Feral Dragon (Earth Dragons Book 5)

by Charlene Hartnady

  She looked to her left. All of the chairs were filled with females from all of the species. Cordia could not wait to hear from them. To learn from them. This was—

  That’s when they walked in. The dragons. What? She felt her brow crease. What was a male doing there? Was it a joke perhaps? A bad joke for sure.

  Just like others from her species, she didn’t have the best sense of smell. She could still pick up hints of smokiness coming off them. She had referred to all males from the other species as being puny.

  Puny and weak.

  This male was anything but. He instantly seemed to fill the room. He instantly drew the eye of every female in attendance. Was it her imagination or did it turn quiet for a good couple of beats?

  No. It wasn’t. They all stared. They all looked. They all took notice, sizing him up.

  The male was tall and hard as rock. His muscles rippled beneath his skin. His eyes were…they were quite beautiful. The color of jewels. His mouth…

  By feather! What was she doing? What was this male doing there? An imposter. Anger rose up in her. Firstly, at herself for being attracted to this…to him and then even more anger at herself for allowing the emotion to take her in the first place.

  The dragon looked around the table and then sat down. He instantly locked eyes with her as he did. Even more good-looking up close. Bastard male! He had no right to be there. None!

  Cordia narrowed her eyes at him, giving him what she hoped was a scathing look. Waiting for him to look away. The male didn’t, he kept his eyes on hers for a good long while. Long enough to have something take up residence in the pit of her stomach.

  She wanted that something gone. It irritated her. He irritated her. Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, his eyes moved down to her chest. That thing in the pit of her stomach tightened. There was a tug on her clit as his eyes brushed her chest. Almost like she could feel his gaze physically.

  His nostrils flared and she imagined she saw something in his gaze…need…hunger. Of course she did. All males were the same. They all wanted a tight snatch. Bastards!

  “Um…” He turned his body slightly to the dragon female next to him. The male didn’t take his eyes off of her though. She made sure to match that stare. Gaze unwavering. Cordia grit her teeth, frowning. “I thought the brief said a male and a female from each species. Why am I the only male in attendance?”

  She couldn’t help the snort that was ripped from her. Who did he think he was? What an idiot! “The brief recommended that a male and a female attend.” Why was she having to explain this? The Feral were considered the least educated of all the species. It was something they were working on. “The word ‘recommended’ is key here. Who would send a male? What would a male know about issues concerning female fertility? You should not be here.” She wanted to take him by the hair and yank him from the room. She wanted to hurt him…just a little. That feeling inside returned. The tightening. She wanted to… No!

  The male didn’t flinch. Cordia felt a begrudging respect for a few moments until she remembered where they were. Who he was. Why they were there. The female next to him leaned forward, eyes on Cordia. “Our king was the one who made the call.” She glanced at the male. “Stone was ordered to attend, as was I. The male is eager to contribute to our discussions surrounding—”

  “Then your king is a fool,” she spat, unable to hold back. A male? What did a male know? How could a male ever understand or contribute? He was a waste of air. Cordia, all of them there, needed individuals who could actually weigh in. It was imperative if they were going to find a cure.

  “Do not—” the female dragon began, venom shining in her eyes.

  The male dragon touched her arm, preventing her from saying anything more. “I am already here,” he kept his voice even; it was deep and resonating, “so, I would appreciate it if we could make the most of it. I assure you I will take my role as delegate very seriously.”

  Cordia snorted again. She was expected to buy that nonsense? “We are here to discuss the predicament of infertile, non-human females. You are neither of those. In fact, why aren’t you with a human right now? Making young? You have absolutely no idea what it is like to—”

  “Come now, Cordia,” Surora said, touching the side of her arm for a second. “The dragon sounds like he has genuine concern for our plight. He has been tasked with attending, as have we. Let’s not—”

  “I don’t like it.” Cordia pushed her dark hair back off her shoulder. Not one bit. His presence would only serve as a distraction. There was no way in hell he would be able to contribute. Surely the others could see that? “Maybe we should take a vote. Your king can send a female in your place when everyone votes for you to leave. Someone sympathetic to what we are going through. That person is not you, male.” She widened her eyes. All of the females there were suffering from this predicament. He clearly was not.

  “Stop right there!” the female dragon blurted. “You have no idea—”

  “Leave it,” the male interrupted. “It’s not worth it,” he added. For a moment his eyes seemed to flash with something. It made her want to leave it alone. Then that look was gone, and those beautiful piercing eyes seemed to look right into her.

  “You said we should vote,” a female from down the other end of the table drew their attention. “I vote that the dragon stays.” She smiled at the male, giving him a wink.

  Cordia held back an eye-roll but only just.

  “I agree,” the wolf shifter sitting next to her said, licking her lips. “Let him stay. The rest of us are all infertile females. One male will help us see things from another angle. He would bring something…new to the table.”

  Right! This time, there was no way to hold back the eye-roll. She grit her teeth for a moment, trying to find some calm. “You are only saying that because the male is attractive. He has pretty eyes and a decent-sized prick. You’re hoping for a rut and want to get on his good side. I saw the way all of you looked at him when he came into the room. This is serious.” Her voice boomed. How did she make them see? Why weren’t they taking this seriously? There were females counting on them.

  “You looked at my dick when I entered the room?” The male’s lip twitched.

  What a horse’s ass! “Not on purpose. Your midsection is at exactly eye level. I was already sitting here when you came in. You are wearing those thin cotton pants.” She shrugged, pointing out the facts as she saw them. “It was hard to miss. I assure you, I wasn’t looking.” She snorted. As if! Idiot male. So arrogant! So infuriating!

  The dragon female giggled.

  Just then, another female walked in. She wore a navy dress suit with a white blouse. She was holding a glass bowl with folded pieces of paper inside. “Morning!” She smiled warmly at all of them.

  Cordia held her breath, waiting to see if she addressed the dragon male. She waited for her to ask him why he was there.

  It didn’t happen. “I am Gazelle,” she went on. “Welcome to vampire territory. I have been tasked with coordinating our conference over the next few days. We have a couple of interesting topics up for discussion. I thought it would be a good idea if the species were split up. I want each of us out of our comfort zones and learning about one another, while we figure out a way forward for all females,” she cleared her throat, “like ourselves.”

  Not him!

  Cordia couldn’t help but to glare at the dragon. He glanced her way, holding her gaze for a good few moments. She hated that her cheeks heated.

  Thankfully, he finally looked away and she was able to breathe.

  “Here,” Gazelle put the glass bowl on the table, “I want each of you on this side of the table to take one piece of folded up paper. Do not open it yet!” The bowl began making its way down to the dragons. Each one on the opposite side of the table removed a slip. The male did too, placing the empty bowl on the table in front of him.

  He held onto the paper.

  Let it be anyone but him, Cordia willed. Anyo

ne but him!

  “On three, you can open up and see who your partner will be for the duration of the conference. You will work closely with this person. I am sure that together, we can find a way forward, or at least make a start on how to begin to tackle this very serious issue. You may open your papers now and then we will take a one-hour recess so that you can get to know your partner better.” She smiled broadly, sucking in a deep breath before counting down. “One, two…three. You may open the paper now.”

  The male looked at the scrap in his hand for a few seconds longer than the rest before finally opening it. Cordia knew instantly that her name was written down on it. She could tell by the way his jaw tightened. By the way he shifted in his seat. By the way he now avoided her gaze.

  By feather and tar! This was a farce!

  “Go and enjoy some light refreshments,” the female addressed them. “Make sure you go somewhere private with your partner. I want you to fully understand one another, as a species, by the time this conference is over. We will discuss each species and fertility problems pertaining to each one. I want us to fully understand where similarities lie but also issues that are unique to a particular species. I’m sure we can learn enormous amounts from one another.”

  “Why the need for the whole team-building thing?” the dragon asked, looking agitated. At least he hated the idea of pairing with her as much as she did. She should be happy with the idea, but it left her feeling…she wasn’t sure. By now she was used to being ignored by males of her own kind. Ignored. Set aside and shunned. Why would this dragon make her feel any different? Besides, she had started this feud first. It shouldn’t bug her, but it did. That, in turn, irritated her all over again. Blasted dragon!

  “We all share a common problem,” Gazelle said. “However, it is far more complex than that and aspects may differ between the species. Who knows? Maybe one species can help another. Knowledge is always power. We will never know unless we share. Our kings would also like for this to be an opportunity where we improve our interspecies relationships. Take it as a chance to learn and to grow. Your hour has started.” She looked at the watch on her wrist.

  There was loud chatter and chairs scraped as new pairs began to leave. Everyone eventually upped and left, including Gazelle. Eventually, it was only the two of them remaining. Still sitting there across from one another. “I do not wish to improve interspecies relationships. Not with you at any rate.” Cordia shook her head, needing to get this across to him. “I don’t like you.” It needed to be said.

  He frowned. “How do you even know that? You don’t know me.”

  “You’re a non-human and a male. Both reasons enough.”

  “Bullshit,” the male countered. “Those are the worst reasons I have ever heard. Very general and quite biased.”

  Cordia raised her brows. “Dragon, vampire, Feral, shifter or elf. You males are all the same.” All out to get one thing and one thing only. A good mounting and then young. Not being able to get the latter didn’t deter them from going after the aforementioned.

  “What?” he snorted. “I’ve never heard such shit in all my life.”

  “You looked at my breasts…sized me up when you first arrived. You pictured rutting me at least once in the short time we have been in the same room. In short, you reduced me to an object before you knew anything about me. If I offered to rut you right now, you would jump at the opportunity.”

  “Are you offering?” He folded his hands on the table, leaning forward slightly, looking like he was serious.

  That tightening in her belly returned. For a moment she was tempted to acknowledge the offer, just to see what would happen. Instead, she rolled her eyes, before narrowing them on him. “You wouldn’t last even one round.” Puny dragon. “I would hurt you.”

  He snorted again. “Like hell you would.”

  “Then again,” she raised her brows, “if you were hurt, you would need to return to your lair, tail between your legs and I wouldn’t have to look at you anymore. I quite like that idea.” She pretended to consider the notion, which she wasn’t seriously doing of course.

  He laughed, actually sounding nervous. Good! He needed to be afraid.

  She leaned forward, placing her hands on the table as well. “You’re afraid.” She smiled. “I can tell…and so you should be. Walk away now before you are injured…or worse.”

  “The only thing that would get injured are your vocal cords ‒ from all the screaming when I make you come.”

  She felt a zing deep in the pit of her stomach. It seemed to reach out and tug on her nipples and her clit. Cordia pulled in a sharp intake of air and stood up to stop the feeling of need that accosted her. It had been years since she had been with a male. So long she had forgotten what it felt like. “That would be most difficult if you were broken and possibly even bleeding. You’d turn me on. Get me going and then have to leave to see a healer. It would happen before the grand finale. In short, you’d leave me hanging. Not interested, dragon!” she snorted.

  “Hanging? Huh! Like hell!” He stood up as well. His muscles bulged. His prick…by feather and by scale…his prick was hard. She could see its long, thick shape easily through the thin coverings he was wearing. It was even more impressive than she had first realized. She forced her eyes back up to his narrowed stare. The male licked his lips. “The only way I’ll leave you is with a dripping wet pussy from an orgasm that will rock you to your core. I’ll leave you sweating, panting and wanting a whole lot more.” The male was so confident it bordered on arrogance. Perversely, she liked that about him.

  Cordia glanced down at her chest before looking up at him, realizing that she was breathing heavily. She was holding onto the edge of the table with such force that she heard a soft cracking noise. She forced herself to let go.

  His nostrils were flared. His eyes bright and feverish.

  “You’d break…puny dragon. My hold would fracture you. My snatch would break your prick in two.” Her voice was a mere whisper. “Is that something you desire?”

  “You could,” he smirked, “try to break me.” He bit down on his lower lip for a second. “I must say, I might enjoy being broken by you Feral.” His eyes drifted back down to her chest. She knew he would see how hard her nipples were. His nostrils flared again. Cordia knew he would scent how wet she had become.

  “I would have to try not to break you. Therein lies the problem,” she countered. They should stop this madness. “I doubt I could manage it.”

  “Come here and let’s find out.” He motioned to her with two fingers.

  “If you want pain so badly, you come here and get it.”

  Using one arm, the dragon propelled himself easily across the table, landing silently next to her. The male pulled himself to his full height. Her eyes went up and up. Just as she suspected, he was taller than her by a couple of inches. Outweighed her too.

  The dragon leaned in, not quite touching her. He sniffed at her.

  That tightening came back at the pit of her stomach. Tighter, tighter, coiling, coiling, pulling…

  “Interesting. You don’t have a scent,” he growled the words while sniffing her skin again. Gooseflesh rose up on her arms, especially where he almost made contact with her. Then the one side of his mouth lifted. “Your pussy smells good though. Fucking delicious.”

  Her heart thrummed with excitement. She shouldn’t be doing this. As a dragon, the male had an excellent sense of smell. Fantastic senses.

  There was risk involved in doing this. Major risk. She wasn’t joking about hurting him. There were so many reasons why she shouldn’t. Her friend…Vicky. Finding solutions to the many problems. The weight seemed unbearable at this moment. The years of loneliness suddenly felt unbearable too. This was completely wrong. She needed to walk away right now.

  The dragon licked his lips, his eyes on her mouth. His gaze filled with desire…for her. It had been a long time since a male had looked at her like that. Cordia decided to throw caution to the wind. This one time and one time only. She smiled at him as she took his prick in a solid grip.

  The dragon grunted. She tightened her fingers just a smidgen more and he made a noise in the back of his throat. The muscles on either side of his neck corded as he grit his teeth. “Are you sure you want to do this? Think very carefully before answering.” She had expected his prick to go soft in her hands. Instead, it throbbed and seemed to grow.

  It looked like he might surprise her yet.

  Chapter 4

  Her hold was so tight it hurt him ‒ he was obviously a sick fuck because it also felt damned good. His balls tightened with need. Those piercing yellow eyes seemed to see right into him. They were calm, calculating and yet…gorgeous. Like thick, sweet honey, or the rising sun on a clear winter’s morning. Her lashes were long. Her pupils wide and contrasting. The female herself was too tall and too toned to be deemed beautiful, but fuck was she sexy. From her long dark tresses to her ripe little tits that were trying to free themselves from the tight confines of her shirt. Everything about her screamed of raw energy, of raw power. She also scared the hell out of him. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, all of it turned him on.

  “I want to do this,” he said and then grunted as she let him go. Stone wasn’t sure if it was relief or frustration that caused the sound to be pulled from his body.

  “You’re going to be sorry.” She pushed at his chest using one hand.

  Stone had to put a hand back onto the cold wood of the table to stop himself from stumbling back, from falling on his ass…which he nearly did. She was even stronger than she looked. Sexy as sin. It seemed she wanted him on his back. That, or she wanted to run the show. He shook his head. “That’s not how this is going down.”

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