Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
One of his brothers walks in and it takes me a moment to know that it’s Galen. I remember that Cyrus has a small scar on his chin. It’s uncanny how alike the brothers look. I glance between Galen and Drago and grin at the telltale differences between them. Galen has a slightly sharper chin. Good. I won’t confuse them all now. That will put an end to me thinking every dragon is Drago.
“Galen.” Drago is short with his brother and seems uneasy with him being here. He opened the door, but he stands in between Galen and me, as though he’s protecting me. The smile falls from my face. I hesitantly move to the back of the bed. For some reason it’s become my safe spot. An uneasiness creeps through me. I’m reminded of Victor, of talk of war. A sickness threatens to rise up my throat.
Galen puts his hands up, palms out. “I only came to apologize.”
“Apology accepted. You can go now.” Galen flinches, appearing hurt by Drago’s curt response.
Drago shifts his weight and sighs. “My dragon is still on edge.”
“I understand. I’d like to apologize to your…”
“Kara,” Drago cuts him off.
“To your Kara,” Galen finishes, although he’s yet to look at me. He speaks only to Drago. “I didn’t mean to frighten her or get your dragon riled up. I didn’t know she was in heat.” He says the last line with a bit of an admonishment, and it takes a moment for me to even register his words. Heat. He scents the air deeply and adds, “Besides, her heat is gone now, your dragon should be fine.”
I look at them both in confusion and ask, “Heat?” A prickle of nervousness runs through me. Heat is for werewolves. Heat is for breeding. Humans do not do such things.
My heart races as Galen’s wide eyes meet mine. I can’t meet his gaze so instead I stare at the sheets. Right beneath me, Drago took me last night. My breath comes in shorter pants.
Heat. The realization is slow to come over me and panic sweeps in as the puzzle pieces fall into place.
That’s why he fucked me. That’s why he’s keeping me.
To breed me. It’s why he’s nice to me. I knew it was too good to be true. Betrayal sweeps over me as my throat closes tightly while Drago and his brother have a heated and hushed discussion.
Tears prick my eyes as I recall so many conversations centered around dragons. I remember them talking about Isabella only days ago. I remember what the sorcerer said about their need for heirs.
Drago only wants young. He just wants to breed me. I look up at Drago with tears in my eyes. That’s why he can’t tell me how long he wants me to stay. My heart falls into the bottom of my stomach and shatters. I scoot off the bed rather unladylike and ignore Drago as he calls after me. I slam the door to the bathroom with trembling hands and try to lock it, but there’s no fucking lock.
Somehow I hear Galen leave after a few shouted words from Drago as I pace the small area in front of the vanity. Drago walks in with an air of dominance, but I look straight back at him without displaying the very real fear I feel. My gut churns and my body chills with a cold sweat.
“You lied to me.” The words erupt from my lips with malice. I can hardly hear anything over the sound of my heart trying to beat out of my chest. Heat. That’s why I’m not myself. It wasn’t a spell. It’s something unnatural that’s taken hold of me. It must be. I’m only human. We don’t “heat.” As questions pile up, so does the agony of knowing I was being used.
“You don’t understand, treasure.” I fucking hate that he’s using my pet name right now.
“Don’t you dare call me that,” I scream at him. He blanches at my anger, but I don’t give a shit if I’ve surprised him. If I’m not being a good pet. “You didn’t just want to fuck me. You wanted to breed me!”
“No, my dragon was attracted to you before I scented you.” He puts both his hands up as if in surrender, but as he takes a step toward me, I take a step back. He’s far too close, too powerful, too on edge, and my heart won’t stop racing. My legs bump into the seat at the vanity with an unfortunate step back. I fall and land hard on my ass and try to brace my myself. I’m not as successful as I’d like. I wince from the pain and grab my wrist. That fucking hurt.
Before I know it, he’s on his knees next to me holding my wrist in his hands. His scent engulfs me as does his warm touch and I hate it. I snatch my wrist away.