The Dragon

Lily had dreamt she would always find her one true mate. As part of the oldest dragon family, she had high hopes. When she still hadn’t found her mate at the age of nineteen, she began to worry. She knew what it meant if she couldn’t.

Fredrick Crawford was to be the next dragon alfa, after his father. This meant he wasn’t shown an ounce of tenderness or compassion. He was told of he hadn’t found his mate at twenty-one, someone would be picked for him to continue the blood lines. This made him bitter, knowing he may never find his true mate.

When the time came, Fredrick’s father went to Lily’s father. It was to be arranged that if Lily had no mate, she was to wed Fredrick. Lily cried when she learned she was being given to Fredrick. Everyone knew him as a true dragon; mean, uncaring, and bitter to his core. He was a cruel man like his father before him and a dragon’s temper didn’t help.

When Fredrick found out about Lily, he was disappointed. He had always had a thing for her. She was from the oldest and most respect family in the dragon clan, but she was also one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She had beautifully rustic colored copper hair, pale skin, and her eyes were a transparent green. She was the girl every man dreamed about and now she would be his.

When Lily met Fredrick for the first time, she had to admit he wasn’t a bad looking man. She knew girls swooned around the corner for him and now she knew why. He had bronzed colored hair and deep blue eyes and there wasn’t an inch of fat on him. She knew, however, that it was his cruelty, bitterness, and violent tendencies that made people cautious of him and that’s what scared her. Even though she was scared, she knew the one thing she had to do was give him an heir. She thought she would give it a chance to make it bearable.

At first, Fredrick treated her like the gem she was. He wanted everyone to know that even though she wasn’t his mate, he would still treat her with kindness and respect she deserved. She actually thought that it might work between them. After Fredrick’s alfa ceremony, it all changed. He stayed up late, sometimes never coming back. His father had left him a pile of responsibilities and no help to fix any of it. After dragons started going missing, he got a little violent. At first, the violence was strictly in the bed, which is how she got pregnant. She didn’t know it the first time they argued outside the room and he swung on her. She went to the doctor to make sure he hadn’t broken anything and that’s when she found out she was pregnant. She rushed to Fredrick’s office. She heard voices on the other end; more dragons had gone missing. Apparently, dragon blood and essence were beneficial to both witches and vampires. She knocked and heard his voice, rough and hateful.

“Come in.”

“Sorry to bother you.”

“It’s alright. What did the doctor say?”

“It’s actually why I’m here.”

“Everything alright?”

“Can I have a minute?”

“Guys, will excuse us. We will pick this up later.”

As the others left out, she sat on the large couch. Once he shut the doors, he came and sat next to her.

“I’m sorry about this morning. I didn’t hurt you did I?”

“No, but the doctor told me something.”

“What is it?”

“I’m pregnant.”

He sat there and took in what she said and got really excited. He got up and started to the door to tell someone, but then stopped. He turned towards her and sat back with her.

“What is it?”

“I wasn’t going to tell you this.”

“What?”

“The missing dragons are more than we thought. It’s bad.”

“What do we do about…”

“We won’t say anything. There is a wooded area beyond the city.”

“I know it. I’ve landed there sometimes.”

“I’m going to build you a place out there. Until I know who is exactly behind these attacks, I want you out there and safe with the baby.”

“Fredrick?”

“I mean it. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Okay. I’ll go.”

She waited and went to her new hide away. Now she saw less and less of Fredrick. He visited every so often, but not enough. Eventually, it became a bitter feud whenever they were in the same room. She wanted nothing more than to run back to her father, but she knew he wouldn’t take her back. The only day she knew happiness was when her son was born. He had Fredrick’s hair color, but thankfully her eyes. Austin was the center of Lily’s world and she planned to cherish every moment. She knew that once Austin was old enough, Fredrick would take him to begin his alfa training. She only hoped he wouldn’t end as bitter as his father. When Fredrick came to see Austin and Lily could see he was in a violent mood, she shut him from his son. He grew furious and took it out on her. She wanted nothing more than to take Austin and run far away. Her mother came to see her and advised her to stick it out. She told her of a place that was hidden where she could go to escape with Austin.

Lily found peace in her hidden world. It was by a small river where the southern dragons lived. They were a group of dragons that went across the river when the abductions started. She never saw anyone, but for some reason, she could smell coffee and leather by the river. This continued for weeks until the day she saw where the smell was coming from.

Shane Braggs went for a swim in the river every afternoon. Everything was the same, until he began to smell lavender and vanilla in the air. He smelt it for weeks until he had to find out where it was coming from, even though it meant going back across the river. Finally, he went and that’s when he saw her, the alfa’s wife and son. The alfa’s wife was his mate. How?

When Lily saw Shane, she cursed at the universe. She was married to the worst man imaginable and had his son and now she meets her mate. Shane came out of the water and all she saw was bronzed skin, midnight black hair, and violet eyes. The mate-bond was instant, and they thought of running away. They would find a way to be together. For now, they met in their secret place and Shane raised Austin part time. While Austin was down for a nap one day, Shane dared his luck and came to her place. That’s when she put in a secret hallway that led to a secret room where Shane stayed. Lily marked Shane as her mate and Shane marked her. Fredrick never slept with her anymore, so he’d never know. Austin was now old enough to know his father was an evil man and wanted Shane as his father. He knew though not to say a word about Shane.

Six months later, they were at the river when Fredrick found them. He had come to take over Austin’s alfa training. He saw Lily kissing a man that was next to her while Austin played. He became enraged and saw red. He took a deep breath and approached them. Shane immediately back off and showed him his alfa’s respect.

“Who is your friend, my Lily flower?”

“This is Shane Braggs. He belongs to the southern group of dragons.”

“The ones who fled?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What brings this way then.”

“Current from the river threatened to drag me under. She was kind enough to make sure I didn’t end up in a watery grave.”

“That was kind of you, Lily flower.”

“Yes, Fredrick. I couldn’t let Austin witness a man dying.”

“No. As alfa, he will be responsible for all the lives in this clan. Shane, why don’t you come back to the house and have supper with us. I’ve brought your favorite, Lily flower.”

“What is the occasion, my dear?”

“I’ve neglected you, lately and I am man enough to admit that. Let me make it up to you.”

“Of course.”

They all walked back to the house and both Lily and Shane grew nervous. Had Fredrick seen them? What was he planning? Once back at the house the table was set for everyone. Austin finished first and Fredrick told him to go up to bed. Once Austin was out of the room, Fredrick confronted them.

“Is he your mate, Lily?”

“Fredrick, please. Don’t do this.”

“Answer me.”

“Yes.”

“I met mine. You remember Gabby Anderson?”

“Gabby?”

“Yep. I’ve been sleeping with her ever since I found out.”

“Did you mark her?”

“Yes.”

“Then what you said earlier…?”

“For Austin.”

“Austin?”

“I will give you leave to be with Shane, but you can’t take Austin with you.”

“You can’t do that.”

“He is almost of age. I will be taking over his training soon anyway.”

“No, Fredrick.”

All of sudden Shane stood up and said something that surprised even him.

“Fredrick Crawford, I Shane Braggs challenge you for the right to be alfa.”

“Shane, what are you doing? He’ll kill you.”

“Challenge accepted.”

Lily went to bed with great fear that she would never see Shane again. Fredrick went back to the city and informed everyone of what was going to happen. Gabby was afraid for him, but he told her he could do it. Shane went to bed with Lily and cherished tonight with her. Tomorrow night wasn’t promised.

Shane went and told Austin goodbye and he cried. Austin knew where he was going. Shane arrived at the challenge pit and Fredrick was waiting. The fight was a winner takes all and Shane knew he had everything to lose.

Lily waited on pins and needles to feel the bond break. Three hours later, she heard the door open and Shane walked in looking like he went to war.

“I won. I beat him, Lily.”

“What?”

“I’m the new alfa.”

“Is he?”

“No. He still lives. He conceded.”

“Fredrick?”

“Yes.”

She got up and swung her arms around his neck. She couldn’t believe it. Lily and Austin went back to the city. They lived happily, the entire city did for two years. Shane went out on patrol after hearing of more dragons going missing when he saw Fredrick at the edge. He landed to talk to him.

“Fredrick?”

“Shane.”

“What are you doing way out here?”

“Gabby and I went for a walk earlier. Then she challenged me to a jog. I circled back cause I was ahead of her. That’s when I heard her scream. I got here in time to them put a spell on her and drag her away.”

“Who?”

“The witches.”

“I’m sorry Fredrick. When did this happen?”

“Three weeks ago.”

“Then why are you…?”

Before he had a chance to realize what happened, three witches appeared and snagged him. Shane was taken prisoner and Fredrick would be alfa again and have Lily and Austin again. As agreed, the witches knocked him out. The agreement was Fredrick would give them the alfa in exchange they would never touch Austin.

When Fredrick woke, the whole clan had discovered what happened. Gabby had been taken and so hadn’t Shane along with a few others. Fredrick woke up with Lily by his side.

“Lily flower.”

“Hush, Fredrick. You are still weak. They poisoned you, but the doctor managed to extract it.”

“Gabby? Where is she?”

“They took her. They took Shane, too. I can’t feel him. A few others were taken too.”

“I’m so sorry, Lily flower.”

“They didn’t take you. Why?”

“I shifted to try and get Gabby back.”

“That must be why they poisoned you.”

“Lily, I…”

“Save it. Recover. The clan still needs an alfa.”

“Austin. Is he…?”

“He’s alright. He needs guidance.”

“Are you asking me..”

“Yes. I wont much like it, but after what’s happened to both of us.”

“Agreed.”

Lily thought things would be back to normal. She hoped after being with Gabby, he wasn’t the same man. He was a better alfa and a better father. Austin payed attention to everything he had said and followed his lead. Lily thought everything would be alright.

She was in the hidden room when she heard voices. She stayed hidden and began to cry when she heard Fredrick’s voice and the sound of a witch.

“The alfa you gave us proved to be more difficult than you had anticipated.”

“What did you do?”

“We killed him. The woman you gave us was pregnant. She and her offspring will be more than enough.”

“We still have a deal, then?”

“We won’t touch your son or his mother.”

“Then, our business is done.”

“Good day, alfa.”

She stayed in the room for the rest of the day. Fredrick hadn’t changed. In fact, he got worse. He handed Gabby over. She had to tell Austin. She mind-linked him and warned him. Austin couldn’t believe it but would wait on his mother.

Lily confronted Fredrick and he admitted everything. Lily couldn’t believe it. Austin grew furious. He was only fourteen, but he understood more than he should. Over the next couple weeks, Lily closed herself in the country. Austin went to check on her one day and found a suicide note. His heart broke and he knew where to find her. He found her body by the river and buried her there. He confronted his father and he already knew.

He couldn’t stand to be around his father. His only friend ended up being the old cook, Ms. Johnson. No one knew where she came from, but everyone knew she was one of the few that achieved immortality. Not even Fredrick would challenge her. His father raised him to be as bitter as he was and at times, he succeeded. Thankfully, Austin remember his mother and with Ms. Johnson’s influence, Austin ended with a kind heart. He was skilled fighter, it’s the only time he would face his father. He was built like a brick wall and continued to push himself harder and harder to a point where no one, not even his father, could best him in a fight. To Fredrick’s dismay, Austin ended up being his mother. By the time he was sixteen, he could melt a girl’s heart with a single stare. He was a perfect mix of his parents. In the sunlight, his copper strands shown out against his rustic bronze hair. His facial hair matched the color on his head with a bit more red in it. His eyes were almost as transparent as his mother’s. His eyes, however, where a sea green with hints of blue, yellow, and red. A perfect mix of the colors that a girl could get lost in. He looked like a complete rouge without the behavior of one. Even though he could have any girl he could want, he only went on a few dates. He flirted relentlessly, but never slept around. The girls watched him train all the time with the hope of a glimpse of chiseled chest and abs. They loved seeing the hair on his chest and most fantasied about what was at the end of that trail that disappeared beneath his waist. This annoyed his father more than anything.

He called his son in one day and Austin already knew what he wanted. The same arrangement his father had with his mother. If he didn’t find a mate before he was twenty-one, someone would be found for him. He didn’t want that, but still hadn’t found his mate. He would not go through or put someone else through what his mother went through. She ended up taking her own life. His father pushed him and pushed him until one day, Austin had shifted early. Fredrick looked terrified. Austin’s dragon towered over him and would tower over his own dragon. Fredrick looked at the dragon before him. His son was cover in solid black scales and his wings were black that had the hints of red. As a dragon, he retained his mother’s eyes and they stood out against the black.

At seventeen, Austin left. He swore to his father that when he returned, he would take alfa from him, whether he had to kill him or not. He ended up in isolation and trained non-stop and pushed himself harder than ever.

Fredrick was walking through the house as was his ritual now after Austin’s birthday. It was two days after his twentieth birthday and still no one had heard or seen from Austin since he left. Fredrick was enraged that his son disrespected him in the way he did in front of the whole clan. As he walked to the courtyard, he heard a commotion that worried him. He stormed outside, ready to face witches again. What he got was a bigger black dragon than the one that had left. At first he doubted that it was Austin, but he knew better. His son was now a true built beast and he was here for him. When Austin shifted, his human form matched his dragon. Massive and intimidating and nothing but a beast. Austin dressed and looked his father straight in his eyes. Fredrick now had to look up a bit, for Austin now towered him. The whole clan had circled when they learned that Austin had returned. Fredrick knew the words Austin was going to say before he said them.

“I, Austin Crawford, challenge you, Fredrick Crawford, for the right to be Alfa of Dragons.”

Fredrick saw red, but he knew it was coming. He was furious he waited for the entire clan before he made the challenge, so he had no choice but to accept.

Austin knew his father couldn’t beat him before, but now he was no match. No one was. Austin beat the old man into the ground and nearly killed him. In less than an hour, the fight was over and Austin barley had a scratch on him. He was now Alfa of Dragons. Fredrick was taken to the hospital and was put into a medically induced coma until he recovered. The doctor said he had six broken ribs, a broken nose, a dislocated knee, a broken collarbone, a broken leg, and more cuts, scrapes, and bruises than you could count.

Austin felt accomplished. He had done what he set out to do. Now it was time for the other part; fix this clan and stop the abductions. By the next morning, he was going through all the papers, invoices, and invitations his father had scattered around. The man was so disorganized, he wondered how anything ever got done. Austin wanted to appoint a beta and called his good friend, Jake. Jake accepted and suggested a third one as well, like the wolves had so everyone stayed in order. Sean was called as the third and three friends would work on straightening the clan.

While sorting through everything, Sean saw an invite from King Raymond and handed it over.

“What is it, Austin?”

“Dear Fredrick Crawford, Alfa of Dragons. You are here by invited to the Gathering of Leaders. I understand that dragons have not accepted this invitation since grandfather was alfa. Every year I will send one in hopes that the dragons will rejoin us. Hope to hear from you and see you then.”

“Are you going to go?”

“Yes. I will write and inform them of the change in leadership and go. It’s in five months, so we have that long to try and fix this mess.”

“Yes, alfa.”

Austin knew he now faced his worse problem yet; socializing at a party. Thankfully, Ms. Johnson was there to help every step of the way. She taught him how to dance in case he should need it, but most importantly, how to present himself to the King and Queen. Austin dreaded the gathering, but he knew the dragons needed help and this was the way to do it. He had to do it for his clan.

What he didn’t know or expect was that his life would forever be changed by looking into a doll’s eyes.