Chapter Fourteen #3
Rather than shy away like some omegas might from a strange alpha, the little one drew closer, hovering in the air nearby. Curious? The moon illuminated the dragon’s body, making his golden scales appear to glow.
Alpha instincts took over. Elouan dove, spinning in the air, then pulling up moments before hitting the ground. Showing off? Really? he chastised his dragon. His dragon had more of a say in this form, though Elouan’s human mind still maintained control.
Mostly.
The little one chirped again, the dragon equivalent of cheering. Elouan dove again, this time with the pale dragon trailing him. Elouan slowed his descent and pulled up before the ground. Though the young dragon might feel sassy, he still didn’t seem very sturdy on his wings.
Elouan launched toward the sky, a safer move. The other dragon shot past him. The omega was definitely male and glittery in the moonlight. Beautiful. He must be unmated, for no self-respecting alpha would let him fly alone.
Elouan certainly wouldn’t.
The gold flew closer, brushing its neck against Elouan’s. What? Flirting? When Elouan banked to return the gesture, the omega flitted off much faster than Elouan’s bulky body could manage, except in the dive.
Again and again, the pale dragon initiated contact, only to fly away before Elouan could reciprocate.
Adrakus custom dictated that he’d have to locate the dragon’s court and meet in human form.
Elouan seriously considered taking a dragon mate for the first time—one of his choosing, not foisted upon him by duty.
They played in the sky throughout the evening hours.
Oh, how glorious for Elouan to at last stretch his wings after months of pretending to be human.
He forgot all about hunting in his excitement at meeting the omega.
The cold air invigorated him, as did his unexpected companion.
He’d have to keep watch for where his visitor went, to ensure he arrived home safely, even if that meant meeting a pissed-off alpha.
Yet, the omega wouldn’t be flirting if in a committed relationship, would he?
The sun began to warm the horizon, heralding morning, when humans would be more likely to see. Elouan spared reluctant thoughts to returning to the cabin. An awful squawking sounded, getting closer.
Two old brown dragons, graying around the muzzle, did the midair equivalent of trudging toward them, barking loudly at the omega.
The young one hung its head, glanced over its shoulder at Elouan, then followed the two older dragons, who’d likely just noticed their charge had found another dragon. Unless Elouan missed his guess, those two browns didn’t have many flying years left.
So, a possibly unmated omega with older court members assigned to watch, though they’d allowed the young one out of their sight.
Or he’d snuck out.
As Elouan winged for the cabin, intending to eat and sleep the day away, the lovely golden dragon stayed on his mind, interspersed with thoughts of Jules. He recalled the two overprotective betas, one male, the other female.
A few days ago, no one had caught Elouan’s interest. Now he had two: a human and a dragon.
Or maybe, possibly, one and the same.
His dragon snorted. Yeah, right. Idiot.
Elouan lay sprawled on the porch swing where he’d been since sundown, watching the sky for the golden dragon to appear. He’d already killed a six-pack of beer, watching, waiting, and trying to rationalize his suspicions.
Were the browns the golden dragon’s parents? If so, they’d been in their later years when the Goddess gifted them with an egg.
Though Terra played host to many dragons, either living here by choice or in exile, were they so well-informed that he could inquire about the golden one?
Not that he’d have much to offer a mate at the moment, with his blue-collar job and inability to flaunt the wealth stored in a bank’s deposit box without tipping off human authorities and causing trouble for his kind.
Still, what would the young one look like in human form? Did its golden scales mean golden hair to match? Lithe, young.
His suspicions came back in full measure.
The more he considered the possibility, the more he believed the gold dragon to be Donovan Craigh’s younger brother. Elouan and Donovan weren’t close, they barely knew each other, but Donovan couldn’t ask for a better match for his brother than the rightful king of High Reaches.
For years, Elouan fought against the idea of being king. Couldn’t see himself filling the role.
At least not alone. He didn’t have the patience to deal with the petty grievances Father had after Mother’s death.
But with an omega mate—Jules—by his side? Still, no use making so many plans without truly knowing if Jules was indeed a dragon, and if so, why he hid.
In the wee hours of the morning, Elouan shifted, launching himself into the sky for a few lazy passes over the valley below. Leon had been right; this was the perfect spot for a lone dragon to stretch its wings.
But what happened when the dragon no longer wanted to be alone?