The Dragon's Claim

Chapter 7

Sasha

My eyes dart around as Tivani leads me down the long corridor; her steps are quick but purposeful. The place feels big, extending more than I expected. It has an atmosphere that shows a self-sufficient community. The tension in my shoulders stays. My nerves are a raw mess after the intense meeting with Dorgan and the others. I’m walking on the edge of the unknown. The unease has been growing since I got here, and I can’t shake it.

Tivani notices the silence hanging between us and gives me a soft, reassuring smile. "Are you alright?" she asks, glancing back over her shoulder.

I shrug, unsure of how to put my feelings into words. After a moment, I blurt out, "Sorry you're on babysitting duty."

Tivani laughs lightly, her eyes kind but holding a hint of seriousness. "What do you mean?"

"Like… you have to guard me, right?" I offer hesitantly, watching her closely, trying to gauge her reaction.

"Oh, no," Tivani says calmly, "it's protocol for all new members or visitors—especially humans."

"Protocol?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "How so?"

Tivani glances over at me, a gentle smile pulling at her lips. "We need to understand that we're not human. We have an animal side—our instincts are different from yours. Most humans expect us to behave like them, the same way they act. But we're not the same."

I frown, trying to process the words. Of course, I know that they are different from us, but it still doesn't quite make sense to me. "So… you have to guard me to keep me safe, or...?"

"Exactly," Tivani continues, her expression growing more serious. "An escort will explain things and help if shifters and humans don't understand each other. But there is also the security risk factor. Every new person is regarded as a potential threat in the beginning. It's necessary to keep us safe until we can be sure."

I shake my head slightly, muttering under my breath, "But you must know I'm hardly just some human."

Empathy crosses Tivani's face. "I know," she says softly, "but it doesn't matter. You are safe here."

I nod slowly, my heart tightening as I take in her words. I don't feel unsafe—I feel out of place. Even with Tivani’s reassurance, I still feel like an outsider. It’s a constant, quiet reminder that I don’t belong here. We reach the end of the long hallway, where Tivani stops at a door. She smiles at me once more before pushing it open with a soft creak. The room beyond is a stark contrast to the cold, sterile corridor. It feels warm and inviting. Soft lighting sets the mood, and a small table holds food. The bed looks cozy, perfect after a chaotic day. The warm, real smell hits me right away, and my stomach growls more than I thought.

Tivani steps aside, motioning me inside. "This is your room. My room is right next door; you'll meet my roommate, Kelsie, tomorrow." She pauses for a moment, her gaze softening. "You must be exhausted."

I hesitate for a moment at the doorway, my eyes scanning the room. It's cozy in a way, though the place still feels like an old medical facility that's been repurposed. The walls, though decorated with soft touches, still carry the shackles of their past. Still better than a room in the barracks on base. The bed is inviting, but I can't bring myself to rest yet. My stomach twists in hunger as the scent of food calls to me.

Tivani notices my hesitation and gestures to the food. "Eat, take a shower. There are some sweats and other necessities in the closet for you. I'll get you more clothes tomorrow. Rest for now."

I nod, exhaustion curling around me, as if the day itself has draped over my shoulders. I've run on adrenaline for so long. Now, I finally let myself see how exhausted I really am. But food comes first. I haven't eaten a proper meal since yesterday. The idea of warm food makes my stomach tighten with anticipation.

"Thank you, Tivani," I say quietly, my voice strained but sincere. "I haven't had a proper meal in a while."

Tivani smiles, her expression warm and genuine. "No need to thank me. Nana Sena is our resident chef. For now, focus on taking care of yourself. We'll figure everything out tomorrow."

I give a small, thankful smile, then turn my focus back to the food. My stomach growls in protest. I walk towards the table, but my nerves still hang heavy in the air. I'm not worried about the food or the rest—it's the uncertainty of tomorrow. What will happen when my past is fully revealed?

As I reach the food, I glance back toward Tivani, a nervous question slipping from my lips. "Are you going to lock me inside?"

Tivani chuckles softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You don't know too much about shifters, do you?" She steps back, hands on her hips, and gives a soft, reassuring smile. "No, I'm not locking your door. I'll be right next door. I'll hear if you move out or if someone else tries to move in. And don't worry—the place is guarded."

I swallow, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I feel a little better; the idea of being locked in doesn't sit right with me. Tivani's calm tone helps me relax. The idea of being watched now feels less suffocating than before.

Tivani tilts her head, her smile softening. "Better stay inside and rest. You've been through a lot. Trust me, you'll feel a lot better tomorrow after you've had a chance to sleep."

I nod slowly and give Tivani a small, tired smile. "Thanks. I will stay inside."

"See you in the morning," Tivani says, before turning to leave the room. The door clicks softly shut behind her, leaving me alone in the quiet room. Despite the warmth of the space, the unfamiliarity still weighs heavily on my chest.

For now, though, there's nothing to do but rest. I sigh and walk to the food. I start eating, hoping tomorrow will bring answers or a chance to breathe easier.

Sasha

The sound of a knock rips through the fog of sleep, and I jolt awake, my heart racing. I must have passed out last night. After finishing the food, I took a quick shower. The water was so hot that I could have stayed under it forever, but I was too tired. So, I managed to throw on some panties and a loose shirt, crawled into bed, and let the exhaustion take over.

The room feels warm, and I am slightly disoriented as I scramble out of bed, trying to pull myself together. I fumble with the blanket, trying to smooth it out. I'm still half-dazed, and my mind struggles to catch up with reality. As I'm fumbling, the door opens. My breath hitches in my throat as I spin around.

Dorgan stands in the doorway. Light from the hallway spills in behind him, framing him like a vision. For a moment, it feels surreal. He seems almost otherworldly, standing there with that intense gaze. His features seem sharper in the light, and it's like the space around him blurs, drawing all my attention to him. The silver strands in his dark, long hair shine in the light. They sparkle like tiny stars from the sky. And his eyes—oh, his eyes—are truly captivating. Pupils slightly elongated, like a myth, stare at me with eerie reptilian intensity. His irises are dark, but with specks of silver that shimmer, like some kind of magical galaxy. Tattoos twist around his hands and peek from his tight T-shirt sleeves. They hint at mysteries I can only imagine.

Stars. Does he have to look that good?

Pan had mentioned he was a dragon shifter. An actual dragon.

For a split second, I forget how to breathe. Oh, get a grip, Sasha! I mentally smack myself. Stop ogling him! He's not some pretty face; he's a dragon. A freaking dragon. You know, the kind that can turn you to ash with a single breath. And let's not forget, he holds your fate in his hands—literally. You're supposed to be surviving, not swooning like some lovesick fool!

My heart's still racing, but I manage to pull myself together—sort of. If I keep looking at him like this, I'm going to need a new pair of shoes to run away in… if I'm lucky enough to get away at all. I blink, trying to clear the fog from my brain. "Dorgan...?" My voice sounds a little breathless, even to my ears.

He doesn’t speak right away. His eyes scan me with rapid movement. He probably sees how out of place I look in this shirt and underwear, messy from sleep. The silence stretches on, heavy and charged, as if the unspoken conveys more than words.

I suddenly feel self-conscious. I tug at my shirt's hem and try to find the words to say something that makes sense. "What—what is it?"

I watch as Dorgan looks startled for a moment, his hand rubbing the back of his neck like he's unsure of what to do. He shoves his other hand into his pocket. I notice his gaze flick to my bare legs before he looks away, avoiding my eyes. I can't help but wonder... Could the mighty alpha feel embarrassed?

He clears his throat, but it still comes out rough, as if the effort of speaking is pulling something from him. "Morning, Sasha," he says, his eyes focused somewhere over my head, not meeting mine. "I was just checking in. I knocked, but when you didn't answer, I heard some commotion and opened the door to see if you were okay."

My face flushes instantly, heat spreading across my skin like wildfire. Oh heavens. I was hoping he wouldn't notice my... situation, but of course, he did. He doesn't meet my eyes at first, but when he finally does, there's something warm and kind in them. It takes me a moment to gather my thoughts, but I manage a shaky response. "Yeah, sorry, I must have been in a deep sleep."

"Understandable," he says, his voice softer now. "You've had a rough couple of days." I can tell he's not simply talking about the chaos from last night. I nod, unsure of what to say next, feeling awkward as the silence stretches between us.

"Well," he says, stepping away from the wall as if he has remembered something important. "Tivani will pick you up for breakfast soon." "I'll be in a strategy meeting with some of my warriors now." We'll meet up later and talk some more."

"Oh, okay. Good." I say, the words coming out more like a question than a statement.

He looks at me again, his gaze lasting just a moment too long. Then, he turns and walks towards the door. I watch as he disappears down the hallway, and for a moment, I stand there, staring after him. Was it me, or did the mighty leader seem as awkward as I felt? Can't be... right?

I shake my head, pushing those thoughts away as I turn around to get dressed. As I reach for my clothes, I realize my stomach is growling again. How is it possible that I'm already hungry after demolishing all that food last night? My body seems to remind me time and again that it hasn't had a decent meal in a while. Great.