Finding the Dragon
Page 1
Contents
Title
Stonefire Dragons Series
Overall Dragon Reading Order
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Author's Note
The Dragon's Dilemma Excerpt
Books by Jessie Donovan
About the Author
Copyright
Finding the Dragon
(Stonefire Dragons #10)
Jessie Donovan
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Books in this series:
Stonefire Dragons
Sacrificed to the Dragon (SD #1)
Seducing the Dragon (SD #2)
Revealing the Dragons (SD #3)
Healed by the Dragon (SD #4)
Reawakening the Dragon (SD #5)
Loved by the Dragon (SD #6)
Surrendering to the Dragon (SD #7)
Cured by the Dragon (SD #8)
Aiding the Dragon (SD #9)
Finding the Dragon (SD #10)
Craved by the Dragon / Killian and Brenna (SD #11 / March 22, 2018)
Finding the Dragon Synopsis:
**This story isn't a standalone novella. Please read at least Reawakening the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #5) first.**
On the day Jane Hartley’s online video series finally launches, she and Kai receive word that his younger half sister, Delia, is missing. Gaining permission to search for her in Wales, Kai and Jane work together to find the teenage dragon-shifter before she winds up in the hands of the dragon hunters, or worse.
As the danger amps up, Kai and Jane’s relationship is put to the ultimate test. Will Kai and his dragon choose Jane above all? Or, will a ghost from Kai’s past end up tearing them apart?
The Stonefire and Lochguard series intertwine with one another. Since so many readers ask for the overall reading order, I’ve included it with this book. (This list is as of October 2017. Future release dates are subject to change.)
Sacrificed to the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #1)
Seducing the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #2)
Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #3)
Healed by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #4)
Reawakening the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #5)
The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons #1)
Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #6)
The Dragon Guardian (Lochguard Highland Dragons #2)
Surrendering to the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #7)
The Dragon’s Heart (Lochguard Highland Dragons #3)
Cured by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #8)
The Dragon Warrior (Lochguard Highland Dragons #4)
Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #9)
Finding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #10 )
Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #11 / March 22, 2018)
The Dragon Family (Lochguard Highland Dragons #5 / May 2018)
The Dragon’s Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons #6 / Fall 2018)
Chapter One
Jane Hartley watched the progress bar on the computer screen as her first videocast episode uploaded. After months of preparation and waiting, she was finally getting to start her new career. The Dragon-shifter Insider would not only be a contribution to helping her clan, but she also hoped that it would further develop relations and understanding between humans and dragon-shifters in the UK and beyond.
If only it would bloody upload faster. Even though she should wait weeks to truly gauge how it was received, she yearned for feedback sooner. She wouldn’t be able to get any until the blasted thing was live, though.
Her mate, Kai Sutherland, stood behind her and squeezed her shoulders. “Staring at the screen won’t make it work faster.”
She frowned up at him. Sometimes it was irritating how much her mate knew her. “Trying to make it upload faster is only part of it.”
He raised an eyebrow. “So if you’re only 99 percent trying to make it work faster, what’s the remaining percent?”
With anyone else, she might feel foolish sharing her thoughts. But not with Kai. “I’m also trying to memorize this moment.”
“Why? I would think people watching and commenting would be more memorable.”
Leaning her head against his belly behind her, she sighed. “Every once in a while I wish you’d be more supportive instead of truthful.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Supportive has a time and a place. However, being honest pushes us to be better, as I believe you always say.”
Jane stuck out her tongue. “So you were listening.”
“I always listen, Janey.” Kai lowered his head, his voice gravelly as he said, “That way I know the best ways to please you.”
She shivered at his husky voice. “How you can still have this effect on me after all these months, I’ll never know. You must have some sort of dragon-shifter magic you haven’t told me about.”
He moved to her side and tugged her up against him. “Not magic, love. You’re mine, and I will always want you. It’s my duty to make each time seem like the first, or maybe even better than the first. The second my female has a complaint, it’s a sign that I’m not being a proper mate.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “And to think the clan says you’re unromantic.”
Kai grunted. “You have your own sort of magic, I think. I say things to you that I’d never say otherwise.”
“It’s not magic, Kai. It’s love.” She searched his eyes. “And I hope it’s enough.”
“Of course it is. You’re mine, Janey. And I pity the human or dragon who ever tries to take you away from me.”
She couldn’t resist poking her dragonman. “So, my love is enough even when I sneak off to shoot a new episode without telling you?”
He searched her eyes. “You didn’t do that again, did you? I can’t keep making exceptions for you, Jane. Of course I love you, but I can’t allow the clan rules to break down.”
“I only broke the rules once in recent months. Besides, the clan lockdown was to protect against a threat to dragon-shifters, so it technically didn’t apply to me.”
There had been a temporary ban on leaving the clan’s lands after a recent attack, which had affected a few dragon-shifters via special drug darts. During that time, Jane had snuck off to interview someone from the Scottish clan, Lochguard, for her new series.
Kai replied, “Just because the drones we found had harmful chemicals for dragon-shifters doesn’t mean there aren’t ones for humans as well. After all, Stonefire seems to attract humans like flies to honey.”
Clan Stonefire was her home, located in the Lake District in the North of England.
She kissed him gently before murmuring, “But humans coming to Stonefire has not only brought many more babies to the clan, but also allies for our leader.”
As soon as she mentioned babies, Jane regretted it. Kai’s mother asked every time they talked if she had any grandchildren on the way. And as much as Jane wished to grant the dragonwoman’s request, she wasn’t ready. After all, she’d been with Kai less than a year. Between his secret security operations and her reporting, there wasn’t time for midnight feedings and living on two hours of sleep.
And yet, Kai’s mother, Lily Owens, had been nothing but kind and supportive since the beginning. Jane wished there was a solution to make everyone happy.
Kai placed a possessive hand on her arse. “Stop fretting, Janey
. Mum will be happy when the time is right. You are bloody amazing at what you do, and everyone on Stonefire appreciates you putting your life on the line for them. Again.”
“Even you?”
He grunted. “As much as I can, given how my dragon bangs on about your safety.”
She smiled. “I know how to calm him. Do both of you need some dragon cuddles?”
“No bloody dragon cuddles. Why can’t you call it ‘dragon loving’ or ‘dragon affection.’ Both are more acceptable for a head Protector’s mate.”
Kai was in charge of Stonefire’s security team, or Protectors, as the dragons called them.
Laughing, she snuggled against Kai’s chest. “Because I like to rile you up every once in a while. You’re stoic and calm for the clan’s sake. But even a big, bad Protector needs to let go every once in a while.”
He lightly slapped her arse. “How long will your uploading take?”
She raised her head again. “Not very long. Why?”
Kai’s pupils flashed to slits. “Because my dragon and I want to do our own brand of cuddling.”
As Kai’s hand moved further down her bum and to between her thighs, heat flushed her cheeks. “I thought you had your fill this morning.”
He pressed against the seam of her jeans and Jane sucked in a breath. Kai’s hot breath tickled her ear as he whispered, “I will never have my fill of you, Jane Hartley. You’re mine, and I think it’s time to show you once more just how much I love you.”
Instead of sitting in front of the computer, hitting Refresh every minute to see any comments, she would much prefer Kai naked and inside her.
Not that she’d surrender so easily.
She tilted her head. “Does that mean your dragon is going to come out to play?”
“I want you all to myself.”
“And you’ve been doing so for over a week. I’d rather he come out some of the time instead of waking up to find him in charge. Once he finishes, I can never muster the strength to get out of bed.”
Concern filled Kai’s eyes. “I told him you’re merely a human.”
She cupped his cheek. “I’m strong, Kai, and I love both halves of you. However, you would be the same way if you were shoved to the side for a week and could only watch, but never touch. The two of you make a whole, and I love you as you are. It’s okay to share with him. After all, I plan to stick around for a long time to come. There’s more than enough time for you and your dragon to have some fun.”
“You’d better stick around.”
She smiled. “Are you going to suggest your stubbornness can keep me alive forever?”
“Maybe.”
She chuckled. “I’m not going anywhere, so stop worrying. I’d rather you use the energy for something else.”
Kai’s blue eyes with a ring of green around his pupils turned heated. “Then I had better start diverting that energy now.”
Before she could do more than open her mouth, Kai tossed her over his shoulder and headed up the stairs. “Kai, what are you doing?”
He patted her bum. “This way is faster.”
“You always say that,” she muttered.
“Then stop asking and use the energy for something else.”
Touché.
Not that Jane had time to think of a comeback. Within seconds, Kai had gently laid her down on their bed and moved away to shuck his clothes.
Even though she had licked every inch of Kai’s body many times over, her mouth went dry at the sight of his muscled, naked chest. When he dropped his trousers, his hard cock sprung free. “Commando again, I see.”
He took his cock in hand and stroked once. “I know you like me naked quicker.”
She licked her lips. “Yes, I do.”
And Jane also knew that if she didn’t undress, she would lose yet another set of clothes to Kai’s talons.
Somehow she forced her gaze away from Kai stroking his dick to quickly pull off her top and jeans. She’d also gone sans underwear.
He growled. “And to think I could’ve merely bent you over the chair, tugged your jeans down, and taken you downstairs.”
Winking, Jane murmured, “I like to keep you guessing.” She slowly opened her legs. “But enough talking. I’m waiting, dragonman. Come and take me.”
Without another word, Kai covered her body with his. Positioning his dick, he rubbed up and down her wet folds before thrusting inside her. Jane gripped onto Kai’s shoulders as he began to move.
~~~
Kai tried to focus on his naked female’s needs, but his bloody dragon kept growling and pacing inside his head. His beast spoke up once more. I want her, too.
You’ve done enough. Today is a big day and I don’t want you exhausting her.
I wouldn’t have to do marathon sex sessions if you shared.
Jane raked her nails down his back, and he met her blue-eyed gaze. “It’s okay, Kai. I can handle your dragon.”
See? She wants me.
For a split second, Kai hesitated. He loved his beast, but every day he wondered if Kai or his dragon would do something to drive her away.
His beast huffed. Stop it. She will stay.
After another few pumps of his hips, Kai replied, Just don’t hurt her.
NEVER.
With a roar, his beast took control of Kai’s body and brain.
He watched as his dragon lifted Jane’s legs and increased his pace. Jane clung to his shoulders as her breasts bounced. She moaned before saying, “Yes, right there.”
Releasing one of her legs, his beast lightly flicked the bundle of nerves between her thighs. The pressure built at their spine, but even his impatient dragon gritted their teeth and held back.
Jane would come first in all ways.
When she finally screamed his name and gripped his cock, his dragon let go. Pleasure coursed through his body as he came.
After spending the last drop, his beast murmured, “Mine, Janey. Love you.”
She traced his cheek. “I love both of you.”
His dragon said to him, Thank you. Take care of her.
Always.
Kai took control of his mind again and moved so that he was on his back with Jane on his chest. For a few beats, he merely listened to her thundering heart and reveled in her skin against his.
He was content to cuddle his mate in silence, but Jane’s voice filled the room. “I wish you wouldn’t worry so much, Kai.” She paused and added, “I’m stronger than you think.”
Looking down at his mate, he wanted to slap himself for the hurt he saw in her eyes. “You’re one of the strongest humans I’ve ever met. But I can’t help worrying.”
She finished his thought. “I’m not her, Kai. I won’t leave you.”
“Her” referred to Maggie Jones, his true mate who had been so afraid of him that she’d run and mated another over a decade ago.
His dragon growled. Why do you bring her up? She is not worth our time. Jane is better than that female.
Rationally, I know that. But Jane and I are both stubborn and headstrong. She may tire of always challenging and fighting with me.
Jane’s voice prevented his dragon from replying. “Tell me what you’re saying to your dragon. You know you can tell me anything.”
He took a section of her dark hair between his fingers and rubbed the soft strands. “It’s not easy, Janey. You deserve a strong, confident mate.”
“Kai, you are a strong, confident mate. Everyone has their worries. I worry about cheating your mother and mine out of a grandchild, or if my new series will end up hurting the dragon-shifters more than helping them. Hell, I sometimes wish I wasn’t so curious and determined because I know it ends up causing you headaches. But I can’t change everything about me just because I want to. I work on some things and accept others. You need to do the same.”
His dragon grunted. She is fantastic.
Kai ignored his beast to gently kiss his female. “I’ll try. I do love you, Jane Hartley, headaches and all.”
She smiled. “Good, because I may have one or two other minor headaches I need to tell you about.”
Before he could ask what they were, Kai’s mobile phone rang. Since the ringtone was the one assigned to Bram, Stonefire’s clan leader, Kai needed to take it.
Kissing Jane one last time, he moved from the bed to his clothes on the floor. He plucked his mobile from his trouser pocket and answered it. “Bram?”
“Aye, it’s me. Sorry to interrupt you on Jane’s big day, but something’s happened.”
“Just tell me straight, Bram.”
His clan leader hesitated a second. Bram never hesitated. The news wasn’t good.
Bram finally said, “It has to do with your sister, Delia. Come to my cottage as quickly as you can and I’ll tell you everything.”
Delia was Kai’s much younger half sister, who lived in Wales on Clan Snowridge with his mother and stepfather.
Once Bram hung up, Kai lowered his phone and stared at it. He was confident that if Delia were dead, Bram would’ve said so. His clan leader was most definitely not a coward.
Kai should be relieved at that fact, but there were worse things a sixteen-year-old dragon-shifter could get up to than death.
Stop worrying and let’s visit Bram. Only once we know what’s wrong can we think of a plan, his dragon stated.
Jane asked, “What’s wrong?”
He met his female’s gaze. “Get dressed. Something’s happened to Delia and we need to see Bram.”
Chapter Two
Fifteen minutes later, Jane tightened her grip on Kai’s hand as they entered Bram’s home office. Her dragonman might seem unaffected on the outside, but she knew how much he cared for his sister. Especially since he’d wasted so many years avoiding the Welsh clan, Snowridge, which in turn meant avoiding his family.
After all, Maggie Jones still lived on Snowridge.