The Dragon king's Second Mate

The ways of the dragons

~Aspen's pov~

Getting up in the morning to not see my brothers looming over me with hate, is actually a good feeling. And I'm not stuck in some bus station, pregnant, cold and starving. God, I thought it was over for me at the eight month when I couldn't work. The only people who wanted to hire me were perverts with a pregnant fetish.

I shook off the cold chill that hit my skin, I don't want to think about my parents.

I slipped out of the bed, and I couldn't contain my smile. I'm in a home.

Some place that feels like a home.

I pulled the curtains apart, and stared deeply at the beautiful view.

I can't believe this. I went to sleep. I woke up.

I do not have to rush to a farm to work more than ten hours. Only to pay half of my earnings to my family.

This….. this…. Is the life I've always wanted. Oh dear god! I can't believe this.

I was feeling cheerful. And happy.

Shaking my head, I ran to the crib to check on Xavier. He was wide awake and chewing on his foot.

I chuckled, and picked him up.

I kissed his cheek, and sighed.

"Let's have a nice morning together."

The event Rylan invited me too isn't for another six hours, I can spend my morning with Xavier.

I'll be leaving him here with Olive. She's like a blank canvas. Only responding when she's spoken too.

I gave my son a bath first before taking mine. Once he was dressed, and I had something comfortable on, I fed him. And I made some eggs for myself.

I've never been this happy to wake up.

I'm eating food I made. I don't have to worry about being fast so that I can avoid my sister, and mother.

I do not have to worry about any of those things.

Olive stepped into the kitchen, she bowed.

"Olive, how will my hair be done today?"

"The choice is yours. I will call for the servants once you've selected your dress."

I nod to her. She didn't do anything else. Or say anything else.

I don't really understand what a hollow is. Rylan's explanation was very vague.

But I'm learning not to ask questions.

I bounced Xavier, cuddling him close, and pressing a kiss to his forehead.

He babbled nonsensical words, and tugged on my shirt collar.

I'd have to pump some milk for him before leaving.

Caring for him won't be easy but it won't be as difficult as it was before I got here.

We spent the day together. He couldn't crawl yet but he was kneeling comfortably.

My smile was too bright as I watched him smack his toys around.

Rylan had a playpen built for him. So it's a comfortable large section, like a crib with no mattress.

A soft smooth duvet on the ground. Xavier kept picking up the toys he liked, and throwing them back down.

I was in awe.

All morning, I watched him.

With only three hours left to the event, I selected a black dress and olive called for the servants.

They had my hair curled, and cleaned my feet up for smooth glass shoes. Although I doubt it would shatter.

I'm still getting used to walking with heels. I'm trying.

I feel like my way of walking is awkward.

"Here, the king asked us to give you this ring."

I stretched a hand out, and watched a green ring with a four leaf clover in it was placed on my middle finger.

I like it.

I'm not sure why he wants me to wear a ring. But I like it.

I'm not complaining. How the hell will I seduce him?

My chest was visible through a V of the dress.

I don't think I'll get used to looking at the mirror and not feeling miserable. I don't think my mind is fixed, but I can be happy.

I just need to get used to it. After years of just working, and being the mistake no one wanted, how can I just change?

My smile trembled, but I forced it back.

I said a short goodbye to Xavier. I don't feel like leaving him, but I don't want to bring him here if I'm supposed to be doing something s****l for Rylan.

Rylan~

I tried not to think about him after he left. There was something in the way he watched me that made my heart betray me. I know what it's like to like someone, but it's never been this way.

As the descendant of the moon goddess, I do not have mates.

I'm not gifted with that opportunity to feel a mating spark.

It's just not possible. I have to find love the way a human would.

Through a deep emotional connection that stems from getting to know one another, a deep physical attraction, and a lot of hard work.

Werewolves, and any creature who can have a mating bond have it easy. They get a free arrow to their true love.

People like me, we have to work for our love.

Rylan has my body reacting to him. He's…. I can't describe why I find his large physique, and sharp eyes alluring.

His eyes are a mix of a thick gold and black. Like the gold is guarded by a rim of black.

It's transfixing. I can't help but stare.

The carriage arrives, and I'm helped into it. I did some breathing exercises, and my thoughts flew towards the king who I'm supposed to seduce.

He looked like he wanted to kiss me yesterday.

There was too much heat, and attention in those eyes. I felt like a kid getting her first Christmas present.

I've never been praised for anything, because I never do anything right. When he called me 'good girl' I thought my heart would explode.

I did something right, and he praised me for it.

I want more of that.

Exhale.

I must be depraved. A woman like me, starved off so much. This is why I agreed to date Caesar. Because no one gave me any time of their day, unless it was to belittle me. I caved under his attention.

Am I doing the same with Rylan?

They're very different. Rylan is dangerous. He could kill me. And he doesn't lie about it. He's honest.

Caesar…. I don't think he did anything but the bare minimum. He talked to me. He didn't insult me. But he was secretly courting my sister so really…. Does it even matter what he did for me?

He was doing the same for her. Saying the exact same lines.

What a scumbag.

The dragon came to a stop too soon. My heart started pounding.

I clutched my thighs, begging my body to behave.

Then I was up , and again being helped out of the carriage by a handsome guard.

I tried not to stare at the scenery. Wyndora is just so f*****g beautiful.

There's so much plant life here that are unique and just wonderful.

The guard released my hand, and bowed. "Right this way."

I was led again into a majestic building with statues of Rylan everywhere. This has to be the palace.

We walked for a while until we got to a part where the guard met another.

"This is Consort Aspen Mandel. Introduce her."

The other guard nodded, he turned. Opened a door and gestured for me to walk through.

I took the first step then heard a loud booming voice that silenced everyone.

I was at the top of the stairs, people stared up. Including Rylan. He sat on a big black throne.

"Introducing, CONSORT ASPEN MANDEL."

My cheeks burned, and I prayed for the ground to open and swallow me as I made my way down the steps.

The whispers were loud.

The dragons made their shock known.

"Consort?"

"Whose consort?"

"Could it be?"

"The king has a consort after so many years?"

"Consort? Don't they mean concubine?"

"Harlot is the better word for people like her."

"She's beautiful."

"Pretty eyes."

"She smells odd. Like a nice peach on a bed of roses."

"She's not a dragon."

"Could she be a slave?"

They were talking over each other. My eyes were on King Rylan. He pressed his jaw on his closed fist.

Legs open, chest visible as he wore only a thick animal fur over his shoulders.

I could feel the eyes on me, but I tried to ignore them.

I stopped just six steps away from Rylan's throne.

"Aspen." His voice was raspy, and I'll admit. I suddenly felt like I was alone with him.

This scares me. I once let a man's affection mess with my head. I can't do that with him.

And yet, I crossed that distance and knelt by his open thighs.

I brushed the curls off my shoulders.

"My King, I-"

Rylan smirked as I fought to speak the right words. He looked proud, and that was when I turned my head to see everyone had their mouth open.

My eyes returned to him.

"I like this. You being on your knees for me."

I gulped. I feel like I just did something but I don't know what. His scent is powerful and raw as it enters my nose.

Can he release pheromones? Can dragons do that?

"Come, let me introduce you the right way."

He got up from the throne. With me on my knees, he looks bigger than before. If I was the enemy, staring at this figure, I'd probably pass out.

Rylan cupped my hands in his, and pulled me to my feet.

He slid one strong arm around my hips, letting out a strong growl into my hair as he breathed in my scent.

Dragons are uncharted territory. I should study them. Because I don't know their mannerisms. I've never seen a wolf act this way.

"Great people of Wyndora!" Rylan roars for his people.

"OUR KING!" They roar back.

"This is my woman, Aspen Mandel. Take a look. This is your king's choice." He held my right arm, and spun me around. I heard hoots, shouts, and lots of cheers.

Sweet goddess. It's like I'm on display.

"GREAT CHOICE, KING RYLAN!"

It's like he's trying to make me more acceptable to his people.

"But she's not one of us?" A dragon female asked. She smelled like an alpha. Hell, 50% of the people here smell like alphas.

Rylan c****d an eyebrow up, but he said nothing. The silence was his response and god did people actually shake. And the woman apologized.

This might be why he wanted to be strong. The dragon shifters of Wyndora have a powerful presence. They're used to strength speaking for them.

Like Emberhelm with its beauty, Wyndora is for the strong.

"Now that we've gotten that out of the way. Celebrate my people! Your king has returned!"

And celebrate they did.

Rylan moved backwards, and sat me in his lap. He rubbed my hip, and pleasure rocked through me.

I felt stiff on his lap, my back to his muscular chest. But with each rub, I relaxed.

I watched his people dance, and sing. They drank. Big cups of beer.

Eating like wild animals.

Then Rylan's breath was against my neck. "Do you remember my request?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to be good for me?"

I swallowed, and nodded.

"Alright, then do it. Go on the dance floor. Amongst the girls, and show me…. What can Aspen Mandel do?"

The way he said it made me feel like he was putting some sort of control in my hands.

I truly don't understand dragons, and how they work. But I know how Rylan claimed clans, packs, dens, and kingdoms for Draconia.

He's just as good of a negotiator as he is a fighter.

So I did what he said.

Eyes followed me as I went to the dance floor. Heart tight. Thinking of how I could embarrass myself.

What can Aspen Mandel do?

I'm about to find out for myself.