Devoted to the Dragon (The Last Shifters #1)

5. Randi

Chapter 5

Randi

I force the bar up and over my head, my muscles quivering during this final set. No matter how much I work my body, my mind trips on repeat over the feel of Fennik’s lips on my skin. The memory of his stubble raking along my neck makes my nipples tighten and my core clench. I want him to take it further, to feel him pounding into me, his big hands anchored to my flesh as his teeth sink into my neck.

I’m wet with the thought of his claim. My personal gym reeks with the sweet, sticky scent of my arousal mixed with sweat.

I’ve lost my fucking mind.

I’ve managed for decades to keep from giving in to the pull of attraction between us, but this morning, those finely crafted walls have been obliterated. If I didn’t know better, I would think my body is preparing to awaken, that my omega designation is finally going to present.

When I returned last night from my funeral flight for the feral wolves, I made myself come twice before I felt sane enough to try to sleep, and I still tossed and turned. But awakening isn’t possible, not for one mate, and my dragon has claimed none.

She is puzzled by my reactions, her force heavy at the front of my mind as she prowls on high alert. She senses something coming but not what.

I set the weight down and make my way over to the heavy bag hanging in the corner, not even bothering to wrap my hands before letting loose.

Spicy amber and frosted pine waft into the room. I suck in the scent, lick my lips to see if I can taste it in the air. I recognize this is beyond bizarre, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

Fennik’s deep, anger-filled voice bellows through the room. “Please tell me that you didn’t promise to attend the Wolf Council meeting in person without discussing it with me first.”

His handsome face is devastating in its severity as he stalks across the space, his large frame stuffed into his pressed suit. I know what he looks like under that white shirt, and I want to get my hands on his chest. That wayward thought pisses me off, mainly because he commands my body without trying, and yet I must resist anyway, for both our sakes.

“Are you my daddy now?” I ask, hitting the bag again. He thinks he’s a dragon’s mate? He better expect fire. My nostrils flare, silvery tendrils of smoke curling in the air. “One feral attack where I use my claws and you think you know what’s best?”

Fennik catches the swinging bag, and I barely keep myself from begging him to fuck me against the mirror or fight me until my dragon submits. I want to know what it’s like to finally stop trying so hard to push him away. But I don’t think either of us can survive it, and that crushing reality fills me with rage.

His silver eyes bore into me, flashing with that same pent-up heat I feel. “Say when, little dove. Your ass needs a serious spanking that I’m chomping to deliver.”

My pussy clenches at his words, but my throat burns with fire. He’s won, and we both know it. Nothing I can say changes the situation between us.

Instead, I ignore his challenge, leveling him with the only thing I can. “It’s already done. I spoke with the Alpha King this morning. Vandera will stay here.”

His jaw tics, and little crinkles appear on the sides of his eyes. “Have you two lost your minds? That will leave Moon Lake Valley unprotected and you vulnerable in the North. Which seems to be playing into what the Council wants. They will make a bid for control.”

“Of the two of us, the club needs her magic more than mine. She has what she needs from me, and I can defend myself,” I argue. I shouldn’t. Goading him about this isn’t going to help matters.

I turn from him and distract myself with my water bottle. The distraction does little to douse the flame of lust or the fire of anger at his overprotectiveness.

He eats up the distance, arms crossed. “Did you hear anything I just said about the Council’s possible plans?”

I let my dragon take my eyes and show him what she thinks of his need to protect me like a withering damsel. I curl my finger, and he bends to my ear. “Who is in charge here, wolf?”

His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me flush against his heat, making me gasp.

“You’re too trusting, little dove,” he says into my ear, teeth scraping along my neck.

It’s hard to focus with his hands and mouth on me, the desire to give in to temptation nearly overwhelming.

What has gotten into him? He never pushes like this, never crosses the lines drawn between us.

I force myself to push away, grabbing my towel, and throwing open the door. “Do you think you’re the only one who doesn’t trust the Council?”

Trying to keep my composure, I make a beeline for my bathroom and turn on the shower. I need to calm my overheated body before I have to face the new trainees this evening. As it is, I’m in no condition to teach about self-control.

Fennik leans against the doorway to my bathroom, his eyes tracking me in the mirror. “Then why?”

I know he’s concerned because he cares and wants to protect me, but I made an alliance with the wolves because I have an interest in keeping shifters alive. There is no other purpose for Frenzy, and I won’t cower in my lair and leave them to solve this for themselves. “If they prove treacherous, it will be to all our detriment.Wolves and dragons have always worked together. I’d rather reaffirm an alliance than make an enemy. We’re on the same side here, even if the wolves are too blinded by fear to see it.”

He studies me, his muscles strained and his scent still spiced with anger.

“Tell me about the newest recruits or leave so I can get ready for tonight’s training,” I say.

Fennik steps up behind me, tugging on my arm so I face him. “I’m serious, Randi. You can’t go to the Council. My wolf is insistent,” he says, his tone softer now.

“I’m going. It’s done,” I grit out.

I back away from him as I toe off my sneakers and toss my sports bra over my head, lobbing it toward him childishly. I shimmy from my biker shorts and hop into the sanctuary of my shower, his low growl hitting me like a smack on my ass.

“If you’re determined to go, you will take a new member for your personal guard,” he grumbles.

I wash myself quickly. Despite my bravado, I can’t let myself actually get naked with Fennik, and all I want is to invite the overprotective, lick-able, panty-melting man inside.

He keeps speaking, his tone husky and the room filling with the sweetest edge to his spicy amber. “Select one of the trainers who has proven themselves. Perhaps Brooks will?—”

I roll my eyes. “Vandera’s mates stay.”

He peeks his head around the glass door of the shower and says my name as if it is both a blessing and a curse. “Please. For my peace of mind.” His silver eyes stare at me, but instead of anger in them, I see the fear of his wolf.

My fire sizzles out. “I’ll agree to select a new guard member before we leave, on the condition that we don’t argue about my going again. It’s necessary, and it’s happening. Let’s focus on a plan for what to do if things go sideways.”

He nods in acceptance, clearly holding his tongue, and walks out of the room. The door shuts softly in his wake, but the sweet-laced spice of his scent lingers.

I sag against the shower wall, both my dragon and me wondering what the fuck I just agreed to.