Page 18 of So I Dared a Dragon

I never thought I’d see her again either, and she took my breath away.

So many nights I’d dreamed about this woman, the way she had looked tangled in my bed sheets. If I closed my eyes now, that image would be there. It was always there. The way the warm light from the lanterns had flickered against her bare skin. The way she’d laugh as she told me stories about her lifeoutside the mountain. And the way her lips tasted just after she’d promised she’d stay with me forever.

I couldn’t let any of that distract me from the fact this woman lied to me and broke my heart.

After all that, I still wanted her.

Not to mention she was wearing the ruby pendant I’d given her—an heirloom from my thunder known as the Guardian Stone—a promise, a symbol that would show everyone that she belonged to me.

This coy little she-wolf had a way of turning me into a fool. I’d sworn to myself before answering the call of the vibration that emitted from the pendant that I’d never let her do that to me again. I had a long history of trusting the wrong souls, and my mission was much more complicated than simply claiming my mate.

I was here to make things right.

“Free?” the most interesting she-wolf I’d ever seen exclaimed. She was almost as tall as me and had purple hair. The little human who’d called her over for help also had purple hair. I’d thought the shade would make me stand out, but maybe it was a common hue around this mountain range. Many things had changed since I’d been here last.

The fascinating wolf had a stocky build, but she still managed to be extremely feminine. She put a gloved hand on her hip. Her dress was silver and shiny, but I couldn’t let her mesmerize me. I didn’t know who I could trust here.

“Were you in prison?” she asked.

“Something like that,” I said. I could tell her it was because I’d trusted someone who had betrayed me, but it would make me sound weak. I couldn’t rewrite my history, but I could lay claim on my future. “Now, if you don’t mind.”

The sparkly wolf put her hand up as I went to step around her and claim my mate once and for all.

She wasn’t the least bit intimidated by my growl.

“Are you her bodyguard?” I asked. One huff of fire would obliterate everyone standing on this stage. I wouldn’t do that. I wasn’t here to cause anyone harm. I just wanted what was mine.

These shifters and humans cared about my mate. So many of them were ready to pounce to protect her. I hoped Calista treated them with more respect than she’d given me.

“I’m her best friend.” The interesting she-wolf stepped forward and offered her gloved hand. “My name is Bibi le Bonnet. I’m the host ofThe Mating Gameand many think of me as a fairy dragmother. Are you a fan of the show?”

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, but it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I took her hand. The velvet soft—but firm—grip gave me more questions than answers.

She tipped her head. “Then how did you know Calista would be here?”

“The necklace.” Smoke blew from my nostrils as I rumbled and pointed at my mate. Calista gasped and clapped her hand to her chest, covering the ruby. But it was too late. It had already drawn me to her.

These modern beasts have no idea how valuable that stone is,I reminded myself.They don’t deserve to know your secrets.

Tension rose from everyone around us, but this she-wolf stayed cool.

“You won’t keep me from her,” I added.

“Well, I must say, your timing is impeccable because Calista was just about to choose a mate.” Bibi beamed at me, but then her expression quickly sobered. “You’re not the one sending her those threatening notes, are you?”

I looked over Bibi’s shoulder, meeting Calista’s frozen gaze.

“Someone’s threatening you?” I growled. I’d deal with the fact that she was about to choose a mate in a moment. As soon as I made sure no one would lay a claw on her.

Calista swallowed hard and nodded.

“And you allowed this to happen?” I said to Bibi.

“It seems like we have something in common. Calista hasn’t told either of us everything.” She stepped closer, and that easy smile was back. “Why don’t you come backstage with us? You must be starving after your journey. Our caterers are second to none. Not sure what hungry dragons like to eat, but I’m sure you’ll find something you like. We weren’t planning on having an influx of such big, handsome men, but our wardrobe department has dressed that big hunk of bear” —she motioned to the giant man standing behind the camera— “and even Bigfoot himself.”

“That guy’s still around?” Magnus, one of the dragons who’d stayed loyal to me, said. He’d warned me I should let Calista go, but still, he accompanied me on this journey. He’d be gloating about this for years. One of these days, I’d start listening to him. When I had my mate by my side, where she belonged.

I didn’t have too many more missteps left in me.

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