Claimed By The Last Kind

A Dangerous Obsession

Chapter 4 – A Dangerous Obsession

Fred's POV

The lair was still, save for the distant sizzling of fire. The smoke hung in the air, and there was something else. something him.

Drake.

I felt him before I could see him. The weight of his presence in my chest made it more difficult to breathe, but not out of fear. No. This was different.

Something deeper. Something darker.

He was curled up a few feet away from me, his massive body rising and falling with each heavy breath. Even resting, he was terrifying. His black scales glistened in the poor light, his wings folded up against his back, his long tail stretched out on the floor like a coiled snake prepared to strike. His power filled the entire room, overpowering, unchallenged.

I ought to have been afraid. I ought to have felt the need to run.

But all I could sense was hunger.

A twisted, unexplainable hunger.

I sat up, extending my arms. The rock under me was cold, hard against my palms, but I barely noticed. My head was all about him.

I touched my fingers to my lips, remembering last night—the kiss. The tension in his muscles, the warning in his golden eyes.

"Never move closer to me again."

But how was I to listen? How was I not to desire more?

Drake was flames and ruin. He was a monster, a beast.

And yet, all I could think of was to touch him again.

A Forbidden Touch

My breath was caught as I struggled to stand, my body pushing itself up.

I moved a step forward.

One.

Then another.

Drake did not stir. His breathing remained steady, deep.

I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling ever so slightly as I reached out my hand.

One touch only.

That was all I required.

I stroked my fingers against the frozen smooth scales on his back—

A roar.

A deafening, earth-shaking roar resounded through the lair.

The shock sent pebbles and dust flying off the ceiling, the noise vibrating through my bones. A blast of heat erupted from Drake's body as he sprang to his feet, his massive form towering over me, golden eyes ablaze with rage.

His wings spread, shutting off the light, casting a shadow over me like a predator in wait.

My heart sped up.

Not from fear.

From excitement.

Drake's nostrils flared, smoke billowing out of his mouth. His tail slammed down onto the ground with a boom, his entire body radiating fury.

"DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH?!" he roared, his voice thundering through the lair.

I didn't move.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't cringe.

Instead, I smiled.

A slow, deadly smile.

Drake's eyes widened, his body taut as though bewildered by my response.

"Why aren't you afraid?" His tone was lower, still cold, but infused with warning.

I angled my head slightly, my smile broadening. "Should I be?"

His claws spasmed. His tail lashed at his back. The flame in his throat burned, contained but tenuous.

"Humans shake in terror at the mere sight of me," he growled, stepping closer to me. "They run. They beg for mercy."

I gazed back into his eyes, my own never wavering. "I am not them."

A muscle jumped in his jaw. The warm light of his eyes darkened, unreadable.

The Game Begins

The silence between us was thick with something I couldn't put into words.

And then, in a flash of movement, Drake shifted.

With a single smooth motion, his tail encircled my waist, lifting me off the ground with ease.

I gasped as wind was forced from my lungs as he pulled me up to his level. His massive claws buried themselves in my chin, holding me in place to stare up at him.

"Listen to me, human," he growled against my face, his breath warm. "You do not touch me. You do not disobey."

I swallowed, my heart pounding. But still, I smiled.

"You're fascinating when you're angry," I breathed.

Drake's grip on me lessened.

For a moment, I was terrified he'd squeeze me, kill me where I stood.

But then something in his eyes ignited—something dark, something ripped.

His claws loosened on me, his tail uncoiling as he released me to thud back onto the cold stone floor.

I fell gently, my legs shaking, but I held his gaze.

Drake took a harsh breath, stepping back. "Keep your distance."

I stroked my hair, my heart still pounding.

"I can't."

Drake turned around, his wings huffing. "Then you will suffer."

I laughed, stepping forward again, taunting him. "Then let me suffer."

His wings burst apart in a whoosh, and he let out a low, warning growl. But I saw it now—the hesitation. The c***k in his armor.

I was getting to him.

And I wasn't going to let up.