Page 31 of Kidnapped Plus-Size Mate

Back when the fight between Rakon and I broke out in the Dragon Council’s School for Young Dragons, the relationship between the Aurora Dragons and Fire Force had become strained. The two dragon shifter clans out of the four had become enemies, and my father had to take matters into his own hands to end the animosity between the two clans.

Just as he will have to do damage control now. I hate that, once again, I’m the reason for his stress when he should be on an island in the Bahamas enjoying some much-needed time away from Dragon Council duties with my mother.

Pursing my lips into a firm line, I wait with bated breath for the next steps.

They come when Father squares his shoulders, peeling himself from the bar. “We’ll have to call a meeting with the elders of the Council before we decide what to do about Rakon’s behavior. His personal vendettas shouldn’t disrupt our current plans to reveal our existence to the humans. Did anyone see you?”

“At least he was smart enough to take the fight to the mountains,” I tell Father. “He used the cloak of invisibility to fly out there when he captured Camilla in the alley.”

Father sighs his relief. “Good. It still doesn’t excuse what he did. But if I call the entire Council up for a meeting, he’s bound to attend. We’ll keep this amongst the elders, and discuss a way forward.”

“Thank you, Father,” I bid with a respectful nod. “This is more than I’m deserving of.”

“What makes you think you did anything wrong?” he raises an expectant brow.

When I shrug, his frown slips off as he chuckles with recognition. “Oh, I see… You thought I’d be as unforgiving as your mate currently is…”

“Yeah… Something like that,” I chuckle nervously. “She’s in a bad state right now.”

“Go,” Father encourages with a nod toward the study door. “Take care of your affairs, while I tend to this one. You have nothing to worry about. You did nothing wrong.”

***

When I thought I was fearful of telling my father what happened and facing the consequences of kidnapping my mate to the island, I was wrong.

It wasn’t the consequences of not being able to follow through with protocol that had fear clambering through my throat like bile.

It was the consequence of the act in itself that had me hesitating outside the guest bedroom door with a tray of food inmy trembling hand. I catch the apple as it rolls off the corner thanks to my quick reflexes, but the innate power of my inner dragon can’t be relied on now.

Camilla hates me, for obvious reasons. I’d kidnapped her to the island, and now I have to face her wrath. I can only hope that she’s calmed down enough by now so that I might speak to her and tell her the truth.

When I’ve finally built up enough courage to proceed, I quietly unlock the door and take a deep breath before stepping over the threshold. To my relief, Camilla is sound asleep on the bed, her eyes puffy from all the crying. A pang of guilt grips my heart, spurring my steps as I pad across the room and set the tray on her nightstand. When I straighten up, the guilt that gnaws on my conscience has me tentatively reaching out to tuck a curl behind her ear.

That same guilt has me drawing my hand back with a reluctant sigh, just in time for Camilla to open her eyes and throw instant daggers at me.

“I brought you something to eat,” I say, flicking my gaze to the nightstand when I feel too ashamed to look at her.

“I’m not hungry,” she says flatly as she shuffles on the bed. I take a step back to allow her enough space to stand up, but she crosses her arms and remains planted on the bed.

An awkward silence stretches around us like a dark cloud of seething rage. I can feel her anger pulsing as if it’s my own heartbeat. I clear my throat, but Camilla doesn’t stop glaring at me through patronizing slits of golden eyes.

“You should probably eat, Camilla.”

“Don’t you dare say my name, Sterling,” she grates through gritted teeth.

Damn.

I didn’t think she had it in her to be so feisty. In all the time I spent watching her from the sidelines and joining her groups of tours, I didn’t think she was anything but soft and sweet.

Even that kiss…

Gods, no! I shouldn’t allow my mind to drift in that direction. Reeling back from my thoughts, I sigh and remove myself from her vexed proximity, heading to the sliding door that leads to the balcony.

With a deliberate flick of my wrist, I remove the dark cloud that shrouds the glass, unveiling the night sky decorated with glowing stars.

“That’s better,” I muse as I turn around and offer her a nervous half-smile. “Now you’ll be able to see the island.”

“Am I supposed to thank you?” she scoffs, turning her face with deliberate intent, her arms still crossed.

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