by Katie Reus
Lachlan.
Chapter 8
Star inhaled again and the scent was gone. Just like that.
It was impossible anyway. Lachlan wouldn’t be here. From the little research she’d done into him—aka stalking, according to Lola who’d been more than happy to help her dig into his life—he was the Alpha of the Donnachaidh clan in northern Scotland. She had no idea how to even pronounce that or if it was his actual last name. He was apparently ancient so it stood to reason he had a different, ancient name. Oh, and the male owned a couple castles. Which was…okay, pretty awesome. But it wasn’t like she’d checked on him because she cared. She’d just wanted to know more about a potential ally.
Okay, stop lying to yourself. He’d very likely helped her and the others escape Wales, so she did care. And he was quite literally the sexiest male she’d ever met so there was that too.
“Why don’t you head on home by yourself?” she murmured to Axel, but she wasn’t really asking. She was telling him to go.
He shot her a sideways glance as they stepped around a human couple walking a little Pekingese dog. The human woman looked at Star with a hint of curiosity, possibly recognizing her or simply thinking she looked familiar.
“I’m your backup.” Axel’s tone was mild.
“I’m good, I promise. I’m just going to get some me time.” Which was code for when she needed to expel some of her natural energy.
At that he nodded and continued heading down the street. Star, on the other hand, took a left at the next alleyway and picked up her pace as she passed the rear loading entrance of a hotel that was now being used as lodging for displaced people.
Leaving the Quarter, she headed to Uptown in record time where she ducked into a small local park. Once she was sure she was alone, Star was silent as she climbed up a huge live oak tree. The branches sprawled out in abandon, Spanish moss and beads dangling from each branch.
She heard some humans nearby, and maybe a wolf or two, all walking along the sidewalk lining the park.
Maybe she was being crazy now, trying to get a bead on Lachlan. Because…why on earth would he be in New Orleans when he had a clan to lead half a world away? Still, for a brief moment she’d sworn that rich, dark scent that reminded her of waves crashing against jagged rocks had been right in front of her. But then it had disappeared.
Maybe she was being crazy, wishing for something that wasn’t there. No! She didn’t wish for him to be here at all. Did she? She didn’t even know the male.
And she had no business being interested in a dragon anyway. Her sister was still healing after being in captivity for a year because of a dragon clan, and the world was rebuilding. She should not be thinking about some random male. Even if he was incredibly sexy.
Dammit, she really shouldn’t have asked Lola to search for information on him, because late at night she’d been poring over the info Lola had given her. Even though she’d told herself it had been to find out exactly who he was, since he’d helped them escape, she’d known the truth. She’d just wanted more info on him for her own purposes. Sadly, she was pretty sure Lola had known as well.
Once she was sure she was relatively alone, Star called on her magic to guide her. Diving off the tree branch, she soared high above the treetops until the city grew smaller below. The mostly unused cars were little dots, not much smaller than the houses.
Her tendons and muscles strained as she arced upward. Unlike dragons, she couldn’t camouflage herself, but the night was a good backdrop for her in this form. With the moon hiding behind clouds and the stars just as hidden, it was easy to blend with the shadows.
As she soared, she searched the skies for Lachlan, but no surprise, didn’t see him. She did see clusters of dragons flying over Lake Pontchartrain, however. But…no big, beautiful indigo-colored dragon.
Sighing, she turned westward and headed back to the mansion. Not just the mansion, but home. At least for now. For her, home meant wherever she was with her family.
Chapter 9
Star raced through the lush, green field, her gaze catching on the edge of the cliff ahead. Heart racing, she glanced behind her. She sensed him, but couldn’t see him.
He was so good at blending in. Draoidheachd, she knew. Everything about him was magic. They played this game often. She ran, but he always caught her. He’d told her he always would and she believed him.
When he caught her, he picked her up, sometimes throwing her over his shoulder and taking her back to his cave. Sometimes he simply took her right in the grass. She liked it either way, liked the things he did to her body.
Well, like was too simple of a word. She loved everything about him even if she hadn’t said the words. She was too afraid to. They were from different worlds.
“Got you,” a deep, male voice murmured, scooping her up from behind.
Laughing, she curled up against him, burying her face against his neck. She never saw his face in these dreams, as if he was too beautiful to look upon. To even imagine.
But she could smell him, that rich, earthy scent that reminded her of the cold sea, clover and wildflowers in spring. “I like when you chase me.”
“Have you talked to your family yet?” His words were quiet as he headed to the cliff’s edge. He surprised her, not immediately pouncing and tasting between her legs like he loved to do.
She hadn’t even realized males and females did that, but he’d told her he wanted to. So she tasted him too and loved the reaction she got. “Not yet.”
Sighing, he sat down far enough away from the cliff that she couldn’t dangle her feet over. This was one of her favorite spots, overlooking the wild ocean that never seemed to tire. Before him, she’d freely run along the cliff’s edge, stretching out under the sun on the rare days the gray clouds didn’t cover everything. But he worried about her, he said. He didn’t like her too close to the edge. And since she didn’t like to worry this strong, wonderful male, she kept a safe distance from the edge even when she wasn’t with him.
“Have I not proved my love?” he murmured against the top of her head.
“No, yes, I mean…I know you love me.” She wasn’t sure why or how it was possible. This magic male who brought her wildflowers. “And I love you. I just need time.” She was scared, if she was being honest with herself. She was scared his people wouldn’t accept her.
As if he read her mind, he spoke softly into her hair, “You’ve already met my brother. My people will accept you.”
Maybe. A rumble started in the distance, telling of a storm moving in. Shivering against the wind that kicked up, she burrowed against him, savoring his natural heat. She would need to return to her village soon or else her family would worry if she wasn’t home by the time the skies opened up.
But when his callused hand slid up her thigh, pushing her skirt up, she knew they had a bit more time…
Star opened her eyes with a start, her heart rate out of control. A new dream.
Always with the same, faceless man. And she always woke up aroused or grieving. Gah.
Turning to her pillow she punched it with force. What the hell was it about these bizarre dreams that simply wouldn’t leave her alone? They felt real, but she knew they weren’t. They weren’t from this age, no, but from a time long past.
And nothing made sense if she tried to dwell on the blasted dreams. So she closed her eyes and collapsed back against her pillow. It wasn’t time to get up yet and she needed a couple more hours of sleep if she was going to function at all.
Unfortunately she was pretty sure sleep was going to be elusive for her tonight.
Chapter 10
“This would be a great place to build a small studio for Aurora.” Star stood in the west side of their yard, pointing to an open area as she spoke to Bella. She was still feeling a bit off about her dream last night and finding it hard to concentrate on anything.
“I bet that human Avery will help you with plans.”
Star nodded. Avery had stopped by earlier in the morning, co
ffee in hand and a smile on her face. She’d been a little starstruck at meeting the whole band, but pretty cool. Not like some humans could be. And she’d been really respectful, not asking what anybody was.
It was clear that she really did live with a bunch of dragons—male ones—and she’d said she’d loved hanging out with a bunch of women instead of “dudes who smell like sweaty socks half the time.” Though she had gasped in surprise when Marley had stripped down naked, turned into a snow leopard and started prancing around the yard like a freaking show cat. Snow leopards could be just as silly as wolves.
“I just want to get Aurora out of the house, get her focused on something,” Star said. Because Aurora was a gifted artist. Her real talent lay in sculptures, but she was also incredible with faces. Ink was her medium, and somehow she captured what people were thinking, their emotions. The detail was in the eyes and Aurora had a real gift.
Star hadn’t gotten any of that talent. The only thing she could do was sing. Well, and she could play the guitar and piano. But Aurora was a savant, in a whole category by herself. And she hadn’t showed an ounce of interest in returning to her art since they’d freed her. Not that Star blamed her. No, she blamed Oscar and wanted to rip his head off for what he’d done to her sister.
One day. One day, she reminded herself. She’d have that dragon’s head on a pike.
She turned at the sound of wings flapping before a giant indigo-colored dragon suddenly swooped down in the middle of the yard. One moment the yard had been empty, and then he was there.
Her hair flew back under the waving of his wings, her heart rate jumping in a mix of fear and…was that excitement? Yep.
His scales glittered wildly underneath the sunlight, his matching eyes pinning Star in place even from twenty-five yards away.
“Shit.” Bella jumped into action even as Star strode forward toward the big beast.
Her whole crew raced out of the mansion, claws out and ready for battle, but Star held up a hand, silently ordering them back. If this dragon was a threat, then they would deal with him.
“Shift to human,” she ordered as she boldly came to stand in front of Lachlan.
Moments later, Lachlan, Mr. Too Sexy For His Own Naked Ass dragon, stood in front of her, completely and utterly gorgeous. Without his clothing on, she saw everything he’d been hiding under the custom suit. Her gaze trailed over his broad shoulders and the perfectly cut lines of his chest and abs—
Harlow cleared her throat.
Star blinked, her gaze narrowing on the sharp planes of his face. “What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped, putting her hands on her hips as she faced off with him. She forced her gaze to remain upward even though she really, really wanted to check out the rest of him. Maybe just a peek…
“I’m ready for our date.” He said the words so simply, that rich voice wrapping around her, practically drugging her into a sense of security.
Of all the things he could have said to her, she was not expecting that. Her hands dropped to her sides as she stared into those intoxicating eyes. “What?”
“Our date,” he said slowly. “It’s been a month and a half. I shall have my date now.”
She started laughing, probably a little bit maniacally, as she stared at him. “You came all the way from Scotland for a date when half the world has been destroyed?”
He lifted a broad shoulder and stared at her as if to say “duh.”
She shook her head at him. “What is wrong with you?”
“Not a damn thing, lass.”
What the hell? “Does King even know you’re in his territory?”
He continued watching her. “I am free tonight.”
Okay, that wasn’t an answer, and he was also frustrating her, which she was fairly certain he knew. “I’m not going on a freaking date with you.”
“So your word doesnae mean anything?” He lifted a dark eyebrow, challenging her.
She let out a growl of frustration, struggling to focus on the conversation when he was standing in front of her in all his naked glory. Don’t look lower! she ordered herself. “This is insane. You show up out of nowhere, on private property, in dragon form, and demand a date.”
“I’m not demanding anything. I’m simply honoring the terms of our agreement. I would like to take you out this evening. Or tomorrow. Lass’s choice.”
How magnanimous of him, letting her choose. She nearly rolled her eyes even though her other half wanted to come out and play—to show off for the male. Horny bitch. Somehow Star kept her gaze pinned to his.
Before she could respond Bella stepped forward, a tight smile in place. “Star will reach out to you about the date. Do you have a form of communication?”
“My mobile number is still the same.”
“Great. She’ll call you.”
He kept his gaze on Star even as he spoke to Bella, his tone measured and even. “Will she talk for herself on our date? Or will you be there as well?”
Star gasped. “There will not be—”
Bella cut Star off. “It will just be the two of you, of course. Now leave before we all attack you. Go.” Bella literally made a shooing motion, trying to make him leave as if he was a stray alley cat instead of a powerful, deadly dragon.
Lachlan glanced around, taking in Star’s crew as well as Aurora, who had come downstairs and was watching him warily. Some had weapons out, others simply revealed their claws. Athena actually had her guitar in hand and was wielding it like a baseball bat. Considering the thing was spelled to be indestructible, Star wasn’t surprised.
“You were there the night at the airport,” Aurora said quietly.
He nodded. “Aye, I was.”
“Why did you help us get away?”
Lachlan simply looked back at Star, staring at her long and hard—as if the answer was obvious. Apparently it didn’t matter that she was a virtual stranger to him.
Star felt her cheeks flush and she inwardly cursed. She wasn’t some teenager so easily affected by a male. Especially an obnoxious, smug one like this who’d shown up on their property, naked, demanding a date as if it was his due.
But…he had helped all of them escape. And the truth was she wanted to know why. It couldn’t just be for sex. That was kind of crazy. But he had bid a million dollars on her. So maybe he was crazy after all.
“I called King.” Brielle stepped forward, giving Lachlan a challenging look, as if daring him to make one wrong move. Her twin was right next to her.
Lachlan looked back at Star.
Star lifted an eyebrow. “Unless you’ve announced to the other Alpha that you’re in his territory, I suggest you get out of here.”
His jaw tightened, the male looking as if he wanted to argue. “I’ll expect your call.” Sharp, clipped words from the very naked dragon who was unabashed in his nudity.
Of course he had every right to be, with a body like that. He looked as if he’d been carved straight from marble.
As soon as he’d shifted and taken to the skies, they all let out a collective sigh of relief. Her other nature was disappointed the male was gone, but she shushed her right up.
She turned to Brielle once he was out of sight, trying to control her chaotic emotions. Something about that male called to her, and that was deeply disturbing. Her other nature had never reacted to a male before, never cared at all. “What did you say to King?”
“Nothing. I didn’t really call him.”
Star blinked in surprise. “You’re very convincing.”
Her friend shrugged. “The dragon helped us get away. I figure we owe him for that at least. And I’m kind of curious what he’s doing here. I mean, it’s clear he wants to bang you, but I’m guessing there’s another reason.”
“He’s a male, and a dragon. Banging me is reason enough,” she said, despite the tension in her shoulders and her belly. “I am made of awesomeness, after all.”
Brielle raised an eyebrow. “I’m just saying, sex is a dumb reason to come half
way across the world. There’s gotta be another reason.”
“I feel like you’re giving males too much credit,” Aurora murmured.
“I’m afraid to say, Aurora is probably right.” Axel’s voice was dry. “Sex is a great reason to fly halfway across the world. It’s probably the best one.”
Star simply snorted even as Aurora and the others giggled.
That sound was music to Star’s ears. She loved her sister’s laugh and was glad that she was slowly coming back to herself. Even making a little joke was a big deal. She was finally starting to come out of her shell again.
“You probably do need to call King,” Bella said on a sigh. “Even if we owe the dragon.”
Star knew she was right. Still, somehow it felt like a betrayal of sorts to call the wolf Alpha on Lachlan and she wasn’t sure why. They were in King’s territory and she couldn’t afford to spit in the face of one of her allies. Not one who had gone out of his way to make her and her family feel safe. Because if it came down to it, she had no doubt that his pack would step up and help them face down the threat of Oscar’s clan.
Or at least she really hoped they would.
* * *
Star opened the front door after the first knock, not surprised to find King on the other side since she’d called him a couple hours ago. She smiled at him then stepped back as he and two of his wolves stepped into the foyer.
Security, she guessed. She knew there were all sorts of designations for wolf packs and dragon clans. Maybe they were called sentries, or warriors? She wasn’t really sure of all the technical stuff though. Her crew didn’t really have designations since they were from all walks of life. Except that she was their Alpha and most of them were of the warrior class.
She realized she hadn’t said anything and cleared her throat. “Thanks for coming by,” she said, shutting the door behind them. “You want to talk in the kitchen?”
He nodded and glanced around the interior even though he’d been here before when they’d first arrived for a brief introduction in person. Today he wore simple black pants, a black T-shirt that molded to his fit body and a leather jacket. She was also pretty sure that he had a sword tucked against his back, if the rumors she’d heard were true that he wielded one despite being a wolf. “What kind of emergency is this?” he asked, glancing at her now. His ice-blue eyes seemed more vivid against his brown skin as he watched her.
