The Red Diamond Dragon

Mine

Madeline

As we entered the dining hall, Meg pointed me in the direction of my pack and turned to go sit with her group. The first night, they kept everyone together by pack while the second night was for mingling. She had told me they would find me tomorrow afternoon since some of them had shifts to work that morning.

I took my assigned seat next to Debbie, I struggled being near her. The first course was a salad. The second my plate was on the table she took my salad dressing and set it on the other side of her plate, and Jessica moved the breadbasket out of my reach. I could see how the evening would go, virtually no food. I was hungry after the walking we had done this afternoon. However, I had long ago learned to live with hunger. You think I would be skinny for missing so many meals, but I remained plump. I ate the salad. Something was better than nothing. The staff came around with drinks, and Debbie only allowed water for me. The main course looked and smelled amazing, beef drenched in creamy sauce with steamed vegetables. I picked up my fork, thinking I could eat the vegetables when Debbie slammed her fork into my hand, piercing the skin. I choked back a sound, placing my hands in my lap, trying not to think about the delicious smells and concentrating on the throbbing pain in my hand. Jessica snickered when she saw it happen. Everyone at our table ignored it. They knew I was beneath them. The waitress asked if she could get me something different, I politely declined knowing it was no use. I knew desert would be coming eventually. My stomach felt like it was in knots. I asked a passing server where the restroom was and excused myself. I didn’t dare sneak food; they would smell it on me, I learned that when I was younger. I splashed cool water on my face, trying to calm myself. The hunger made it harder to regulate my emotions. I walked out, smelling the sweet scent of desert, and my stomach revolted with a sharp pain. I needed some air…. I noticed a partially hidden doorway leading outside. It was probably safe to sneak out since everyone was busy. I stepped out onto a terrace closing the door as quietly as possible, the crisp air hit my lungs, and the faint smell of smoke hung in the air along with a deep leather and bergamot scent that smelled divine. I stepped to the edge of the railing, breathing deeply, trying to calm my ragged breaths from the strain of dinner. The leather scent seemed to be calming. I felt a presence behind me, realizing I was not alone. I turned quickly and met a wall of muscled chest. I was tall, but nothing compared to the person in front of me. My eyes traveled upward to the face of the most striking man I had ever seen. His rich golden eyes locked onto mine, I knew who he was, the famous War General, and my breath caught freezing me into place.

“Mine” I heard the word slip from his mouth like he was in awe. I stared shocked into place. My body felt like a slow burn was beginning to course through my veins. It is an unusual feeling but not unpleasant.

“I will kill whoever has made you cry, angel,” he said slowly reaching out and brushing a tear from my cheek that I had not realized was there.

“I don’t understand,” I said with an unsteady voice. Was this god of a man laying claim to me?

“Do you feel that heat on your skin?” he asked softly like he was trying not to scare me. His hand slid down from my cheek to touch my neck.

“Yes,” I breathed the word out with a shiver, feeling the flames erupt on my skin.

“That is the mate bond, and you are mine. What is your name, Angel?” He asked, keeping his hand on my neck.

I was still frozen in shock; here I was standing in front of this god of a man, who was telling me I was his mate and threatening to kill whoever made me cry. “Are you here to reject me?” I was ready for it. I always knew if I had a mate, he would not want me. I had always been told that.

“What! No! Why would you even think that?” He asked, I couldn’t tell if he was mad or shocked, maybe both.

“You need to know that I am wolf-less. I recognize who you are, General, and would bring no value…” I started.

“I’m going to stop you right there!” He said in a firm tone. “You bring everything of value to me as my mate. You are what is valuable, I don’t care that you are wolf-less. I am a hybrid and even my daughter-in-law has no beast. Those things do not matter to me or my family; I want you to get that out of your head right now. Please tell me your name?”

“Maddie… Madeline Ruby McSymon” I said, figuring he needed my full name if he was going to change his mind and reject me.

“Madeline, I am Johnathan Acroterium Top War General for the Guardians Pack and I am pleased to finally meet you,” He said taking my hand, kissing the back of my knuckles softly, a feeling of fire danced across where his lips had touched. “I was truly dreading this event and now I have everything to look forward to." He watched me closely before continuing. “What room are you staying in?”

“I am in the main center, sharing a room with my stepsister” I replied.

“Ok, let’s go get your things. You have the choice to accept me or not, but I would like you somewhere I know is safe while you decide. I will not be comfortable with you, too far away from me, I hope that is acceptable. You do not have to stay in my room if you so choose, I do have a guest room. Once we drop your things off, we will come back and get you something to eat, I can smell a lack of iron in your blood. You must be exhausted Angel” he opened a door to the side of the terrace that blended into the background.

He said I had a choice. Women in my pack were never given a choice. Our alpha said it would make men weak to be mated to a lower class. I don’t want to make this man weak, although I can’t imagine anything about this man being weak. We arrived at the room, and I hesitated at the door. Looking at him in his gorgeous, tailored suit made for him. I was almost embarrassed by what he would see. I started to open the door before looking at him. “My sister will smell your scent in the room when she comes back, and I don’t want to cause problems,” I said.

“You don’t have to worry about that, I have my scent blocked as a precaution anytime I am somewhere out of my normal activities,” Johnathan said.

We walked in, and I picked up the suitcase sitting at the side of the closet, I pulled out my black dress that was pushed to the side with all of Jessica’s stuff. Looking closer, I could see that Jessica had been up to her old tricks and cut the side of the dress. I sighed; glad I had packed the small sewing kit. “I am ready Sir.”

A low growl rumbled from his chest as his eyes darkened. “Save calling me Sir for the bedroom or I won’t be able to control myself. Please call me Johnathan.” he looked around the room curiously. I know he saw the closet full of colorful dresses, and the items spread across the bathroom counter. "Is this everything?"

“Yes, this is everything,” I said, looking down.

“Ok, let’s go home then.” He said, taking my suitcase from me. I felt a moment of panic letting go of it. We walked silently through the mountain grounds. It was beautiful and peaceful here in the mountains. The quiet of the evening was refreshing since everyone was still in the dining hall. It was so different from the desert I had grown up in. Here, it felt like I could breathe for the first time. We approached a beautiful modest home.

Johnathan opened the door escorting me inside, the house was done in rich warm tones with a bookcase running the length of the living room wrapping around into another room that from what I could see appeared to be a library or office. There was also an impressively large stone fireplace on the opposite side. My eyes were drawn to the books wondering what kind of man he was deep down. His reputation denoted a harsh, violent, driven soldier who men feared, and women craved. However, he was being so careful with me and a complete gentleman so far. He guided me to a wide set of stairs that led up to a single set of double doors at the top. Escorting me inside, I could see it was a bedroom once again done in warm, rich tones with a large stone fireplace along the wall. The dark four-poster bed was a statement piece with a bookshelf on each side. Only one bookcase had books, though. “Do you like to read?” He asked

“I love to read it has always been a favorite pastime,” I admitted.

“The empty bookcase to the left is yours to fill with books of your choice” He opened another set of doors, which led to a huge walk-in closet that was bigger than my bedroom at home. On the right side were his clothes neatly lined up by color and type of clothing. The left side of the closet was empty. He set my suitcase on a long bench while I hung up my dress. “Do you want to unpack now or later, Angel?” He asked softly, I turned stunned he had moved closer to me while I was lost in thought.

“No, thank you. I can do that later, Sir,” I said, looking up into those beautiful light brown and gold eyes. A low growl vibrated his chest, and the air rushed from my lungs as he picked me up, set me on the long center dressing table, and stepped between my open thighs. My shock at him picking me up rendered me speechless. He placed his large hands on my hips and leaned over, running his nose along my neck and collarbone.

“Angel, keep calling me Sir, and we won’t make it back for dessert.” He said before softly kissing my neck. I instantly saw stars, he growled lowly again, squeezing my hips before pulling back and looking into my eyes. “Madeline before I get carried away let’s go back to the event center, my family has been linking me about my disappearing act” He chuckled as he lifted me once again and placed my feet back on the floor. Just how strong was this man?!?! Apparently, none of the smutty romance novels I had read truly prepared me for what it would feel like to have a man put his hands on me. I always read about romance, thinking it would be the only way to have it in my life, but is it possible?