Her Dragon (Book 2 of The Circle Series)

CHAPTER 9: PLANS

AMADEO

“Did you have this place built? Or was it already on your land?”

Giada shows me around the main floor and leads me to a long wooden table. Her home is quite spacious and modern but still maintains a cottage feel. It’s great for an Alpha and Luna who want to be close to their pack and want some privacy for their growing family.

I wonder if Valentina knows her cousin is pregnant with twins. Judging by her flat stomach, and the fact that I could now hear two tiny heartbeats thumping away that weren’t audible at the wedding, I would guess she’s not too far along.

“Sebastian gutted the original cottage and built and redesigned the majority himself. I take very little credit for all of this,” she gushes. “I’ve chosen a bit of furniture here and there, but he has a knack for design.” She takes out two wine glasses, fills the one in front of me, and places the other at the head of the table.

“Your mate is a jack of all trades, as they say here.”

Her smile widens. “He is, and he should be home in 15 minutes. Some unruly teens caused a ruckus in the entertainment room, and he’s dealing with them.”

“I don’t envy him. Teenagers are challenging. I met some of your pack in training while you were on your honeymoon. Skilled for their age, but a tad arrogant.”

Giada smiles. “Oh yeah, I heard all about that in our youth group. They loved it. They aren’t so bad, though, but maybe I’m biased as a high school teacher.”

Valentina had mentioned she teaches as well. They were born into a family of leaders; I wonder if they realize their destiny has always been to lead in some way or other.

“I imagine he could’ve sent his Beta or his Gamma.”

“Mhmm. Packhouse stuff is usually Christian’s job, but I’ve learned from a few meetings with other packs that Sebastian is very hands-on compared to some Alphas. The ones involved in today’s mess are some of his more promising future warriors, so he wanted to talk to them personally. He holds them to a higher standard than the rest of their peers.” She picks up a wooden spoon and stirs the food.

I’ve always known Sebastian would be a formidable Alpha. The way his mind worked and the respect he commanded at a young age during his time at the shifter camp showed me his potential.

“What are you cooking in there? I smell mussels and clams, maybe even some shrimp?”

“You’ve got an excellent nose! It’s risotto alla pescatore. This is one of my family’s favorites. I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will.”

She hums in agreement. She spoons some rice, tastes it, and adds more salt to the pot. When she looks up, her expression turns serious.

“Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way, what are your plans with my cousin?”

I sip from my wine slowly. “Plans?”

“Don’t play slow with me. It doesn’t suit you. She told me about the Witch Council, but she’s tight-lipped about her personal life, and I haven’t forgotten how I found the two of you at my wedding.” She glances towards my pants and smirks. “What happens if you convince her to go to this dinner in Spain? And don’t think I’ve overlooked that it could be taking place anywhere in the world, and somehow it’s where you’re from.”

I did not expect this tonight. Not at all. She seemed so docile and precious at her wedding. “It’s a coincidence really. Two members of the Witch Council live in Spain.”

“Mhmm. Spain is a large country. Tell me the dinner isn’t happening near your home and I’ll believe you. Tell me you don’t plan on showing her your home and how you live to impress her.” I don’t answer her because that’s precisely what I plan on doing. “I knew it. You want her to stay there with you, don’t you?”

“We just met.” But she knows as well as I do that means nothing to shifters. “I know that I enjoy her.”

“I know you do; I can feel it, but I’d like to know why?”

I have little experience with empaths, but they’re worse than seers with what they understand. She looks at me with her intelligent, big green eyes, and it’s as though she’s stripped me naked and knows all my thoughts. You’d think I’d be used to witches and their eerie ability to see right through you.

“My dragon, he likes her.”

She frowns deeply. Wrong answer.

“Your dragon? What about you?” Her eyes narrow suspiciously, and when I don’t answer, she puts the wooden spoon down, and her hands go to her hips. Her hips! I love it. She’s about to scold me. Sebastian has himself a feisty Luna. I want to laugh, but I don’t dare, especially not when she’s in control of my food.

“We are one and the same. Valentina is strong and quick-witted, and I like that she isn’t afraid to challenge me. It’s refreshing.”

“Are you just looking for some fun, or do you want her as a …?”

Mate.

The word has been rolling around in my mind since the first moment I saw her. I quit denying the way she calls to my beast days ago.

I nod slowly.

“And you’re sure about that?”

“Very. Dragons choose their mate, as you probably know. We’re the only shifters who do. We don’t have an instantaneous moment where we recognize our mate like werewolves. It’s more a series of small moments. Their scent is addictive, your beast becomes restless in their presence, and the pull to be with them becomes stronger and stronger until the last piece of the puzzle clicks into place, which is our heart, and we fall in love.”

“Sounds very romantic. Do you think you’re in love with her already?”

I clear my throat. “I can see myself falling in love with her easily.”

She picks up the spoon and continues to stir. It’s quiet for a bit, and I can tell she’s considering my words.

“Have you told her? About wanting her as a mate?” she asks as Sebastian walks in the front door.

He comes over and smacks me roughly on the back. “Hey, big guy.” Then he makes his way to his mate, hugging her from behind and nuzzling her neck.

“Smells good, Green Eyes.” He kisses her mark and nips it lightly. I catch the slight tremor of her body that she tries to hide.

She pushes him away with her hips, and he grips her harder and whispers in her ear, “Mine!” His growl is low but possessive nonetheless.

She laughs, looking my way somewhat flushed, but she doesn’t say anything.

Yeah, I want all of this.

“What’s going on, Serrano? Are you enjoying the Toronto winter?” he asks, walking over to the table. He pours himself some wine.

“Amadeo was just telling me that he wants to take Valentina as his mate,” Giada interrupts.

“You’re shitting me?” he grins mischievously, but he doesn’t seem surprised in the least. “Does Valentina know this?”

Giada sighs. “That’s what I asked.” She plates the food and places it in front of us. It smells delicious.

“I’ve made it abundantly clear I’m interested, but I haven’t mentioned the word mate. Something tells me she won’t be particularly receptive to the idea.”

Sebastian laughs loudly, but I don’t see the humor in this. I’d love to have claimed Valentina already, but she’s headstrong, and I know any mention of it this soon will have her shutting down and pushing me away. I have to be smart.

“Witches believe we can have multiple soulmates in a lifetime. Soulmates can even be platonic. They can be anyone in our lives. Our fundamental ideas about love, pleasure, and fulfillment are different than shifters.” She turns to Sebastian. “My nonna used to say Dottie was her soulmate. Their friendship was beautiful and easy, and it withstood all their failed marriages combined.” She pauses for a few moments, clearly reminiscing. “She raised Valentina. Our nonno was her second husband, and she only married him because he begged for years and wore her down, and that was after our moms were born. In the 70s, women weren’t exactly accepted for having children out of wedlock, but she didn’t care. She raised Valentina to be independent.” She sits down at the table and picks up her fork. “Anyway, what I’m getting at is mates come off as possessive and controlling at times, and it can be overwhelming for people who grow up as freely and independently as witches. I didn’t appreciate or welcome the intensity of the mate bond at first.”

“And now?” I ask. “The risotto is wonderful, by the way.”

Giada beams.

“Now she loves it, obviously,” Sebastian responds.

She rolls her eyes at him. “It takes getting used to. But, I think you have the right idea. Make her fall for you. Let her feel like it’s natural. But Deo, don’t wait too long to tell her. She values honesty. Hiding things or lying to her will not go over well in the end. Trust me.”

I nod. Valentina would fit in with the Witch Council and love Spain. I know she would.

“And I don’t need to tell you not to hurt her, right? You’re an intelligent man. You can sense what I’m capable of?” She pauses and looks at me deliberately. Her power rolls off of her as if she’s flexing her muscles which is the magical equivalent of what she’s doing. “She doesn’t let her guard down or trust easily. So if she lets you in, don’t do anything to screw that up. It won’t be pretty.”

Sebastian doesn’t say anything, but his face is grim. I know he is a reliable friend, but I know his loyalty is to his mate and Valentina. I understand that.

“I’ve waited centuries to feel the pull to another. I won’t do anything to jeopardize it.”

VALENTINA

He’s quick to open the door for me and put my belt on again.

“Is that really necessary?” I ask. “I can do it myself.”

Amadeo takes the chivalrous gentleman thing too far.

“Sin duda (without a question), but I like touching you.” He closes my door and moves around to his seat.

I like it when he touches me too.

I pull out my lip balm and apply it using the overhead mirror. The weather has been so dry lately. I don’t miss the way his head turns to check out what I’m doing not once but twice while driving. “Keep your eyes on the road, weirdo.”

He chuckles. “You’re distracting me with your lips. I spend restless nights thinking about what they can do.”

He did not just say that. My face is undoubtedly red.

“How was dinner?” I ask, changing the subject and staring out the window.

He laughs again at my discomfort. “Very good. Giada is a lovely host and great in the kitchen. She told me her mom is a great cook and your grandmother was as well. What about you? Does it run in the family?”

“Sadly, no. I can prepare a mean salad, though.” I can see one of his dimples on display when I look over.

“I look forward to the day you prepare your specialty for me,” he jokes. “For tonight, I brought leftovers.”

“At first, I thought you were trying to fatten me up, but now I realize you just want to watch me put things in my mouth, don’t you?” I tease. “Or do you want to be the one to put things in my mouth?”

His eyes remain on the road, but his hand goes to my inner thigh, dangerously close to my aching center. “I’m feeding you again when we get to your house, and you’re sitting on my lap. Say yes.” His voice comes out huskily, and he squeezes my thigh. I try my hardest not to squirm in my seat or press my legs together.

“I’ll think about it.” I look over at him, and he’s already staring at me, burning me with those red dragon eyes of his.

I can’t wait to get home.

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A/N:

Hello Readers! I wanted to take the time to thank you all for reading and supporting this writing journey. I appreciate you all so much! For the month of January updates for this book will be three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I will most likely be updating around 11pm on those days (Eastern Time). If I can update earlier, I will. Please keep commenting on these chapters. I love to hear from you. It makes my day when I see the notifications of a comment.

I'm excited for what's in store for The Circle Series in 2022 and hope you're all coming along for the ride. Happy New Year!

Love,

Gianna Coppola xoxo