Dragon Fire & Wolf Blood

Chapter 5

The following morning, we both showered and began our day. It was very comfortable being around one another, but my mind was still reeling from the worries I had held before falling asleep. She hadn’t provided any more information to calm my mind. Rather than pushing on her, I was going to let it be. Maybe dragons are different than werewolves and Lycans. That would have to be my answer for now.

We departed. I headed to my fathers’ offices to start the morning. Rather than sleeping in late, we had both gotten up on time. We both had two different responsibilities. Ember said she had some work to do with my mother. I felt like she wasn’t being totally honest, but I wasn’t going to push the issue.

“Morning son.” Dad Jace said.

His attention was on me now. It was a bit awkward. I was standing here before him, partially mated. I hoped he wouldn’t bring up the lack of mark on my neck. Then again, my fathers’ weren’t saints when it came to proper mating. They nearly ended the world because they didn’t want to share at first. I don’t know if it was the years of them being around one another or what, but they didn’t seem to have much discord with it anymore. Actually, I never saw any evidence to the claims my fathers’ were disagreeable in the beginning. It wasn’t my place to ask questions, especially about their s*x life.

“Morning,” was my only response.

Grabbing the stack of work from the bin, I sat down at Dad Ryder’s desk to get started. He was busy out doing patrols. Each morning, they took a turn, ensuring our territory was properly secured. They worked really well together. I understand why the Moon Goddess matched all of them together.

My mother was a very loving woman. She was amazing, raising as many children as she had. My fathers have always been understanding, kind, caring, and supportive. They showed me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I get where some of the kids come from, but I think Damon is an odd ball. Mom swore she gave birth to him, but I just don’t see it in his personality.

Before me sat a stack of paperwork. It wasn’t anything unusual. I would ask either of my fathers for advice when it came to things I would struggle with. My training has gone well. They believe I can take over with ease.

My brothers came barging into the room shortly after. They lead each morning’s training. Usually, I am also in attendance, but my activities last night required a great deal of exertion, and I knew I would wear myself out if I wasn’t careful. There was a lot to do today.

They each grabbed their own stacks of paperwork and got to work on it quickly. We were all required to complete training, so if anything happened to me, one of them could take over. Ideally, I would have a long reign, and it would go smoothly. Minus the roughs, it had been quiet.

We were keeping a careful eye on any species we didn’t have a treaty with. It was quite impressive that, because of Ember, we were able to make peace with most beings. It hadn’t been done in a millennium. At least not in recorded history. There were rumors, but those couldn’t always be believed.

Working until early afternoon, we were able to accomplish a lot. Our food was being brought to us when my mother and Ember came to join us. The food smells marvelous. It was a pork in a mushroom sauce, masted potatoes, steamed broccoli, and corn. I have never been a huge fan of steamed broccoli, but I always eat it anyway.

We ate in silence until my mother chimed in. “I think it would be beneficial if Alexander gave you a tour, my dear.” She was addressing Ember.

“That sounds lovely, but I must get back to my kingdom. They are always nervous when I leave. Worried I won’t come back, I suppose.” Her eyes didn’t look up from her food.

What she said worried Alexander. Another question came to mind. How were they going to do this? He was going to be the King of their Kingdom, and she was the Queen of hers. It’s not like one can abandon others. Nor should they ask each other too. I knew Ember wasn’t Queen by birth right, but she had taken it on when Dante had stepped down.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you would need to get back so soon,” Queen Rayne commented.

Alexander could tell. She too was concerned.

Rather than leaving Ember to deal with his mother alone, he interfered. “Ember and I will be discussing our living situation this evening.”

Taking another bite into my mouth, I could tell Ember was irritated. The remainder of the conversation was light-hearted and welcoming, but I could feel the foreboding cloud looming over my head as I tried to come up with a situation that would be ideal. Each idea was worse than the next. My frustrations grew. My fears were starting to surface, and it wasn’t helping in an internal battle. My fears were beginning to win. I needed air.

Standing abruptly, I gave a bow and excused myself. My mother’s face was perfectly calm and neutral. No one but someone who knew her well would know something was bothering her. Having grown up with her, I saw right past her masks.

My fathers’ eyes also spoke of concern. Walking out of the room calmly, I was able to make it down to the front door before I was interrupted.

“My Prince, can I be of assistance?” It was one of the house workers. She offered me my running shoes.

“Thank you, but no. I will be in wolf form today.” Giving her a small smile, I exited the door.

Quickly changing, I turned into my hybrid form. I am both a Lycan and a werewolf. Stronger and larger than both. Taking off, I run through nature, taking each sound, smell, and sight. I’ve always been memorized by our world. It holds a beauty that not many can comprehend.

Running until the sun was dancing on the edge of the world. It had been too long, I needed to head back and figure this out with Ember. My wolf and I had many conversations on our way back. He held the same fears I did. Both of us were concerned about how stressed out my wolf would become with her being far away.

It was very normal for wolves and Lycans to slowly lose control if they hadn’t marked their mate. Not to mention, the distance would be a nightmare. We were both already feeling uneasy and territorial towards her. It would only get worse until she was marked.

Shifting back, I made it into the house and up the stairs. I found Ember waiting for me on my bed. She was sitting with her legs crossed, looking like picture perfection. Her face did not reveal any of her thoughts.

Standing away from her, I waited for her to begin. She stared at me a moment before beginning. “What are your thoughts?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. They are chaotic and frustrating. I need to hear what the options are because I have not been able to come up with a good idea all day.”

“I am the same. First things first though, I am going to have to return and address my people. They need to know they have a king once again, but then comes the question. How are we going to rule in two different kingdoms?” Her eyes flashed with emotion, but I was not able to catch what it was before they went back to normal. Just look at me and wait for an answer.

“I honestly don’t know.” Running my hand through my hair.

“I understand you and your wolf are at unease. I have spent a great deal of time around werewolves and Lycans. Your counterparts don’t take kindly to extended absences from your mates. Nor the incompletion of our mating.”

Now was as good of time as any to bring it up. If I didn’t have some answers, I would go mad.

“I need to understand why you don’t want to be fully mated…yet.” I was working hard to keep my tone and temperament under control. It was putting my wolf at unease.

“I am not ready. I understand your customs and your wolves’ desires, but I also understand I do not contend with a separate beast. My beast is one with me. I do not have a separate consciousness that lives within me. I have been mating less for years. I can’t just change everything about my life because my mate is a hybrid and just so happens to be a king. Your Goddess and mine are cruel, to be honest. I don’t know how this is going to work.” Her honesty was frightening to a point. She couldn’t feel what I could. She can’t feel the sparks between us. Nothing.

Sitting in silence, I mulled over her words as I tried to figure out how to move forward.

“How long will you be gone?”

I stood with my arms crossed as I waited for her to answer. Preparing for however hard the blow is.

“I will go for a month. Get my people ready to meet you, and we will go from there.”

Her answer wasn’t as bad as I had thought it would be. I thought it was going to be a lot longer. A month was going to be hard, but I could survive. I was more prepared for 6 months or more. Unsure of what she was thinking.

A month would give me the chance to figure out what we are doing. Come up with a better plan than what we have right now.

“Okay, that sounds reasonable.” Moving my hands to my pockets. “When will you be leaving?” I asked.

“Tomorrow morning.” She got up and headed towards the door, but before she could exit, she turned to me. “I will be sleeping in my own room tonight. Last night was the mate bond. I am not normally that easy, nor will I ever be again.”

There was the blow I had been bracing for.