Page 19 of The Dragons’ Eternal Mate

“Yes, I can, and I will. Just like my father tried to murder a member of the younger generation, I will happily exile anyone who wants to live in the past. This horde is moving into the future, a healthy, caring future. If you don’t want to be a part of it, don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.”

Eric growled, sinking into a small group of older dragons who all looked stunned. I knew this was certainly bold. No one had ever done or said anything like this, but I didn’t give a fuck. I was done playing safe, done placating them to avoid making waves. Progress required discomfort, and I was more than ready to lead this horde through that.

Allison stood. “I’m new to this horde, but the Alphas here opened their arms and welcomed me. Without Rowan, my son wouldn’t have survived. I probably wouldn’t have, either. If you want to know anything about the type of man Cyrus is, know that he’s hiding with my father. No one knows Byron better than me. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt—he is a cold, ruthless bastard, who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”

I turned to the crowd, adding, “Byron is the kind of Alpha who would force his daughter to marry someone against her will and murder her fated mate and her son. Is that the kind of Alpha you want to support? No? Then you need to come to grips with the fact that Cyrus is no better.”

The dragons gathered stayed silent, consideration on their faces, the gravity of the situation sinking in. While some older dragons remained upset, they didn’t speak, and I truly hoped they would take my suggestion and leave. If they caused problems for this horde, attacked people here, I wouldn’t hesitate to execute them.

I didn’t expect an answer from everyone immediately, of course. I nodded at the guards to take Tanner back to his cell, though. I still didn’t want him wandering around, even if he had been useful just now—and honest. As he passed Rowan, I tensed, a quiet growl rumbling, but she stood up and faced him.

“Thank you for speaking so candidly to everyone. I hope you understand that, while I don’t blame you, I’m just not ready to… be around you, so any reports about Celia will come from someone else.”

“I understand. Completely.”

With that, he was taken away, and I was left to stand there with my mate and my clan. The horde began to filter out of the room. I kept my eye on Eric and his buddy, glaring as he shot me a look.

Try something, asshole. Even think about it, and I’ll tear you apart.

Rowan

Slowly, consciousness started to creep in as I stretched out lazily. Bastian had insisted on taking a nap after the horde meeting, but judging by how relaxed and languid my body felt, I had slept for significantly longer than I intended.

An arm tightened around my waist, and I grumbled, smirking as I turned over my shoulder with a yawn.

“Which creeper has snuck into my bed?” I mumbled, smiling all the more as my brain registered whose scent that was.

“The best kind.” Nix chuckled behind me, snuggling me closer.

My eyes remained closed as I shuffled into his embrace, enjoying the lazy, intimate moment that bloomed naturally.

Lips found my neck, and the innocent kiss made my toes curl. We’d all been so busy, tension so high, that it felt downright amazing to be getting some personal attention.

So, I clearly didn’t complain when Nix’s hand moved from my waist to under my camisole to cup my breast. His skin was warm, large hands covering the small mound as fingers teased my nipple.

Squirming in his grip, I didn’t pull away. Sure, we both had things we needed to do, but it felt almost necessary to steal this moment with him. In the swirling chaos, I anchored myself to his presence, letting it ground me in the moment and hold the stress at bay for at least a little while.

Eyes still closed, I hummed lightly as Nix kissed my neck, his teasing fingers circling my hardening nipple until they moved down steadily. I really hadn’t planned on doing this this morning, but I wasn’t about to stop him.

I could use the stress relief.

“Did you sneak in here just to mess around?” I laughed, nudging my butt into Nix’s obvious erection.

“You know, I honestly didn’t, but getting in here with you, with that delicious scent of yours, the way you feel against me, I just can’t help it.”

Nix’s fingers curled around my hip, digging into the soft flesh before slipping beneath my sleep shorts. Slowly, he brushed them across my folds; his featherlight touch had me tingling everywhere. He hadn’t even gone inside, simply smoothing over my skin to tease me.

“Nix,” I whined, wiggling my hips. “Please.”

He chuckled into my ear, his breath tickling my neck, then a finger slid up my seam until it found my clit, circling it quickly. I jerked against him, the sensation a welcome shock, and a tiny moan burst out of me.

Time and space blurred, responsibilities forgotten, as Nix fingered me, his cock pressing against my ass. I rubbed against him, hoping to spur him on. In only a few minutes, Nix had me whimpering as I fought the urge to cry out, letting the waves of release crash through me.

A heavy breath escaped me, and I hummed happily, melting into his embrace. Nix’s erection still pressed against me, and my pussy clenched at the thought of him filling me. It’d been a minute, and I wasn’t too embarrassed to admit that I was a little desperate.

“She needs more,” a rough, familiar voice said from the other side of the room, making me jump, gripping the sheets.

Bastian.