Ohhh, marking and mating coming soon!
“Are you going to mark me tonight?” Madelyn asks me as soon as we get to our room.I look at her a moment. “Come sit with me," I say and rather than letting her sit in her own chair, I pull her into my lap. I wrap an arm around her waist and take her hand in my free one. This is the moment of truth.I take a deep breath, but then focus on her when I feel her nervousness, her fear that I don’t want to mark her, that maybe I've been putting her off because I had no intention of ever marking her. I quickly put my hands on her face, turning her head so she's looking at me. I am not Alec.“That’s not it at all, Madelyn. I would hope, after everything that we’ve been through here, that you realize that I will never, ever betray you. I will never leave you. I will never want any woman other than you, ever. You are it for me. What you saw was me preparing for YOU to not want this. Because you have to know that once it’s done, that’s it. There is no going back. There is do-over, there is no div
I could feel Cayd’s body shaking with the control he was exerting in order to go slowly with me. I appreciate it, but something about his touch continues to light something inside me. The more he touches me, the more I want and need his touch. It's like my body is drawing him into me.I begin to feel a possessiveness, a need to have this man in my life, to have his mark on my neck for the world to see. And even more than that, I need the world to know that he is mine, only mine.When his canines enter my neck, and I feel like I’m going to explode with the pleasure inside me. It’s like the light inside me needs a place to exit, as if it’s expanding and is about to burst. My body jerks with the orgasms that Cayd has given me, one after another, but it hasn’t released the light inside me.It isn’t until I feel him release inside me, feel the warm jets of his cum coating my insides that I find my outlet. Something stings my gums and going solely on instinct, I bite down on Cayd’s neck, the
I stare at my mate’s mark on my neck. I understand now why she wanted me to see it. She wasn’t worried that I wouldn’t like it, it’s just unlike any mate mark I’ve ever seen before.I stand from the water, turning to my mate. I’m not sure what she sees on my face, but she frowns, just a moment, before I take two steps and have her in my arms, devouring her mouth in a possessive kiss.I think I understand the power that I felt now when she bit into me. She gave me her dragon’s magic. Much like she will be stronger with my mark, I’m now stronger with hers. And maybe it’s because I’m a shifter that I feel it more than she has , but damn, dragon magic is very powerful magic.I pour my love and appreciation of the gift my mate has given me into the kiss.When I pull back, we’re both breathless and I can feel her dizziness from the power and emotions in my kiss. I’ll never get tired of this feeling.“I’ll never get tired of it either,” she says, her eyes still closed.I frown at my mate.‘Ca
I can feel Cayd’s pride in me. There’s so much goodness in him. His heart is gentle and kind. I know that others described him that way, and I knew it from our interactions. But knowing it and feeling it are very different. Everything about Cayd is warm and inviting, drawing me in and making me want more.“So, Madelyn, tomorrow at 10am, you need to be ready to face Alpha Alec and maybe some of his pack members. I’m also expecting that he’ll bring other Alphas with him since we killed his father,” Lily says.“Those Alphas are probably in league with him,” Cayd says.“I’d bet money on it, which is why all of the Guardians are invited to attend tomorrow. We shouldn’t need them since Riley, Leana, and I will be there along with Mehira and Ennata.”“Well that covers the big factions, and it will be interesting to see how these Alphas feel about a council of all females making judgements about them,” Cayd smirks.“I doubt they’re going to like it very much,” Lily says, her smile a bit more v
I could feel Madelyn’s sadness as we left Araphyra and I wanted to make it go away. It occurred to me that this decorating thing might make her happy again, and I was right. I’ll decorate my entire apartment if it will keep my mate happy. Hell, I decorate the whole damn building if it makes her happy.I may be more like my mother than my father, but I learned from my father and my brothers that you’ll never be happier than when you make your mate happy. And they are right. Feeling Madelyn’s sadness turn to happiness makes me feel like the king of the world.While I drive, Madelyn turns on the car radio. She begins singing along to the songs. I don’t know any of the words, but I dance along as she sings happily. She’s still singing as we pull up to the entrance of Safe Haven. I stop at the guard gate.“Can you let Alpha Emerson and my sister know that Alpha Cayden and his mate, Madelyn, are here to visit?” I ask the guard.“Go ahead, Alpha. I’ll let them know you’re coming.”“Thank you
We have lunch with Luna Grace, who told me to call her Aunt now that I’m part of the family, Alpha Eli, who told me to call him Uncle, Alpha Emerson, and Quinn. Quinn insists that I’m her sister, so I shouldn’t call her Luna and Emerson told me whatever made me most comfortable was fine with him.I’m pretty sure they asked more questions about our time in Araphyra than I did about the trial tomorrow. Everyone was shocked that there were two prophecies about me and Uncle Eli and Emerson asked Cayd a lot of questions about us bringing the return of the dragons. I could tell Cayd was proud that he was mentioned in my prophecy, but honestly, if he’s my mate, who else would have been mentioned?Because it’s winter and we stayed for several hours, the sun was beginning to set before we left and I had a chance to see all of the sprites' witchy lights begin to glow in the forest.“We definitely need lots of lights,” I tell Cayd as he walks behind me, wrapping his arms around me.“Should we get
Last night, we put the tree in the stand and added water. The rest will wait until we have everyone over. Then, I’d feasted on my dragon, letting her feast on me before I made love to her. Our room felt warm and inviting in the glow of Madelyn's dragon light that shone out of both us. I had to be mindful that I couldn’t get too lost in my mate and spend the entire night making love to her. I wanted to, and she did too, but she needs to be awake enough to stand up to Alpha Alec today.She’s in the shower while I’ve been making us breakfast, but I can feel her nerves starting to get the better of her. I turn the bacon down to low, leaving the eggs and pancakes for the moment and slide into the shower with my mate.“You’re not alone,” I say when she presses her back against me. “No one will let him or anyone else hurt you. But even if they did get past my family, which he won't, they would never get past me to you. You are safe. You will remain safe,” I say against her ear. I have my arms
MadelynI didn’t know what to expect from sharing my aura with Emlyn, but it wasn’t the submission of all three of these Alphas. Just like the others, her aura is strong, powerful, and clean. I’m not sure how else to describe it. It’s a pure energy with no malice in it.“Interesting,” Emlyn says, looking from me to the Alphas.“Is that you, Emlyn?” Alpha Rich asks her.“It’s both of us,” she says, turning back to me. “Madelyn has tapped into her power.”Because I’m looking at Emlyn, I’m don’t understand why both Cayd and Alpha Rich growl at once. I feel Cayd’s warm, strong body step up behind me, but his eyes remain focused on the Alphas.“You knew about her power,” Alpha Rich says.“Richie?” Emlyn asks him.“They looked surprised that she had tapped into her power, not like they had no idea what we were talking about,” he says.“They know what you are, Madelyn. Which makes what they did to you, that much more sinister.”I turn and look at them. “You knew?”“Let’s take this inside,” Ri
We didn’t have to worry about clothing for Torin and Avalon. My mother and my aunts apparently felt the need to make sure our new friends had clothes, so when we arrived back at the apartments, they had clothes waiting for them.“I don’t even know what to say about this,” Avalon says, looking shocked.“You don’t have to say anything. You’re under the care and protection of the Guardians. That means something to us, to all of us,” I tell them.“Thanks,” Torin says, but I can tell the gesture is meaningful to him too. Good, the sooner he realizes that we’re not his enemy, the better.Xander drives us to the airport where the pilots are ready and waiting for us. I say goodbye to my brother, having already spoken to my father.“Call if you need anything. We’ll be there," he says.“I know. I’ll be calling anyway, hopefully, to give you a timeframe and number of dragons headed your way,” I say, before following the others into the plane.It’s a private jet with small seating areas and a bed
After spending most of the afternoon pouring over maps, and then spending dinner with the dragons, hearing their excitement about Araphyra and beginning to feel their own magic coming forward, Cayd led me into the forest.Just like last time, we spent then entire night making love, sharing light, and being together. I don’t know how my body has the energy to go for so many hours, never needing a break, never needing to disconnect from my mate, but I don’t care. My only complaint is that the time went by much too quickly and before I knew it, Cayd was sliding out of me, showing me that the sun had started to rise.“We need to get back to the city today so we can head out west. It’s time for us to bring all of your dragon brethren home, Madelyn. Then, maybe next time, we can stay out here until you’ve had enough of me,” he says giving me that million-dollar smile.“Well then, you’d better prepare to spend the rest of your life here in the forest Cayden Holstin, because I will never have
After we get settled, Aolis and Lily take the dragons on a tour of Araphyra. While they look around, I take Madelyn to the library so that we can meet with Ailduin.When we walk in, I see that Buppig is here as well, ready to assist.“Good morning, Buppig! How are you?” I ask him.“I’d be better if me mate wasn’t flittin’ around about having some male dragons around. What has he got that I haven’t got?” he asks irritably, his Irish accent becoming heavier with his frustration.“Height?” Madelyn asks innocently.“I think it was a rhetorical question, love,” I say to her as Buppig narrows his eyes at her.“Yeah, well, I’ve got it where it counts! Got her pregnant, didn’t I? I’m giving her a little sprite baby, aren’t I?”“Or possibly a leprechaun baby, Buppig. You know that Hyacinth loves you, unconditionally,” Anastasia says kindly.“Of course she does! You’re not questioning her love for you, are you, Buppig?” Madelyn asks.“Just because he’s big and warm, so what? I’m warm!” he huffs,
It feels good being back in Araphyra. I almost wish that this could be my home. Almost. But my home is with Cayd and he has a life back in the city and in the packs. And my life is with him.‘I promise we’ll visit frequently,’ Cayd says, sensing my thoughts.I smile at him as we all exit the van. King Aolis and Queen Lily are waiting for us.“Welcome dragons,” King Aolis says. As the others step forward and look around, I can sense the fae creatures moving toward us. I’m not sure if they are drawn to the magic of dragons, or if they are just excited to see more here in their homeland.“Whoa!” Tamsyn says. I turn and look at her, seeing that her body is glowing in a golden light.“Uh, what’s happening?” Silas asks, his body beginning to glow with a silver light.“Is this our magic?” Avalon asks in awe, her body glowing with her dragon's rose-gold color. Even Torin is glowing with a pewter glow.“You’re glowing too,” Cayd says, smiling as he looks over my body. I look down, surprised to
I wasn’t sure what to expect from our decorating party, but I wasn’t expecting to have as much fun as I did. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time, my mate especially. After breakfast, half of us began decorating trees, while others began preparing dinner, and then others decorated the apartment.I had several moments where I stopped and looked around, recognizing that someday soon our apartment will be as large as Xander and Maeve’s, but that this, this happiness and chaotic fun, is going to be my life.“I know that look,” my father says walking up.“What look is that?” I ask, eating yet another Christmas cookie. They’re really good.“The look of a man who is seeing his future with the woman he loves.”“Yep, that’s exactly what I was thinking,” I say, smiling as my mate sings with the others who know the holiday songs playing on the television.“Now replace every one of these people with your pups or dragons babies and you’ll see what I saw in my future when I met your mother.”“Ma
Even without sleep, my body is humming with the pleasure that Cayd gives me. It’s like a constant adrenaline rush that keeps my body on a high so that I don’t feel the need to get as much sleep.When I get out of the shower, I smile, putting on the second dress that Cayd knew that I’d need. I bite my lip as I think about all the positions we were in while I was in and out of this dress. I lean down to get the shoes, not sure that my feet are ready for a day in these heels when Cayd’s strained voice stops me.“Baby, I love you. I love you so much, more than anything else in this entire world. If you love me at all, anywhere close to how much I love you, you won’t wear those shoes. I only have so much restraint and it’s going to be hard enough seeing you in that dress today with every memory of what I did to you while you were in it last night. Please, have mercy on your weak mate and don’t wear those shoes.”I giggle, and then, because I can, I run and leap into my mate’s arms. He catch
Once everyone is settled with where they are going and when, I say goodbye to my sisters, Emerson, and Cohen. They give me the information that they have, letting me know that Leana and Riley have the specific coordinates of where Madelyn and I need to look for the other dragons. Lily is heading back to Araphyra to prepare for us to bring this first group of dragons home.Home. It’s a simple word and something that none of these descendants of dragons have had. For me, I know I intend to change that for Madelyn. I want our apartment to be and feel like a home. I’m hoping that the others will find a home in Araphyra.As Madelyn and I go down to the garage in the elevator, the thought of making a home with her overwhelms me and I press her against the side of the elevator, kissing her as I push my happiness and love for her into the kiss and through the bond. I knew finding my mate would be everything, but I didn’t truly understand the feeling of happiness and contentedness within myself
Everyone gets quiet with King Ailduin’s suggestion that because of us, someday dragons could fly in the skies again. I mean, that will be well past my lifetime, but the idea that I could be a part of that ... I look at Cayd, wondering if our children will be a part of that.‘Yes, they will,’ he says in my mind.‘How do you know?’‘Because there is a prophecy about the two of us. I think that means that the two of us do more than just bring the dragons to Araphyra. I think we’ll help bring them back into existence, if that’s what happens. But either way, we’re here, on the cusp of something exciting, leading the way and blazing the trail,’ he says, pulling my hand to him mouth and kissing my knuckles.“I’ll go if Madelyn comes with us,” Avalon says, pulling my attention back to the table.Everyone turns to look at me.“I will too,” Silas says, and Tamsyn nods in agreement.I look at King Ailduin and then at Cayd. “Is that a possibility?”Cayd turns to King Ailduin. “The Guardians and th
I realize I don’t have a lot of experience with dragons, but this guy is on my last nerve. I understand he’s been through a lot and that he’s distrustful of werewolves, but Madelyn and the others aren’t werewolves and they've been through just as much as he has.When everyone arrives, we begin. I know King Aiduin will be here as quickly as he can, but I don’t want to wait for him. Torin is already jumpy and the others are nervous enough that the scent of their fear is starting to fill the room.“As you know, my name is Madelyn. Up until very recently, I thought I was a human, just like all of you did. In a very short amount of time, I escaped from the pack that was holding me hostage, I found my mate who is also a werewolf but a good one, I went to a place called Araphyra which is the land of the fae where I learned about the history of dragons, and then I found my magic.”“How did you find it?” Silas asks.“Well…” Madelyn begins before looking at me.“Araphyra is a very magical place.