The Dragons' Mates

Reforming the Hordes

Reforming the Hordes

Maximus POV

As I watch my Mina be accepted into her mate’s pack and then the pack members welcoming her, my chest swelled with pride. “Our daughter as become a fine young woman my love, I hope that you can see her,” I whisper. Callan must have heard me because he has understanding in his eyes and claps me on the back, “I’m sure she is watching and is proud of Mina and of MJ. They are both meant to be leaders.” I nod at Callan in thanks. Once Mina and Cara are able to break away from the pack, I call them over. Mina and Cara both come back up the porch and go to their mates’ sides. Jace and Devon both pull them closer into them and give them kisses on the head. ‘They both got good mates,’ Callan links me. ‘It’s a good thing or I would go to war over it,’ I link back. “Jace, we need to get over to the territory with Ralph and his sons so they can get the lay of the land. After yesterday’s display, Ralph, I want to talk with you about reforming the Bloodstone Horde,” I say. Jace nods his understanding and Ralph looks happy but deep in thought. I hear from behind me, “Alpha Jace.” I turn to see the wolf that Chase had shared blood with addressing us. “I would like to accompany you with a small team. We can scout for rouges and eliminate them,” the wolf states. “I think that is an excellent idea. It would be helpful for the Bloodstones to not have to worry about watching their back while they are getting a lay of the land and starting their work,” I say in a tone that agrees with what he is saying but leaving the decision up to Jace. As a leader, I understand not wanting someone else to step on my toes and give or accept orders or request. Jace nods, “I agree with you King Maximus, Stan, gather your group and meet us back here in 15 minutes.” Stan nods and heads out, obviously linking whomever will be joining. We are talking about what today should look like and what we are hoping to accomplish when my phone rings. I answer, “Colton, how are things going at the horde?” “Everything is running per usual my King. I have the list that you requested of Dragons wishing to stay here. It is mostly older Dragons that do not wish to leave. Some of their families are wanting to stay in order to stay together,” he says. “OK, send me the list. Callan, Toby and I will look it over with our new allies. I will be in touch,” I say and end the call.

“Let’s head over to the highest mountain on the territory so Ralph and his sons can see it,” I say. I was about to shift when Stan comes back up with five other wolves. I hear Kyle growl out, “MINE,” as he rushes forward and pulls the brunette she wolf to him. Stan crosses his arms, “You had better take care of my sister.”

Jace POV

Another pack member is mated to a Dragon. This is definitely getting interesting. Stan links me, ‘I am happy for Lynn but it sucks that she found her mate before me. I have been looking for four years now. At least she will be close if they decide to live with the Dragons.’ I feel bad for Stan. I know what it feels like to watch others find their mates and having to continue looking. Ralph clears his throat to get Kyle’s attention, “Son, I am glad that you have found your mate. Go claim her if she accepts you and meet us on the mountain.” With that Kyle scoops a giggling Lynn up and runs up to the room he stayed in last night.

MJ POV

Wow. Just wow. Is all I can think. Dragons have had a hard time finding mates. Apparently, it is because many of the younger generation are mated to non-dragons. I shake my head to clear it, “OK. Let’s shift and head out.” I shift and Gem climbs on my back. “Jace, after this I need to head back to my pack to introduce Ember and inform them of what is going on,” Dylan says as Ember shifts for him to climb up. “No, go ahead now. You must take care of your pack and they will be expecting to meet their Luna. Carter may kill you for waiting this long,” Jace says chuckling. Dylan nods and him and Ember fly off to his pack. That gives me an idea, ‘Steele, take Stacey and go with Dylan. I’m sure we will be fine.’ Steele nods, shifts and heads off after Ember.

After everyone has shifted, we fly off to the mountain top. We land and everyone shifts back. Ralph and his sons are surveying the area and talking amongst themselves. Lucy walks to the north side of the mountain top and says, “That is where my coven resides.” We all walk over to her to see where she is pointing. “The coven territory itself is small. Witches do not need as much space as shifters do,” She says. Chase observes and then looks at the map that we have that marks the border to the territory we purchased. “There is no claim on the area between our border and the Northern Witch coven. Why is that,” he asks. That is a good question. I look at Lucy hoping she can answer it. She looks down and says, “It’s because no one wants to have a border with a witch coven. They think that we will curse them if someone crosses the border.” I arch my eyebrow, “Would you?” She looks up with horror on her face, “Of course not! I mean, maybe some others might. But we have not practiced dark magic in almost a generation. I myself have never practiced it.” I nod. “Chase, what are you thinking?” “I’m thinking that the area is rocky and not suitable for most anyways. But, for Earth Dragons, it would be perfect. I mean, we like the mountains and all but prefer to be in the lower parts with a combination of rocks and dirt. We could easily transform the terrain to be suitable for our needs,” he says studying the map and then the terrain. I nod, “Callan, can you take Blade and get on purchasing that territory and any other that is nearby, especially if it borders an ally?” Callan and Blade shift and take off back to the pack house to get that taken care of.

“So, the Bloodstone Horde is really going to reform?” Ralph asks with hope in his eyes. My father steps forward and puts a hand on his shoulder, “Yes. It has been to long that rightful Alphas have not been where they belong.” I take the map from Chase and study it, “OK, I think that this mountain and the area to the east would be good for the Royal Horde, since it is mainly Fire and Air Dragons. Some Water Dragons may want to join as there is a spring at the base of the mountain here,” I say marking an area on the map. “The second mountain would be good for the Darkwing pack,” I say marking another area on the map. I also mark the area that is currently being purchased for the Bloodstone pack. “We will have to have a Horde meeting to determine who wants to go into what horde. I don’t want anyone feeling left out, but if we can spread out, I think that would help the Dragons’ numbers to go up,” I say looking to my father. I know that he is letting me take the lead on this as I will be taking over soon, but he is still in charge. “I agree. Very insightful MJ,” Dad says clapping me on the back. “Alright then, Ralph, this is where you take over,” I say just as Kyle flies over with his newly marked mate. He shifts and introduces her to us as Lynn. Stan walks over and shakes his hand welcoming him to the family and gives his sister a hug. Ralph fills Kyle in on what we are doing. Ralph splits his boys into groups and tells us, “We really just need you guys to keep a look out for us so we can focus on this. I think a few should go with each group. I nod and split everyone up, keeping mated couples together. We shift and head off with our designated group.

It has been about two hours. I am with Ralph, my dad, Gem, Chase, and Lucy. We are standing at the Northern border of our territory waiting to hear from Callan and Blade. Ralph and Chase are stomping on the ground sending out small seismic waves in order to get an idea of what the soil is composed of and if there are any structures that the need to be aware of. Gem is fascinated by what they are doing and is watching intently. I hear flapping coming our way and look up. Callan and Blade land close by, Stella gets off of Blade and they shift. Callan nods and says, “The sale is final and I sent off the papers to the councilman Milton to file.” Dad chuckles. With the sale being final we step into the new territory of the Bloodstone Horde.

We are walking along the territory Listening to our surroundings. Ralph and Chase are talking about whatever it is they need to, when I hear a loud snap! Everyone freezes. I listen and use Storm’s senses to figure out what made that nose. I notice that Stella has frozen. I can see that she is linking Blade. ‘MJ, Jace and Mina’s group was attacked by rouges. They are fine but told us to watch out,’ Blade links me. Suddenly I hear a loud roar to the right and a group of rouge wolves and a couple of bears jump out at us, teeth bared and ready to attack. I stand my ground and straighten to my full height and push my King’s aura out causing the rouges to cower back some. One of the rouges shifts, Blade and Chase are standing in front of their mates ready to attack and Ralph has moved Gem behind him. I am proud that they are recognizing their queen. My father has already shifted and is growling menacingly at the rouges. Some rouges take off at this, ‘Cowards,’ Dad links me.

I look at the rouge, “What do you want?” I ask pushing my aura through. “We were here first,” the rouge states simply. ‘MJ, these rouges do not have a scent,’ Blade links. “Why do you not have a scent?” I ask them. “We know people that help with certain things. I suggest that you leave now before we have to dispose of you,” the rouge says while the other rouges growl out their agreement. As I am about to shift, I smell Mina and the others coming closer. I can tell that they can as well, as they are looking around, and then seemingly out of nowhere, a wolf jumps on top of the rouge I have been talking with. In the blink of an eye, the wolf has the rouge rip to pieces. I shift to Storm and let out a deafening roar. I move to the nearest rouge and swipe out my talons, catching it in the side as is lunges towards me, sending it into a nearby tree with a sickening crack. Mina swoops down, grabs one, and flies up a little, only to drop it to its death.

I hear another roar as a huge black bear comes barreling through the trees behind the fight. This bear smells familiar. He lunges at one of the rouge bears, taking it down with relative ease then pins the other bear to the ground. As the other rouges are taken care of, we shift back to human forms. As I thought, the huge, black bear that joined us is Bryant. “You guys started the party without me,” Bryant jests as he pulls the rouge he has pinned to his feet. Another man steps towards Bryant, handing him clothes, and taking the prisoner, placing cuffs on the rouge. The rouge hisses in pain. Must be silver. Once Bryant is dressed, he turns back to me, “So, it seems you guys have had some fun.” “Yes, well, we would have invited you if would have known we were going to have so much fun,” Gem responds to him. Bryant laughs and I pull her into me. She pouts, “I can fight too. I don’t need to be shoved behind a man whenever something happens.” “I know my darling, Ralph was protecting is future queen. He would have done it to Mina if she was here, and then he would have gotten his ass kicked because Mina would not have liked that either. I love that you are strong and not helpless,” I say and lean down to kiss her pouting lips. Ralph clears his throat to get my attention.

“We have enough information for now. We can head back. I think some more of the horde is coming in today. I know that a few Water Dragons are coming in order to look at expanding the springs on the territory and to purify it if need be,” Ralph states. I nod and turn to Bryant, “Alpha Bryant, who is this?” “Oh, I apologize. With everything going on I forgot that Tim was not with me at the Gathering. This is Tim Whitepaw, my youngest brother and Beta,” Bryant responds. Tim walks forward and extends his hand, “It is an honor to meet you Prince Maximus Junior,” I take his hand and shake it, “Please, call me MJ. We are allies after all and you assisted us with this rouge situation.” “Yes, we need to interrogate this one,” Tim says gesturing to the rouge bear he has tied up. “Yes, little brother. I would also like to know why one of our cousins has decided to go rouge,” Bryant says eyeing the rouge with malice. The rouge is visibly shaking. Jace steps forward and says, “Let’s take him to our territory, you can put him in a cell and he can think about if he wants to talk or be tortured.” “I like your plan Alpha Jace. I would also like to meet some of the other Dragons that have come in, if that is OK,” Bryant says. I nod in agreement and shift. ‘My darling, please climb up and I will fly us back, Ralph, can you fly back Tim and the Rouge, Dad can you fly back Bryant?’ Ralph nods and shifts to his Dark brown dragon. Chase tells Bryant that they are going to ride on Ralph back to the territory. Bryant and Tim look excited while the rouge looks like he might pee himself. ‘Chase, warn that rouge to not pee on Boulder or he may not make it back to Jace’s territory.’ Chase relays the message and the rouge is now shaking violently. Once everyone is shifted and aboard a Dragon, we take off.

Mina POV

Jace, Trevor, Kyle, Kyle’s mate Lynn, Stan, and myself are on the Eastern Border. It has been about two hours since we parted from the others. Trevor and Kyle are doing their thing. Everyone else is staying vigilant looking for rouges. Jace said that this area has been know to have rouges as it is not as mountainous as farther in. We have seen a few of Alpha Bryant’s border patrol. We informed them what we were doing so they would not be nervous. Alpha Bryant showed up after us speaking with his border patrol along with a man that he introduced to us as his Beta and youngest brother Tim. We were all talking about how to best patrol this border since it is the least mountainous and could draw rouges to it. “Ember suggested that we could put a barracks near the border that both of our patrols could use,” I say remembering what Ember had said. “I like that idea Princess,” Alpha Bryant says. “Please Alpha Bryant, call me Mina,” I tell him. He laughs, “Then you and Jace can call me Bryant. We are allies that share borders. There is no need for formalities when it is just us.” We all nod and get back to talking about the barracks and possibly putting up a watch tower that would allow the guards to see farther. Bryant’s border patrol seemed to like the idea.

As we were talking, I realized that the surrounding area had gotten eerily quiet. ‘Jace, do you hear anything,’ I link. Jace looks around and sniffs the air. ‘I don’t smell anything, but it is too quiet,’ he replies. I give Trevor and Kyle a look and I assume that Jace linked Stan and his warriors. I am looking around when we are suddenly surrounded by 15 rouge wolves. Everyone is growling at each other. Jace steps forward, as does Bryant, “What are you doing her rouges?” One rouge shifts back and smirks at us, “We were here first, plus, we have heard that there are new tenants. We can’t have that. You are trespassing here, but we can forgive you and let you leave if you give us those two beauties. We need a couple of she wolves to give us pups and keep us entertained.” Jace and Kyle roar “MINE!” Grabbing us and pulling them to their sides. I role my eyes and say, “As you can see, we are both marked and mated. We will not be going with you, and you are the ones that are trespassing. I suggest you leave before I decide to roast you.” The rouge laughs at my statement and signals for the others to move in. We all shift. Kyle and I let out deafening roars. Some of the rouges shift back, “What the F**K?” Kyle swipes his talons at the rouges and then smashes his tail on the ground causing the ground to shake. Jace, Stan, Bryant and the other warriors have launched themselves into the fray. I take off from the ground and blow fire behind the rouges, cutting off their exit. I see a rouge lunge for Jace and I whip my tail sending a spike that lodges into the rouge’s side. Trevor has grabbed hold of a rouge and has dived under the ground. When he surfaces, the rouge is not with him. A couple of the rouges have shifted back and surrendered. The others were now dead.

We shift back and Bryant and Tim are flabbergasted that we still have clothes. Bryant dresses and stalks over to the rouges that surrendered, “Are there more of you?” The rouges are pale and look like they are about to pass out, “Yyyyyeess, tthere are some going aaafter a ggroup in the nnorth.”

Jace POV

I am in awe of my mate and her Dragon companions. They can definitely handle their own. They didn’t even break a sweat in this fight. I still can’t believe that Kyle made an earthquake and Trevor buried a rouge. I shuttered thinking about being buried alive. Bryant has gotten one of the rouges to talk. DAMNIT! ‘Stella! Are you with the group at the North border?’ ‘Yes, Alpha,’ She responds. ‘We were just attacked by rouges. They said that there are more coming for your group. Be on the lookout, we are on our way to you,’ I say cutting the link. “We need to head to the group on the North border,” I say. Trevor, Kyle and Mina shift. I climb onto Mina, Stan onto Trevor, and Lynn onto Kyle. Bryant and Tim shift to their bears. “Stay here with in case there are any more. Link me if there are,” I instruct the warriors with us and we take off.

We are almost there and I hear the roar of a Dragon. I see rouges attacking. As Mina descends, I shift into my wolf and jump on to a rouge that is in human form. I quickly tear him apart as Mina swoops down to pick one up only to drop him from a good height. There was a sickening crunch. He was obviously dead. Bryant and Tim came barreling through the trees and pinned one of the rouge bears. Once everything was settled. We all shifted back. Time dressed quickly and then took the rouge that Bryant had while he got dressed, ‘We need to do the blood transfer with them if you are OK with that sweetheart,’ I link Mina. She nods. We decide to head back to our territory as more Dragons are coming in and Bryant can take, I guess his cousin, to the cells to question. The Dragons all shift and we are all able to get a ride back.