A Dance with a Dragon

She is my possession now

Nikolai's POV

They walked into the room like they owned the place. The Alpha and his daughter were the ones who interrupted my conversation, yet they managed to wear expressions that suggested otherwise.

And just like that, the omega stood up from the bed as if caught in the act, and began to make a bow to the unwelcome guests. But then, instead of being dismissed as she might have expected, she lifted her head to find the same people bowing in our direction.

I could see the confusion on her face, and though it was something worth savoring, I was angry that their presence disturbed our conversation. However, I've always known how to control my anger. No one could provoke me beyond my approval. It's all part of the training I've undergone for the past four years as the sole heir to the throne.

"My prince, we are really sorry for the inconvenience. Rooms are being prepared for you and your companions as we speak."

I maintained my place and silence, not even sparing them a second glance. The omega shot me a look and blurted out the words "YOU?!" With all the tension in the atmosphere, I locked my gaze on hers as she continued to stare at me in unbelief. And just like that, I had the idea of continuing our conversation until the unwelcome guests realized their error and then return outside the room to knock on the door.

"You were saying?" I continued, ignoring the uncomfortable atmosphere, now filled with tension and apprehension, but the one who responded wasn't the person I was addressing.

"Who are you to gaze into the eyes of the Dragon prince as he speaks?" The Alpha’s daughter demanded brashly, moving closer to the Omega. "What were you doing? How dare you talk back to him? How dare you?"

I thought it was all authoritative talk until she raised her hand to strike her right in front of me. To think I could have missed the whole action with just a blink. The arrogant-looking woman would have slapped the chosen omega across her face, and the omega would have accepted it without resistance. I was irritated.

I held her hand in place. "Such audacity you have," I said, my irritation growing.

"I'm trying to teach her a lesson. She disrespected you," she defended herself.

I wasn't sure what vexed me more, whether it was the fact that she attempted to slap my chosen mate before me or her presumption in defending me. I didn't even realize the extent of my emotions, as my grip tightened, making her wince.

"Ouch, My prince, are you hurting me?"

And I wasn't certain whether I wanted to stop hurting her.

"Who are you to defend me?" My voice, though soft, was slower, an indication of my rising anger.

"She is my chosen one, and you attempted to slap her in my presence. It's not your concern how she chooses to speak to me. I decide."

"My prince, do not be enraged. Forgive my daughter, for I have taught her how to behave with the Ravkans prince. She was just trying to make sure that everything is in the right order ," the alpha interjected.

"Jareth! Those are excuses. Explain to me why your daughter thought it was appropriate to hit a girl with no defense, just because she's an omega?"

I released her arm with a little more force than I intended.

"You don't need to defend me," I heard the omega say. "I am used to this. Soon you will leave, and I will remain with my people. Whatever happens will not be your business. Don't put me in more trouble," she said from behind me.

I don't know why, but her use of the phrase "my people" caught my attention. That moment felt so raw; the emotion in her words carried a vibration through the room and into my mind to the point that I could almost associate it with my own pain.

With a glance, I could see the alpha cautioning his daughter with his eyes. The entire situation provided insight into the leadership dynamics among the wolves. While it may not be my business, as the omega suggested, at this moment, I'm choosing to make it my business.

"Oh, you know that's not true, Freyja. You are just as special as everyone else in the pack," Diana interjected. "We just have to show respect to the royal family and the throne, that's all. You of all people know that I have no bad blood towards you."

But it was obvious she was trying so hard to remedy her behavior, and I'm sure in the past, she never needed to render any kind of apology for her attitude towards those who are beneath her.

Just her pretentious tone alone began to irritate me all over again. She had no place in my forgiveness. I have learned all I need to know.

Even though I'm yet to decide whether or not I have any use for this Omega – this Freyja – I still won't leave her with these people.

"You are coming with me. You are my possession now," I turned to face her, and the sadness in her face was housed in her eyes. Why does this pain seem so familiar to me?

I don't even know what to tell my mother yet. I had hoped to wiggle myself out of this whole marriage thing, and just a few hours ago, my plan was certain. But then Drogo had to go ahead and choose her. But I was sure of it more than anything, it was not a mistake! This was real! She is really the one. Drogo had dropped it in my heart, and I don't even know why I had not thought about it up until now. Why did Drogo choose this kind of person? Except for her stunning beauty, Why her?

Still, for the meantime, I believe that it would be better to be away from a pack that can't even fight or defend her rights in any way. But the pain in her eyes fled like she wore a mask over them immediately and replaced the sadness with that stubborn look she wore on the cliff, just before she jumped.

"No, I am not," she declared confidently. I was not expecting her curt reply. Now every trace of sadness has been erased.

"You are getting me irritated. You're coming with me, even if I have to carry you like a sack of potatoes," I said to her, and for a second, I saw something that looked like fear in her eyes.

"Remember our deal?" she asked, her fear replaced with hope, and it just astounded me how someone could switch between emotions so easily, like a light switch. Sometimes I just don't understand the way she thinks.

"No."

"Liar."

"The only deal I remember making with you is getting you out of here. And that's what I am going to do," I said to her as I turned to face the Alpha. "And do you have anything to say about my declaration?"

Mother had told me the way these ceremonies proceed, and after the choosing, there has to be an acknowledgment, confirming that this is what both clans want and that no rules have been broken in any way.

"Yes, my prince. If your dragon has picked her, then she is all yours. We have kept our side of the bargain; it's now the time for yours," the alpha said.

"Has there ever been a time when we didn't fulfill our side of the bargain?" I said, getting more irritated. What is it with these people and their ability to easily get me vexed?

"No, my prince."

"Good. Then we are done here," I said.

Taking a firm hold of Freyja's hand, I moved towards the door.

"Come," I said, as I could sense the subtle reluctance in her movement. Even with long strides towards the exit, when she stood still, I stopped. She looked back at Diana as if she was expecting something from her. It felt like something you'd expect from a friend when the both of you are about to part ways. After a short moment, she turned to look at me, and then she nodded.

As we stepped out of the room, I decided what I believed would be the best course for us. I could feel so much of her pain radiating from her hand into mine. Why in the heavens is this possible? I can't even think straight anymore. Just who is this woman who I'm holding?

"I don't want to waste any more time waiting here when there is obviously nothing wrong with you anymore. We will make the trip back tonight. Drogo will take us back; it will be faster that way."

She nodded again, finally cooperating, I thought.

As we proceeded down the stairs, I said to the alpha and his family, with my back still turned away from them.

"We won’t be needing the rooms you have prepared. My people will be waiting for their new bride."

"We will soon be in your new home. You will see that it is a smooth and fast ride. You will not even have to worry about how long the journey will take."

She nodded again, then she asked, "Am I your bride? You mentioned it earlier."

“Yes. Their bride... You!”

“I thought you agreed to let me go. You just need to help me out of here and...” She paused, clearly devoid of everything she was going to say, but there was desperation in her voice.

“...And you will tell me the secrets of your beloved people?”

Damn! This is the longest I have had to talk or explain myself to any female that is not beneficial to me in any way. I don't know, but something about this particular female is different. She is the only female who is not afraid to stand up to me, and I can even say that she could probably intrigue me with a little effort.

“I think you fail to see there is nothing that I don’t already know. So if you want our deal still on, find something substantial that will motivate me to keep my side of our deal. But for the meantime, we are going to the Ravkan palace."

“You have no idea what you are about to do. I can't stay with you or your people or any other people for that matter. I'm in a problem, and I need to get out of it. Please just help me out of here. You don’t understand a single thing.” I could hear the desperation in her voice.

"And what is this problem? Tell me the problem. I am yet to find any problem that the Ravkans cannot fix." I said, expecting her to understand my position of power that I held, but instead her face fell some more. She didn't believe me. I wonder what problems she is hiding.

“Well, I don't care what they did to you here. We will be at the Ravkan palace in no time. We will ride together on my dragon. It is faster.”

As we stepped outside the house, I could see Drogo, Jovan, and the other two officials with their dragons waiting for me to give the next instruction. I liked that we never perform any action separately whenever we are out and away from our land. One thing the werewolves lack.

“You want me to ride on that beast? No!”

That made it the second time she would be telling me an outright no, and I just wanted to strangle her.

“I will go with the rest of the girls,” She said, pointing at the truck carrying the girls.

“No, you are not. You are coming with me,” I commanded, moving to hold her and force her to go with me.

"Calm down Nikolai," Jovan said, smiling as he made his way toward us. “Your bride isn't running anywhere. She'll be in good hands with me. Take it easy, and give her some time to get used to all of this. You're welcome to ride with us if you want; Drogo will be alright, you just need to establish the mind link."

“No, I'll travel on my dragon. Make sure she's safe,” I feel more secure flying with Drogo, especially since she's the only one who truly understands my emotions. And maybe, just maybe, she can help me figure out why I'm feeling this way about Freyja, the stubborn omega.

“I promise, don't worry, I will deliver your bride perfectly to you,” he assured me, and that was all I needed to hear before climbing onto Drogo's back.

From this point on, I'm ready to embrace whatever comes my way. Especially these unpredictable emotions swirling within me.