Chapter 4

 The crackle of flames was the first sound that Crystal heard as she slowly regained consciousness. The next thing that caught her attention was the pair of strong arms around her and the scent of her mate. As she slowly opened her eyes, she could feel the heat of the fire and then she realized that she was laying on top of her mate. His slow deep breaths, told her that he was asleep, so she took this chance to look at him. It had been years since they had been this close. She gently ran her hand over his face, barely touching him as she memorized his face.

Shifting slightly, she realized that he was topless and that all she was wearing was a shirt. And from the smell of it was his. They were both lying on a mattress in front of an open fireplace that was blazing away. Looking around she saw that they appeared to be in a rustic cabin.

A hand gently rubbing her back brought her attention back to Rook. A slight smile played across his thin lips, and only a glimpse of blue could be seen in his half closed eyes.

“Hi,” His voice was soft and slightly hoarse.

“Hi,” she whispered back to him, before giving in to the urge to kiss him. She gently pressed a light kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” she continued.

His eyes slid shut, hiding his expression.

“I’m just glad you allowed me to take care of you.” His voice was a low growl.

Crystal could hear Aria in her a mind a, purring rumble of contentment flowed through her mind. Her body felt heavy and she couldn’t resist laying her head down on his chest and listening to his heart beat beneath her cheek. 

Peace stole over her and she closed her eyes in contentment as a gently rumble came from his chest. She felt his hand gently rub her back and then tangle in the ends of her hair.

“How are you feeling?” His voice was still very soft almost as if he was afraid to talk louder.

“I’m fine,” her tummy growled and he chuckled at the sound.

“I guess that answers my next question. I’ll make you something to eat.” 

“You can cook?” Crystal was surprised at this new information about her mate.

“Yes I can.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I’ve had too many women try and feed me in an attempt to become the next Luna. So, I learnt to cook unless you want to cook?”

Crystal laughed, “That’s the one thing I never learned to do. I do make a mean sandwich though if you have the fixings?”

He chuckled, “Is scrambled eggs and bacon okay or would you like something else?”

 “Its more than okay with me.”

With a groan of disappointment, he reluctantly got up and heading to the corner of the room where a small kitchenette was. Grabbing bacon and eggs, he began to prepare their food.

Crystal propped her head on her hand and watched him cook. Her eyes sliding over his naked chest and his chiseled abdomen muscles. His six pack well defined.

“Do you like what you see?” His voice was husky and low. Her startled green eyes flew up and met his gaze. A slow smile curled up her lips.

“Of course,”

“Good, foods done. Do you want coffee or tea?” He asked. Desire flaring in his eyes.  

“Coffee, please.” Before she could even move, he was back with a plate and a cup of coffee. Handing them to her, he grabbed his own plate and coffee and joined her on the bed.

They both ate in silence enjoying the rare opportunity to spend time with each other. Once they were done Rook cleared up and returned to the bed to cuddle with Crystal. A sense of peace and joy settled over them as they enjoyed the warmth of the flames.

It wasn’t very long before Crystal got restless. She knew that there were going to be problems with Rook’s pack and she was concerned about their reaction.

“Rook?”

“Hmmm,”

“What happened when we got here?”

“What do you mean?”

She growled in frustration, “What happened with your pack and your parents?”

“My parents are aware that we are mates. And the pack is aware of it as well.”

She twisted around in his arms and glared at him. “You know that’s not exactly what I meant?”

“Don’t worry sweetheart. You are my mate and no one has any rights to say anything else.”

“Oh really? Considering your grandfathers initial reaction, I guess I will also have to keep an eye out for assassination attempts.” She rolled her eyes in frustration.

He chuckled softly, “You can let them see what a pissed of dragon mate can do. We have each other and that’s all that matters.”

He kissed her.  Holding her gently, his warms lips on hers surprised Crystal and as she tensed at the suddenness of the kiss, she realized that he was being gentle and waiting for her response.

Gently she pressed her lips against his before moving away and looking at him.

His fingers where tangled in her hair and his eyes were glowing with his desire but he did nothing else.

“Sweetheart we are mates. We both accepted the bond and I know it was a difficult mating for you. I would rather tear out my heart than see you in tears again. You decide what we do together.”

Rook waited, holding his breath. His biggest regret was the tears he had brought to her eyes when they had mated and the bond had linked their minds. He could see their mating had thrown her mind back into the past. The memories of being tortured and abused had overwhelmed her and even Aria had not been able to calm her down as she had cried in his arms. Even though she had reassured him that she wanted their mate bond and was happy that he was her mate. The tears and what he had seen in her mind and left him feeling worried that he had somehow hurt her.

She looked into his eyes and gently traced his features with her fingertips. “I guess you are still worried about me?” she asked.

He nodded enjoying the soft touch on his face. She was tracing his lips and he couldn’t resist gently sucking on her fingertips.

Her eyes opened n surprise then a gentle smile graced her lips as she pulled her fingers out of his mouth and kissed him.

They were so caught up in the kiss that the growing noise did not distract them until the door of the cabin crashed open. Startling both of them. Rook growled and flipped Crystal behind him as he rose to meet this new threat. He felt Crystal rise behind him and the sudden cold from the fire was soon matched by her increasing heat as she drew on the flames and came to stand next to him glowing with heat as they faced the threat together. Rook couldn’t help a slight grin as Alric howled in joy in his mind. “Our mate is strong. She wants to fight too.”

 They bought stared at the woman in the doorway and Rook growled in anger just as Tomas burst in behind her.

“Alice!” he roared. “Oh sh*t, Alpha I am so sorry. I found out too late that she knew where you were.”

“Rook, who is this?” Crystal asked. Relaxing the she-wolf standing staring so hungrily at her mates bare chest made her feel possessive so slid an arm around his waist while lifting an eyebrow.

Rook pulled her into his arms. Nuzzling her neck, “Shis nobody.”

“Nobody!” Alice screamed. “I and the future Luna and his mate. Who the hell are you?”  she demanded from Crystal. She launched herself at Crystal but Tomas grabbed her and quickly subdued her.

Crystal was startled and looked at Rook who was furious. “Rook?” she asked softly.

“Tomas put her in the dungeons and don’t allow any visitors.”

“Yes Alpha, “Tomas replied as he turned to go at the door he paused for a moment. “Your grandparents have arrived and are at the packhouse.” He informed Rook before bowing to them and leaving.  “Alpha, Luna.” His words echoed in the cabin.

“I guess we have to go back,” Rook groaned.

“Who is she Rook?” The strange tone in Crystal’s voice had Rook’s eyes flying to her face.

His eyes widened as he took in the flames flickering over her body. “Are you angry?”

“Rook!!”

“That was Alice. She is a member of my pack and my mother chose her as a potential Luna but she is not my mate and I have refused to allow her to get close to me. Bay listen to me please. There is nothing between us. She is nobody to me. Look into my mind and know that I am telling the truth.”

He slid his arms around her and held her gently. He knew her flames would never harm him and all he got was a slight feeling of warmth. He kept his eyes on hers as she gently probed his mind and saw all that he had been subjected to by his parents as they refused to accept his announcement that he had a mate.

She sighed softly and hugged him tightly. Burying her head in the crook of his neck.

“Being my mate is very hard on you. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to by your side.”

“Shhh, don’t worry. I understand. You have your duties. And now we have to go and face those crazy grandparents of mine.”

Crystal laughed, “Definitely crazy. Let’s go back quickly before your grandmother makes an appearance. She is scary.”

Laughing they changed as Crystal told Rook stories about the crazy stunts his grandmother had pulled.