Dragon's Blood

MATE (N) A PERSON IDEALLY SUITED TO ANOTHER AS A CLOSE FRIEND OR ROMANTIC PARTNER

Layla’s murderous stare made the walk to the Alpha’s house more uncomfortable than it needed to be. Orion’s presence also wasn’t helping much. I was fighting the urge to turn around and drink him in.

Atlas walked in step beside me, he’d given Fionn orders through the mind link before we’d set off. A mind link is a telepathic form of communication between members of the same pack. Fionn had disappeared to relay the message to the rest of the pack. By the look on his face when he’d left Atlas had given him a whole list.

The quietness was stifling but I wasn’t too eager to spark conversation with either of the two behind us. I didn’t trust myself with Orion and Layla just looked like she was itching for an excuse to wring my neck. Unconsciously I pulled my cloak tighter around me.

“What’s wrong?” Atlas sent me a sideways look.

“Nothing,” I answered quickly, too quickly.

“You always start messing around with your cloak whenever somethings on your mind. I’m guessing it has something to do with the royals behind us?” With a sigh, he glanced behind us. “Any thoughts on the royal nuisances?”

“Yes? No. I don’t know.” I kept my eyes glued forward. “They don’t seem half as bad as I expected.”

“Layla is gorgeous.” He sounded almost dazed as he said this, clearing his throat he added. “I think she might be my mate.”

I nearly tripped. “What!”

“I felt it as soon as she stepped out of the carriage but…” He glanced back at the duo and this time I had to too. Layla was still wrapped tightly around Orion excitedly chatting his ear off. “I don’t think she’s even noticed.”

Seeing her clinging to Orion upset my stomach in more ways than one. Turning back around I huffed. “I thought the mate bond was all supreme, how could she not know?”

“There have been cases before, mates ignoring the bond out of sheer force of will,” he ran a hand down his face before stretching his arm out behind his head. “There’s not much I can do if she doesn’t realize it.”

“So, you’re going to give up?” I scoffed. “Who are you and what have you done to my brother? The Atlas I know wouldn’t roll over for anyone—” I snuck another secretive glance towards Orion “—Lycan or not.”

“’Avoid war at all costs’ those were my father's last words to me.” His facial features hardened. “Even…even if it means allowing them to stay together I won't have our pack—our home thrust into a war. If I hurt or threaten their first prince I’m sure I’ll get worse than that.”

I fell silent at that.

Mate bonds are tricky, they always have been. Revered by all as a holy gift from the gods they also work as a curse. You become eternally bound to another person, you live and breath for them, you’d die to protect them. They can become an obsession and their absence poisons your soul.

“Will you reject her then?” I asked feeling my heart still at the forbidden word. Rejection is a powerful thing, it has the ability to sever those ties that bind two mates together. The downside is the aftereffect.

“No,” He spoke quickly his tone urgent. “rather I lose my head by the serpents of Aroth than ever disrespect such a gift. I—I’ll give it time.” He balled his fists. “I’ll try and get her alone to discuss the situation.”

For as long as I’d grown up I always knew that Atlas would one day find his mate (and despite the pack's wishes) it wouldn’t be me.I’d be happy just as long as my brother could start his life with his soulmate. I’d never entertained the idea that he’d encounter such a roadblock.

Reaching out I grabbed his balled fist in my hand and delivered a sideways hug.

“It’ll work out. The gods don’t give us more than we can handle.”

“I’d have to agree sister.” He smiled slightly, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

A vicious growl tore through the wooded area and we jumped. Turning to face the royal duo the look of shock on my face was mirrored on Layla’s.

“What’s wrong.” Atlas was in Alpha mode instantly. His eyes quickly scanned the trees for any sign of threats.

“No. Nothing.” Orion panted. His eyes were bloody red and I gasped as his stare paralyzed my entire body. He was angry.

Layla awkwardly stood a foot away from Orion now. Clearing her throat she turned to Atlas and offered a forced smile.

“You two were talking in Luna Alba’s native tongue correct?” She shifted her gaze to me for a split second. “I’ve never heard anything like it.”

“Morish.” I silently commended her ability to change the topic. “Every member of Luna Alba must be fluent. It was a tradition started by Atlas’ grandfather.”

“Our grandfather,” Atlas stared at Layla mesmerized. “Aether was adopted by my parents. Despite the lack of blood, she’s been my little sister for the past thirteen years.”

“Adopted?” Layla's soft blue eyes held genuine curiosity.

“Uh yes, I was three at the time, so I don’t remember much of what happened. Atlas found me out in the snow and his parents, the old Luna and Alpha, adopted me into their family.” My nervous gaze flickered towards Orion; he was still staring at me but the dark red of his eyes was slowly beginning to diminish. “Even though I’m human and everything they still treated me fairly.”

“I’m world traveled you know.” She boasted. “And I can honestly say Luna Alba might be the only pack—ever—where you’ll find werewolves adopting humans.” She smiled and this time her eyes seemed to sparkle. “This pack is truly amazing!”

“Well you’ve only seen the half of it,” Atlas smiled back at her. “Please allow me to give you a tour around the pack.”

“If you wouldn’t mind.” She took a step towards Atlas then paused, turning to look at Orion she gave him a stern look. “Don’t miss me too much, ok?”

He simply nodded his head eyes still zeroed in on me. Layla glanced at me and glared hatefully. Her message was loud and clear: hands-off.

As soon as Atlas and Layla disappeared Orion shortened the distance between us. He stood perilously close, he only had to turn his head slightly for our faces to touch. His amber orbs shifted to my lips as if he had read my thoughts.

My mind was jelly, breath coming in short pants. His the same. We stood there for an eternity staring at one another, basking in each other's presence. As much as he was turning my head to mush he was filling my chest with an unfamiliar feeling of completeness.

He raised a hand and brushed a thumb against my cheek, the movement sending jolts of electricity throughout my body. I nearly collapsed against him.

I stared up at him through my lashes and he growled lowly, dangerously.

“What are you doing to me, little mate.”