God, that was hot.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Aragon takes me to work with him, how weird is that? We arrive in his office through the portal. “Okay, Miss Hesketh, it looks like you will have to entertain yourself. Please let Matthew know if you need anything.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask, excitement budding inside of me. I bounce on my toes a little and my eyes flick around his office. “Any work that you need doing? I am sure I can help out with the Hunters or even help with paperwork? I can answer the phone?” I smile and nod encouragingly.
My thoughts drift away slightly as I imagine myself saving the world, and I have an urge to practice my shocked look for when the Hunters Guild honours me with a medal for my bravery. I hum.
Aragon tilts his head to the side with a frown. “Miss Hesketh, do you even know how to read? Your records do not give any indication of your literacy skills.” My mouth drops open, and it’s my turn to blink at him. How rude—of course I bloody know how to read! I was nine when I was trapped in my wolf form, not three. It’s not like I forgot the alphabet. I growl at him.
Then I reconsider. Of course my education wasn’t a priority for the council—who cares if a walking womb can read or write? Lucky thing I was home-schooled. Aragon doesn’t know the details of my mum’s schooling agenda, though.
“Please don’t be offended; it is an honest and genuine question.” I screw my face up and give him a sharp nod that he must take as confirmation. “Well, I have a bookshelf full of fascinating reference books.” He waves his hand towards the seating area and the full shelves. “Why don’t you start there?” He smiles encouragingly and leaves.
Bloody handsome nobhead!
I don’t want to read boring shitty books. I love books, but not those type of books. I want to do something fun! I huff, closing my eyes and tapping my foot. I need to suck it up. I do need to learn more about shifters. I don’t know anything about my race apart from the basics I learnt as a kid. Nothing useful.
Ideally, I should at least learn the laws, not only to keep myself out of trouble but so I don’t have others taking advantage of my ignorance. If I know the code-of-conduct rules inside-out, I’ll know when I can kick someone’s ass and when I can’t.
I seriously need to find a solution to what is turning out to be a massive clusterfuck: my life.
I know that I cannot trust the council or the dragon, even if I have a strange new sniffing fetish. It’s only a matter of time till I fuck up and Aragon gets rid of me. Hell, if my own brother—I close my eyes. Don’t think about it. I worry the end of my hair. At least I had the foresight to bring the bracelets with me, because I have a feeling that given the opportunity, Aragon would make them disappear. If I know anything, I know that.
I glance at Aragon’s bookshelves.
I meander over, dragging my feet with a total lack of enthusiasm, and start to read the titles. Bloody hell, I need a help book to navigate this shit. Do they have a handbook—Shifters for Dummies, or something similar? I have to learn as much as I can about everything as quickly as I can. I wonder if he has a book on fire magic. I hum. If I can learn to control my fire magic, it would be difficult for some bad guy to kidnap me.
Especially while on fire and screaming. I grin, imagining lighting Daniel’s pants on fire. I rub my hands together and do a mental mwahaha.
A few books catch my eye, and they’re surprisingly perfect. Nothing on fire magic but the books do have the information I am looking for. I grab six of the most essential and settle down on a chair to read. I am back to humming “Mission Impossible.”
The vast law book has blacked-out text that draws my attention. My dry eyes widen in horror as I make sense of the passage I’m reading. I nibble on my bottom lip and do a full-body shiver.
The place where the shifter bites is blacked out, but from what I can gather, there’s a way for one shifter to control another. It freaks me out. Mind control! I cover my mouth. It’s banned mate-slave magic.
Oh, that's bad.
Oh my, it's not banned because it’s sick as fuck and highly immoral—no, it’s forbidden because if a male shifter does the biting and he dies, the female he has bitten will follow him into death. I shiver again, and the hair at the back of my neck stands on end.
That’s it. I think whoever wrote this book, the council who made our laws, are missing a huge point. It’s fucking slavery! Evil. What the hell is wrong with shifters? I huff out a shaky breath and slam the book closed, disheartened. Female shifters are screwed—no wonder we’re so rare. You can’t fix stupid.
Shifter society is rotten.
“Miss Hesketh, I am free for the rest of the day—nothing pressing needs my attention. We shall be going out for something to eat. If you are agreeable?” I glance up, and Aragon has returned with Matthew at his heels.
“Yes, sure,” I say, my voice glum. I spring up and put the books that I have finished back on the shelves. The law book, I poke with my finger and give a snarl. That thing needs burning.
Aragon nods at Matthew, and as we head for the portal, I give the witch a friendly wave. I follow quietly behind Aragon. I try not to skip in excitement. He is taking me out for food. My first date!
We make our way to a small restaurant in the city. It looks like a nice place; they specialise in gourmet burgers. Aragon opens the glass door for me and follows me inside. His big hand curls gently around my neck as he guides me to a table. My heart skips a beat. I enjoy the heavy hand on my neck, a bit too much.
We sit opposite each other at a two-seater table, made smaller by Aragon’s bulk. He has no choice but to stretch his long legs underneath my chair. I can’t help but enjoy the feeling of our legs touching. As it’s early for the dinner crowd, the restaurant isn’t busy, and most of the tables are empty.
My whole focus is entirely on Aragon. Who has removed his suit jacket and is now in the process of deviously rolling up his sleeves. With each turn of the fabric, he slowly uncovers more of his muscled forearms. How can one innocuous body part be so attractive? I have no shame in watching his yummy forearm striptease.
Our human waitress is equally fascinated with my dragon's forearms. She doesn’t acknowledge my presence as she runs her hand through her hair and along her collarbone, fluttering her lashes at him as if she’s attempting to get those fuckers to fly off. I frown at her. Aragon is his usual polite self, and his gaze doesn’t linger.
The handsome bastard needs a bag over his head.
I don’t read the menu when I order; I just pick a random burger. I cough and glare at her to get her moving.
“So how was your day?” Aragon asks me in his low, rumbly voice.
“Good. You haven’t got a lot of picture books,” I say petulantly. Aragon rubs the bridge of his nose and sighs.
“I am sorry, Miss Hesketh, I spoke out of turn. Please forgive me.” A line appears between his brows and his beautiful eyes become distressed. I keep my sad-face for a few seconds longer. But I can’t stop the cheeky grin from slowly spreading across my face. I wave away his apology.
“It is fine; I’m only messing with you…your books are…urm, scary. The shifter laws in regard to women are shit.” I wiggle in my chair and debate with myself about whether I should say anything.
Aragon tilts his head and raises an eyebrow. I wave my hands about and word-vomit my anger. “My purpose in life is not to be a bloody pup-maker. I’m more than my womb! The world I have experienced so far? It isn’t a world that I want to bring my children into. If my DNA is so unique and I do beat the odds and have little girls, do I want them to be born into a world where their whole existence is about what is between their legs? To be fought over like little pieces of meat and sold like property?
“I'm an orphan; my father died before I was born, trying to protect my mum and three sisters. Only my mum survived. Not even ten years after that tragedy, I had to watch while my mum killed herself and my two-year-old little sister, Grace…” I lower my ch
in to my chest with sorrow. “She would be sixteen now. Aragon, that’s just my pack. Five females that died for nothing—nothing! This shit needs to stop. The laws protecting us are non-existent. You are strong, can’t you do something?”
Aragon gives me a pained look. I drop my eyes and take that as a no. Why did I even bring it up? I lift my head and my bottom lip trembles. I sigh and square my shoulders. Fuck it, I will do it myself. It isn’t in my nature to ignore injustice and go down without a fight, even when things seem insurmountable. “So, urm, when do you want to teach me about—” I lower my voice to a whisper—“my fire magic? The sooner we get started with training, the better.” So I can start helping others.
Aragon shakes his head, and before he can answer, our food arrives. The waitress literally throws my plate down in front of me. She must think I’m human, or she’s crazy.
I wrinkle my nose in disgust and scrutinise my burger with growing horror. I let out a pained whimper. I have somehow ordered a veggie burger. I am so disappointed. I cut it into quarters and poke at it. I have eaten excellent vegetarian stuff, but this burger isn’t a good one. It’s falling apart, looks dry, and it’s a strange colour. I give it a surreptitious sniff; eww, it doesn’t even smell like food.
Not long ago, I was eating dog food. So I should count my blessings that it's warm and just eat the thing. I lift my top lip and snarl at it.
Aragon watches me with fascination, his eyes sparkling. Yeah, yeah, dragon boy, laugh it up. His double burger with bacon oozes cheese—it looks so good. Aragon methodically cuts his burger into quarters. Without saying a word, he takes my plate and exchanges it for his. I glance down at his plate, my new plate and the yummy burger.
My heart swells, and I am now feeling just as gooey as the cheese.
“Thank you,” I say while trying and failing to get a whole quarter into my mouth. Aragon just gives me a nod and a warm smile. He eats my veggie burger without saying a word of complaint, but I catch the odd wince.
I focus on the seriousness of eating. Once I have practically inhaled my burger, I try to bring the conversation back to before. “So, the fire training?” I ask Aragon again.
He sighs, throwing the veggie burger back onto his plate and wiping his hands with a napkin. “There is no rush, Miss Hesketh. Hellhound Owen has agreed to continue your self-defence training. Once you are up to a good standard, we can address the subject of your magic again.” I huff out a frustrated breath. “It takes a lot of mental control. You have dealt with a lot of challenges over a short amount of time.” He meaningfully raises his eyebrow. “There is plenty of time to master your magic.” Aragon gives me a gentle smile; his eyes are open and honest.
“Your brother has been trying to get hold of you,” he says, changing the subject. I flare my nostrils at him and stuff an onion ring into my mouth. Aragon patiently waits, his head tilted to the side, watching me.
Oh, bloody hell. I wiggle in my chair in discomfort. “I know it is childish. But I don’t want to speak to John.” I examine my plate and choose another onion ring. “The whole Daniel thing? He said some horrible things…” I close my eyes. “I just need some time.” Aragon puts his big hand on mine and squeezes it.
“I will explain. You don’t need to speak to him until you’re ready. If it is any consolation, he is aware that he has made a serious error in judgement.” I shrug. John keeps believing the monsters over me. One time is forgivable, but he keeps on doing it. I will never trust him. I will try to forgive him for my mum’s sake. But it’s hard—to be honest, I’m not the forgiving type.
When the waitress returns to our table and we both order dessert, another button on her top has become undone!
I think I am going to scream. I know we’re not on a real date, but she doesn’t know that. Oi, you, blondie, I have the urge to say, why don’t you take a seat if you are that interested in him? Pull up a pew and grab yourself a bite of rancid veggie burger. While you are sitting down, would you like my lemonade? Why don’t I work your tables while you tell the dragon what your star sign is. I growl until she scurries away.
I’m growling as if Aragon is food and I’m starving. What the hell… am I…am I jealous? I turn the idea around in my head. Huh. I have never felt jealousy before. I have no reason to feel like this; Aragon isn’t mine. I scratch the back of my head. Even surrounded by attractive hellhounds and shifters, I have never liked anyone before. It's disconcerting.
I huff. I can’t understand how he has not picked up on how inappropriate she’s being. Maybe he likes her? Shit. I clack my teeth. I don’t like that thought.
I get down to the serious business of cake-eating, so I don’t notice while eating my hot chocolate fudge cake with cream that Aragon hasn’t started his. Okay, I lie. Of course I bloody noticed. It’s chocolate!
Again he makes the plate exchange, my empty plate for his full one. He gets a beaming smile, and I happily hum as I eat my second dessert.
Aragon has set the date bar high. I don’t even feel the need to guard my plate. Not when you're guarding Aragon, my snide, not-so-helpful internal voice pipes up.
I finish, and I swear I have a little food baby going on. What a relief that I’m wearing leggings and I don’t have to undo a button.
The blonde waitress is back to clear the table and to ask if Aragon wants a coffee, and she unbelievably just gives him her number. It’s like I am not even sitting here! Who does that!
“I swear, Miss Hesketh, if you growl at our waitress one more time, I will put you over my knee, in front of all these people, and spank you, and we will see just how well you do with being a brat.” I blink up at him in shock. I cut off my growl.
When the wannabe Aragon-stealing waitress sashays past our table again, I let out a growl so loud that it frightens her and she drops the plate she’s carrying. I bounce happily on my seat and watch the mayhem I’ve caused. I have zero regrets. I peer up at Aragon from underneath my lashes and grin cheekily at him. He rubs his forehead and shakes his head. I’m sure the forehead rub was a tactic to cover his smile.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Aragon stalks outside, muscles rippling along his bare torso. His black swim shorts sit low on his hips. Oh, my bloody God. I grip the edge of the pool.
“You don’t mind if I join you?” he asks in his low rumbly voice that’s currently made of liquid chocolate.
No, I am not dreaming. When we got back from lunch, I decided to hit the pool. It seems like Aragon had the same idea.
I shake my head vigorously, almost smacking it on the glass side. I bite my lip—fucking hell. Aragon is lean rather than bulky, but there’s so much of him—I didn’t know a body could have that many abdominal ridges. I fight to keep my gaze on his face, not his beautiful body.
He looks chiselled from stone.
Bow-chicka-wow-wow.
My mind wanders, in a rude direction…my imagination skids to a halt as some figmental voluptuous female dragon shifter tries to drown me for looking at Aragon in that way.
Without thinking, I blurt out, “Will your girl not get mad that I’m living here?” Shit, shut up, oh hell. I drop my eyes and rub the edge of the floor tile with my finger. I can feel my cheeks going red.
“No,” Aragon says softly.
No, she won't mind? Or no, you haven’t got a girl? My brain prompts my mouth. I so want to ask, but I swallow the question.
Aragon steps down into the pool. The steam off the warm water wraps lovingly around his body.
“So, are you single?” Fuck it. I come out with the words. They almost speak themselves. Shit, don’t look at him. I can't look. I shouldn’t look. I do.
He has moved to the opposite end of the pool. He surveys the view. His face in profile is a marvel. So perfect. A stunning symmetry. The dragon is so beautiful—defined jaw, pronounced cheekbones—all that incredible silver skin. What the hell is wrong with me?
“I currently do not have a female. Do you have a male?” I drop my head and grin, I giggle, I
meet his serious eyes. Oh, he isn’t joking. Isn't that in my file? I make a gesture of weighing tough options with my hand. Aragon scrutinises me and his eyes narrow. I giggle again, and I shake my head no.
I let myself float on the water, looking at the sky above. I wonder if this pool can be used in winter. The whole pool area must be freezing that time of year, but as I’m floating, I can see the shimmer of magic, I guess to keep the entire area temperature-controlled. Magic is amazing.
I get bored, so I hum the music from Jaws as I do handstands and rolly-polys, entertaining myself. I also attack Aragon's toes. After a while he leaves me to it.
As I’m bellowing “Part of your World” from The Little Mermaid, Aragon returns with a towel. His eyes sparkle, and his lips twitch.
“Come on, Nutty, it has been hours.” I grin at him and scramble out of the pool, and he envelops me in the towel.
* * *
The rest of the week goes the same way; we run together in the mornings, and then we go into his office. Mostly we stay until lunch, and then Aragon will work from home—although a few times we have spent the whole day at the Guild. Owen comes every other day for my combat training.
I am disappointed that I have not been able to do anything at the office but read. I spend my days pretending to be engrossed in the stuffy books, making mental notes as I can’t be arsed to jot anything down.
When we get home, I pop the current text onto the shelf in my reading nook. I need to go for a run in my wolf form and afterwards I need to do some training. Owen has set me a new kick combo, and I will have to spend hours working on it to get it perfect.
Aragon’s fancy, well-equipped home gym has everything I need. The heavy bags are hung a little high, but they’re actually at a perfect height for me to practice my overhead kicks.
I haven’t asked if the dragon will spar with me. Could you imagine? God, I wouldn’t want to take a hit from him. But I would love to work on my ground game. I don’t hold out much hope. Pervy girl. My hormones are raging out of control when it comes to Aragon.
Cursed Wolf: Urban Fantasy Shifter Stand-Alone (Creatures of the otherworld Book 1) Page 16
