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Chapter 1 - Aragon
“To commence this meeting, we’ll begin by announcing the Council’s decision to extend.”
I frowned at father’s announcement, glancing over at my brother, who seemed equally confused.
Good, I think. At least I’m not the only one surprised by their decision to ‘extend.’ We're technically in the clear if the alpha of the Aurora Dragons hasn’t heard anything about this.
Or, we’re in for a wild ride, I muse mentally as I turn back to the council gathered at the front of the boardroom table. It’s strange seeing all four members of the council regrouped here today. But after the unexpected war a few months ago, the council had agreed to return a seat to the Blaze Legion elder.
After all, we’re at risk of the dragons going extinct. We cannot afford to remain enemies with other clans.
While hushed whispers flit around the room—mainly from the other clans’ representatives—my brothers and I remain calm. After all, it’s our father who makes the announcement. There’s a sense of ease and trust in seeing him head tonight’s meeting.
Even if we’re not on home ground in Aurora Island, there’s a sense that the Aurora Dragons maintain their power over the rest.
Father nods at his companions before turning back to the rest of the gathering. He clears his throat, steepling his fingers on the edge of the desk. Despite how young he appears, the aura of mighty power and immense maturity stands out admirably.
It’s the same aura I feel radiating from my brother, Draco. It’s what led me to follow in their footsteps—spending years traveling the world before being ready to settle in the clan and fulfill my duties to our people.
Despite Draco being the alpha, it only makes sense that we, as his siblings, stand by his side and follow his leadership.
“Our decision to extend the council comes after much deliberation,” father continues. “It’s a tradition that worked for our forefathers long before the war broke out in seventeen-twenty-nine. And with Earth’s rapid changes, we need to be prepared.”
Father allows for a moment of silence while he allows this to sink in. Though I haven’t fully wrapped my head around their previous decision—to mate with humans to save us from extinction—my gut tells me that this old tradition is something we can all agree on.
There’s just something in the air…
“We’ve decided that each alpha of their respective clans needs to choose a beta amongst their people. This allows for an easier transition in the event of the alpha’s death, as seen with the demise of Cadmus…”
The rest of what father says dissipates into the far recesses of my mind. His first statement—the one about the alphas picking betas—sticks with me like hot, molten glue.
It’s all I can think about as the other clan elders add to my father’s announcement. Adrenaline pulses through my veins, spreading my lips into a chuffed smile as I turn to my brother.
The alpha of the Aurora Dragons returns my smile, adding to my anticipation as he rises from his seat. I throw my youngest brother, Stryker, a wink. My only grievance is that the rest of our family isn’t in attendance to witness this.
Perhaps this is why I had a good feeling about tonight’s meeting. Even though we’re in Samui Island—home to the Blaze Legion clan of dragons who’d previously set out to attack us—I walked into this meeting with a nondescript excitement. It seems to be coming to fruition as Draco prepares to announce who his beta will be, prompting me to shift in my chair as I confidently tilt my chin up.
“Alpha Draco…” a council member addresses him with a nod. “Have you decided who will be the beta for the Aurora Dragons?”
Draco nods, keeping a straight face ahead. “My brother…”
Excitement swells my chest boastfully as I stare at my father.
“... Felix Vulkan will be the beta of the Aurora Dragons.”
Just like that, my heart drops to the soles of my shoes.
“What?!” I blurt out without thinking. Without considering the other dragon shifters in attendance, I fix a glare at my brother. “Felix?”
Appalled by my brother’s decision, I instantly got to my feet. The sudden, hasty movement throws the chair backward onto the tiled floor in a thunderous splutter that rings through the deafening silence.
“Aragon!” comes father’s command, but I ignore him as I glower at Draco.
“I don’t believe this,” I grouch with a huff before side-stepping the overthrown chair and marching toward the door. Two vengeful palms slam the door open before I leave the boardroom to simmer in their shocked gasps.
My ears drum with fiery rage as my initial instinct is to allow the dragon to take over. Fueled by the anger that rolls over me in waves, I need to blow off some steam. My willing companion, my dragon form, has the impulse to blow off that fiery breath on the alpha of the Aurora Dragons for picking the wrong brother. Standing in the lobby, I stare at the window and wonder what the Samui Island air will feel like on my scales.
“Brother,” Draco calls from behind me.
