The Alpha Dragon’s Prisoner

Feeling Like Crap-Tika

As I watch him walk away quickly I can only stare at the meadow floor. When I saw it at first I thought it was the most beautiful place that I have ever seen. The air was sweet because of the flowers and they were so soft as I ran my hands along him. Now as I stare at the meadow floor, it feels almost as if it is now tarnished. The air now has a bitterness to the sweet aroma.

With a deep breath I finally take my eyes from the floor and look around. The man, Maximus, who is able to disappear just looks at me. I can't help my eyes that flicker to his bare upper body. Seeing that he is scarred I quickly look away as I wonder what to do next. Xander told him to take me back to where I would be staying. I guess we will do that now.

"Uh, why don't you just follow me" he says after clearing his throat. He puts his back to me as he takes the same exit as Xander before and I lift my feet to follow him as I think. How could he just talk to me like that? Did he honestly expect me just to handle all of this so easily? I'm still having trouble trying to accept the reality of my situation.

Just yesterday I was only worried about surviving another day as myself. To keep the only thing I had left. To protect myself from the guards in the prison. I had no idea that they would be shipping me off to become the breeding partner of one of these....these things. Do they even have the same anatomy that we do? Shaking my head I try to clear it of these thoughts but it's no use.

For some reason after our conversation I feel guilty. Like I just messed up something momentous. He may not have thought about killing me before but he is probably considering it now that I have refused him. One thing that I have learned during my time in prison is that men hate to be refused. Most of them will just try to take it anyway and not care how it affects you.

"We heading to the clinic or are we taking you to the cabin?" he ask me as he continue to walk ahead of me. He ask the question nonchalantly but I can tell from his tone that he is angry. I haven't even said anything to him or done anything to him. If he has something to say then he might as well say it. Deciding that I don't want to provoke him too much because I know what he is, I take the easier option.

"What is it that you think I should do?" I ask him as I stop walking. He turns to face me with an arrogant smirk on his face as he appraises me. The look he gives me causes chills to run down my spine and I know that I won't like what he has to say.

"Look lady, I'm not one for the touchy feely s**t, feel me. So, I'm going to give it to you straight. This thing you got with him, it aint going to be all cup cake and rainbows. It's the real deal. Neither one of you want it. I get it. I been there too. But here you are. So why not at least give it a shot?" he says surprising me.

He doesn't wait for an answer as he turns to continue walking. My feet move automatically as my mind races once more. if I were to give it a shot, then I really don't have anything to lose. The worst that could happen by giving it a shot is that it doesn't work. On the other hand if I don't give it a shot, would I regret it. This is the big thing that seems to be bothering me apparently.

I frown when we walk past the other prisoners that are all sitting outside of a cabin. As we walk by I can't help but to count to make sure everyone is still there. Yup, still nine people. We round the next bend and the clinic comes into view. I really would prefer staying in one of the cabins so that I have easier access to being outside. However, I guess the clinic would be fine and I won't have to share my room with another.

When the clinic comes closer I automatically turn to head towards the door I had exited before. Before I can reach the floor his voice stops me in my tracks. "We have changed your accommodation since you have been matched with someone. It's just a few more houses ahead. Someone has already been given instructions to bring you food and some more clothes to wear" he says still not looking back.

With a shrug we walk over a few more houses and we enter. The smell that hits me as I walk through the door instantly causes me to relax. The scent is so appealing and I instantly know that I am going to like staying here. As he leads me to the stairs, I peek at the black furniture in the living room and what looks to be some sort of office beyond it. At the top of the stairs there are three doors.

One of the doors is already open and I can instantly see that it is a well-designed bathroom. The decorations that line the floor and walls are a soft gold filament that makes it appeasing to the eye. I instantly want to make good use of the large claw foot tub that I see. He opens a door and gestures for me to go inside.

My first thought when I enter the bedroom is in awe. The room is burgundy and different shades of brown. The bed set has deep red roses all over it with pillowcases to match. There is a large mirror on top of the dresser and looking into it causes me to frown at my appearance. My brown hair is all over the place and even appears to have knotted in a few place. My once pristine orange jumpsuit is now faded and covered in a thin layer of dirt and debris from the meadow.

I quickly turn away to find him eyeing me as I survey the room. "Thank you for bringing me here" I say meaning it. He almost looks taken aback that I have thanked him but instead of saying something he gives me a quick nod. He really is a man of few words.

"Don't freak out. I need to have someone bring you a few things to wear" he says. I have no idea why I would freak out but I guess that I will find out soon. I watch as his blue eyes cloud over. It looks so weird and he stares off into space as he does it. His eyes still appear to be blue but it's like the shine to them is gone. I find the look almost creepy but I am unsure of why it has happened. I start to step forward to see if he is okay when I suddenly jump back and scream as someone pops up in front of me.

"Oh jeez. I am sorry about that. I'm still getting used to the whole jumping through space thing and it takes time to step out the ether. I really didn't mean to frighten you" She says in a rush as she holds out her hand.

I stick my hand out timidly to shake hers even though I am a bit freaked out but also curious. Could she be a female dragon? Looking at her appearance I realize that she is awfully short. One could really just call her tiny because of her height. Her hair is beautiful with its different shades of brown and her curls are really bouncy. She wears a robe like I have seen many of the others do and it seems that she has even more of them in her hands.

As my gaze travels over her, I can also see a growing bump. It's obvious to anyone that looks at her that she is pregnant. A throat clears and I realize that I have just been staring at her as I held her hand. I quickly let it go and fight not to hide the blush that has spread over my cheeks. "I'm Tika" I tell her trying to cover up the awkward moment.

"It's so nice to meet you. My name is Emily. I am Maximus' mate." She says with a bright smile as they exchange a look. I could only describe the look as one of heat as I watch him change before my eyes. He steps forward and wraps his arms around her as a low thrumming sound leaves his chest. His head leans down to her neck and I watch as he sniffs her briefly.

Finding the moment really intimate, I move my gaze off of them and look at the room that I will be staying in once more. After hearing him ask if she is okay and checking on the baby, she addresses me once more.

"So Tika I was instructed to bring you a few things that might make you feel at home. There are two changes of clothes here. We do have pants but majority of the people that you see here will be wearing these robes. I didn't want you to feel out of sorts about it so I chose some colors based off of the description I was given" she says as she hands me the pile.

I take it gratefully and immediately smile when I see that there are no tones of orange in sight. As I peek through the pile I also see that she has included some under garments for me to. "Thank you Emily. These will work just fine" I tell her as I place them on the bed. She shares another look with Maximus and he quickly exits the room. I watch him go as I wonder about his abrupt departure.

"So, I don't have much time but I did want to share a few things with you" she says as she holds my gaze. I nod for her to continue and so she does. "I know you were probably wondering so I will just tell you. Yes, I am human and I am also pregnant. I am not here against my will. I choose to be here. They actually took me back to where I was staying and I decided to come back." She says as she takes a seat on the bed.

I decide to take a seat also and listen to her with rapt attention. "When I first met them, I will admit that I was terrified. As I got to know them however, I realized that they are different from us. Most of those differences are good though. They may have tempers but they don't hurt the people that they love. If you give them the opportunity, they can love you too" she says as she looks at me pointedly.

"I don't know if I can do that." I tell her honestly.

"Well, I know that I don't have the right, but I am going to ask you to try. I know that there is a lot that you don't understand about them. They will answer questions though. They will answer them all if you ask. As a human who has experienced the mate bond, I can tell you that it is like no love that I have ever seen. I am able to love him because I know all of him. I have shared in his memories. The good ones and the bad ones. The bond isn't just s****l even though that is a perk" she says with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "It's about two people who fit together to make a big picture. You just have to decide if after getting to know him, if you want to be a part of the full picture" she says honestly.

"What happens to him, if I don't choose the bond in the end" I ask her wanting to know. I need to know.

"That is something that I cannot answer. It hasn't happened yet. You are the third dragon mate to be found when there are a thousand of them. When we part from out mates there are physical signs of illness on both parts after the bond is completed. If either of you were to reject the bond though, I don't think that both would be able to survive" she says quietly.

The ominous tone of her voice causes fear inside me. I know she is just being honest but what she just said scares me. I do have to question if it is really possible to need someone so much that you physically can't live without them. I have never heard of anything like that happening. Before I can ask the question however Maximus walks back into the room.

"Time to go love. If you want to get your eight hours then you have about one hour to get into bed" he says pointedly.

"If I have an hour, then why do we need to leave now?" she says cheekily. She has a smile on her face and I can easily see that she is flirting with him.

"Because I will have you women. And you will get your eight hours. I can always carry you off little one" he threatens with a smile on his own as she chuckles.

"Well, I guess this is my cue to leave. I hope that everything fits well. By the time you shower and change, food will be delivered for you downstairs. I look forward to seeing you again soon." With that farewell she rises from the bed and walks over to her mate. He holds his arms out for her and she steps into them with a smile. He winks in my direction and they promptly disappear leaving me alone in my new room. With nothing else to do, I head to the bathroom to wash up. I might as well take a hot bath before eating I think as I run the water.