The Alpha's Dragon

Chapter Seven

Nathaniel     

    The day before the midsummer's festival was an absolute mess. We had about ten unmated males who were willing to participate in the activities this year, with the understanding that they could back out any time. Everyone was running around trying to prepare for the trip tomorrow. Since we were headed to a village in the territory rather than the castle we were allowed to travel in our wolf forms. Bags had to be packed ahead of time so we had clothes when we got there, but we would have to carry them in our teeth.      

    “Brother!” Nivian called as I watched pack members pile their bags up in the lobby from a balcony.    

     “Niv, can I tell you something?” I asked. If I trusted anyone to keep a secret it would be her.      She looked at me with a scrunched face. “Of course! Since when do you keep secrets from me?” She punched my arm hard.     

    “Who’s keeping secrets now?” a voice asked behind me. Thomas.     

    “Dude, not now.” Thomas Swift was my best friend and future Beta. He found his mate when he turned 18. They were happy together and hopefully expecting pups soon.     

    He frowned. “Come on now, you can’t keep anything from me!” He pulled me into a head lock and began laughing maliciously. “Nivian!” he shouted “quick! Tickle it out of him!”    

     Just before Nivian could move, a hand pulled her back by her dress’ collar. I looked up and it was the beautiful Tiffany Swift. Her light brown hair was always pulled back behind her, her dresses always fell perfectly into place and this plain green design was no different. Thomas really lucked out. She never raised her voice, never did anything improper, but she was an amazing fighter in a pinch. Too bad she preferred sewing to fighting. “I don’t think this is appropriate behavior for any of you,”  she spoke softly, her chocolate eyes burning a whole in her mate’s.     

    “Aww come on sweetie, we were just playing, don’t be like that.” He dropped me and went to kiss her.      

    “Thomas, behave!” She protested, smacking him away. The way those two played with each other made me miss Drakania.    

     “Have you guys packed yet?” I asked, trying to ignore their affection.      

    Tiffany rolled her eyes. “You know if it were up to this i***t we wouldn’t have a single thing to wear! But yes, I’ve ensured everything is packed and ready for our departure tomorrow before dawn.”     “Good, I want to be sure that everything is packed and ready. I don’t want to be late.”      

    “So what do you think of it all?” Nivian asked Tiffany.     

    “What do I think of what? The whole ritual thing?” Nivian nodded “I think it's sick really. What is this festival, like a whole day for women to find men for their harems? It’s just gross. And I heard the men can’t even decide for themselves! They have to be represented by a woman who negotiates the terms of the arrangement. It’s just wrong.”     

    “Isn’t your brother participating?” I was confused. I thought she would be supportive of the whole thing.      

    She sighed. “Unfortunately. He just turned eighteen, so he thinks he knows everything. My mother has even agreed to represent him if necessary. I used to like Drakania. I really thought she was nice. But now, I don’t want him to be tainted by some dragon b***h, I want him to find his mate and be happy.”     

    I growled a little and shocked everyone. “You ok?” Asked Thomas, with an understandably confused look on his face.     

    “Don’t call her a b***h. She’s a good person, and a valued friend.” I couldn’t let them know what she meant to me, not yet.     

    Tiffany scoffed. “What the hell do you care? I thought you hated the lizard?” She flipped her hair with annoyance.     

    “Oh my goddess,” gasped Nivian. She looked at me with wide eyes. She knew.     

    “What?” shouted Thomas, jumping away from her, clearly spooked by my sister’s outburst.      

    “Tiffany, I just realized I don’t know if I pulled out enough gowns, or if they're the right color. You know I’m useless when it comes to fashion.” She was covering for me. Thank goodness for sisters.     

    “You are the worst! If you end up finding your mate I pray to the goddess he’s some low level omega so you never have to attend any kind of event that requires you dressing in anything other than leggings,” Tiffany rolled her eyes and grabbed Nivian by the arm and dragged her off to her room.      

    Thomas leaned against the banister and gave me a strange look. “So you gonna spill or should I get Gunner here and we can beat it out of you.” Gunner was my future Gamma. While Thomas and I grew up together, making us close, Gunner was the son of our current Gammas, and he had yet to turn eighteen. Thomas and I helped raise and train Gunner to be one of the best fighters we had in this pack, rivaling even myself. As future leaders we promised never to keep secrets from each other, to make sure we keep each other in check.     

    “You don’t want to know Thomas,” I growled. Thomas shared Tiffany's distaste for Dragonborn. He would just tell me to reject her and move on.     

    I tried to walk away from him and stumbled into someone else. “Oh my, Nathaniel!” She cried.     

    “Hi Katrina,” I said, gently moving her to the side. She was one of the girls who would watch me during my extra training. As annoying as she was, she was quite attractive. Her long black hair and dirt color eyes were deceptively plain. It was her small nose and round face that made her look adorable. She just turned eighteen six months ago and hasn’t found her mate yet. I think she wanted it to be me.     

    “I heard you were going to the midsummer's festival unaccompanied.” Her voice was a bit higher pitched than normal.     

    “Yes and it’s going to stay that way. If you’ll excuse me,” I answer sharply. She began to pout at my words but I had to get out of there before Thomas began asking more uncomfortable questions.