Dragon Riders (Book 3 of the Dragon Series)

Chapter 3 Ludo

Ludo

I sat down with Becca on the couch. She seemed anxious, and I could feel it through our bond even though we hadn't marked yet. She picked nervously at her fingers until I reached over and took her hand.

“I’m ready when you are,” I said.

“You know I lived in a dragon tribe with my dad, who is also a lion,” Becca said. “But what you don’t know was it wasn’t easy. My dad and I were kind of like rejects. We weren’t allowed to participate in hardly anything, especially when it came to shifting. They treated me better than my dad because I’m technically part dragon, but not by much.”

“That’s horrible,” I gasped.

“It was worse when I was younger, but I started to get more aggressive towards the bullying after my change,” she said. “I would go after anyone who made a nasty comment about my dad or me. That’s how I met my best friend, her sister really hated me for some reason, and I got sick of it. The next time she called me a name, I knocked her down with my tail and roared in her face.”

“I can’t honestly imagine that,” I said in surprise. “You’re so sweet and kind.”

“Nobody has pushed me to that point since,” she said. “It just took one time for them to get the hint. My best friend Molly said it was the best day of her life.”

“I’m sorry it was difficult for you,” I said, holding her hand in mine. “You are an exquisite creature.”

“Thank you,” she said with a blush. “My mom never understood what it was like for dad and me. She loved my dad, I know that, but she treated him differently because of his lion. They never shift together anymore.”

“Did she treat you differently?” I asked.

“Yeah,” she nodded. “She got better after my change when she saw that I had wings. She told me my whole life growing up that I probably wouldn’t be a warrior because I wasn’t a full dragon. She encouraged me to find other career options, which is how I ended up doing what I do now.”

“Did you want to be a warrior?” I asked curiously.

“Not at all,” Becca said. “I liked doing my own thing, but I could tell she wished I had been more like her at times.”

“How so?” I asked.

“Like I should be more dragon than lion,” she said. “One of her first comments after my change was that she thought I would have had more scales. Like she expected me to be a lion-sized dragon instead of a hybrid.”

“I understand what it’s like to have a parent disappointed in what you are,” I said. “Are they afraid I’m going to be like Surt?”

“Oh, you heard that part too?” Becca said. “I’m sorry, they were asking me about you, and I didn’t want to lie to them. My dad is okay with it as long as you treat me well, but mom is a warrior.”

“I kind of figured it would be this way,” I said.

“I know my dad is going to love you,” she said. “Mom will see it for herself; I know it. She just worries about me.”

“Does your friend Molly still live in Dragoon?” I asked.

“She does; she met her mate the day she changed,” Becca said. “She teaches dragon lessons, and he’s a warrior. But you won’t have to worry about them. Molly was almost more excited that I met you than me. She can’t wait to see you in person.”

“Has she seen me some other way?” I asked, and Becca blushed, hiding her face.

“I send her pictures,” she admitted. “Nothing bad, just when I think you look super cute.”

“You always think I’m super cute,” I chuckled, and she laughed again before leaning in close to kiss my cheek.

“Don’t worry about my mom,” she said. “You are perfect for me, and I don’t care if she likes it or not. You’re mine, Ludo. I’ll only ever want you.”

“I love you too, Rebecca,” I said, and her eyes flashed maroon. “I have only ever wanted you.”

She kissed me hungrily and slid her fingers through my hair. She gripped it tightly, holding me to her, and I felt myself growing harder. I felt the familiar need to mark her, but I resisted. Becca wanted to wait to mark, but each time we mate, the urge gets stronger.

“Ludo?” She whispered as she broke away from our kiss. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything, Princess,” I said.

“Before we go to England, I want you to mark me,” she said.

“Why?” I asked. “I want it to be your choice, not to prove something to your mother.”

“It is my choice,” Becca said. “I was putting it off because of my mother. My parents never marked each other.”

“Oh,” I said with surprise. “Why not?”

 “Dad never really talked about it and would just say it was different for lions,” she answered. “They didn’t get married until well after I was born.”

“Do you want to mark me?” I asked.

“I want the whole world to know you are mine, but I don’t want to hurt you,” Becca said softly.

“I can promise you I won’t get hurt,” I said, kissing her again. “We can at least try if you wish. I want you to be mine completely. I would be honored to bear your mark.”

Becca pulled away and stared at me.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked.

“Do you think my mother is ashamed to wear my father's mark?” She asked.

“What? No, I didn’t mean it like that,” I cried, trying to figure out how I made such a blunder.

“I’m not upset; I just hadn’t thought of it that way until you said it,” she said.

“I’m not trying to start anything. I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation,” I said. “Do lions mark their mates?”

“I don’t know; my dad left his pride to live my mom at Dragoon,” Becca said. “I never really met that side of the family because I guess they weren’t too pleased dad mated with a dragon.”

“It’s not his fault who his mate is,” I said. “Our Goddess chooses for us, and when we meet, we are whole. I could never be embarrassed by you or the beautiful creature you are.”

“You are the only dragon who I ever met to think so highly of me,” she sadly chuckled. “Dragoon wasn’t fond of lions or hybrids like me, but they at least understood mates are mates, so they just accepted that we were there.”

“That’s awful,” I said. “And I am not the only dragon who thinks highly of you. There is an entire tribe of dragons who think you are as amazing as I do.”

“Yes, well, Black Wing is a step above some of the other tribes,” she replied with a smile. “I usually don’t tell clients my background unless it’s necessary or asked directly. Most people assume I’m all dragon, so they don’t bother, or I’ll flash my eyes to get them off my back.”

“So that’s why you seem ashamed of who you are,” I said. “I couldn’t figure out why you were so hesitant to talk about it or even shift in front of me. You’re beautiful.”

“I think you’ve told me that at least three times a day since the day we met,” she sighed. “I might be starting to believe you.”

“Might be?” I gasped and swooped her up into my arms. She squealed and giggled as she wrapped her arms around my neck. “Why, Miss Rebecca, I’m going to take you upstairs and make you a true believer by worshipping your body like the temple of heaven it is.”

Becca threw her head back and laughed as I carried her through the cottage and back to our bedroom. I tossed her onto the bed and proceeded to make good on my promise. My princess was screaming “I believe” until the late hours of the night.