Dragon Alpha's Special Mate

13. Not Without Consequence

Sophia

We’ve been awake for a week, and I’ve been grounded the entire time. Based on the amount of yelling both my parents did after they knew I was truly okay, I’ll be grounded for the foreseeable future. Still, Ax sneaks over when everyone’s gone to sleep. One of the many benefits of being able to fly now that we have our dragons.

And it’s not like they can stop us from talking. Whatever connection we have isn’t severed by space. So far, no matter where we are, we can link.

We’ve kept our relationship a secret by request of Alpha Marina. She doesn’t think anyone will understand. I’ve complied completely, but I don’t know how long Ax will be able to keep it a secret.

He didn’t want to wait one single day.

But, with school out until break’s over, we haven’t really been able to tell anyone anything.

Despite being grounded, Alpha Marina invited me and my parents over for dinner tonight, so I’m actually allowed to go. I really wanted Sapphire to help me get ready, but her not coming over was part of her punishment for lying to her parents.

I feel bad that she got in trouble for letting me get ready at their house without telling them of our true purpose.

But, I don’t have time to dwell on that now, I need to get ready.

I put on a beautiful dress that Ax got me. It’s something I’d never have gotten myself. It’s long and bright green. It actually looks amazing on me. He’s got a great sense of style when it comes to what I should wear. Or maybe it’s the constant compliments he gives me. My confidence has grown tenfold since being locked in the void with him.

Once I’m satisfied with how I look, I walk out of my room, stilling when I hear my dad complaining to my mom.

“I told you, I don’t want her dating him.”

“And I told you, you can’t stop them. They think they’re mates. Until they’re 17 and realize it’s nothing, we have to go along with it.”

“She has a bright future! She shouldn’t be sandbagged by him. He’s going to hold her back.”

“She will have a bright future because she’s our daughter. No one is going to take that away from her. We just have to give it time.”

“Alpha or not, dragon or not, he’s a guy. He’s interested in her for one thing and one thing only. As soon as he defiles my little girl, he’s going to be done with her. Then, her soulmate won’t ever want her.”

I’m tired of them talking about him like that. He’s a good guy. He hasn’t even tried to kiss me since we were inside that weird place. And that was only because we thought we were going to die.

I step into the kitchen, staring at them both.

“Maxson is perfect for me. You should be happy someone like him is interested in someone like me.”

My parents share a look before their eyes land back on me.

“We’re just worried about you, honey.”

I stare up at my dad, shaking my head at him.

“He hasn’t even tried to kiss me!”

Maybe not the best thing to say. Dad steps closer to me, giving me a stern look like he always does when he’s upset about what I’ve done or said.

“He better not have, considering you’re not supposed to be seeing each other.”

I roll my eyes; they couldn’t keep us apart if they tried.

“Are you coming or not? Because we’re going to be late.”

I walk toward the front door, hearing my mom quickly grab her things to come with. My dad is slow to follow, and I decide not to let it ruin my wonderful night with my mate and his family.

~

We walk into the gorgeous dining room to see Malakai, Marina, Damari, and Ax sitting at the table. As soon as I walk in, Ax stands up, and my stomach drops, like it always does when I see him.

He does such a great job at keeping his composure when he sees me. That smooth, confident smile is always on his face. Meanwhile, I’m over here with sweaty palms and rosy red cheeks just because he looked in my direction.

“Don’t be so naive, child. He’s ten shades of flustered under that facade.”

Auriel's words only make me blush harder.

Ax reaches us, and he’s about to pull me into a hug. Instead, my dad steps between us, reaching his hand out to force him to shake it first. He’s so freaking embarrassing.

After we all say our hello’s, we finally get to sit down. Ax is there in a second, pulling out my chair for me.

I blush as I thank him, and he sits across from me.

“You look beautiful in that dress. Green is definitely your color.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Thank you all for making time to come tonight. As you may have guessed, I have something to discuss with you all.”

Alpha Marina stares me down, and I feel my mouth go dry as her eyes stay on mine. It’s intimidating as an Alpha, but somehow, it’s even worse knowing she’s my mate’s mother.

“We are going to be celebrating Maxson’s birthday tomorrow. He will reveal his dragon's name, and we will fly as a family. We have seats saved for you at the front.”

My face lights up as I look at Ax, but he doesn’t look as excited.

“Seats for her parents, right? Because she’s flying with us.”

The room stills as I look at him, my mouth dropped open. I can’t fly with them. We’re not family… At least not yet.

“Max, we talked about this.”

“I don’t care, mom. She’s my mate. I want to fly with her, or I don’t fly at all.”

“We talked about this, as well. We’re going to continue keeping this a secret because you don't get your mate until you're 17. How do we explain it to everyone?"

“I don’t care!”

Ax stands up, his chair flying backward with force as he looks down at her. She doesn’t look like his outburst has phased her in the slightest. She’s faced much tougher battles than her fifteen-year-old son. While he’s unphased, everyone else in the room stops what they’re doing to watch him interact with the alpha. Though, right now, it’s not an Alpha he’s talking to. That’s his mom.

“It’s okay, Ax.”

I try to use our connection to calm him, but with the sudden burst, I forget to link him and say it out loud. All eyes are on me as Marina lifts her eyebrows.

"Ax?"

"Everyone calls him Max or Maxson, and I want something unique, so Ax."

"You've only known each other for a week."

"But we were in there together for what felt like months until we got to the portal.”

We said we were going to keep it a secret, but it seems Ax wants to use it as leverage. Marina studies us, tapping her fingers against the table before opening her mouth, using her Alpha authority to command the room to her will.

“Everyone but Maxson and Sophia leave. Now.”

Everyone but my father gets up as he stares at her, challenging her.

“Daddy, please.”

He looks down at me as I beg him to go away. His eyes soften as he looks at me, finally shaking his head and standing up. Before he leaves, though, he looks at Marina, his disdain for her evident.

“You may control them, but you do not control me.”

My heart pounds as my dad just basically told our Alpha that he doesn’t respect her. Whether you’re in her court or not, Marina sacrificed so much for all of us.

“Oh, Ryder. I know exactly who controls you.” My dad's face falls slightly; I’ve never once seen his composure slip. “Now, should I call the human leader, or are you going to leave?”

Dad’s composure is back in the form of a smirk before you know it. He doesn’t say anything as he leaves the room, causing me to turn back toward Marina.

She’s leaning back as a subtle smile crosses her face, and she taps her fingers together.