by Sky Winters
He thought that she would be shocked and stopped to let his words sink in, but she did not stir, but looked into his eyes as if she had always known that it was so.
“But why do you not lead your men, why do you grow weak.”
James looked at her and sighed.
“It is true that I am indeed next in line to be leader of the clan when my father dies, but before I can lead the clan I must shift into my true Dragon form.”
“And, what is to stop you?”
“I must first find my true mate. She too must have Dragon blood in her veins. I had thought that...” his voice trailed off and he gazed into the fire once again.
“Thought what?” her eyes were steady on his face.
His hands grasped hers as he turned to face her, a look of deep sorrow in his eyes.
“When I first saw you I was struck by your beauty, but then I felt something more. It was if I had always known you, there seemed to be some common bond between us as if we were joined by some invisible thread. My thoughts seemed to be yours. I thought perhaps that you were the one, but how can you be, you are not of my race and besides, you are betrothed to my enemy Lord Edmond.”
“I do not love Edmond, nor want to be his wife. It was a marriage of convenience only. I agreed to marry him only to save my aunt and uncle, they had looked after me from an early age and I am in their debt,”
“What happened to your parents?”
Lady Davina hesitated “I do not know, they were killed when I was but a baby. I tried to find out what happened but my aunt and uncle refused to speak of the matter and I gave up in the end. But I do know that I dream of dragons.”
James was now sitting up straight and gazing intently at Davina. There was something about the girl, the eyes, the way she looked at him, the way he felt. There had to be something.
“What were the names of your parents?”
“Isabella and Frances Drake”.
His grip on her hands tightened as he stared into her eyes.
“Drake is an old word for Dragon.”
Something in what he was saying was starting to make sense but she couldn’t be sure what it all meant.
“I remember stories of some distant cousins. Their secret was discovered and they were hunted by a group of evil men, hunted down like wild animals and killed; murdered in cold blood. There was talk of a child. A baby girl, but no-one knew what happened. It was presumed that she died too. Of course, there is only one way of knowing for sure. When I find my true mate and couple with her then I will transform into my true form, I will shift off this skin and become my inner being. I will be able to lead this clan once my father dies. I will become a true Dragon Shifter.
“So if I am your true mate you will realise your destiny, but if not, what will become of me?”
The girl was truly beautiful but he could not lie to her. “If you do not carry the Dragon blood then you will not be my true mate. I will not shift into my true form. I would carry on my search for my true mate, for the sake of my clan. Otherwise we will not survive.”
Her small hands were still clasped into his own. She could feel the blood coursing around his veins as if it were her own heart beating in his chest. Looking into his eyes she could see the flames of the fire flickering in the dark depths. She trusted her instincts, she trusted him.
When their lips met it was as if the world had exploded around them. Neither had experienced such an intense feeling of pleasure and emotion.
Wrapping her in his arms, he carried her to the tent and laid her down inside upon the blankets. He had never wanted anyone so much in his life and he burned for her. His hands reached down over her slim figure, his fingers wrapping around her soft and fleshy breasts. She gasped with delight. His touch was so different to Lord Edmonds, where she had shrunk at his touch, she now yielded to James’s soft and delicate fingers, as they probed and sought her soft curves.
He had soon moved beneath the wool and silk of the riding habit, lifting it delicately over her head and seeking her firm young body beneath.
She could feel his finger stroke downwards from her belly and towards her soft mound. She had never before been touched so intimately and so gently and the feeling caused her to shudder with pleasure. She was wet, could feel her wetness as his fingers slipped easily across the soft downy hairs and into the moist and fleshy folds of her womanhood. Kissing her belly, he slowly parted her legs with his hands and nestled his head between her legs. He could smell her musky sweetness and longed to taste her; his tongue delving into the velvety depths of her hole as her back arched and she pressed herself towards him, his tongue delving deeper and licking her until she thought she would explode with pleasure.
Now it was time for him to undress. Lifting the tunic over his head, the full and thick cock stood erect before her. His body was magnificent, hard and muscular and she ached to feel him inside her.
Pushing her back towards the floor he straddled inside her legs, holding his cock in his hands to guide it inside her. She was a virgin and he knew his manhood was exceptionally large. He would have to be gentle, but he could hardly wait to thrust his shaft deep inside her.
The head of his cock was thick and he rubbed it against her wetness to make the penetration easier. Lady Davina was breathing heavily, almost panting, desperate for him to take her, but she gasped as the head entered her and she felt her muscles contract around his thickness
Thrusting gently he inched himself inside her, stretching her tight walls and almost exploding with pleasure. But he wanted to wait, make sure he was fully inside her before he came.
At first she felt the pain, but the pleasure was so hot on its heels that she did not mind or care, her head was elsewhere. His muscular thighs thrust towards her and she joined in the rhythm until he was buried tightly inside her. Now he picked up the pace, he could not stop and his thrusts became more urgent, more passionate, his thick cock throbbing until he exploded, dripping his seed deep inside of her.
Both lay quiet for a moment. In the heat of passion they had almost forgotten all thoughts of Dragon Shifters.
Her heart hammered in her chest, unable to think of the consequences.
And then it happened.
At first James started to groan, a low moaning sound as he rolled away from her and onto his back. Stretching out his arms and pulling back his head the groaning grew steadily louder until it was almost a loud roar. As his arms spread, skin began to form between his arms and body as wings formed. The legs stretched and great hooked talons appeared where his feet had been.
She was not afraid as the skin turned into scales, and the face distorted as the huge snout and fangs appeared.
He stood before her, a magnificent beast, a beautiful dragon in all its glory.
Her Dragon, her true mate, her love.
All would be well.
The End.
M/M Shifter Romances
Alpha Bear
Chapter 1
I ducked out of the way of the fist hurdling toward my face. I could feel the disturbance of the air on my cheek from Walker’s power.
“Fuck off, man!” I growled.
“You fuck off, Decker!”
What a clever retort.
“You don’t want to make me angry, Walker,” I said as evenly as possible. But it was too late. I was already balling my fists, and powerful surges of adrenaline were coursing through my body. If I wasn’t careful, I would shift soon. Then he would be really sorry for messing with the man destined to be alpha.
Walker’s response was to throw another badly-aimed blow toward me. Again, he missed. I was getting really tired of him trying to start some kind of pissing contest with me. All Walker had ever wanted was to be the most powerful bear shifter in New Orleans, and had coveted the alpha position since we were kids. Now that we were adults and it was clear that he was bottom of the barrel in the hierarchy, he was always trying to climb the ladder by picking fights with me. Unfortunately for both of us.
&
nbsp; “I’m serious, Walker. Leave.”
I couldn’t believe I was able to muster so much patience for this man. But when he tried to strike me in the face again, that was the last straw.
“God damn it,” I growled. I unleashed a violent roar that made Walker’s shit-brown eyes widen in terror. He was about to see what he got for fucking with someone more powerful than he was.
“Hey, guys, what’s going on?”
I was surprised out of my fury by Jake’s silky sweet voice. I hesitated before striking Walker and looked over my shoulder at the man I’d been in love with since junior high. Jake was grinning knowingly at me. He had seen this fight before, many times, and it never ended any differently.
“Same old,” I grumbled, my racing heart beginning to feel the seductive effects of Jake’s comforting presence. I was somehow sedated, and couldn’t keep my eyes off of Jake as he made his way toward us.
“You both know this isn’t worth it,” Jake said, walking between me and Walker. I cringed when Jake’s muscular arm draped over Walker’s shoulder. They looked briefly at each other and I couldn’t help but feel a jealous bile rise in my throat. “Why don’t you guys find something better to do? Like buying me a beer in the best pub in all of goddamn New Orleans?”
I sighed. Walker was lucky Jake was there. I wouldn’t have been able to keep from beating his ass for anyone else.
“Fine,” Walker grumbled. He knew he would have ended up in the hospital without Jake’s intervention, but was still infuriatingly cocky about it.
I followed a few steps behind Walker as Jake led the way to the bar that our bear pack owned and operated, right in the hustle and bustle of downtown New Orleans. Soon, Jake fell behind and walked beside me, his grey eyes sparkling.
“You almost lost it back there, Deck,” he said. “You know you have to be careful. What if a human sees you two fight and it gets out of hand? You could shift right in front of them and really cause problems.”
“Well I didn’t,” I grumbled.
“Thanks to me!” Jake exclaimed. “You know how sad this place would be if you got found out?”
“That’s probably what Walker is counting on,” I said, glancing at Jake. His face seemed dark for a moment, and I felt an odd pang of concern. Jake was a carefree type of guy. If he ever worried, it was usually cause for alarm. I liked to think I knew him better than the back of my hand, and felt a strong urge to ask him what was on his mind.
“Well, you just be careful,” Jake said, before I had a chance.
His face brightened up with his characteristic grin. I forgot my worry, and Jake glanced around to make sure nobody was watching before he squeezed my hand. I felt a surge of warmth course through me. He was always looking out for me, even when it meant he could get in trouble for it.
“Aha!” Jake exclaimed. “Beer time!”
We had arrived at the pub, and Walker pushed violently through the door. I cringed, but Jake smiled warmly at me.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Jake said, his grey eyes boring reassuringly into mine. “We all know who the real alpha is around here.”
“Not yet,” I sighed, stealthily kissing Jake on the cheek. “But that will change soon enough.”
Jake’s face grew dark again, and I frowned. Something really was on his mind.
“That’s right,” Jake said, with no trace of the darkness on his face coming through in his voice. “Everything changes eventually.”
I had no idea how right he was.
Chapter 2
“I’m going out, babe,” Jake called.
I opened my eyes and groaned when the light pierced into them. I was still tangled in the bedsheets, left in the same exhausted position I’d been in when Jake had finished with my body. We’d been out drinking with Walker until daylight. When we got back to our apartment, Jake had been unusually aggressive with me. I figured it was just from the excitement of the fight he had prevented.
“Okay,” I mumbled, glancing at the clock. Jesus. We’d only been sleeping for two hours. What could he possibly be doing?
Whatever it was, I didn’t care so long as I got to go back to sleep.
I heard the front door slam shut, and the jingle of his keys as he locked up behind himself. I curled up in the spot where Jake’s body had been, feeling comfortable beyond words as I snuggled into the feathery pillow that was ripe with his scent. I fell into a sleep-like state as my mind replayed the first time we’d kissed.
“You looked good out there,” I’d said, trying not to show on my face just how unbelievable I found Jake’s perfect form as he sprinted around the track. Black bears were fast – really fast – and in order to fit in to human society, we had to find ways to channel our true selves and use it to fit in with the rest of the crowd. It was a difficult balance, but it was one that Jake had found easily by joining the track team in high school.
“Thanks!” Jake had replied, straying from the track to the fence separating the bleachers from the field. “You should join. I know you would probably blow me out of the water.”
I grinned and shook my head. “No, I’m not interested.”
Jake and I were very different. I liked to be by myself most of the time, while Jake was the kind of guy who thrived when all eyes were on him. In fact, he had been absurdly popular all through school. When we had been partnered in the science lab in junior high, I’d honestly expected to hate him. We had seen each other briefly at shifter gatherings before, but he’d seemed like such a conceited asshole that I’d stayed away from him. But during the project we did together, I realized that he was actually a smart, sweet guy. It had been the beginning of a life-long attraction toward him.
“Well it would make the team a lot more fun if you were here,” Jake said, his grey eyes looking deeply into mine. He had no idea how much I wanted for him to mean that. Even better if it meant that Jake wanted to spend more time with me. I couldn’t get enough of him.
“I’d feel too out of place,” I said. Still, I was tempted to join. Just for the opportunity to spend more time with him outside of class.
“Well then we should do something else. Are you free tonight? Practice is almost over and I don’t have anything to do.”
Jake said this as he toweled off his sweating face, so he likely hadn’t seen the way my face lit up. I used this to my advantage, and tried to compose myself before his intoxicating eyes looked back into mine.
“I think it should be fine,” I said, trying to play it cool. All I ever had on my agenda was homework, and sometimes I even got assignments done weeks early.
“Great,” Jake said. “Wait for me in the parking lot. I’ll drive you somewhere cool.”
I could hardly believe my ears, and waited with butterflies in my stomach until Jake was completely finished with practice. He came out freshly showered and dressed in a crisp white t-shirt and snug jeans. I was embarrassed when he caught me staring at him, but instead of acting like he was weirded out, he grinned at me knowingly. It was the first time such a small gesture electrified my entire body.
“Do you have a curfew?” he asked as we climbed into his car.
“No,” I said. “I don’t live with my parents.”
“What?!” Jake exclaimed. “You live alone?”
I was prepared for him to overreact about it, the way many people had when I informed them that I’d been “emancipated,” but instead his face lit up as if I’d told him the best news he’d ever heard. “That’s so cool!”
I shrugged.
“My father lived in the Bayou…an outcast. And my mother moved here. But they were both killed. So now I take care of myself.”
“I’m sorry,” Jake said, frowning. “I didn’t mean that it’s awesome about your parents…”
I laughed awkwardly. I didn’t want Jake to think that I was some weird, doom and gloom kind of person. I wanted him to like me. I wanted him to think I was cheerful like he was.
“It’s not like you knew that. And it really is co
ol to live alone,” I said, trying to get the spark back into his eyes.
“I can imagine. My dad is such an ass!” Jake exclaimed, punching his steering wheel. It startled me. “He expects me to be just like he was when he was young. He’s got issues or something. Be glad you don’t have to deal with a dad like that. Sometimes I wish I was an orphan.”
I laughed, even though half of what he was saying made me uncomfortable. He wouldn’t be saying that if it actually happened to him. But it wasn’t like he was trying to step on my toes. He just didn’t understand how hard it was to lose your family.
“This is the spot!” Jake said suddenly, swerving the car and pulling over at the side of the road.
“This?” I asked skeptically. It didn’t seem like there was anything here.
We had driven out of the city limits, to an area I had never been before. It was wooded, and the afternoon was becoming evening. Still, I was thrilled to be anywhere with him.
“Get out, I want to show you my favorite thing.”
I got out of the car nervously, and followed Jake through the thick collection of trees. We walked for about fifteen minutes before we stopped at a marshy stream.
“I come out here alone sometimes,” he said, his voice low. “To shift.”
My eyes widened when Jake took my hands in his own and gripped them tightly. “I want to shift with you.”
His voice was barely above a whisper, and somehow I blurted exactly what I had been thinking the whole time we were together.
“I’ll shift with you if you kiss me first.”
Jake seemed surprised for a moment, but soon a fire lit up his eyes.
