Viper: Dragon Warrior Series (Alien Dragon Shifter Romance) Book 5

by KD Jones

  After stomping down the stairs, he opened the door to find his three fellow enforcers Thorn, Markus, and Tidas waiting for him. “Did you bring everything with you?”

  “Yes, even the security system equipment for tomorrow’s installation. King Reichardt already made an appointment with the security company for ten in the morning.”

  “It’s a rogue Drakonian. I scented only one, but there could be more. We should not leave Callie alone. I’ll stay outside and watch over her until morning,” Viper told them.

  Thorn growled a low tone. He used to be the general of the Drakonian army and helped train Viper to be the warrior he was. “Shouldn’t that be my decision?”

  Viper stared him down, didn’t back away from the challenge. “This is my decision and if you have a problem with it, you can take it up with the king.”

  An uncomfortable quietness settled in the room. Then Thorn nodded his agreement. “I’ll relieve you in the morning. We need to get his scent.”

  “Upstairs, you won’t miss it. I don’t recognize it, so I don’t think it’s someone from this region.” Viper turned to head back upstairs.

  Callie paced the living room nervously. She was more scared than she let on. The shotgun was lying on the coffee table.

  “Callie, these are some of my people from the ranch. You know Markus but I’m not sure if you met the other two.”

  She turned and gave a tentative smile. “Hi, Markus.”

  “Callie, are you okay? Valorie wanted to come check on you, but I told her to stay home until we have your place secure. She plans on calling you later.”

  “I’m fine. Viper took care of me.” She turned to the other two males. “I’m sorry I don’t remember meeting either of you before. I’m Caroline Aline Sinclair, call me Callie.” She reached out to shake their hands.

  Viper growled at other males touching her. She was his. Again, his inner dragon was trying to claim Callie as his own.

  Callie turned to him. “Are you okay? Does your throat hurt? You keep making strange growly sounds.”

  Viper straightened his shoulders, feeling the others watching him. Tidas wore a damn smirk on his face. “I’m fine. This is Thorn, he’s the head of security at the ranch.”

  “Nice to meet you, Thorn.” She shook his hand.

  “And this is Tidas. He’s part of our security team at the ranch,” Viper told her.

  “Why so many of you?” Callie asked.

  “King R Ranch is enormous.”

  “I suppose so,” Callie said, but she still looked unconvinced.

  He needed to get things going. “If you’ll stay here, we’ll take care of the broken window first, then we’ll board up the balcony.”

  “Okay. I really appreciate you all coming out here on short notice.”

  “It’s our pleasure, ma’am,” Tidas said, daring to put his hand on her shoulder.

  He had to fight the growl caught in his throat. “This way,” he gruffly said, shoving Tidas forward.

  Thorn was already in the bedroom sniffing the air. “Definitely Drakonian and he was putting a claim on her.”

  “He will not be claiming her,” Viper said with harsh tones that made all three men looked at him strangely.

  “I don’t recognize the scent. He could be from another clan,” Tidas commented.

  “All other clans know this territory is King Reichardt’s. Only Dyson or his rogues would dare poach,” Thorn said.

  Tidas opened a drawer that had Callie’s panties and bra in it. He lifted a red lace pair, then dropped it back. “He’s touched her things.”

  “I know and you need not do the same. He released his seed on the bed sheets. The sheriff is sending it to a lab for testing.”

  Thorn snorted. “There won’t be a match. None of our people are in the human legal system.”

  “Unless they’ve been stupid enough to get caught by the human authorities,” Tidas said.

  “They wouldn’t have fingerprints to match,” Thorn reminded them.

  “Regardless, Callie needs our protection.”

  It took only a few minutes to clean up all the glass from the hardwood floor. The window was accessible from both the back balcony and from inside, so they boarded both sides. Satisfied with the temporary fix to the window, they left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen where the balcony doors were located.

  Thorn inspected the handle. “Definitely a Drakonian. A human wouldn’t be able to break the lock without using something like a crowbar. There’s no damage to the outer casing of the door.”

  “Yeah, he just gripped the handle and yanked it until it opened,” Viper agreed.

  They quickly boarded up both sides, Tidas remaining outside to see if he could pick up the rogue’s scent trail.

  “Why her? Why would a rogue risk coming after a human female?” Thorn asked.

  “It could be part of Dyson’s breeding program.”

  “But why come to Reichardt’s territory? Dyson knows we are keeping a lookout for him. Why would he risk coming here to take a female when there are plenty of human women out there to grab?”

  Viper ran a hand through his hair. “That bothers me. Dyson is not a stupid male, but the one here tonight acted irrationally. I believe he got angry that Callie was downstairs talking to me and that’s why he broke the window. The door was broken, so he didn’t need a second exit.”

  “You’re thinking this rogue isn’t part of Dyson’s group, but one who is desperate for a mate and he has fixated on the librarian?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is it wishful thinking on your part because you want to spend time with her?”

  Viper growled. “Of course not. I barely know the female. She means nothing to me. I’m just trying to protect her.”

  Chapter 7

  “I barely know the female. She means nothing to me. I’m just trying to protect her.”

  Callie held her breath as she slowly backed away from the kitchen. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Her intention had been to offer the men something to drink for helping her. She didn’t hear everything, but it was enough to know that Viper wasn’t interested in her.

  It hurt, but better to know the truth now than for her to keep fantasizing over someone who didn’t think twice about her.

  She rushed to the sofa and sat. When she heard footsteps heading her way, she picked up a book from the end table and opened it to a random page. It was upside down. She flipped it around, nearly falling off the couch at the sound of the gruff voice.

  “What are you doing?” Viper asked.

  “Reading.” She held up the book cover to show him. She watched his eyes scan the page, then squint before glancing away.

  “We’re almost done. Are you sure you want to stay here? I’m sure that Valorie and the rest of the females at the ranch would be happy to make a room available to you.”

  “I’ve got old trusty here.” She patted the shotgun on the coffee table. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Do you want my number in case you get scared?” he offered.

  “I’ll call the sheriff if I need anything.” She watched as the older one named Thorn headed for the door. “Thanks for coming out.”

  Thorn waved at her but said nothing. What was it with these tall, sexy but silent ranch hands? “Wait, where’s the other guy, Tidas?”

  “He is making sure everything is secure in the back and will leave through the gate.”

  “Will he need the key?”

  “Thanks to Sheriff Jenkins, we know where the spare key is.”

  “Right, I probably need to find a new hiding place for it.”

  “Do that tomorrow, not tonight.”

  “Of course.”

  They stood there staring at each other awkwardly. She didn’t want to say goodbye to him. Callie needed to get over her feelings. There was something she had to say to him.

  “Thank you for all that you’ve done. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here with me. I keep thinking about co
ming upstairs after closing up the library. I would have been alone with this creep…” She couldn’t hold back the tears. “Sorry, it just all seemed to hit me at once.”

  Viper looked unsure of what to do, then he approached her cautiously as if hunting a scared animal. He gently wrapped his arms around her, loosely patting her back. “You’re safe.”

  Callie was an ass for taking advantage of the situation, but she couldn’t help but embrace him. She placed the side of her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer. She inhaled a deep breath and took in his scent. It was masculine, woodsy, and heavy with his own personal musk. So damn good.

  “Are you sniffing me?” he asked.

  Shit! She was busted. “Sorry, you have incredible cologne.”

  He pulled her closer and leaned down to inhale her scent near her neck. It made her shiver to feel his warm breath against her scent.

  “You smell delicious,” he admitted in a deep husky tone. “You’re safe, Callie. I would let nothing happen to you.”

  “You make me feel safe,” she told him, looking up at his handsome face. Her heart rate raced and being this close against him, she could feel his own pounding heart through his T-shirt. She was melting in his embrace.

  “I could—” He was cut off by Callie’s phone ringing.

  She pulled away and reached for her phone on the coffee table. “It’s Valorie.”

  “I’ll lock the library downstairs on my way out. Lock this door behind me.”

  “I will,” she watched him leave with longing and regret. It was better that he left. Otherwise, she might have embarrassed herself by throwing herself at him.

  *****

  Viper stood on the landing outside of Callie’s apartment. His hand was on the door handle, and he fought to get himself under control. He wanted nothing more than to go back inside and take Callie in a kiss.

  When she talked about his scent, he took hers in. She was definitely attracted to him. His dragon growled with the need to claim her. Callie was so small and soft, a gentle female who deserved a male who could offer her more. Viper couldn’t even speak with her about any of the subjects in her thousands of books, because he couldn’t read any of them. It felt hopeless.

  Letting go of the handle, he stomped down the stairs. He checked the entrance to the backyard, and then went to the front door. It only had a lock on the handle. He would have to lock it, and then close it behind him. Viper planned to speak with the security company to get one of those remote locks so Callie could lock the library from anywhere.

  Once outside, he noted the sun had not set, and only one light was on the front porch. How had no one thought to help Callie with her safety and security? She was beautiful and sweet and should’ve been protected at all times. If she were his, he would keep her in his personal cabin on the ranch. She would be safe there and he would fly her in his dragon form at night so she could see how beautiful the stars were.

  The last thing was mostly from his inner dragon. No matter how much Viper fought with his dragon, he wouldn’t let go of the idea that Callie was their mate. It couldn’t happen. It wasn’t meant to be. He was a dumb enforcer, and she was... a damn princess in the tower.

  “Is she okay?”

  He hadn’t heard Reichardt approach. That wasn’t good. He couldn’t even guard her properly.

  “She’s scared and cried before I left. I don’t know what to do with crying females.”

  Reichardt placed his hand on Viper’s shoulder. “None of us do. Females, especially human ones, are emotional creatures. Just hold them and tell them everything will be okay.”

  “Valorie was calling her when I left.”

  “There you go. Valorie will make her feel better.”

  “Maybe.”

  “I didn’t realize you had feelings for the librarian.”

  “I barely know her.”

  “With true bond mates, our dragons seem to know immediately. What does your dragon tell you?”

  He snorted. “My dragon wants to claim her immediately.”

  “Let me give you a piece of advice. A happy dragon makes for a happy life.”

  “Isn’t that supposed to be a happy wife makes a happy life?” Viper asked, confused.

  “Same difference.”

  Viper snorted. “I’m too busy ensuring the safety of our people to worry about what my dragon wants.”

  They began walking around the building, listening and looking into the shadows. It reminded Viper of the times on Drakonia when Reichardt took Viper under his wing and help with his training. He owed this male more than he could ever repay.

  “Are you planning to watch over her the whole night?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ve been up fifteen hours already, having come off overseeing repairs on the western pasture. I’ll have someone relieve you in a few hours so you can get some rest. I’m sure you’ll want to come back in the morning when the security company arrives.”

  “I hate to leave her, but I would like to be here to make sure that everything is secure. I don’t feel comfortable walking away without ensuring her safety,” Viper admitted.

  “It bothers me that a rogue has come into my territory and singled out a human female. We have been established in this location for decades and we keep our scent markers on the borders updated regularly. Do you think Dyson sent this rogue to test our defenses?”

  “I’ve thought about that. This male didn’t have any scent on him, so if he had been in close contact with Dyson, I think I would have picked it up. Dyson’s rogues breached our defenses once before, but he was present when they did it under his orders. This rogue came after a female for his own purposes. He was marking her as his to warn us off.”

  Reichardt grimaced. “I heard about what the rogue did in the female’s bedroom. It’s a violation of her space. He couldn’t know for sure that we would be there. Only Valorie and a few of the other human females from the ranch visit the library.”

  “He wants to claim Callie for his own. I have no doubts about that.” Viper’s inner dragon let out a growl of displeasure.

  Reichardt fought back a smile. “Your dragon doesn’t like that idea.”

  “Neither of us wants this rogue anywhere near Callie.”

  “Then we’ll do everything we can to make sure she is safe,” Reichardt reassured him.

  Chapter 8

  Callie tossed and turned all night. She didn’t even sleep in her own bed, though she had new sheets on it. She wished she hadn’t turned the spare bedroom into her personal office. Grabbing a pillow and sheet from her closet, she went to the large comfy sofa in the living room to sleep. However, slumber evaded her. The thought of what the guy did made her sick. If Viper hadn’t been here, she might have walked in on the guy and there was no telling what would have happened. More thoughts of all the different possibilities came to her overactive imagination, ensuring that she would not fall asleep.

  Somewhere around five in the morning, she gave up and took a quick shower. First, she made sure that all the doors and windows were still secured, then she locked the master bath door just in case. Normally, she loved taking long hot showers. It was her go-to method for relaxation after a long day working in the library. It wasn’t really the library itself. She could spend hours and days lost in books. It was the people who came in to use the library. They could be demanding of her time, asking questions and wanting her to pull everything for them instead of searching for what they wanted.

  Callie always believed half the fun of coming to the library was the searching. Her uncle and aunt made it a game for her, like a treasure hunt. They would tell her the name of the book, the author’s name, or even call out the Dewey Decimal Classification Number. She would go in search and when she came back in under a minute, she always received a reward—candy, a new toy, or her favorite, a banana split.

  That’s what she tried to do whenever she had a group of kids visiting. She made up games so the ki
ds would associate the library and books with fun. It was one of the best lessons she had learned from her aunt and uncle because it worked every single time—with kids. Adults grew out of having adventures and didn’t want to have fun in a library or anywhere from what she could tell.

  Maybe she was getting too old for adventures too. Callie knew where every book in the library was, so there was nothing new for her here. The books Valorie donated, she would read every one of them in a month or two. Then what? She remembered her last conversation with Valorie a few days ago when they had dinner at a local diner.

  *****

  “I’m bored,” Callie admitted. She scooted her chair closer to the table as the waitress placed a bowl of salad down in front of her.

  “When’s the last time you got out of town for the weekend? When was your last vacation and where did you go?” Valorie asked taking a sip of her coffee.

  “I haven’t left town in years and my last vacation was five years ago when I was job hunting in Washington DC.”

  “Job hunting is not a vacation. That I have to tell you that means you need a real one badly.”

  “I can’t just leave the library or close it up. People need it. It’s all they have as an escape in this small town.”

  “No offense, but that’s just sad. Everyone needs an escape including you and since you work in the library, live in the library, the library cannot be your escape. You need excitement, an adventure, travel to exotic locations, flirt with sexy cabana boys bringing you fruity drinks with umbrellas.”

  “That all sounds... interesting. But I still cannot leave my library unattended.”

  “Then hire someone part-time to watch over it while you take time off.”

  The house was private, but the library was considered a public space. Therefore, the library was allotted a certain amount of money from taxes and government funding that she used mostly for repairs and investing in new books. She never used all the funds, and there was enough left to hire a part-time person to help at the library.

  She also had the money from her aunt and uncle’s life insurance policy that she never touched, investing it instead. It was more than enough to allow her a decent vacation once a year. The thought of allowing someone else into her library, re-organizing and disrupting her system, made her too uncomfortable. But maybe she should try it out. Her uncle, before he died, made her promise to live her life to the fullest and not hide behind the books. He would want her to have at least a vacation.