3. Tate
Ipulled onto the gravel path the GPS deemed was my destination, following the curvy road deep into the trees. I would have missed it altogether if I wasn’t looking. They definitely chose a good location for their house. You would drive right past the entrance of their driveway if you weren’t paying attention.
I begged Knox to look into River’s file and give me her address. I needed to know more about this mysterious girl my dragon was so drawn to. She refused to touch me today, and I was desperate to know why.
Knox was hesitant at first until I told him I think she’s my mate. Having him as a professor on campus had its perks. Like looking into confidential student files and finding the address of the girl I was suddenly infatuated with. I needed to get closer to her, needed to know if she was my mate.
I wove in and out of the trees until finally I broke through, coming to a stop behind twin Maserati MC20 Cielos. One was black as night while the other was bright pink. I knew instantly what vehicle belonged to what girl. River didn’t peg me as the pink type, but her friend Natalia definitely did.
I put my Bugatti Chiron into park before hopping out, a roar filled my ears as I made my way up the steps leading to the front door. Instead of knocking I walked around the porch to the back yard. It was convenient to have a porch that wrapped completely around your house.
Natalia was sitting on the swing, buried under what had to be at least twenty blankets. She was looking longingly toward the backyard.
“Hello,” I said, and she squeaked in surprise, wide eyes now focused on me. “I’m not here to cause any trouble, I just need to know her,” I told the frightened looking girl. Her posture relaxed a little bit at my honesty. I truly did just want to see River, I wasn’t here to bring her any harm.
“She’s out flying.” Natalia finally said, nodding toward the backyard.
I looked out into the vast open area, catching the smallest glimpse of a dragon in the sky. She was too far away to see her color, and my dragon thrashed against his cage, demanding to be with her. “Isn’t it dangerous to be flying out in the open like that?”
“We have five hundred acres. There’s no one for miles.” She scoffed at me. “And, I’m a witch, we’re more than just a pretty face. I warded the whole area so if any human saw her while she’s on or above our land they would see nothing more than an eagle.”
“Smart,” I told her, and she simply rolled her eyes at me. So much for making friends with the bestie, I think I just burned that bridge. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you owned that much land. It’s pretty impressive for two college students. Don’t be too hard on me for not knowing. I haven’t been around many witches. Would they work for me as well?”
“Our guardians helped us purchase the land so we wouldn’t raise suspicion for that very reason…” She trailed off, looking out to where River was looping around in the night sky, “And yes, the wards will work for any supernatural,” she said, pulling the blankets tighter against her.
“Do you mind?” I gestured toward the dragon flying in the distance, hoping she didn’t mind if I went for a flight with her.
“I’ll make a double batch of the cinnamon rolls.” She groaned, flipping the pile of blankets aside. She huffed and rolled her eyes as she stood up and disappeared inside.
I stared at the closed door, trying to figure out what she meant by ‘double batch of cinnamon rolls’ when another loud roar filled my ears. I quickly stripped out of my clothes, leaving them in a neat pile next to Rivers, and took off running into the backyard.
I spotted an array of small boulders and stumps surrounding a fire pit and used one to launch myself into the air. I shifted mid-stride and soared up into the clouds. My dragon bellowed into the cool night sky, calling out to River.
She responded. I banked a hard right, beating my wings faster, demanding they pick up speed and take me to my girl.
My girl, that feeling sank into my bones, giving me the answer to the question that has been pondering my mind. I felt it deep in my soul. The feeling of wanting and needing one girl. That girl was River, and I furiously flapped my wings, needing to get to her more than I needed to breathe.
I broke through the clouds, and there she was, hovering in one spot, her wings slowly opening and closing around her. My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. I’ve never seen a dragon more beautiful than the one right in front of me at this very moment.
I was mesmerized by her. She was the most beautiful mix of purple and blue, and her violet eyes sparkled against the light of the moon. I circled my mate, committing every part of her to memory.
She was slightly smaller than me. Her wings spread out wide, but mine spread out further. I could wrap them around her, concealing her from prying eyes if need be.
I stopped in front of her, angling my head up and blowing out my beautiful golden flames. My dragon prided itself on its flame. So, I took any chance I could get to show it off. Most dragon flames were different shades of red or orange, and, on rare occasions, blue. Not mine and my brothers though, ours was such a vibrant yellow it looked gold.
River made a curdling sound, almost sounding like she was laughing. I didn’t understand, everyone was always awestruck over my flame. The possibilities turned in my mind until she blew out a fire of her own creation.
Deep blue and purple spun around each other like a tornado, disappearing into the night sky above us. I was completely wonderstruck by the sight.
Where have you been all my life?
I asked, even though I knew she wouldn’t hear me. Dragons could communicate telepathically, but only with our bonded mates. If you never bond, you never have anyone in your head. It was as simple as that. Suddenly, I longed to be inside her head, to hear what she was thinking right now.
River took off into the night, my dragon roaring at the gesture. It was on, and I would never turn down a good chase. I took off after her, beating my wings against the open sky. The wind whipped around me, causing a shiver along my deep green scales.
I caught up to River in an instant, cutting off her path. She stopped a moment before she collided with me, sending a gust of wind around my body. I was encased with the smell of violets. I wanted to roll around in the scent of her so everyone would know I was hers.
She opened her jaws, a glowing blue flame curling in the back of her throat before she fired at me. I tucked my wings and dove, barely missing her dazzling purple-blue fire. I thrust my wings back out to stop my descent, looking up to where my mate had been.
She was gone, but she wasn’t fast enough. I caught sight of her right before she dove into the cover of clouds.
Got you now, you little minx. I took off after her, roaring my arrival. River shot up through the clouds in front of me, beating her wings hard as she made her vertical climb. I changed direction, following her on her ascent. When I caught up to her, we were belly to belly, pumping our wings in tandem, climbing higher.
The beautiful purple-blue dragon looked at me with her stunning violet eyes. I was trapped in her gaze when she turned, tucking her wings tight against her and heading toward the ground like a missile.
I quickly tucked my wings in to catch her. She was smaller than me, so she had more speed in our descent, but I still caught up to her. We spun around each other as we rocketed toward the ground.
We were caught in a crazy game of chicken as the ground was vastly approaching. I bellowed at River, trying to tell her we needed to pull up, but she didn’t listen. I held on as long as I could before ultimately jetting my wings out. I watched, suspended midair as River continued her descent before finally uncurling her wings and stopping herself.
I roared, spitting out my golden flame at her recklessness. How could she be so careless? She could have died.
River chortled as she approached me, flying circles around me like she wasn’t seconds away from death. Dragons can heal from a lot, but a collision with the ground, at the speed she was going…there was no way she would recover from that.
I growled at her, making my displeasure known. She hissed at me before turning and heading back to the cottage. I chased my little minx, nipping at her tail when I got close. I was careful not to connect with her, though. I wanted her to initiate our mate bond.
If I forced the connection on her, she would constantly blame me, so I would wait patiently and let my little minx come to me. There was no doubt in my mind that she would. I was simply irresistible.
Once the cottage came into view, I landed beside River, walking the last little way toward their cozy home. Natalia was once again sitting on the back porch.
“Well, don’t you two overgrown lizards look fucking adorable.” She squealed, jumping off the swing and running over to lean against the banister.
River released a low growl, blowing out steam and engulfing her friend in the warm cloud. Natalia giggled as she pushed off the banister and darted inside.
She began to shift, and I followed her motion. Calling my dragon back into myself. Four legs turned to two as I walked toward the porch. My eyes were laser-focused on River’s ass as she made her way up the steps.
“See something you like?” She asked me, craning her head to look at me over her shoulder.
I growled at her, holding myself back from reaching out and pulling her against me. My dragon protested at my restraint, but I needed her to come to me.
She laughed as she bent over to get her clothes, flaunting her plump ass in front of me, and my dick stood up, rock solid, enjoying the view.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, eyeing up my rock-hard cock. She turned to fully face me, giving me a front-row seat to her stunning body. I slowly looked her up and down, branding the sight into my mind. She was breathtaking, from her full, perky breasts and her perfect hourglass figure all the way down to her stunning legs. Her pussy was shaved bare, and my mouth watered for a taste. What I wouldn’t give to wear her thighs as earmuffs. I clenched my hands into fists at my side, and it took everything in me not to snatch her up in my arms.
I finally met her eyes, and I swear I saw desire sitting deep within them. “See something you like?” I fired her own question right back at her, cocking a brow.
She scoffed, “Hardly.”
I laughed at the lie she had to force out. I could smell the arousal seeping into the air from her body. “Your mouth says no, but your body…” I roamed my eyes up and down her stunning body again before meeting her vibrant blue eyes, “Ooh, your body disagrees, little minx.”
She grabbed her clothes, spinning on her heels and storming inside. I pulled my clothes on before making my way around the house back to my car. A smile stayed on my face the entire way, I knew River wanted me, I could see it in her eyes. I just needed to bide my time for her to accept it.
“Are you not going to come inside?” Natalia asked, standing in the open front door.
“I have a feeling I’m not welcome,” I said, gesturing to the angry woman behind her. “I’ll be back, though. I’m sure River will change her mind about not wanting me around.”
I pulled the handle, opening the door to my Chiron.
“Wait,” Natalia hollered to me.
I halted my descent, turning toward the house. After a minute, Natalia came out with a tray full of cinnamon rolls wrapped in plastic wrap. She walked up and handed me the tray, smiling big.
“The overgrown lizard will probably be pissed I shared her snacks with you, but I made them for both of you. So please, take some home.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her, taking in the smell of the freshly baked treats.
“She really is a good person,” Natalia said, and I gave her a questioning look. “River…she’s a good person. She just doesn”t trust easily. After her parents were murdered, it”s hard for her to let people in…just don’t give up on her. Okay? I know she”ll come around,” she told me, as a sad smile sat on her lips.
“I don’t plan on ever giving up on her,” I told Natalia as I got into my car. River was my mate, that was the one thing I was sure of, and I would go to the ends of the earth for her.
Natalia made her way up onto the porch, waving to me as I backed up, turning my car around to head away from the only place I wanted to be.
My dragon growled in protest about leaving our mate.
“Soon.” I promised my beast, “Soon River will be ours.”
My dragon roared at the promise. River left her mark on my soul, and soon she would be mine. I just needed to wait for her to realize it.