Feral Dragon (Earth Dragons Book 5)

by Charlene Hartnady

  She pointed in the direction they were going, to signal to the vampire to keep going.

  Penelope rolled her eyes and gave a shake of the head. “Looks like they want to play with him,” she mouthed. “Those two.” She shook her head.

  Play!

  “Play?” Cordia knew exactly what the vampire was hinting at. It made her stomach churn. “What about the game? What about winning?”

  The other female shrugged. “They are more interested in him.” She bobbed her brows. “He is flirting back,” she mouthed. “I’m sure he’s just distracting them for us.” Penelope grinned. “We’d better get going.” She began walking in the direction they had been headed in. “We need to take this opportunity.” She picked up the pace again.

  Cordia gripped the female’s shoulder. Her heart pounding. “What if he isn’t actually interested?” she mouthed. The male’s hands were cuffed behind his back. It could get nasty.

  Penelope shook her head. “What male in his right mind would refuse two females?”

  “He might.” Cordia tended to agree with Penelope though. It made her feel funny inside, thinking of him with the two of them. Thinking of how smug they would be afterward.

  “Leave him. He’s doing his job,” she mouthed.

  “He might not be interested.”

  She cocked her head. “I think he is.”

  For a second she was tempted to leave him. Species males were all the same after all. Dragons included. Stone among them. He had proven that yesterday with her. The male was strong enough and mature enough to take care of himself. Stone didn’t need her. She shouldn’t get involved. She should focus on her objective. Secure the flag. He was quite capable of…

  Was he capable of taking care of himself right then?

  Cuffed in silver. He wouldn’t be able to change into his animal form even if he wanted to. Cordia needed to find out. If she was wrong, she’d leave them to it but if she was right, she couldn’t just leave him like that. At the mercy of those bitches. Stone was part of the team. He was her partner at this conference. She needed to at least find out. Besides, that feeling inside her had worsened. The thought of him with the females made her feel ill.

  Cordia tapped Penelope on the side of the arm. “I’m going to help him. You get the flag.” She ignored the other female’s shocked expression and headed to where she guessed they would be.

  Cordia picked up the pace, concentrating on staying completely silent. She kept scanning the vegetation for any enemies, or for signs of the three. It didn’t take her long to find them.

  Cordia picked her way through the foliage. She would assess and decide what to do. The vampire straddled Stone, who was on his ass. He was using his cuffed hands to keep himself upright. His jaw was tight, his eyes blazed.

  A lump rose in Cordia’s throat. The wolf shifter stood on the edge of the clearing, facing away from the two on the ground. She seemed to be on lookout and was smiling. “Hurry up already,” she whispered over her back. “I want my turn as well.”

  Bile rose up in her throat as Cordia moved in closer, careful not to allow her anger at these two females to cloud her judgment.

  “You can just sit there, Stone. I will ride you.” She tried to kiss him, but he turned his head.

  “What is it? Don’t you like me?”

  “I like you just fine. You’re a beautiful female. I’m not into kissing, that’s all.”

  “It can be quite enjoyable. I’ll show you.” She tried to kiss him again, and again Stone turned away.

  “No…I prefer straight out rutting.”

  Cordia could contest to that.

  “Yes,” the wolf hissed. “Get to it. We don’t have much time.”

  “That’s just it,” Stone said, sounding irritated. “Why a quick rut when we can have a good time. All three of us.” He looked over at the wolf. “There would be no need for a lookout. My bed tonight. What do you females say?”

  “I’m turned on now. I want you now,” the vampire whined.

  Cordia wanted to smack her face until she bled. She wanted to tear her beating heart out of her chest. That feeling was back. Cordia now recognized it for what it was.

  Jealousy.

  “I don’t like rushed sex,” Stone remarked, sounding casual.

  “What was that yesterday with the Feral then?”

  Cordia felt a hiss build in her throat but bit back.

  “It was very average,” Stone managed to sound bored.

  What?

  No!

  The vampire choked out a laugh. “Of course it was. I want you now, dragon.” The female put her hand between his legs and fisted his cock through his pants.

  Cordia knew that she should turn around right then. She should leave. No! She needed to see this. It would stop these stupid wayward emotions she was having for this male. They were born out of loneliness. She realized that, but they needed to be halted.

  “You’re getting hard.” The vampire sounded excited. “See, I told you a quickie would be enjoyable for you.”

  Stone growled. “Get off me!” His face got this pinched look, which was in opposition to what he was saying. He clenched his jaw, his eyes blazing, but this time, with more than just anger. It pissed her off. She couldn’t say exactly why. “Later, vampire. I said I didn’t want to rut now.”

  Her hand continued to work him. “If you lift your ass for a second or two, I’ll slip your pants off and—”

  Stone snarled. “Get the fuck off me!”

  “Admit that you want this dragon. You were flirting with me not five seconds ago. You told me how pretty I am. That you think I have great breasts.”

  “Get off me,” Stone growled. He squeezed his eyes shut, making a noise of frustration. There was an edge to the noise that had her hackles going up. The male was getting aroused. He may not like it at this point, but it didn’t mean it wasn’t happening.

  Maybe she should leave. Cordia took a step back.

  “You, like all species males, like to fuck. You proved that yesterday with the Feral. Don’t try to deny that you want this. I can see it on you. I can scent it on you. Your cock is lovely and hard. It wouldn’t be that way if— Here…” She pulled her shirt over her head. “The males of my kind find me attractive.” She thrust out her chest. Cordia couldn’t see from this angle, but she knew the female was attractive. She really should leave. Cordia took another step back. “You said you find me attractive. I’m desperate for you now. You can have the two of us tonight.”

  Stone’s eyes stayed on the vampires. He didn’t deny that the vampire was attractive. He didn’t look at her mammary glands either. “You should be going after our flag,” Stone tried. “This is a competition. Get dressed, get off me and—”

  Maybe he was playing a game. Dragging this out just to keep them busy for longer? He was going to let her rut him in the end. The pinched look on his face told her so. Cordia really should leave them to it. The cloying feeling grew and grew.

  “I have the only flag I want in this competition.” Her hand stroked him again and Stone growled, his teeth clenched.

  “Come and help me,” Helga spoke over her shoulder to the wolf, Lexi.

  “I mean it, Helga. We need to get back in the game,” Stone tried again. “We’ll rut later. I swear.”

  Helga laughed. “One quick rut,” she purred. “The three of us can still get together tonight.” She rubbed her chest up against his and tried to kiss Stone, who turned his head. He grimaced, his face was still pinched. Stone was definitely turned on. She could see it in that pinched look. Could hear it in the huskiness of his voice. If she had any kind of sense of smell, she’d pick it up with her nose as well.

  Cordia’s hands were so tightly clenched that her fingers hurt. She wasn’t sure what to do. This was a male. His blood ran with testosterone. His urges were to fuck.

  “Help me,” Helga asked the wolf again.

  “Why should I?” the wolf spat. “I can see you don’t plan on giving me a turn.”r />
  Like Stone was a carnival ride.

  “Tonight, sweet wolf,” Helga purred.

  “I don’t want to wait that long,” Lexi huffed.

  “Come and help me. I can’t get his pants off without ripping them. Should I rip them, dragon?”

  Stone growled low. “Why don’t—”

  Lexi turned towards the couple on the floor, giving Cordia the gap she needed. Besides, she’d seen enough. This whole scene sickened her.

  Cordia raced into the clearing and shoved the wolf hard, sending her flying. There was a crack as her skull connected with a thick tree trunk. Cordia heard the female collapse.

  She kicked Helga, who was still straddling Stone. The vampire went flying in a spray of blood and what looked like several of her teeth. Good!

  Cordia crouched down next to Stone. “Are you alright?”

  The male grinned at her. “I am now. Thank—”

  Cordia didn’t wait to hear anymore. She jumped up and headed back to where Penelope would be. Moving quickly and quietly, continually scanning the undergrowth for signs of movement. Cordia checked her watch. By now, the vampire would have been on the return path, if she had found the flag in the first location. Unless, of course, she’d been tagged, which was a distinct possibility since Cordia had left her to fend for herself. Hopefully, she was en route to the second location.

  Cordia was unsure of what to do for a few seconds.

  Making a decision, she changed direction, heading for the second location. Minutes later she spotted something moving fast to the far right of her. It was Penelope. She was sprinting, with two members of the other team hot on her heels. Penelope was breathing heavily, hair stuck to her brow. Her cheeks were bright red from the exertion.

  Cordia went after them. She was still fresh and caught up to Penelope easily, having to sidestep the panther, who tried to tap her out.

  “Help!” Penelope gasped. She was more exhausted than Cordia had realized. On the verge of collapse. “Here.” The female handed the flag to Cordia who nodded, taking over. The elf and the panther ignored Penelope as she slowed. They followed the flag. They chased her. Cordia picked up speed.

  She leaped over fallen logs, dodging trees and bushes, clutching the flag tightly in her hand. Cordia could hear that she was losing them. She kept her eyes wide open, afraid of being ambushed on her way back. She was still on the opposition’s territory. If she was tapped, she’d end up in time-out.

  Her arms pumped and she took deep breaths. Cordia spotted movement to her left. It was the dragon female, coming at her hard. Face set in determination. The female had been lying in wait and was fresh. She moved with surprising speed. Cordia pushed herself, climbing up the side of a rocky ridge before picking up the pace. She heard rocks clatter as the other female came after her. Too close on her heels for comfort. Cordia was fast but she wasn’t as fresh as the dragon. She forced herself to push harder. The border was less than a minute away. Once she crossed it, she’d be safe. Her only goal would be to get the flag back to the starting point before the other team.

  There was another flash of movement. This time from the right. Someone else coming to head her off. Her heart sank. She wasn’t sure she could outrun two. Oh no! Not someone to head her off. It was worse. It was Surora. The female had the flag and was headed back to their starting point. It was a race between the two of them and Surora was ahead. Cordia’s heart beat faster. Using every ounce of strength she possessed, she raced for the finish.

  The dragon stopped dead as soon as they reached the border. There was no point for her to keep up the chase. Cordia was back on their own territory but instead of slowing, she pushed harder. Her lungs burned. Her heart pumped, feeling like it might explode. She thought about Helga and Lexi. Anger churned in her gut when she thought about the dragon. About all he had said. She had to win this. Had to!

  Cordia passed the bear shifter who jumped up and down, yelling words of encouragement. Cordia couldn’t hear over the pounding of blood pumping through her veins. She could see the finish. Cordia raced on, slotting the flag into the holder provided. A shrill bell sounded.

  Cordia bent over at the waist. She had a stitch on her right side and clamped a hand over the area, panting hard. Sweat dripped.

  “Wow!” the bear remarked. “That was some running. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone move that fast.” Her eyes were wide, they burned with excitement.

  Cordia pulled herself upright, mouth dry. She nodded once. “Thank you.”

  “We won!” The bear clapped her hands. “I can hardly believe it. Surora had a lead. She’s fast but you still beat her. You must feel amazing.”

  Cordia forced a smile. She nodded. “I am very happy!” Why didn’t she feel ecstatic? She wanted to win, and she had.

  Stone.

  The male.

  He was messing with her head. She should never have gone to his ‘rescue’. Asshole!

  “Don’t look so disappointed,” the bear added. “You did well. You can be proud. We won!”

  Cordia forced a smile. “Thank you. I do feel proud. I’m just a little tired.”

  They began making their way back to where Gazelle was waiting. The vampire smiled.

  “We did it.” Penelope tapped Cordia on the back. The female was glowing.

  “Yes, we did!” Cordia tapped the female on the side of the arm. “All of us.” Everyone except Stone that was. She clenched her teeth, trying to tamp down her irritation. It wasn’t entirely true. He had done his bit. She still felt jealous. Of a dragon. Of him. A player. That’s all he was and yet here she was, unable to enjoy this moment. She didn’t have real feelings for the male. She didn’t even know him, and he was…he was a dragon. Not even one of her own kind. It was baffling.

  More and more members of the two teams gathered together. They all congratulated her, or each other. The losing members commiserated as well. And then there he was. The male in question sauntered up. His hands still cuffed behind his back. It didn’t take away from how imposing he was. How tall. How broad his chest was. His smile was a mile wide and as arrogant as any she had ever seen. “Those are some legs.” His gaze dipped down to her thighs and her belly tightened. Arghhh! She didn’t like reacting to him. He didn’t deserve her jealousy. He didn’t deserve any part of her.

  “Congratulations!” he chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone move like that.”

  “The other team had the lead and you still did it,” the bear gushed. “I’ve never seen anything like it either.”

  “I had no chance of catching you.” Topaz shook her head. “I sure as hell tried.”

  “You did well, dragon,” Cordia spoke to the female.

  Topaz smiled and nodded her head. “Not well enough.”

  “Well done, guys,” Gazelle began. “It looks like Cordia’s team are the winners. They—”

  “Wait just a second.” Helga walked up. Her neck and chest were bloody. Her shirt was glued down in parts by congealed blood. Her hair was a mess. Cordia noticed with satisfaction that there were definitely teeth missing. It looked like at least three, including one of her fangs. She finally felt like she had won. Her victory was short-lived though.

  Lexi had a gash on her forehead that was scabbing over. She had dried blood dripping down her face.

  Gazelle gasped. “What happened to the two of you?”

  “She,” Helga pointed at Cordia, “happened. The Feral did this.”

  Cordia narrowed her eyes, biting her tongue to hold back a hiss.

  “They don’t deserve the win,” Lexi added. “She used excessive force during the game. She broke the no violence rule. Look at me. I lost a fang, for blood’s sake.”

  “That’s not true,” Cordia said. “I can explain. It wasn’t like that.”

  Helga folded her arms. “Please do explain. I, for one, would love to hear it.”

  “I was helping Stone. They were…” She stopped there.

  “We were what?” Helga smirked.
<
br />   Flirting with Stone, who was flirting back. About to have sex with Stone, who was inviting them round to his place later for more of the same. Helga had been feeling the male up. What was she going to say exactly? That she felt the need to rescue him from them? That she was jealous? She’d be the laughingstock.

  Cordia glanced at Stone who was looking at the sky, and then at something on the far horizon. It was clear she wasn’t going to get help from him. Bastard! If she gave the real reason for attacking the females she’d look like an idiot. Who was she kidding? She was an idiot. “I did use excessive force. I don’t always know my own strength, especially when pitted against such inferior, weak beings,” she said, trying hard to remain calm.

  “What?” Helga snorted. “How dare you say that?”

  “Because it’s true,” Cordia shot back.

  “You can’t—” Lexi began.

  “The rules are clear.” Gazelle was frowning, she looked apologetic as well. “You used violence.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Cordia shook her head, feeling terrible for her team.

  “I don’t accept the apology.” Helga narrowed her eyes. “It’s going to take a couple of days to grow back my teeth.”

  “I wasn’t apologizing to you,” Cordia threw back. “I was apologizing to them.” Cordia looked at each of her teammates in turn. Avoiding Stone. She wished she’d left well enough alone. These three deserved each other. Stone was just like all the other males. He didn’t give a shit about her. He had shown her some passing interest and she’d lapped it up like an abandoned puppy in a scrapyard.

  “You will have to forfeit the game.” Gazelle’s features softened as she looked at Cordia and the rest of her team. For a moment she considered using her power to heal the two females. She didn’t have much of anything left. Maybe not even enough, even though the injuries were minor.

  Then the vampire gave her a dirty look. “I should hope so.”

  The other team made a show at celebrating but it was lackluster at best. Lexi and Helga made the most noise about it.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Penelope shook her head. “It’s just a game.”

  “Exactly,” the little elf piped up. “We don’t care.” She shrugged her tiny shoulders.