Page 35 of Protector Dragon's Shattered Mate

“The alpha is on his way to your house. Sofia is getting flashes of his plans. She thinks he’ll try to set your house on fire.”

“I’m on it,” Kellan said, and hung up.

She was so glad Kellan had made sure all the humans and the children were gone.

This was exactly what she had wanted to avoid. She had tried her best. She hated that she lied to Levi, and they still ended up in the exact same place, with the wolves descending on his home.

“Let’s get him,” Kellan said.

“I want you to ride on my back while I fly,” Levi said. “Will you do that?

"Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. His eyes widened, as if he’d thought she’d refuse.

“It’s faster than driving.” Levi said right before he transformed. She’d never tire of watching his wings spread out or watching the shimmering scales ripple over his body. She even loved his glowing yellow eyes.

He looked more majestic than ever as he knelt down for her to climb onto his back. Once she was ready, he took off, leaping into the air.

Her heart was in her throat as they soared toward Koryak. She couldn’t enjoy the bright stars in the sky or the birds-eye view from the treetops, a perspective she’d never gotten to see before. All she could think about was Kellan’s gorgeous house burning, and worse, all of the shifters that could be trapped inside.

“What if we don’t get there in time?” She looked down to see that she was squeezing Levi’s neck so hard that she was nearly choking him. He might have been a big strong dragon, but she could still cut off his air. She loosened her grip but panic still bloomed in her chest. “What if they set his house on fire and they have everyone locked inside?”

Dragon shifters don’t burn. We can swim in lava.

She sat up straighter with her mouth open. Had she known that? All shifters were harder to injure than humans, but a bear could be burned. Not badly, but it would be painful and there would be a recovery involved. They would fully heal… eventually, but it was best avoided.

And even if the dragons didn’t burn, a fire at the ranch would severely affect their strategy and her ability to fight and defend themselves.

She had never processed the fact that a dragon could breathe fire meant that it was fireproof.

And then she jerked her head up. Levi had spoken to her while he was in his dragon form! He had not spoken the words aloud but had sent them telepathically. Her mind raced with the possibilities.

Was she able to hear them because she was a witch? Could he read her mind? Or did he have to deliberately send her a message? Was this because of the bond? And could she do it too?

She was ready to try. That kind of connection would help them defeat the wolves.Can you hear me?

Yes, he said.

Can you read my mind? Is that how you knew what I was thinking?

I cannot read your mind at all,he said. You are projecting your thoughts very loudly about how worried you are.

I’m sorry.

Don’t apologize, he said.I’ve never communicated like this with anyone. It’s amazing.

It was amazing. Suddenly, she was overcome. She leaned down and put her cheek against his back. There was no denying it; they were bonded. He had been right.

The feeling was incredible. But also overwhelming—it hit her like a tidal wave right in the face, and everything she had thought about mates was being swept out to sea. It didn’t help that she had realized their bond just as they were about to fly headfirst into a battle. Anything could happen to either one of them.

Please don’t let me lose him.She still wasn’t sure what she wanted but having him alive and healthy was her priority.

She felt Koryak’s presence, close by. “Koryak is already there,” she said.

We’re here too. Look down,Levi said.

She looked down, and sure enough, she could see Kellan’s estate spreading out across the fields. Thank God there was no smoke rising from the roof.

“I’m sorry,” she said. She had to get this out. Hehadto know how she felt. “I’m so sorry I rejected you without hearing what you said. I just have to tell you in case something happens to—”

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