Page 42 of Devoted to the Dragon

Fennik turns and scoops us both into a fierce hug. “When we get home, we’re going to figure out how to finish this and make you both mine.”

Gunnar’s stomach makes another loud rumble.

“But first, we’re going to feed Gunnar,” I tease.

Fennik doesn’t let go of either of us, pulling us in for a three-way kiss that makes my toes curl and my core ache. He smacksmy ass when my hands wander, pulling back and giving me a stern look. “Eat. We have a Council meeting to survive.”

The three of us settle back on the bed, eating the large breakfast as we go back through the strategy for the meeting. I try to focus, knowing what happens today will matter for our future, but I can’t quite manage to draw my eyes away from marks.

My dragon has finally chosen.

Chapter 20

Randi

The pack alphas and councilmen continue to argue amongst themselves around the crowded chamber. It’s been hours since the meeting was called to session, and Gunnar has taken to pacing along the wall.

The stories from the territories are bleak, tales of spreading violence and wolves hunted by rogue packs. The packs have lost the numbers to run their human-facing timber business, and production has almost stopped. No one has a solution, and everyone has problems.

I wasn’t holding out for a great plan, but I expected at least something from the king to get real solutions started. The longer he goes on making excuses, the more he pisses me off.

“That brings us to the problem of mating and the ferals,” the king says, hands steepled.

All eyes turn to me.

The king gives me a cold look. “You seem to be quiet, dragoness. Have you experienced these problems in your Moon Lake Valley?”

He’s baiting me, but I refuse to be ruffled.

I lift my chin, surveying the room. “We have ferals and address them directly, but we have found that most wolves settle once they are brought through a successful rut.”

Murmurs carry through the chamber, curious glances and angry glares thrown my way.

That was the opening the king was waiting for. “And do you plan to share how you have handled this so successfully at Frenzy? Or is your plan to keep the answers for yourself while we suffer?”

I stare him down, giving him a grin that shows I know what he’s trying to accomplish and it won’t work. “Most of the men in this room have attended Frenzy. As you know from experience, Alpha, we use trained humans to attend wolves’ ruts. What exactly are you asking of me? I haven’t seen anything of a plan from you, and yet you want me to, what?

“Send you volunteer rut companions when you can’t guarantee their safety? Give you the spells we use to call on the rut? Who of you can cast them? We’ve been over this many times. Exactly what is your plan? To have me solve the problem for you?”

The wolves around the large circular table bristle, and the crowd behind them stirs.

Fennik, seated across from me, shakes his head. “Couldn’t resist,” he mouths.

I did promise him I would try for composed today, but at this point, we’re lucky I’m not fuming steam.

The king stands, addressing the whole room, but his eyes are on me. “Yes, that is exactly what we’re asking. We will reinstate the Thunder and decree that all wolves must partake to remain in a territory. The Council would like access to your witch, rut companions, and increased guard training. We plan to send wolves who have successfully trained with you to each territory.”

“And whose magic will you use to create the Thunder? Vandera is one witch. She can’t possibly attend them all.”

The door to the chamber opens, and the raven-haired woman from yesterday walks into the room. She is dressed in a slim tuxedo, shadows undulating around her as she moves.

Gasps ring out, making it clear that many were unaware of the king’s plan.

The serpents are off-limits. Dead to us. The enemy of the great shifters. They brought the first extinction with their treachery. The serpents stole our hearts—the blood from them full of potent magic—and used them to aid the crusading knights in creating their “holy” weapons meant to kill other shifters. Ever since, they have been shunned, feeding off humans and their own greed.

I should have never come here. I was arrogant and naive. Fennik was right.The king has no answers. He has only backward deals and more loss for the wolves.

“That’s where we come in,” the woman says confidently. “We will provide people to be trained as rut companions. We simply need you to tell us the spell and train those we send to you.” The snake joins the king.

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