendetta to ensure you and your Nexus never have the opportunity to bond to a Primary. Fuck around and I’ll make it so another female never enters your bed. You understand me, pup?” I growl, pinching his chin, forcing his eyes to meet mine and hold.

My voice is lower, deeper than my usual tone. My dragon’s as close to the surface as I’ll let her without him being able to see what I am, guiding me with her instincts on how to handle him.

“You’re so fucking beautiful. You have them all on their knees,” Draken whispers as his strong body presses into the back of mine. He lays his hand on my hip, instantly calming the rage swirling inside of me.

I follow his line of sight, zeroing in on Vince and Walker. Asking my dragon for some assistance on how to get them to stand back up, she floods me with impressions on how to pull my dominance back from the two of them, and they both stand straight up, looking at me in disbelief and shock.

I give them a small bow of my head, following her lead on how to let them know I didn’t mean to hit them like that. I don’t see Vince as a threat. I respect the way he’s treated me so far, and I haven’t even been introduced to Walker, but Draken seems to have a positive regard toward him. The rest are fair game in my dragon’s and my eyes.

“Answer me,” I command, turning back to Gage. His body is shaking like a leaf as he tries to break free from my power.

“I understand,” he answers begrudgingly. And I pull my dominance back, freeing everyone at once. I don’t care if he means it or not. I’ll keep my word if I hear anything not to my liking.

I may have let my dragon’s power give me a pretty unearned ego boost, but at the same time, I do have this power, and if I can use it to ensure no other female gets treated the way I’ve been, then damn straight I’m going to use it.

“Let this be a lesson to you dickheads the next time one of you decides to challenge my true Primary,” Draken announces, staring at each of them until they cast their eyes down.

“Class dismissed,” Vince bellows as he and Walker make their way over to us. “True Primary, huh? That’s the reason I was told not to pair the two of you against one another.”

“Yeah, we weren’t really announcing it yet. Sorry for hitting you that hard. I only meant to teach Gage a lesson in how to speak to women.” I apologize.

“It was unexpected. Is that something we need to work on? You didn’t seem to have a problem focusing on me and Walker when you withdrew your power,” Vince asks, eyeing me like he still isn’t sure how that much strength came out of little ol’ me. He doesn’t seem mad or offended, though, just shocked.

“I didn’t think I’d hit you all, but my intentions in my mind were clear that no man would speak to me that way, so you ended up as collateral damage, I’m afraid. I didn’t have any problems zoning in on the two of you and pulling it back once I asked my animal for a little help.”

“I think it’s an area we should work on. I heard that your Nexus is traveling to the Alpha trials. Now that I know you’re going to be joining them, it’d probably be beneficial for you to know how to direct your command at a specified group, so you don’t send any E.F. members to their knees by accident.” He nods like the more he thinks about it, the more sense it makes.

“How did you know I’d be going?” I ask suspiciously.

“I’ve known your Nexus for a long time. I was a teacher’s aide when Corentin and Tillman started their classes, and he offered me this position once becoming Headmaster. They’d never leave their true Primary behind alone. I’ll see you all next class,” he says, giving me a knowing look before walking away.

“I’ve only come across a few shifters whose dominance was as strong as yours, but it felt different,” Walker speaks for the first time, analyzing me.

“I’m sorry about that. Again, I didn’t mean for you or Vince to get caught in the crossfire,” I tell him sincerely, hoping he isn’t pissed about it.

“What do you mean different?” Draken tacks on defensively, stepping in front of me slightly.

“I mean no offense. Her power feels divine, ancient. I’ve only felt power like that during my awakening,” Walker says, holding his hands out in front of him.

“Damn, I didn’t realize Bri was your true Primary,” Draken comments with a surprised look on his face.

“It’s a well-kept secret. You know the dangers that lurk in Elementra around true Primaries. That’s why I wanted to say something about her powers. Others may not sense it because they’ve never experienced a bond like we have, but I felt it and its familiarity. I’d keep her as close as possible and be careful letting the full extent of your powers out,” Walker warns before turning from us and walking off the field.

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