Chapter Two

I parked behind Chase on the side of Max’s long driveway. His father was the mayor and he knew all about our kind but I doubted that Max knew. I could already hear that the party was underway and we normally arrived about two hours after the parties started.

“There you are!” Tia said loudly as she descended the stairs with her crew following behind her.

“Sorry we’re late, Chase had an appointment with the mirror,” I said and he nudged me in the ribs.

“And right now I have an appointment with Kenna,” he said as he started making his way across the room to where she was talking to Max.

“Hi Ryder,” Leana said as she brushed past me with her breasts practically rubbing over my chest.

“Hi,” I said feel uncomfortable with her proximity but Tia didn’t even notice and Leana winked at me.

I shuddered and let go of Tia’s hand and made my way over to the kitchen to get a drink. In the kitchen I found Chase with Max, Burke and Chester doing shots and they cheered loudly as I walked over to them.

“Where’s Ryan?” I asked.

“Upstairs somewhere with Jane,” Max said.

“Come on Ry, have a drink with us,” Chase said as he pushed the shot glass into my hand.

“You know I don’t drink,” I said to him.

“Come on take one for the team!” Chester yelled and I sighed and downed the shot.

Much later that night I found myself locked in a bedroom with Tia. We had gone further than ever before and as I pulled back from her she took her shirt off and pulled me towards the bed. I was still sober having ditched Chase and the guys after that first shot.

“Ryder, I want all of you tonight,” she whispered close to my ear.

She was pressing herself against me and I wasn’t about to say no thank you. I should but I wasn’t going to, not when she clearly wanted this. She produced a condom and put it on me as I watched her. It was kind of erotic and she straddled me quickly after that.

“I love you Tia,” I whispered in her ear as we lay on the bed afterwards trying to catch our breaths.

“I love you too,” she whispered.

I dropped Tia off at home at ten to twelve since her curfew was midnight. Her father was part of the specialized force and he worked at my father’s investment firm in Chicago. He stood on the porch as I parked my car at the curb and I walked to the door with her.

“Good evening Mr. Banks,” I said and shook his hand.

“Hello Ryder, did you kids have fun?” he asked.

“Plenty of fun Daddy,” Tia said and kissed my cheek goodnight. If only he knew just how much fun I’m sure he wouldn’t smile at me that way.

“Drive home safe,” he said and walked into the house.

I drove home and I saw that Chase wasn’t back yet. My father was still in his office as I walked past it to my room and he called me inside when he heard me.

“You’re home early,” he said as I sat down.

“Tia has a curfew, no reason for me to go back to the party alone,” I said to him.

“You two seem rather serious,” he remarked and I smiled.

“I’d think after almost two years we would be,” I said and he laughed.

“Just be careful, your birthday’s in a month and soon you’ll find your bonded mate,” he said to me.

“Without sounding cheesy Dad, I think Tia’s going to be my mate,” I said.

“I just want you to be happy,” he said to me.

“I’m happy,” I said to him.

“You smell different,” he remarked as I stood up and instantly my face was red as I looked away.

“Night Dad,” I said and headed for the door.

“Shit Ryder, did you finally get laid?” he asked me loudly as I stopped just outside his door.

“Nice Dad, tell the whole world,” I said and he started laughing.

I shook my head and walked to my room. Sometimes I wished my Dad was a bit more normal but I also liked that we had such an open relationship. I wouldn’t tell my mother how the party went and I knew he wouldn’t either.

The next month passed by swiftly and Tia and I just grew closer. We had sex a lot more, every chance we got in fact and I was careful to use protection. I didn’t want a surprise like Greg had gotten two months earlier.

Chase and I sat in the back of the SUV while Lucas drove and Rev accompanied him. We were headed to Chicago and according to Lucas this was a good sign. It was our birthday and a blood moon and tonight we’d be getting our dragons.

“Are you two excited?” Rev asked as he turned in his seat and looked back at us.

“Of course,” Chase said and I nodded.

“What happens if we don’t get a violet dragon?” I asked and Lucas laughed.

“Then I disown you,” he said and Rev laughed out loud.

“Seriously Dad,” I said.

“Then nothing, if neither of you get a violet dragon then you can’t take over as Sire one day, that’s all,” he said but I saw him gripping the steering wheel tighter.

“That won’t happen,” Chase said confidently.

Lucas parked the car and Chase climbed out of the car and stretched his arms. I followed him out and stood looking around at the dilapidated looking warehouse. The area looked dodgy but I didn’t say anything.

“Grey lair,” Lucas said to a man that had appeared at the door. The door opened and we filed inside to an open area that was brightly lit. Another man stood there and bowed his head at Lucas and barely acknowledged us.

“Sire Lucas, welcome, the Elders are expecting you,” the man said.

“Thank you Kevin,” Lucas said and the door was opened for us.

We entered a circular room where a fire was already raging in a stone circle and the room felt hot. The three Elders stood spread out and smiled when they saw Lucas. He walked over to them and slightly bowed his head as they shook hands and talked quietly for a few minutes before they all walked back over to us.

“Who are you presenting Sire Lucas?” Elder Michael asked him.

“I present Chase and Ryder Grey,” Lucas said as we stepped forward.

“Welcome young men, I’m Elder Michael and that’s Elder Cliff and Elder Victor,” he introduced them.

“Nice to meet you,” Chase and I said simultaneously.

“You may now take off your shirts,” Elder Victor said and we handed our shirts to Lucas.

We stood in front of the Elders and their eyes seemed to glaze over for a minute before returning to normal.

“Chase Grey, you are the first born son of Lucas Grey, Sire of the Grey lair,” Elder Cliff said.

“Yes Elder,” Chase answered him.

“Ryder Grey, you are the second born son of Lucas Grey, Sire of the Grey lair,” Elder Victor said.

“Yes Elder,” I confirmed.

“Do you swear to treat your beast with the respect and honour it deserves?” Elder Michael asked us.

“Yes Elder,” we answered.

“Do you swear to rule with a just heart, a swift fist and make every decision with your lair’s prosperity in mind?” Elder Cliff asked.

“Yes Elder.”

“Do you swear to protect the bonded half that fate gives you and to not reject the one that is your match?” Elder Victor asked.

“Yes Elder,” we answered in unison.

“Do you swear to be a father to your people, a warrior to your fighters and a leader that can be trusted?” Elder Michael asked.

“Yes Elder,” we answered.

“Lastly do you swear to keep the secrets of our kind from those that wish us harm and to annihilate our enemies whether they be supernatural or human?” Elder Cliff asked.

“Yes Elder,” we said.

“Chase and Ryder Grey, deposit your blood into the cup,” Elder Victor said.

He handed the knife first to Chase where he slit open his wrist and his blood dropped down into the golden cup. Chase handed me the knife and I did the same. I moved my wrist once it started to heal and half of the cup was filled. The Elders nodded in approval and they each opened two vials and mixed the contents with our blood.

“Drink and open both your minds to all the possibilities,” Elder Michael said with a smile.

Chase took the cup and swallowed first, he left more than a third in the cup and I drank the rest. It was bitter and then slightly sweet. I could feel something stirring inside me and my mind felt foggy, I felt drunk and off balance.

“Step into the fire and meet your beast,” Elder Cliff said and I took the first step forward as I saw a ring of fire emerge as if out of thin air. Chase was right next to me and together we stepped over the threshold.

I looked around at the dank cave and I could hear the faint dripping of water. I heard a rustling up ahead and I went through the narrow tunnel first. I was on my stomach pulling myself forward as I had the intense urge to find whatever had made that noise.

“Whoa,” Chase said as he came to stand next to me. I heard a loud roar that reverberated around the cave’s walls and I looked around. I thought I saw a tail slithering in the darkness and I blinked again to try and clear my mind.

I watched as the echoes made it hard to distinguish where the sounds were coming from and I could swear I heard something whisper Chase’s name. He had heard it too and he peered into the darkness.

“Show yourself beast,” Chase commanded sounding a bit like Lucas.

“Are you afraid boy?” the dragon hissed.

“I’m not afraid of you beast,” Chase said and I almost laughed.

“Your wish is my command,” the beast said.

I saw the movement from behind the throne as the dragon lunged and merged with him. Chase’s eyes widened and then he screamed clawing at his skin. He went down to his knees and he kept screaming as I looked at him.

“Don’t,” a voice hissed at me as I took a step forward.

Chase stopped screaming and took a few deep breaths and then he stood up and I saw the dragon tattoo covering his back. It was a shade lighter than Lucas’s dragon and I felt immensely proud of him.