Dragon's Heart

Chapter Four-Unexpected Developments

Adrian’s POV

I feel so bad she literally bumped into me and fell on her a**. I tried to help her up, but then she was on her hands and knees crawling under her table. I wanted to groan out loud at how sumptuous she looked on her hands and knees with her a** in the air. My dragon perked up at the sight before me. It has been so long since I’ve been with a woman. I wasn’t proud of it, but I hooked up with one of Layla’s best friends, Cassandra, not long before my stepdad passed. I had come across her at a business meeting between the company she worked for and my stepdad's company trying to hire a crew and my crew was suggested.

We got dinner and one thing led to another and I went back to her place. We drank and then it led into making out and then to me screwing her on her couch. It wasn’t very satisfying for me, but it scratched an itch. She kept trying to have me sleep with her without a condom, but she didn’t get her way. No way was I going to get her pregnant and then have to support a kid when I was just making a name for myself and my crew in my stepdad’s company. Little did I know I could’ve taken care of a kid with several to spare very soon. Still, I wouldn’t have wanted a child with her.

She tried to act as if we were a couple after I had finished, but I got off her and dressed and flew home. Since I had drunk enough to be buzzed even for a dragon. It was an interesting fly home so I decided I would never drink and fly again. I even had to pass on the project so I wouldn’t have to see her all the time while it was being completed. I told my stepdad there was a conflict of interest now and he respected that and the fact I didn’t try to hide anything. He agreed it was right to pass on the project.

It almost completely undid me when Robyn wiggled herself back out with her hips swaying side to side. I’m going to have to find a place to take care of myself after today is done. I can just feel it. At least I can see her eyes better, as she has her hair braided to the side and she has been looking up more. They are a beautiful green. It matches her hair well. I was starting to pick up on a fresh crisp apple smell and I didn’t think it was the apples she had in a bowl on the table. I had never realized she smelled like that, probably because she usually smells divine because of all the food she prepared clung to her a lot.

It was pleasant eating with her. I even liked the coffee after trying it the way I saw her make hers. I do enjoy a good hot chocolate and coffee. Combining the flavors was a tasty treat to my taste buds. I grabbed the danishes to share the rest with Collin and, if she wanted, another one on the way. She was plastered to the door as we made our way to the edge of town. I don’t understand why she gets so uncomfortable around me, but I hope to ease her discomfort and maybe we can become friends.

She guided me through the forest and land. It took an hour to get to the first place she thought I should see. We had to hike in for about a mile. We came to a beautiful stream and valley full of wildflowers and other furry friends trying to hide though I could smell them. There was a fox on the edge of the valley, and he was close to a family of rabbits. I think he was attempting to make his lunch but now he is making his way out of the area because he can smell Collin and me.

Collin and I looked around. This area does have potential. I noticed Robyn had made her way to the other side of the stream and was sitting at the base of a tree with her eyes closed and her face raised to the sun peeking through the branches. She’s quite beautiful. I am surprised no one has snatched her up by now. Then I thought that she was still young enough and why not live her life for herself before she settles down if she wants to settle down.

Collin and I wandered around the area taking pictures and video so we could show the guys later and get to analyze the pictures and footage more clearly if we do want to develop this area. She showed me to the lake area. It wasn’t a massive lake, but it was definitely bigger than a pond. She told us what types of fish call it home for those seeking to fish there. A little into the early afternoon, she took us to a place where I fell in love. There was a mountain with cliff areas as well. There was a waterfall flowing down one of the cliff sides to the left.

I can clearly see buildings and homes in this space. Maybe even building into the mountain side using the natural shapes to our advantage and to not take away from the majesty of the mountain. I had to pace myself with my excitement because there could be some place even more amazing than this. Robyn found a place to relax while we did our thing and looked around filming and taking pictures.

We headed back around five. It took another hour to get out of the forest. We were closer to another town that was not on my land than to Black Moon. My stomach rumbled. “You guys hungry? Let’s make our way to the next town and grab some dinner.” I asked and suggested. Robyn looked as if she wanted to protest, but Collin’s stomach growled, and I think she felt outnumbered. She kind of was until I barely heard it, but her stomach growled too.

Collin looked through the places to eat, and there were a fair few as this town was much bigger than Black Moon. It was going to be another couple of hours before we could get back to Black Moon by the main roads. We settled on a steak and seafood place. I ordered a large steak and lobster plate. Collin chose the same. Robyn tried to order the cheapest meal on the menu, and I told her it was my treat. She hesitated and tried to find something else inexpensive.

“Is there something wrong with accepting a good meal from me?” I asked with a little tone of offense at my generous offer basically being denied. She looked me dead in my eyes. “I don’t take charity. I make my own way.” She said. “Excuse me.” She said as she got up and made her way to the ladies room. I think my jaw dropped. “You might want to close your mouth before a bug flies in.” Collin said and chuckled. I saw her come out of the ladies room and make her way to the hostess. She spoke with the hostess and the hostess sat her at a table in the corner on the other side of the restaurant, far from us.

I was getting angry. I wanted to go over to her and confront her as to why she would sit somewhere other than with us. Collin grabbed my arm. “Dude, you probably embarrassed her. You can still pay for her meal. Let her cool off before we leave,” he said. I was angry but he may have a point. The restaurant began filling for the dinner rush and Collin and I dug into our meal. I was too hungry not to eat because I was a little upset that she refused my offer to buy her dinner.

When we finished eating, I asked for the check and for Robyn’s check. I wanted to change into my dragon and blow fire out of my mouth after I heard the waitress’s response. Robyn only had a glass of water and had paid for it ahead of time so she could sit at the table. In the middle of the rush and us eating our food, Robyn slipped out and left. I paid for our food, and we left ourselves. I was going to confront her because she was probably sitting around at my truck waiting for us to finish.

Not only was she not waiting at my truck for us, but I also couldn’t smell her apple smell much past the parking lot of the restaurant. She probably got into a car, or maybe a cab. I was even more furious when I went to get into my truck and there was a twenty-dollar bill carefully placed so it wouldn’t attract attention, but I would be able to see it slid into my window at the door. It was more than I had paid for the coffees and danishes. I know that was what the money was for. If she thinks this is over, she is sorely mistaken.

I climbed into the driver’s seat and slammed my door shut. “Whoa, this woman has really gotten under your skin, huh?” Collin suggested. I turned and glared at him. It had the effect I wanted, and he shut up. “She forgets I know where she lives.” I said. It was a tense ride back as all I could do was think about what I wanted to say to her. Then my thoughts turned to just wanting to kiss her, which heightened my anger again as I could only think of what I wanted to do to her now. The image of her under her table kept flashing across my mind.

I parked at our apartments and stormed my way to the entrance close to her apartment. “Let me know if you need help restraining yourself.” Collin called after me. Ugh. I groaned in my mind. I took the stairs three at a time. I was at her door in an instant. I was about to pound on her door and all my rage left me. I could smell her apple smell as if she had arrived not too long ago. I couldn’t even raise my arm to bang on her door nor even knock normally.

Instead, I bent down and slid the twenty under her door and walked towards our apartment. I’ll talk to her in the morning when I am calmer and have gotten some sleep. I went into our apartment. “That was fast. Did you give her a piece of your mind?” Collin asked. I shook my head and went into our room to go to bed. I kicked off my shoes and pulled my shirt off and tossed it on the floor. I unbuttoned my jeans and unzipped them, letting them slide down my legs, kicking them off and onto the floor as I then climbed into my bed.

I got up much later than I wanted to. I tossed and turned for most of the night before sleep finally found me. I took a shower and got ready. I walked back through the halls to her apartment. I raised my hand and gently knocked on the door. I was going to apologize for my actions. There was no response. I waited and knocked a little louder again in case she was in her bedroom. Again, no response. I resigned myself and left after another couple of minutes of waiting.

She clearly doesn’t want to talk to me, but I can talk to her tonight if I go to the bar for dinner. I was going to need to anyway, so I could pay her for services yesterday. I went back to our apartment and told Collin to call the guys together so we could go over the pictures and videos we took yesterday. This took all day going through everything.

We all agreed as I had initially seen that the area with the mountain, and cliffs, and waterfall was the spot to develop and build. Justin sketched up the area quickly on his tablet and then we began discussing what buildings should go where, what material to use, and such. My guys are efficient and on it. We had drawn up plans and a list of materials and what needed to be ordered to accomplish this build. That made me feel better as we made phone calls and sent emails out necessary to get things started. I have trucks ready to head here for tomorrow. We are going to be cutting down some trees to clear space, but we will use the lumber for the buildings in whatever way the wood will be useful.

I’m excited about the main building and where I will live. I have been sketching my drawings of how I want my quarters to look. I’m going to need a main office and a private office in my quarters. I want a room for myself for me to be able to relax in. I even sketched other bedrooms for personal guests I might invite as well as for my future wife. I know I will marry eventually. I want a huge custom bed in my bedroom with four posters made from some of the wood we cut down. I will have to have a mattress custom made.

I made my way to the bar to pay Robyn and apologize. I may grab a beer or two, but I don’t know if I’ll have dinner there tonight. I don’t want to make Robyn work more, especially after last night. I walked in and Amy greeted me with a huge smile. I smiled back. “Do you want a table or are you going to eat at the bar?” She asked. “Uh, I’m just here to pay Robyn for yesterday and grab a beer.” I said. She got a look on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “You might want to go talk with Big John. I don’t think it's my place.” She responded. I felt a dread creep into my gut. I approached the bar. “Hey Big John. How are you tonight?” I asked. “Could be better.” He replied. “Can I get a beer and I need to go see Robyn so I can pay her for yesterday.” I said. “You can have the beer, but Robyn isn’t here.” He said. “Is it her night off tonight too?” I asked. “No, she no longer works here.” He said. “What!?” I exclaimed.

“Julie tried calling her this morning to see how yesterday went. After no response and no one seeing her, she went into Robyn’s apartment to see if she was sick.” He said. “Well, is she? What happened?” I asked. “Nothing much. There was a note on the table thanking Julie and me and saying she had quit. She left her keys to her apartment with the note. Julie looked around, but all of her clothes and personal belongings were gone.” I don’t think she is coming back.” He said with an obvious heavy heart.

“Did something go wrong yesterday?” He asked me. I lowered my head. “This is my fault,” I said. He poured me a beer when I couldn’t find the words to say more. I took a gulp of beer and sat on the bar stool. The door to the kitchen opened then and I raised my head in excitement, thinking maybe she had changed her mind. “What’s he doing here?” The guy who was working with Robyn the other night asked.

“He’s having a beer,” Big John told him. “You should throw him out. He’s probably the reason Robyn left us.” He accused. “You don’t know that, Lance.” Big John replied. “Yes, I do. She was so distraught last night when I went to pick her up from that tacky restaurant you took her to. She wouldn’t tell me anything. She had just hoped I would be in the area after my trip up to see my family yesterday after my morning shift. She was lucky I was delayed and was only a half an hour away when she called me. She was prepared to walk home, or sleep in the forest til morning. I know it was you who upset my girl and I want to know what you did?” Lance had the same tone of accusation.

“Whoa, I’m sorry I didn’t know she was your girl, and I didn’t do anything other than offer to buy her and my friend Collin dinner after our long day yesterday. I may have embarrassed her when I questioned her choice of the cheapest meal when it was my treat. It upset her and she left for the ladies room and then got seated at another table. I still tried to pay only to find she only had water and somehow slipped out during the dinner rush.” I confessed.

“Is that all?” Big John asked. “No, she slipped a twenty in my window to pay for the breakfast I brought her that morning. I tried to talk to her when I returned but decided to wait until this morning when cooler heads prevailed. I slipped her money under her doorway and went to my apartment and went to bed immediately, I swear. I never would force myself onto a woman, especially not one that is in a relationship.” I said. “She’s not in a relationship.” Big John said. “I guess that explains the money on the floor Julie found. She thought Robyn dropped it.” Big John added.

“She is my girl,” Lance protested. “Give it a rest, Lance. She was never going to go out with you. I am really surprised she hasn’t decked you by now for all your lewd comments and suggestions over these years. She always took it as if you were just joking with her, and she would tell me if you overstepped your boundaries just in case. You never seemed to force anything on her, so I never pressed any issues. I waited to see what Robyn wanted or how she responded to you.” Big John said.

You could tell Lance didn’t like what he had just heard and rather than say something that might incur Big John’s wrath, he turned and stomped back into the kitchen. “I’m really sorry about this.” I apologized. “I should’ve warned you. Robyn doesn’t like anyone paying for her. She always finds a way to slip the money back to those who do initially pay whether they want it or not. That's why she doesn’t eat here, though I told her she could. She would slip the money into my till, or eventually started depositing the money for the food in the business account in a deposit bag, especially when I returned her money, or I added it back into her checks. I guess she made the decision she just wouldn’t eat here to solve the problem.” Big John explained.

“I can try to find her, apologize, bring her back.” I offered. “No, she’ll either come back in her own time, or we may never see her again. I think I have been waiting for this day to come since all those years ago. I just wish it didn’t come so soon.” He said, a little melancholy. I didn’t care what he said. I was going to find her and make things right. I have the resources and can afford to hire the best people to search for her. I’ll bring her back to Big John and Julie.

I finished my beer and paid for it, then headed back to the apartment. Along the walk, I began calling on people to begin searching and discreetly. She can’t go anywhere and not be found. Sean and Collin had made dinner, so I grabbed a plate and sat in the chair watching whatever Justin had on as I ate. “Did she accept your apology?” Collin piped up. “No, she’s gone. I’m going to have her found though.” I said, as a matter of fact.

My cell chimed early with a message that the trucks would be arriving in town soon. I sent a response about where I would meet them. I woke Collin up and then Sean and Justin. They sent messages to wake up the others. I need to establish our clan. I had all the legal paperwork taken care of with the dragon council already. I just need to establish my leadership so I can then create mind links with my guys. We were dressed and ready within a half hour. We piled into the trucks we had amongst us. I don’t think the normal cars will be able to make the trip easy until we clear and build the roads.

I got another text from one of the private eyes I called last night with information on Robyn. He sent me a file and, since we were almost at the site, I decided to wait until then to look at it. Collin can direct the guys on what to do and where to set up. The trucks had to stay on what main track of road there was outside the area. They began to set up to start to clear a path for a proper road in. We looked at and discussed the best placement and how it should look.

We decided on a road big enough that more than one vehicle could pass through. We hiked in and the loggers explained to me where we could place a gate to the inner property. I will put fencing up around the main homes and buildings so as not to block animals from their homes but create a safe place for those who come live with us. I know dragons can fly into the property, but I will have special detection points that will alert to any dragon entering our territory that doesn’t belong to our clan. Collin walked back out with the loggers, and I moved to a boulder out of the way of their area to look at the file the private eye sent me.

I opened what looked to be legal papers of when she was a part of the foster system. I learned her last name was Gilman. Her father was unknown. Her mother was institutionalized when she was five because she had a mental breakdown and couldn’t care for Robyn anymore. She was moved all over from foster family to foster family. Her last family filed a missing persons report after she ran away, but it was closed by her representative in the foster system when she turned eighteen due to an anonymous call that told her where she was and why she must remain in hiding.

I was going to continue on before I caught the town she last lived in. I almost fell off the boulder. She was last in my hometown. I scrolled past some documents and, sure enough, there was a newspaper clipping with a picture of her singing at our high school Christmas concert my senior year. It all flooded back to me in an instant. I knew exactly who she was now. I tried to learn her name. I tried to find her in the school after my first change. I wanted to thank her then for what she did to help me in the forest that late afternoon.

I still remember how much pain I was in. I thought I was dying until I touched her. All the pain subsided the longer I held onto her. I didn’t have the capacity to let her go because I thought I would hurt if I did. I did hurt, but only later that night when my form actually changed. It still wasn’t as painful as that first initial pain. Collin said his pain was excruciating. I agreed with him, but never told him about her. I know I need to find her now. I can never repay her for what she did for me.

I looked through more of the paperwork to find that her foster father is still trying to find her. He claims she attacked him and ran off stealing all of his money, but he just wants to let her know she is forgiven and know that she is safe. I think I need to visit the foster father. I won’t let him know where she is or was, because I think there’s something fishy in his story. Why continue to search for someone who stole sixty dollars almost eight years later? I called the private eye and asked him to look into the foster father’s story but not to give anything away as to where she is, or just was.

He told me he was already on it because he thought something was fishy too. I finished the call and after re-reading everything once more, I put my phone away and began helping to clear the trees. Work will help distract me until I can do more. I know I am going to go flying tonight. I really need it. Collin set the workers up at the hotels in the town over where we had dinner last night. There was more room, and it wasn’t as far from there to the site. Plus, there isn’t enough room and no more places to rent for the next few weeks in Black Moon. More workers are going to be coming in the next few days anyway.

I had him set up expense accounts so they could charge room service, and get laundry services, and such through the hotels there. I take care of my workers and I am asking for them to build fast and do a thorough job. I am going to make sure they are comfortable. I know some of my workers will be replaced when the finalization is done on the properties because they needed to be dragons, or supernatural for the finishing touches.

I let Collin take the truck back because I wanted to fly. I changed and flew into the night air once everyone had left. It felt so good to stretch my wings. I surveyed the forest. My dragon honed in on a deer and I let him take over and get his hunt in for this month. It may be a couple days early, but I have been suppressing him for long enough after almost the week we’ve had. I could feel him enjoying his kill. He was happy about it too.

I flew above the clouds and back towards Black Moon. I was so high no one who could see me would. I then saw movement on the edge of the forest. My scales ruffled as I was on alert. Something supernatural was heading into the forest. I flew carefully so the supernatural creature didn’t detect me. The smell hit me as I got closer. Werewolf. I swooped down and landed in front of the werewolf’s path. I startled it and he lowered his head while my wings were spread wide, and my mouth was open dripping fire through my teeth.

To the werewolf’s credit, it didn’t move, but finally decided to change into their human form to probably communicate with me. I was utterly shocked at who stood before me. I never would’ve thought he was supernatural. Big John stood there naked telling me he meant no harm and was just out for a run in the forest because he was upset and running seemed like a good thing to do. I lowered my wings and closed my mouth. I nodded and flew up high into the night sky so he couldn’t see which way I went.