Chapter Fifteen
John
I stood in front of the bar, my eyes scanning the bustling crowd that spilled onto the sidewalk. The neon sign above the entrance flickered, casting an ethereal glow on the faces of those who entered and exited. Of course, I should expect that a wolf like Seth would come late for a meeting. I was already getting angry when I saw him slip out of an alleyway across the street.
His eyes darted around as he approached me as if he didn’t want to get seen.
“Remember, Seth, let me do the talking. We need to handle this situation delicately.”
Seth nodded. His hands were tucked in the pocket of his jacket. I was well aware he tended to show that he was the boss, and he was barely a level-headed guy, but I needed him to keep his cool, or else this meeting might turn out for the worse. Looking at how shifty he was, dusting his nose every second or constantly running his fingers through his hair, I was starting to think bringing him was a terrible idea.
I just thought it would be good if he also heard directly from the dragon as to where they could possibly find Warwick.
“Nervous?” I asked him with raised eyebrows.
“Very. Have you any idea where we are?” he asked with wide eyes.
“Yes, I do. We needed to meet on their turf as a sign of goodwill and to earn their trust.” I drew in a deep breath and released it loudly through my nose. “Look, I need you to calm down. I can’t have you going in there looking like a nervous wreck right now.”
With another deep breath, I pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the bar, and we stepped inside. The atmosphere instantly enveloped us, buzzing with an energy that was both exhilarating and intimidating. The bar was dimly lit, the warm glow of overhead lights casting an amber hue over the room.
As my eyes adjusted to the dimness, I was greeted by a sight I had never seen before — a multitude of dragons, yet in human form. They filled the bar, their presence both majestic and awe-inspiring. Some were sitting on barstools, blending seamlessly with the surrounding furniture. Others stood tall, their eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and territoriality.
If I focused long enough, I could see their wings folded neatly against their backs. I tried not to stare too long, but it was hard not to. Some of them had unique colored hair that I was told ages ago represented the color of their dragon-self and I tried to picture each one of them in their dragon form. I had never seen one before yet, I wasn’t sure if I truly wanted to.
My wolf was on guard, ready at a moment’s notice if I had to shift. I would probably be shredded before I had the chance to shift completely. That thought alone had my anxiety coming up to the surface.
The air was thick with the scent of smoke and the sound of rumbling conversations. The dragons conversed in low voices, their words carrying an otherworldly resonance as they spoke a language unknown to me. The room seemed to vibrate with their presence, a powerful energy that sent shivers down my spine.
I glanced at Seth, his eyes wide with wonder. The sheer number of dragons was overwhelming, even for me, but I knew we had a purpose here. Taking a moment to steady myself, I approached the bar, navigating through the crowd with Seth trailing closely behind.
As we found a spot by the counter, I noticed a few dragons in their full dragon form, their massive bodies curled and coiled, taking up considerable space. It was a sight that filled me with a mix of trepidation and respect. I had heard tales of such transformations, but to witness it firsthand was a humbling experience.
The bartender, a human who seemed unfazed by the presence of these mythical creatures, approached us. I leaned in, my voice low but assertive. “We’re here to speak with the alpha of the dragon hoard. He’s expecting me. Can you point us in the right direction?”
The bartender nodded, gesturing towards a secluded corner of the bar where a man, sat regally. “He’s over there. Good luck.”
With a nod of gratitude, I led the way, Seth following closely. As we approached the alpha, I couldn’t help but marvel at the extraordinary world that had opened up before us. The bar teemed with dragons, their power and majesty evident in every corner.
Mason, the alpha of the dragon hoard, sat in a secluded corner of the bar, his presence commanding the attention of those around him. I approached him, my eyes taking in his formidable figure. Mason’s long, flowing golden hair cascaded down his broad shoulders, adding an air of regality to his appearance. His sturdy build and tall structure exuded a quiet strength that demanded respect.
As I drew closer, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful woman at his side, her radiant presence accentuating Mason’s allure. Her flowing locks, the color of fiery embers, framed her delicate features, and her enchanting eyes sparkled with a mix of warmth and confidence. It was evident why Mason would be fiercely protective of her, given her undeniable beauty and the allure it held for others.
Mason’s sharp gaze met mine, and he nodded at his girlfriend, signaling for her to excuse themselves. She gracefully stood, casting a brief smile in my direction before making her way toward the bar, leaving Mason and me to converse in private.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, impressed by Mason’s commanding presence. His aura exuded a combination of authority and wisdom, leaving no doubt as to why he held the position of alpha. I approached him warily, mindful of the delicate situation at hand.
“I try my best not to cause trouble for the wolves in these parts,” he said. In person, he sounded more … elderly, like he was much older than he looked, which was quite possible because dragons lived far longer than wolves. For what it was worth, he could be over five centuries old. “And I keep my hoard in check, too. I’m a man of peace. So imagine my surprise when one of you begins to stir war with us.”
“I can see you are angry. I…”
He raised his hand, signaling for me to be silent as he wasn’t done talking. I gave a little nod, letting him continue.
“Your wolf tried to force my girl into his car, right here in front of the bar. You are lucky I’m not quick to spill fire. I hear it is not his first time having a go at my girl. You should get your wolf in check, or I will check him for you. And rest assured when I do that, more wolves other than him will get hurt.”
“Thank you for your patience. I’ll deal with it. Warwick is a wolf that has been banished from our pack. He is nothing but trouble. We’ve been looking for him. Perhaps you could help. Maybe tell me where last you saw him. I know you must have kept an eye on him since he began to give you trouble.”
I had a feeling Warwick was trying to cause trouble not just for me, but his former pack as a selfish way to get back at us. He wasn’t satisfied with me pushing him out of the alpha standing. I don’t understand why he would make such a dangerous move targeting another alpha’s woman though. Perhaps he didn’t know who she was. Either way, he needs to be stopped.
Mason scribbled on a napkin and handed it to me. He stared at Seth. “I don’t like this one,” he said, his stare lingering on Seth who was almost growling.
I stole a look at the napkin before tucking it into my pocket. It contained an address. “Okay, thank you so much, Mason. We will be on our way now. I assure you, Warwick won’t be disturbing your woman again. Come on, Seth.”
I got up to leave. Seth took his time to get up. He was scowling Mason as if he would put up a fight. I knew Seth was strong, but there was no way he was stupid enough to think he could take the alpha of a dragon hoard.
“Seth,” I called him again. This time, he turned and walked past me. I smiled at Mason “I do apologize for Seth.”
“You apologize a lot for an alpha,” he said with a smirk.
Not knowing what to say to that, I nodded and left.