by Hawke Oakley
“Relax,” he murmured.
I tried, but it was extremely difficult when a hot alpha had his hands on me.
He began to move in slow, rhythmic strokes. Our husky breath filled the air. My skin burned like fire as pleasure melted over me. From the obvious bulge in his pants, it was clear Ryu was just as bothered as I was.
“You’re already that turned on just by touching me?” I asked with a smirk.
He gave my dick a hard jerk and I yelped. “Yes,” he said coyly.
When I was aroused enough for it to be painful, Ryu removed his hand. I frowned. He stripped the rest of his clothes and gestured for me to do the same, but I was too distracted by the sight of his cock out in the open. I found myself unable to rip my eyes away.
“Yes? Can I help you?” he asked with a laugh.
“You sure can,” I growled. “Get over here.”
I laid back on the futon, my head at an angle on the propped up pillow. Ryu watched me questioningly until I beckoned him closer.
“Sit on my chest,” I growled.
“Um… Are you sure?”
The impatient glare I shot at him made him reconsider his question.
He shuffled closer and straddled my chest carefully. His musky scent filled my nose and made my own dick twitch with arousal.
With a growl, I grabbed his lower back and pulled him closer so his cock was near my mouth. Ryu groaned as I grazed the tip with my lips, then enveloped the head. I felt Ryu shiver on top of me as he let his head roll to the side. Sounds of pleasure escaped him as I continued licking and sucking him.
Finally, when my head was spinning from pleasure and lack of air, he pulled away and muttered breathlessly, “Enough.”
“Hm?”
He carefully got off me and doubled back. I watched him with a quirked brow as he crouched near my legs, stroking them as he lifted my leg up onto his shoulder. It was only then that I realized my entrance was slick with fluid. I blushed in embarrassment as some of it trickled down my thighs. But Ryu seemed to like it, if the toothy grin on his face was any indication.
He took two fingers and ran them up my entrance, making me shudder. My body was waiting for him. His eyes glinted, looking at me and waiting for permission to enter.
“Go,” I said, my voice cracking.
Gently, he slipped the two fingers inside me. I tensed momentarily, then calmed down when I realized there had been no pain at all—just a pleasant pressure inside the walls. I nodded at him to continue. Slowly, Ryu pushed them deeper, twisting and rotating his fingers to stretch me wider. I laid back with my eyes half-closed, enjoying the sensation more than I thought I would.
He added a third finger, which made the pressure a bit tighter but still so good. I found myself pushing my body onto him, desperate for more contact.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I grunted.
Ryu took his hard cock in hand and pressed the tip to my slick entrance. I shuddered and relaxed myself. When he pressed inside, a strange but wonderful pleasure seeped throughout my body. It was wider and even better than his fingers. A thrill jolted me as I realized he was inside me. No one had ever been so close to me before.
“You’re so hot,” Ryu said, his voice low. “Both inside and outside.”
I was glad it was dark so he couldn’t see the flush across my cheeks. “Shut up.”
“I won’t. I mean it.”
I grumbled. “Okay, fine...”
He smiled. “I’m going in deeper now.”
“Good.”
My fingers curled into the sheets as Ryu pushed his cock further into my ass. A shaking sigh escaped me. The mix of hot pleasure and tight pressure was amazing. I tensed as he filled me entirely, our bodies totally flush against each other.
Slowly, he began to move. The rhythm built up gradually, mild at first as he made sure I was comfortable, then faster and harder.
Ryu suddenly bit his lip. Something flared up inside me, and I grunted with surprise.
“What is that?” I asked.
He looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I forgot to warn you. There’s ridged spines on my dick. It’s, er, a dragon thing…”
My brows raised. “Don’t be sorry. It feels good. Just confused me for a sec, is all.”
He nodded and gripped my thighs before his next thrust. I noticed the spines fully now as they grazed my walls, adding a whole other level of pleasure to the experience. I shut my eyes and let blackness overtake me as I lost myself.
“I’m close,” Ryu muttered. His voice was low and dark, tainted with his own arousal. Seeing him this way instead of the calm, collected man he usually was turned me on even more.
“Go on,” I growled.
I lost track of time as his thrusts became harder, more frantic, more primal. His nails dug into my skin, and my own clawed at the sheets. The creak of the futon, and our moans and sighs were the only sounds in the room.
Ryu tensed. A draconic growl escaped him as he paused one second before his load shot up inside me. I felt the liquid fill my every corner, thick and hot. The spines on his cock flared up one last time, stabbing me pleasurably. The sensation was too much—my dick exploded, shooting cum all over my stomach in the longest orgasm I’ve ever had.
Ryu’s grip loosened. He hunched over me, panting breathlessly. Neither of us wanted to unlock from each other right away. We met eyes, both sparkling, and the weight of what we’d accomplished settled on us.
I could be pregnant right now.
With a grunt, Ryu pulled out.
“Here, let me,” he offered before running to the bathroom to get some tissues. After cleaning up, he sat next to me on the futon. Frowning, I pulled him down on top of me.
“Come here,” I muttered. “I want you here with me.”
He smiled against my bare chest. “Whatever you want.”
The fatigue caught up to me and I could barely keep my lids open. Peeking one eye, I muttered to Ryu, “You’re not gonna run out on me and leave me a single parent with two kids, are you?”
He groaned and rolled his eyes. “Is that what you’re thinking about right now? Instead of the amazing sex we just had?”
I smirked. “Maybe.”
He slapped his palm to my forehead playfully. “Well, don’t, because it’s not going to happen.”
“Fine…”
“Hey,” Ryu murmured, “I love you.”
The words never failed to light a blossom of happiness inside my chest. “I love you, too.”
Inevitably, we dozed off, both of us in a pile of warmth. The baby monitor didn’t go off once during the night, allowing us to have the night’s rest we deserved.
It wasn’t until the morning that we realized why.
14
Ryu
I awoke to the sun streaming in through the slatted blinds. Blinking, I slowly became aware of my surroundings—Scar lay beneath me, his warm chest moving up and down.
That’s right, I thought, last night, we…
Scar roused from his sleep and rubbed his eyes. “Morning.”
“Good morning,” I replied. Rolling out of the futon, I grabbed my scattered clothes and dressed myself before a sense of unease descended upon me. My brows furrowed. “Have you heard anything on the baby monitor?”
“No,” Scar replied. At the crease of concern on my face, he got up and dressed as well. “Is Angel still asleep?”
“I just woke up, I haven’t checked on her yet. I’ll do it now.”
Concern bubbled up in my chest. Angel wasn’t a loud baby by any means, but she did gurgle and wake up a couple times a night at least. I’d moved her crib into the next room and put the monitor with her to alert us, but neither Scar or I heard a peep out of her.
With a frown, I pushed the guest room door open. Angel’s crib stood in the same place as before.
But when I searched for the monitor, it was gone.
My heart turned to lead. It sank to the pit of my stomach.
&n
bsp; Fear gripping me, I peered into the crib.
My blood froze.
Angel was gone.
“Scar!” I yelled, horrified.
A moment later he stumbled into the room, obviously shocked by the terror in my voice. “What?”
“She’s not here!” I cried.
The blood drained from his face. “What!? How is that possible? Did you check properly?”
He rooted desperately through the blanket and toys, panic taking over as he realized that she was truly gone. He whipped towards me, absolutely afraid.
“Where could she have gone? She can’t even walk!” he snapped.
“I don’t know,” I replied. I swallowed with difficulty. “Let’s try to keep calm. She can’t have gone far.”
“Well, how could she get out of the crib in the first place?” Scar yelled.
“Maybe she used her magic,” I suggested. “The door was still closed when I got here—she might still be in the room.”
Panicked and unable to think rationally, Scar nearly threw himself to the floor as he checked every nook and cranny of the room. My heart raced as I did the same. But there was nowhere to hide. The room was empty, and Angel was nowhere to be found.
Letting out a snarl of frustration, Scar shifted into his wolf form. He thrust his nose into the crib and began following Angel’s scent. I watched with cautious yet tense optimism as he tracked her trail to the door. I was half hoping she’d opened the door herself somehow and let herself out, but I knew that was stupid.
Scar stopped. A snarl spread across his lips and he bared his fangs.
“What?” I blurted out.
“Her scent isn’t the only one here,” he snapped, his voice deep with his wolf’s tone. “Take a guess.”
“How am I supposed to know?” I snapped back. “Just tell me!”
He met my eyes, furious. “It’s Mav.”
Cold realization dawned on me. “That alpha from the bar? The one you punched?”
“Yes.”
My fists balled up. Rage burned in my blood and I wanted to hit the wall. “Can you follow the scent trail?”
He nodded.
“Good. Let’s go—now.”
We raced out of the apartment, but first Scar skidded to a halt to examine the door with narrowed eyes. “It’s not broken in, and I’m assuming he didn’t have a key.”
Cold dread crawled up my spine. “Oh, gods…” I buried my face in my hands in frustration. “I’m such a fucking fool.”
Scar’s hackles rose. “Why?”
I couldn’t look at him right now. I was too ashamed of myself. “I… I must have forgotten to lock the door last night. I was too excited about…” Not wanting to continue, I trailed off.
Scar wouldn’t look at me. His expression was cold when he muttered, “Let’s just go.”
Hot shame and fury engulfed me. This was my fault. If I’d been more careful, Angel would still be safe in our arms. Instead, she was gone—and worse, abducted by our enemy. Who knew what Mav was capable of?
I should have just left him alone that night, I thought bitterly. Then maybe this wouldn’t be happening…
Scar and I raced down to street level, where I followed him closely behind. I’d never been so thankful for his shifter form being a wolf with a keen sense of smell. I only wished I could help more.
An idea struck me. “Would it be easier to search from the air?”
“No, the scent is at ground level,” Scar muttered.
“Oh.” I paused. “What if we split up? You can search from the ground, and I can search from the air.”
He shot me a look that made it clear he still hadn’t forgiven me for this mess in the first place. “Fine. Just don’t go too far. We should meet somewhere in an hour.”
“The bar?” I offered.
Scar just nodded, and then ran off without a goodbye.
My heart ached. I’d lost Angel, and now my mate was furious with me.
As he should be.
There wasn’t time for me to stand around feeling sorry for myself. I shifted into my dragon form and took to the sky, winding my way upward. I scanned below, seeking out any sign of Mav or Angel. But even with a bird’s-eye view, I found nothing. I spat in frustration.
Maybe I should have just stayed with Scar, I thought. His abilities are more useful than mine.
Even with magic, what could I do? Magic wasn’t going to help me find Angel.
I flew on, my whiskers whipping in the cold wind. Autumn was quickly turning into winter, I realized. A dreadful thought entered my mind. Mav could have abandoned Angel somewhere, and she would be cold and all alone. I growled anxiously.
Please, gods, let us find her soon, I begged silently.
Suddenly, among the throngs of people below, I recognized someone. Henry!
With a wince, I remembered the way things ended between us. But then, even worse than that, I recalled our conversation with Lorenzo. Panic shot through me. If Henry really was Angel’s biological omega-father, how would he take it knowing she was lost?
But he knows we’re raising her… And he’s the one who abandoned her in the first place. It won’t hurt to ask, I rationalized.
Swallowing my pride and my distaste for him, I snaked down to the street and shifted back into human form. “Henry!” I called.
The omega paused, then turned at the sound of my voice. He didn’t seem too pleased to see me. “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”
“I need your help,” I said bluntly. There was no time to waste mincing words. “Angel is lost. We think someone stole her.”
Henry’s eyes flashed before he blinked in confusion. “Angel? Oh, your kid?”
“Yes,” I said hurriedly. “It’s kind of a time-sensitive situation.”
I felt my distaste for Henry building quickly. What kind of horrible parent didn’t care that their child was missing?
One who abandons them in the first place, I suppose.
“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m kind of busy myself,” Henry said. “Can’t your new boyfriend help you find him or something?”
“We’re both trying,” I gritted the words out, “but we need all the help we can get.”
“Sorry, dude,” Henry mumbled. “We’re not even together anymore, so I’m not sure why you’re asking me—”
My temper got the best of me, and I exploded with anger. “Don’t you even care that a child is missing? What the hell is wrong with you?”
The shock on his face quickly turned to fury. “Excuse me? What’s your problem? We barely even know each other! Fuck off and leave me alone!”
The rage inside me overflowed. I opened my mouth to scream that it was his child that was missing before a loud, chaotic mess of sounds exploded down the street, taking everyone off guard. It sounded like two wolves fighting.
“What’s going on?” one of the women who was watching Henry and I fight murmured, her attention now drawn to the racket. Other people pushed past us, crowding closer.
Now that my attention was on it too, dread froze my blood—I recognized one of the voices in the chaos. Scar!
Dropping everything, I ran desperately towards him. I pushed through the crowd.
Please, gods, it can’t get any worse than this!
With a grunt, I broke through the crowd gathered around the wolves.
I gasped.
Scar was a blur of fangs and fur as he attacked the other wolf—a large grey wolf nearly twice his size. An alpha wolf.
Realization hit me like a tsunami. That other wolf has to be Mav!
“Scar!” I cried out. But when my mate glanced at me for a brief moment, the other wolf leapt on him and pinned him to the ground.
My body transformed instantly. My jaws snapped, full of teeth, and I hurtled at Mav, knocking him off his feet. A wolf was no challenge for any dragon—Mav’s body flipped over like a ragdoll, spiralling a few yards away.
I curled protectively around Scar and hissed into Mav’s face
.
Mav’s snarl deepend as he got to his feet again. “You again!” he spat. “Get out of here, snake. This is our fight!”
Now was not the time for me to get angry at being called a snake. “Get off my mate—now!”
“Not on him anymore, am I?” Mav growled sarcastically.
“Where’s Angel?” Scar snapped, thrashing his way out of my grip. He was desperate and furious, trying to get to Mav again. I only stopped him by thrusting my tail in-between them so there wouldn’t be a full-out brawl again.
“Why do you care?” Mav taunted. “You’re not even her real parents.”
Scar went ballistic. He clawed his way out from behind me and launched himself at Mav, locking into another furious attack. I barely managed to grab Mav in my claws and pull him away from my mate. I hissed at him again and bared all my sharp dagger-like fangs so he’d know not to try his luck—or else.
“Get that crazy cripple away from me,” Mav snarled.
Fury seized my blood, but I knew I had to remain calm. He was just toying with us, wasting our time. None of this mattered. We needed to find Angel.
“Where is our daughter?” I hissed.
“Like I already told him, she’s not your kid. You two are just freaks who think you can raise someone else’s child,” Mav growled.
Every hair on Scar’s pelt stiffened, making him look nearly twice his size. He was afraid and furious and every emotion in-between. I knew he was in no state to think or speak rationally.
“She is our child,” I declared to Mav. “We’ve adopted her because she has no other parents no care about her. She was abandoned.”
Suddenly Mav’s expression changed. His snarl turned into a smug grin as he sat back on his haunches. “Oh, except that’s not true.”
“What?” Scar exclaimed.
“Yeah, about that. Angel is my kid.”
“Stop fucking around!” Scar snapped. “We don’t have time to waste with your bullshit! Tell us where she is, now!”
Mav shot him a stare. “You think I’m joking? I’m not. I’m her alpha-father.”
“You’re lying,” I growled. “This is just a trick to throw us off.” I paused, realizing that solely antagonizing him wasn’t going to help us. “Please, just tell us where she is.”
