thousand 44
1015 Words
Chapter 44
Maddox's -
Twelve hundred dragons. Twelve. Hundred. Dragons. I had been Alpha for years. I had dealt with all kinds of super naturals. Even demon rumors. But never in my life had I expected to hear someone casually announce that over a thousand dragons existed. And apparently they were all coming here. Rowan looked just as stunned as I felt. Sammy simply stared at her father.
"I think you should have led with that."
A few dragon warriors laughed. River actually looked confused.
"I thought everyone knew dragons existed."
The entire clearing stared at him. One of his warriors leaned over.
"Your Majesty, respectfully, we've been hiding for centuries."
River blinked. "Oh. That's right"
Sammy pinched the bridge of her nose. "He's my father."
"Definitely," Rowan agreed.
For the first time since arriving, River looked slightly embarrassed.
It lasted about two seconds. Then another warrior rushed forward.
"Your Majesty."
River turned serious immediately. "What is it?"
"The Shadow Order has entered the territory."
The atmosphere instantly shifted. Every wolf in the clearing growled.
Dragon warriors reached for weapons. The joking disappeared.
River's eyes became cold. Deadly cold.
"Distance?"
"Less than three miles."
Maddox stepped forward. "They're moving fast."
The warrior nodded. "Like they know exactly where they're going."
I didn't like that. Not one bit. Neither did King. "Someone told them."
I hated that he was probably right. River's gaze swept across everyone gathered. Then settled on Sammy. A strange emotion crossed his face. Protectiveness. The kind only a parent could feel.
"My daughter has spent enough of her life running."
The air around him began to shimmer. Heat rolled from his body.
The dragon warriors straightened instantly. Like soldiers standing before their king.
"No one takes another thing from her."
A chorus of growls answered him. I glanced at Sammy. She looked overwhelmed. Who could blame her? Forty-eight hours ago she was dealing with rogue attacks. Now she had discovered she was part dragon and apparently dragon royalty. That was a lot for anyone.
Her eyes met mine. For a brief moment neither of us spoke. Then she quietly said,
"This is insane."
I laughed. A short, humorless laugh. "That's one word for it."
She shook her head. "I found out I have a father. A dragon father. A king. And now twelve hundred dragons are apparently coming to town."
"Sounds about right."
She glared at me. I smiled. The look she gave me almost made this entire mess worth it. Almost. Then the sky darkened. Every head lifted. A massive shadow crossed overhead. Then another.
And another. Gasps spread throughout the territory. The dragons were arriving. Huge creatures emerged from the clouds. Red dragons. Silver dragons. Black dragons. Blue dragons. More than I could count. The sky itself seemed alive. Pack members poured from their homes to stare. Children pointed excitedly. Adults looked like they were questioning reality. Honestly? Fair.
One by one the dragons landed throughout the surrounding mountains and forests. The earth trembled beneath each impact.
Their roars echoed for miles. And every single one seemed to be looking toward Sammy. Toward their princess. Because whether she liked it or not… That was exactly what she was.
Sammy's -
Princess. Absolutely not. Nope. Not happening. I was still trying to process the dragon thing. Nobody was adding princess to the list.
I watched another enormous dragon land in the distance. My dragon, who still hadn't even told me her name. was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Look at them!"
"I am looking at them."
"They're beautiful."
Okay. She had a point. They were. The dragons filling the skies were incredible. Ancient. Powerful. Magnificent. And apparently related to me somehow. That was still weird. Very weird. A familiar warmth suddenly settled beside me. River. My father. That still felt strange too. For several moments we simply stood there. Watching the dragons arrive. Finally he spoke.
"You look like her."
I looked over. His eyes were distant. Sad.
"My mother?"
He nodded. "Every day.",The pain in his voice was impossible to miss.
I looked back toward the sky.
"What was she really like?"
River smiled softly. "She was fearless."
A dragon landed in the distance. The ground shook.
River didn't even glance at it. His attention remained on me.
"She once punched a dragon lord for insulting me."
I blinked. "What?"
A grin appeared. "He deserved it."
I laughed before I could stop myself. River's eyes widened slightly.
Like hearing me laugh meant something important. Then he laughed too. And for the first time… It didn't feel awkward. It felt natural. Like maybe this connection had always been there.
Waiting. A horn suddenly echoed across the territory. Every dragon warrior snapped to attention. River's expression hardened.
The moment of peace vanished. A scout landed nearby and shifted.
Breathing hard.
"They're here."
Silence spread. The Shadow Order had arrived. River slowly stepped forward. Golden eyes glowing. Behind him, dragon warriors moved into formation. Wolf warriors did the same. Maddox took his place at my side. Rowan moved to my other side. The dragons overhead began circling. Waiting. Watching. Ready. River looked back at me one final time. His expression softened.
"No matter what happens next." His voice was quiet. "You stay behind the lines."
I immediately frowned. "No."
His eye twitched. "I wasn't asking."
"I wasn't agreeing."
Several nearby dragons suddenly found the ground very interesting.
Trying not to laugh. River closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath.
Then he muttered,
"Definitely my daughter."
Even Maddox laughed at that. I smirked. River pointed directly at me.
"Do not move."
"I'll think about it."
"Sammy."
"I said I'll think about it."
His dragon growled loudly inside him. Apparently dragons got irritated too. Good to know. Then the first explosion echoed from the eastern forest. Everyone turned. Smoke rose above the trees.
The battle had begun. And none of us knew that hidden among the Shadow Order forces...Someone had been waiting decades to find Sammy. Someone far more dangerous than any hunter.
Someone who knew exactly what she was. And exactly what her awakening meant.
- Writer
