Dragon Scorned

9. River

Iused all my strength to push Nikolai off me, scurrying off the table to face him as he caught himself before falling to the floor.

“What the fuck happened?” I yelled, praying to the gods it wasn’t true. Kai was not my mate, there was no way.

I’m just imagining things, yeah that”s it, finally having sex has caused me to hallucinate.

You”re not hallucinating.

“Get out of my head,” I screamed, reaching my hands up to pull the hair on the side of my head.

“No no no no no. This can’t be happening. That didn’t just happen.” I told myself. Shaking my head back and forth.

I heard Kai chuckle, “It happened, my mate.”

A wicked grin spread across his face as I stared at him in horror. My dragon was banging on her cage, demanding to be close to him.

Nikolai pulled his jeans back on and I just realized I was standing there arguing with the man stark naked.

I looked around at my shredded clothes and dropped my hands. “What am I going to wear out of here, Kai? You shredded my fucking clothes.”

I don’t know how I expected my first time to be, but this was not it.

He grabbed his shirt off the ground and pushed it over my head. The scent of fresh autumn leaves surrounded me as I pushed my arms into the sleeves. The black top acted like a dress on me, hanging down to my knees.

“Thank you,” I murmured. Heat flooded my cheeks at his gesture.

He pulled his jacket up over his shoulders, and I gawked at his abs. He looked like pure sex, low cut jeans and leather jacket showcasing his beautiful body.

My mouth hung open as I looked at him, his abs were perfect and the V that dipped down under his pants had me wanting to go for round two.

Just say the word, my star. I will have you bent over that table next.

“Keep dreaming,” I told him as I stalked past him to leave the greenhouse.

He laughed, “You can’t be mad at me forever. I’m a very patient man.”

I scoffed as I headed out of the greenhouse and back toward the mansion. My shadow followed, sticking close to my back.

“Are you going to follow me everywhere now?” I didn’t turn around to face him as I asked the question.

His dark laugh had me stopping in my tracks, turning to face him, I was met with a diabolical grin that did all sorts of things to my insides.

I turned on my heel and stormed inside, spotting Natalia immediately and heading her way.

“Can we go?”

Natalia looked me over, her eyes widening at my new apparel.

“River, what happened?” She asked, worry lacing her voice.

Yes, do tell her, my star.

I turned to face the infuriating man, only to find him across the room, arms crossed, leaning against a wall.

I whirled back around to Natalia, pleading with my eyes. “I’ll explain later, can we go?”

She looked back and forth between Lainey and me, opening and closing her mouth.

Before she could answer, Tate bellowed my name across the room.

“Fuck.” I dropped my head, looking at the ground as I waited for the bomb to detonate that I knew was coming.

“Want me to throw up a shield, and we can escape?” Lainey asked.

I looked over at her, giving her a sad smile before turning to see Tate barreling his way toward me.

“Ooh no, we”re staying right here. This is going to be good.” Natalia snickered.

“Bitch, what happened to bros before hoes?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“That doesn’t apply when the hoe is that fucking hot. Plus, I wanna know what happened.” She held her hand up, gesturing to the shirt I wore as a dress.

I guess I need to face the beast. I turned to face Tate, squaring my shoulders as he reached me.

His nostrils flared as he stopped in front of me. “Who is he?”

He was standing so close that my chest was pressed up against him, and I had to crane my neck to look at him.

“What are you referring to, beastly?” I asked in my sweetest tone, batting my lashes at him.

“Don’t play with me, River. You bonded. Who. Is. He?” he growled through clenched teeth.

“Bitch, you bonded with another guy. I need to know now, who”s the lucky, sexy man candy that will be fighting over you from now on?” Natalia screeched from beside me.

I looked over at her, begging her with my eyes to keep her mouth shut.

Want me to burn him alive?

I leaned around Tate to glare at Nikolai before returning my glare back at the man towering over me.

“You know what, it doesn”t even matter. You”re still my mate so he will just have to learn how to share.” Tate said before slamming his mouth against mine. I gasped as Nikolai growled in my head.

Tate snaked his arm around my lower back and pulled me closer to him, tangling his other hand in the hair at the base of my neck.

I opened my mouth, allowing him entry and he did not disappoint. He plunged his tongue into my mouth, battling with mine.

We finally separated, gazing at each other, both breathless.

“Call the firefighters because that was fucking hot.” Natalia teased. Fanning her face with her hands.

My cheeks flamed, and I pushed away from Tate. This is crazy. How did I go from being alone to having two impossible men?

I can make it one if you wish.

“I don’t need any comments from the peanut gallery.” I hollered over to Nikolai.

The bastard smirked at me, sending a new wave of heat to my core. I grimaced as I felt our combined release slowly leaking down my thigh.

Call me crazy, but there was just something about him that drew me to him, and now it was like I couldn’t get enough.

Tate leaned down to whisper in my ear, “Do you want to get out of here and go flying?”

My heart skipped a beat, and my mood instantly increased. “Now you”re speaking my language. Let”s go, beastly.”

Tate’s grin widened. He grabbed my hand and led me out the door.

“I guess I’ll see you at home, bitch.” Natalia hollered before the door closed behind us, shutting everyone out.

Tate walked us over to a cherry red Bugatti Chiron and my jaw hit the floor. The car was absolutely beautiful and called to the adrenaline junkie side of me.

“Please let me drive.” I gave Tate my best puppy dog look, begging him to let me behind the wheel.

He smirked at me, flashing his white teeth, “Not a chance in hell.”

I popped my lip out further, trying to command tears to fill my eyes.

“Not going to work, little minx. You might be my mate, but this is my baby.”

I huffed out a sarcastic laugh, “Seriously?”

“Dead serious. Get in,” he told me, clicking the fob to unlock the beautiful vehicle.

I climbed into the passenger seat. The interior was a beautiful mix of red and black.

Tate started the car, and it hummed under me; the engine purred behind the dash, sending a tingling sensation to my core.

“I think I just came,” I whispered. This car was a work of art, and the anticipation was killing me to get it out on an open road.

Tate growled beside me, “The next time you come will be on my cock. Not from my car.”

He slammed his foot on the gas, and I flew back against the seat, my belly swooped at the sudden speed.

I laughed as he sped down the road, away from the house.

Tate whipped around corners as I yelped in delight. I caught sight of him looking at me from the corner of his eye, a grin spreading over his face.

“What?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

His smile widened as he zipped around corners, picking up speed as we raced down the road.

Headlights shone behind us and I gave him a worried glance.

“Hold on, minx.” He pushed the car faster, almost sending it on two wheels as he flew around the turns, barely slowing.

If he kills you driving like a madman, I will peel the flesh from his bones, letting him die a slow, painful, agonizing death.

I reached out to grab Tate”s arm. “Stop, it”s just Nikolai.”

His eyes widened as my words sank in, slowing the car only just. “He’s in your head. You really did bond.” He said more as a statement than a question, so I didn’t grace him with an answer.

I pinched my lips together, not knowing what to say. I didn’t want any mates. So, I kept Tate at arm”s length, only to run right into Kai’s open ones. What kind of awful person runs from a sweet guy into a fucking stalkers waiting embrace.

Hurt flashed in his eyes as he glanced my way, then it was gone, replaced with…was that determination?

Shit, Tate’s never going to stop coming for me. He”s never going to let me only be bonded to Nikolai, I knew that look. It was the same one Kai gave me the moment before I touched him.

Possessiveness.

We finally pulled onto my driveway, Nikolai following in the car behind us.

Exhilaration shot through me at the thought of him going flying with us and my dragon hummed in agreement. Clearly she was just fine with having more than one mate, and as the time passed I found my emotions blending with hers. It was hard to remember what I was so worried about in the first place.

I was out of the car before Tate even put it in park, thrilled to be able to fly again.

A sickening sound of crunching bones hit my ears, and I spun around to Nikolai, slamming his fist into Tate’s face.

Kai, what the fuck. Stop it.

I screamed…only my mouth didn”t move. Kai’s gaze snapped to mine, his fist pulled back, ready to send another blow to Tate’s nose.

He released Tate and ran around the car, scooping me up in his arms and slamming his mouth against mine. The kiss was brutal, with so much raw emotion behind it that my knees got weak.

If Kai wasn’t holding me up, I definitely would have fallen.

You spoke through our bond, my star. It is solidifying our connection, soon nothing will separate us.

My dragon purred against him, liking the fact that soon we would be completely bonded.

“Are you going flying with us?” I asked him, looking around his massive body to Tate, who was holding his nose as blood dripped around his hand.

He simply nodded his head at me, but Tate was never the issue when it came to sharing, it was Kai. Would they both really be okay with sharing me, my dragon roared, demanding the both of them.

“What makes you think I’m a dragon?” he asked, and I gawked at him.

Was he seriously trying to play off that he”s not a dragon? We”re bonded; I feel his dragon calling to mine.

I feel your beast, and he wants to come out and play.

I whispered in his mind, trying to seduce him to show me his dragon. I needed it more than I needed to breathe. My dragon was banging against her cage, demanding it, and I could only hold her back so much.

His bright blue swirled in his eyes, completely taking over the dark shade of navy they normally were.

I smiled, finally, the beast was coming out to play.

I took off running into the backyard, stripping along the way.

A laugh burst out of me, I looked over my shoulder to see my two guys following close behind. Complete opposites of one another. Where Tate was all light and bubbly, Nikolai was dark and broody.

I jumped off the stump next to the fire pit, shifting midair as my dragon tore free of her confined cage.

Beating my wings hard to pick up speed, I burst through the clouds, the stars greeting me in the sky with open arms. I loved the feeling of being free, nothing but me, and the open sky.

I turned to face the dragons flying at me. One was a dark green, while the other was a dark blue. I bellowed into the sky, and they returned my call.

Fighting with one another to be the first one to reach me. They were both beating their wings hard, gaining and losing speed between them.

When Tate pulled ahead, Nikolai would get a burst of speed and come out in front, and then Tate would have another burst of speed.

I chortled at their need to get to me first. Watching in amazement as they came up to me, separating and flying around me in opposite directions.

I swiveled my head, watching as they each circled me.

My dragon purred in excitement, fire creeping up my throat. I aimed down and shot my beautiful violet-blue flame toward the ground.

Each dragon joined me with their own flames, Nikolai’s a beautiful red, and Tate’s brilliant gold.

I shot up into the sky, beating the air into submission around me, forcing it to carry my body up the vertical climb.

The two dragons roared below me, following me up.

I longed to reach the moon, an impossible task I knew I would never be able to accomplish. The glowing orb would forever tease me from its perch within the stars.

I stopped my climb, looking at the world far below as Tate and Kai reached me. It was breathtaking up here, peaceful. I loved flying. I could forget the world for a bit and just be free. I knew it always had to end, but for this moment it was just me and the wide open stretch of endless sky before me.

Kai growled next to me, eyeing something up out in the distance.

The thing looked like a shadow, traveling at lightning speed toward us.

Kai, what is that?

I growled, getting Tate’s attention, showing him the unwelcome visitor far below us.

Another dragon.

Kai growled in my head.

I must say this mate bond did come in handy. I only wish I could communicate with Tate the same way.

We treaded air, hovering in place as we tracked the beast below us.

It bellowed into the sky, a brilliant red flame leaving its jaws, lighting up the world around it as it turned direction and headed up.

Directly toward us.

River move. Now.

Nikolai hollered into my head, his bright red flame shooting out of his throat.

I turned getting ready to face the threat, not listening to my mate, I was not going to run like a scared little girl. Instead I tucked my wings and dove, heading straight toward the black beast climbing up to us.

A moment later, Tate and Nikolai flanked my sides, diving alongside me.

I curled my tongue, building the heat in the back of my throat before letting my flame free, it was joined by red and gold a moment later, making a mixture of beautiful colors.

The black dragon banked to the right, evening out a moment before it was hit with our combined flame.

I quickly changed course, following the beast. With being a smaller dragon, I definitely made up for it in speed. I was able to turn faster than the other two, so they were a ways behind me now.

I caught up to the black dragon, snapping my jaw at its tail as he whipped it around, trying to avoid my sharp teeth.

His head turned, and I was met with deep red eyes.

Then a flame shot out of his jaws. I narrowly missed the hot fire as I dove, coming up below him.

Tate and Nikolai finally caught up with us as we were battling in the air.

Who the fuck was this guy? How did he find me, and why was he so angry? I turned, making way for the other two giant dragons.

A cry broke through the clouds, and I looked up to see two massive dragons, locked together and heading straight toward me.

I tucked my wings and rolled out of the way, opening them back up again and watching in horror as the black dragon and blue dragon fell out of the sky.

Nikolai.

I screamed through our bond, flying at lightning speed toward the falling dragons.

They crashed to the ground in a small clearing, neither one moving.

I landed next to them, Tate landing a moment after me.

I hesitantly walked toward the dragons, nuzzling Kai with my snout.

His blue eyes blinked open at me, and relief flooded my body. Swinging my head, I looked over at the black dragon and was met with a red eye.

I turned my body, covering as much as I could of Kai, growling at the black dragon.

I curled my tongue, fire building in my throat, ready to blast our unwelcome guest.

He blinked at me before the sound of bones breaking hit my ears. I closed my jaw, slightly tilting my head as I watched the black beast shift back into a human.

Tate quickly shifted beside me, “Jax?”

The question in his tone had me taking another look at the now-human dragon. It registered that this was the guy from the party, the same guy that claimed I was his mate on the first day of school.

Don’t even think about it, star.

Kai warned beside me, just activating my brat mode. If he thinks because we are mated that he gets to boss me around, he has another thing coming. I took orders from no one, mate or not.

I shifted back into my human body, and Kai growled in displeasure beside me before joining us in his human form.

I narrowed my eyes at Jax, glancing down to where he was holding his side. Two big gashes were seeping blood. He must have gotten injured while he and Kai were falling to the ground.

“Your bleeding?” My tone made it sound more like a question than a statement. He should have healed, dragons were fast healers but only while in our beast form. We could heal while in our human bodies, it just took a bit longer.

“Yeah, he got me good.” Jax gestured toward Kai. The asshole smirked, proud of himself for injuring Jax.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him, putting my hand on my hip, bringing his attention back to me.

To my surprise, he kept his eyes focused on my face and not my naked body. Points to him for being respectful.

“I just wanted to meet my mate,” he told me, black swirling in his amber eyes.

My jaw dropped open. Was this guy for real, there”s no way I had three mates. I thought that first day when I got my schedule was a fluke. Clearly Tate and Kai were my mates, there was no denying that. But now, Jax. I didn’t even know this man”s last name for crying out loud and yet he was staking a claim on me.

Tate touched my arm, and I jumped at the contact, looking over at him. So many emotions crossed his face as he looked between me and Jax.

“You know there”s only one way to know for sure, minx,” Tate told me, taking hold of my hand.

Warmth spread through my body at the contact. Nikolai grabbed my opposite hand, lightly squeezing to bring my attention to him.

Just say the word, my star, and I will permanently end him. Either one, I’m an equal opportunist.

A laugh burst out of me at his words, ooh my stalker, still trying to protect me from the beast, even if they were supposedly my mates.

“If you wanted to meet me, why did you attack us?” I dug my heels in, not willing to move toward him.

“You attacked me,” he screamed, “I was simply coming up to fly with you, and all three of you attacked me. What was I supposed to do?”

I flinched, he was right, we did attack him before waiting to see if he was friend or foe.

Kai just sent me on edge; he was immediately unwelcoming of the newcomer, and it put me into defensive mode. So, I acted before I thought. Gee, now I fucking sounded like Natalia, not using that damn filter in my brain.

I looked at Jax again, seeing the hurt in his eyes, the pain that I put there. My stomach twisted, how could I be so cruel. I know I don’t like people, but I’ve never actually hurt anyone before. I just avoided them, sticking to myself.

I released both Tate’s and Kai”s hands and walked to Jax, stopping in front of him.

I looked up at him, seeing the hope shine in his eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat, reminding myself that I’m trying something new.

I reached a hand up to his face, unable to keep it still; my hand was shaking uncontrollably.

The moment I connected with his flesh, a zap shot through my body, and Jax released the breath he was holding.

“My mate,” he whispered so low, relief coating his voice.

He moved the hand holding his side and grabbed my face, kissing me so softly. I felt the blood smear on my cheek. When he pulled back, a smile spread from ear to ear, and I couldn”t help the small smile of my own. Maybe having mates wouldn”t be bad after all.

That bliss was broken when the two males behind me started growling. The noise sounded more animal than human.

I turned, pinning them with an angry stare. They immediately stopped.

“Let”s head back to the cottage, we can get some food and talk there.” I told all three guys, taking a step back and shifting into my dragon.

We flew as a unit back to my cottage, and I scoffed as it came into view. Both Natalia and Lainey were sitting on the porch waiting for us.