Page 1 of Bound to the Dragon
CHAPTER 1
MADISON
Iignore Jessup’s steadfast stare through the rearview mirror. He’s been doing his best to catch my eye since we left my estate in Silver Glade, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of making eye contact. I feel like the minute I do, I might burst into tears, and that’s the last thing I need right now.
“Oh, come on, Maddi. We’re almost there.” He slows the SUV just enough to encourage some conversation, but my arms fold tighter over my breasts.
I’m not saying a word, and there’s not a damn thing he can say that will make me. The Alpha couldn’t even be bothered to make this trip. He had to send the Beta in his place. I mean, I guess I should be grateful someone in power is there to make the handoff, but it still feels like a slap in the face, given the severity of the situation. I’m about to be mated to the Alpha of Shadow Pine, after all. It feels like a big deal to me, even if no one else seems to think so.
“You know this will secure our peace, Maddi. You’re exactly what Blaze needs.”
“I know.” I turn my head further toward the tinted window, my dark hair covering my face entirely so he can’t read my expression at all.
Not that he needs to.
My animus flows like molten lava throughout the entire car, suffocating even me. I’m trying really hard to hide it, but I’ve never been very good at hiding my emotions. I resent this union so much, like I’m some concubine for sale.
Being reduced to a walking fertility solution for Blaze’s cursed lineage is humiliating enough, but the sprawling territory he handed over to Granger? My Alpha gets paid handsomely for sacrificing me, while I get nothing but a lifetime sentence to a stranger’s bed.
“Then stop acting like a brat and accept your fate.”
My chin jerks back toward Jessup dubiously. I think I’m handling it pretty well considering the bubbling resentment beneath the surface.
“I’m here, aren’t I? I didn’t make a break for another territory or fight with Granger when he told me this was happening.”
I don’t add what I’m desperate to say, wisely keeping the secret of what Granger and my father had done close to my chest. Jessup is already in a mood, and I don’t want to make it any worse.
“I didn’t say anything,” I add. “Just leave me alone, Jessup.”
“If your bitterness is this obvious to me, your new mate will definitely notice it, too. Can you try to smile at least?”
I fold my arms tightly across my body. There’s no sense in telling Jessup or anyone else what’s really bugging me about this whole thing. It’s not even about the arranged mating. It’s the secrets that come with it.
Eventually, everyone will know the truth, no matter what I do to keep my mouth shut. My mother knows. My closest friend knows. It’s not just some secret I’m keeping. That’s the real reason Alpha Granger didn’t come today. He doesn’t want his cover blown. He’s too busy using me as a sacrifice and hoping myfertility will solve all the problems. Typical Granger. Shooting first and making the aftermath everyone else’s problem.
In this case, mine.
“Why couldn’t Granger be here today?”
I hate how pathetic I sound, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m walking into dangerous territory.
I’m scared, but I can’t tell Jessup that because there’s nothing he can do about it, nor would he if he could. He’s under orders from Granger, just like the rest of my pack, just like me. It’s not like the Alpha would make me feel any safer, anyway. He might even make me feel worse, if I’m being honest. I don’t trust our Alpha as far as I can throw him. But it’s better than facing the unknown alone.
“You know full well that Alpha Granger is busy dealing with all the shit back at the territory. Which is exactly why you have to make sure nothing goes wrong today.”
The scowl on my face deepens. “That Alpha brings on more problems than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Stop it,” Jessup bites out. “I don’t care if you are the future Luna of Shadow Pine; you will have respect for Silver Glade. You will remember your roots.”
I’m irritating Jessup, and I should know better. I need him on my side at least. Someone needs to be on my side through this. “If Granger cared about this going well, he would have sent an enforcer or two along.”
“Madison, would you give it a rest? It’s not like you’re in danger, and everyone will be here for the ceremony in a few days, anyway.”
Not if there isn’t a ceremony. The unbidden thought grows on me. It’s not the first time I’ve had it since the proposal was brought to me.
For a fleeting moment, I consider blowing up the whole affair. I can’t be the only fertile female in Silver Glade preparedto mate with an Alpha. In fact, I’m not even prepared to mate with him. There have to be more willing females than me.
But Granger hand-picked me, and I can’t argue with the almighty Alpha. I know why he wants me specifically, too. Sure, my bloodline’s ancient fertility magic is supposedly the key to fixing Blaze’s family curse—something about crow shifters having the power to rebirth what dragons have lost.
