Beneath a Flaming Sky - Book Three (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Six

Xander's POV

I dipped my head below the cloud line just enough to check our surroundings. Nothing but trees for miles. With a nod to Nimue we flew lower, hovering over the tree lines. The fear of being seen by humans was minimal as these were pack lands, distinguished by the scent of them. Packs were extremely cautious about who they allowed on their land, and made sure trespassing was kept to a minimum. If we were to be seen it would only be by the wolves themselves.

We flew past a large pack house that was surrounded by distressed looking wolves and I felt like causing a bit of mischief. With a ground shaking roar I let my flames flicker before me, harmlessly brushing the tops of the trees. Screams and growls made me chuckle as we flew past and over more and more trees. Nimue huffed at me disappointedly, but I just smirked, happy with my result. With a shake of her head she flew on.

Another hour or so of flying and another large pack house came into sight that looked oddly familiar. The scent hit me hard, swarming my nostrils with its potent smell. Jasmine. Draco grew restless, pushing for control, and he soon gained it after a long fight. I was forced back, helpless but to watch as Nimue landed in front of the pack house, but Draco did not. He kept flying, following the scent that now intoxicated my every senses. His only goal was finding who it belonged to. As we flew déjà vu began to pull at my mind as familiar trees zipped past me. A large building not unlike a hospital came into view and we were heading straight for it. Draco was on a mission.

As we reached the side of the building Draco slowed to a hover and shifted just as he reached one of the many balconies on the side of the building. The doors were open allowing in the fresh afternoon wind and as we strolled through gracefully the scent of jasmine was overwhelming. As we entered the room, I spotted a young vampire sitting beside the bed, her belly swollen with child. As her eyes fell on us, she jumped from the chair she’d been sitting in, clutched at her belly, and backed away with a cry for someone called Viktor. A black cat that had been silently lying at the end of the bed calmly jumped from the bed to sit atop a chair in the corner, eyes observing everything that was happening in the room.

Draco paid her, or the cat, no mind as our eyes fell on the young woman lying in the hospital bed before us. Shock hit me as I recognised her. The same porcelain skin, the same plump lips, the same fiery red hair. And I was sure that if her eyes were open, the same enchanting emerald eyes. Our strides led us to her side, and I could only watch as Draco stroked her cheek, sending shocks of tingles up our fingertips and through our arm, before dipping our head down till our lips connected with her delicately soft ones. Fire erupted in my body at the contact and I felt like my world was exploding. Draco was ecstatic, so many thoughts bouncing around in our head, it was almost overwhelming.

The kiss ended too soon for both mine and Draco’s liking, but I knew this would be the best time to seize back control. As nice as the feeling of her lips on mine was, I knew what those tingles and flame meant, and it was a complication I did not need in my life right now. I lifted my head away from the young woman in time to see her eyes flutter open. And I was right. They were the exact same shade as in the dream, if not better. Her eyes connected with mine and a soft smile spread across those delectable lips as her hand came up to softly brush my cheek, causing a wave of tingles to shoot through me.

“Mate.” She sighed, her voice croaky from misuse. Draco was practically purring in my head at her words. I however was not going to let it affect me. I stepped away, her hand falling from my cheek as confusion marred her beautiful features. My back was shoved against the wall beside her bed, a hand at my throat and the sound of hissing before my face. My eyes fell to the vampire that held me, his black hair mussed and his red eyes glowing with anger as his fangs protruded from his snarling mouth. I couldn’t help the smirk at the vampire’s gall at taking on a full-grown dragon, but I was a little impressed also at his bravery.

“Do not touch her, lizard.” He hissed, making me chuckle at his words.

“If you don’t want to be barbequed, I would advise removing your hands from me at once.” I replied lazily, already bored with the interaction. The vampire hissed at my words, raising his free hand, fingernails long and sharp, ready to strike.

“Viktor wait!” her voice was like music to my ears as she cried out for the vampire to stop. “Please, wait. He’s my mate.” The vampire, Viktor as I learned, released me, his face full of shock as he turned towards the young woman. His hands fell to his sides, slack and loose.

“Mia.” His voice cracked on her name, as tears welled in his eyes. Mia. Finally a name to put to the face. Mia smiled widely and nodded; her arms held wide for Viktor in an invitation for a hug. He did not wait for any more than that and with his speed was wrapping his arms around her. Draco growled possessively in my head as we watched the vampire hug our mate, but I pushed him down, placing an air of disinterest on my face. The hug lasted for much too long for my liking, so with a cough I signalled my boredness with it all. Their hug broke and Viktor helped my mate from the bed, her legs wobbly as she stood. Her eyes found mine when she had found her balance and she slowly approached me.

I kept a passive expression on my face as she came to stand before me, her eyes full of hope and something else. Draco was losing his mind at her closeness, her scent surrounding us, but I held firm and pushed him down further. Her hand reached up slowly, almost cautious as she stroked my cheek once again, sending the tingles shooting through me. 

“Mate.” She sighed happily, her plump lips spreading into a content smile. Yes! Draco yelled in my head. Yes! Mate! Claim our mate! The volume of his screams was enough to give me a splitting migraine, but I ignored them and pushed down the need to claim her. What I would have to do next would hurt her as much as it would hurt me, but it was for her safety. If my father were to find out my mate was a wolf, he would kill her. His hatred for wolves rivalled that of his hatred for me, double the reason to hurt me, and he would take it. My hand reached up roughly and grabbed her wrist, thrusting it from me. Her eyes filled with hurt as I stepped back, disgust apparent on my face.

“I am no mate of yours, mutt.” I spat.