Dragon's Claim

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3

The entirety of the red dragon family and more were standing outside the Human Dragon Embassy in the city. Faces looking up at them from every direction, almost as if the entire city had agreed to meet in the small square as the red dragons announced their new leadership and their new plans for their family.

Wesley was dressed in his finest. On one side of him was his American mate, Dakota. A woman Drake wished he could have spoken to more often during his time in Wales if only to hear a familiar accent. Behind them, Maggie tried to keep her spine straight, even if the dark circles under her eyes gave away her pain. Rhiannon stood between the biggest dragon man Drake had ever laid eyes on and a dark eyed GOE agent, both standing like they would be her shields against the world. Not that the vixen needed either. But, damn if Drake didn’t think she should have taken the role as their new leader. She would have done well.

But, the red dragons wanted Wesley to fill the role and so they stood by and helped the man learn what he needed.

Drake felt out of place amongst so many, finding himself wishing he could return home to the wilds of Nebraska. There were never this many people. There were only his dragons, his family, and trees that couldn’t look upon him with fear or hatred like this crowd now did.

The responses were mixed. Some people gathered with awe on their faces while others cheered on with happiness. There was even a row of women screaming to become dragon mates, local police trying their hardest to help the women keep their shirts on. But, it was the sea of dark glares that stabbed Drake in the heart. It almost felt like they could see through the façade he put up, see right down to the true beast that lived inside of him.

He waited for them to revolt, to charge the small group of dragons standing before them. Because, no matter their own numbers, his three dragons standing beside the family of red dragons and the lone white dragon felt small in comparison to the crowd.

His hand reached out and grasped Layla’s. She cast him a narrow-eyed look, but didn’t pull away when he gripped her harder. She just let him have her hand and he couldn’t have been more grateful.

Wesley stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. All morning, a nervous energy had clung to the young dragon man. Drake didn’t blame him. He worried that he would have to do these things when they established the Embassy in his own country. Glancing sideways, he studied Layla and hoped that she could help him become the man he needed to be to help his people.

The young dragon announced his new role as the leader of the red dragons. He told them the story of his father’s untimely death, of his loss and heart break. Some of the faces in the crowd softened. A few looked as though they thought he deserved it. Drake wanted to march down the steps and help his fist meet those faces.

Wesley introduced them to the newest member of their family, the white dragon who stood as the bridge between one family and the other, the first step toward reconciliation. Nothing could mend the wounds either family had sustained save time, but they could move forward toward a new future.

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