Page 58 of Kidnapped Plus-Size Mate

The elder gulps, his pause signaling Falkor to speak up.

“Last night, the forest in Lizard Island was ruined by what appeared to be an accidental fire. But I’m not sure that’s the case,” he explains with a heavy-hearted sigh. “Since his disappearance, he’s severed ties to the Fire Force mind link, making it abundantly clear that he has pulled back his loyalty to the clan. My Beta has gone rogues…” Falkor laments, a hint of disappointment in his voice as he glances at his mate. She touches his hand on the desk to soothe him, and he continues with a gulp when he looks up at his elder.

“... He’d been spotted in South America along with some friends from our clan. The ones who attacked the Aurora Dragonclan.” Falkor passes brief glances around the room, his eyes aggrieved with remorse. “He was seen consorting with witches, and we have enough reason to consider him the enemy now.”

The word “witches” rings loud and clear in my mind, realization washing over me in waves that crash only to put the pieces of a puzzle together.

Camilla told me all about her strange dreams. The ones that turned into haunting nightmares when she was visited by dark, cloaked figures who resembled what she could only describe as her ancestors.

The dreams began shortly before she met me in the mortal world when my dragon visited her while she slept. In hindsight, those dreams were only to foreshadow our upcoming meeting. Until those dreams turned frightening thanks to those dark figures.

That night, when the haunting presence of mysterious figures flashed in her mind while she’d been awake, she told me all about her vivid dreams. She was afraid that when they offered her the blade, it meant she had to kill me.

But I saw the terror and dread in her tear-stricken eyes, and I knew that it couldn’t possibly be the case. As I sit at the boardroom table while the others discuss a way forward to capture Rakon, I drown out their voices to work on the mental puzzle.

Camilla had been drawn to the symbolism in the book she found in our library, claiming that a certain image resembled the pendant her grandmother wore on her neck.

Maybe Rakon wasn’t out to get me back for what happened in the past. Maybe he was trying to get to Camilla because she’s not just a human…

The stark realization has me gasping, slamming a palm on the desk that’s forceful enough to bring everyone’s attention to me. I turn to meet Falkor’s wary eyes and shake my head.

“I think he’s trying to overthrow you, Alpha Falkor,” I say, holding my tongue so that I don’t spill anything about my mate to the group. It’s a secret I must keep until I’m sure about who I can trust amongst the dragons.

But it all makes perfect sense now.

“When we were in dragon school, Rakon mentioned that he didn’t think you were fit to be the Alpha. The only reason he befriended you was to keep a watchful eye on you, in case you slipped up.” I pause as Falkor’s eyes widen with horror. As the Alpha of Fire Force, he’d been chosen by the elders because Nova never had a mate to bear dragonspirit children to carry his bloodline and leadership of their clan.

“He was convinced that the Council would pick him,” I lament, glancing at the elders. “That’s why he said, ‘keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’.”

I turn back to Falkor to see anger flash in his eyes as he shakes his head disbelievingly. “He was my best friend…”

“I’m sorry, Falkor,” I apologize sincerely, dropping the use of formalities to show my compassion. “It was more than nine hundred years ago. I thought he’d changed.”

“So did I,” Falkor grouches, rising off the chair and dismissively shrugging when his mate offers to say something. With his lips pursed into a firm line, he marches out of the boardroom.

“He rehearsed his speech well,” Nova cuts the dense silence, despondently hanging his shoulders. Even if he’s neverhad a child of his own, Falkor is probably the closest thing to a son he has. He feels the Alpha’s pain.

“... Perhaps he was expecting a different outcome,” Nova continues sullenly. “That someone could convince him that his best friend wasn’t the enemy after all.”

“If what Stryker says is true…” Falkor’s mate, Sandra, looks at me. “Then Rakon was never Falkor’s friend.”

I can’t ignore the frisson of regret that passes through me while Sandra watches me skeptically. I wasn’t lying, but I couldn’t tell them that Rakon was after my mate because he needed her help. I had to mention what he said all those years ago, which gives me reason to believe that he wants Falkor’s place as the leader of Fire Force. Back when we were younger, he was convinced that it was his birthright.

While plans go ahead for the dragon shifter clans to enforce stronger surveillance and keep a watchful eye out for Rakon, I impatiently tap my foot on the floor.

I need to go back to my quarters and find Camilla and tell her about my suspicions.

***

“I’m not following…” Camilla frowns from where she sits cross-legged on the couch.

The book of witches’ spells is opened on her lap. She’s hardly been able to rest, much less put The Grimoire down in an attempt to find answers to her dreams.

She’s afraid that she’s supposed to take my life.

If only she knew that I would willingly give it up if it was an important part of her discovering who she truly is…

“The dragon who was after you wasn’t trying to get revenge on me. I think he really did want you to work for him. But not as a consultant in the art world.”

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