Amber's Fire, Book 3 Of Blood In The Dragon

the conversation 48

Chapter 48

Drago POV

I couldn’t believe this male., No, this child. He was only twenty… and my daughter was twelve. He came here under the excuse of helping other alphas with rogue problems, yet the moment he arrived, he mindlinked me, telling me Amber was his mate. I made him swear not to tell her. To his credit, he agreed, saying it would be her choice when the time came.,That didn’t stop me from wanting to rip his damn head off.,He walked into my home knowing exactly who she was to him. I led him into my office and shut the door behind us. Taking my seat behind the desk, I watched as he sat across from me. My dragon roared in my mind, clawing to get out, to tear into him. It took everything in me to force it back down.

“Alpha Ripley,” I said evenly, though my foot tapped against the floor, betraying my impatience. “What rogue problems are you dealing with? If the others listened to me, they wouldn’t have these issues.”

He didn’t flinch.,“Sir, other alphas have been coming to me for help. Some want money for electric fences. Others are fighting over territory. I don’t know why they come to me instead of you, some are… scared of you. I try to mediate, but I don’t hand out money. If I do, they’ll keep coming back. I came here for your advice, sir.”

I studied him carefully.,So… they looked up to him. Trust him.

Despite everything, a flicker of respect settled in my chest. I knew his story, his father dead from an illness no doctor could cure, no healer to save him. His mother barely holding on, the bond tearing her apart. Without a new mate, she wouldn’t last much longer.

I leaned back slightly, nodding.

“Then listen carefully, Alpha Ripley. I’ll give advice, that’s all. The fact they come to you means you’re already one of the top alphas they trust. Don’t take that lightly.”.He held my gaze, silent.

“I’ll have electric fences arranged for the packs you name. But I will not send money. If they want something, they work for it, just like everyone else.” I paused, letting my words settle.

“You need to be strong. Rule with an iron fist when necessary, but don’t forget your people. Protect them. Care for them. That’s what makes a true alpha.”

My eyes narrowed slightly. “And for goddess’ sake… stop sleeping around. I can smell another female on you.”

He stiffened. “If my daughter is your mate, then act like it. If you want meaningless fun until she’s of age, fine. But don’t date. Don’t give other women hope. End it before it gets too deep.”

Silence filled the room..He didn’t look away once. When I finished, he gave a single nod.

“You’re right,” he admitted. “I do date, but I’ve never promised them anything. Still… I’ll end it. Thank you for your time, sir. I shouldn’t leave my mother alone too long. I’m hoping she finds another mate… but so far, she hasn’t.”

I gave a short nod.,“It was… productive. Thank you for coming.”

Then my voice hardened.,“But don’t come back unless I send for you, or you request permission first. If I catch you anywhere near my daughter…” I leaned forward slightly, letting my dominance press into the room.,“I won’t be this kind again.”,I gestured toward the door. “You know your way out.”

Ripley POV

The moment I stepped out of Drago’s office, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Goddess… that male was terrifying. And not just because of his power, though that alone could crush most alphas without effort,but because of the control he held over it. His dragon had been right there, just beneath the surface. I felt it the entire time, pressing against my own, daring it to rise. Mine stayed still. Not out of fear… but respect. I ran a hand through my hair as I walked down the hallway, my boots echoing softly against the floor. My heart was still pounding, but my mind wasn’t on the rogue problems anymore. It was on her. Amber. Twelve years old… and already my mate. I closed my eyes for a brief second, jaw tightening. What kind of twisted fate was that? I hadn’t gone looking for her. I hadn’t wanted this, not like this. But the moment I felt the bond snap into place when I saw her… I knew. There was no denying it, no escaping it. And then I had to walk straight up to her father and tell him.,Stupid? Maybe. But I wasn’t a coward.

I meant what I said, I won’t tell her. Not until she’s older. Not until she has a choice. The last thing I want is to trap her into something she doesn’t understand yet.,Still… Drago’s words echoed in my head. Stop sleeping around. I exhaled slowly, shaking my head.

He wasn’t wrong. I had been dating, nothing serious, nothing promised, but that didn’t matter. Not anymore. Not when I knew who my mate was. It wouldn’t be fair to anyone involved. Especially not Amber. I pushed the front doors open and stepped outside, the cool air hitting my face. It helped… a little. My thoughts shifted to my mother, and my chest tightened. She was getting weaker. I could see it every time I left. The bond was tearing her apart piece by piece, and without another mate… there wasn’t much time left.

I clenched my fists. I needed to get back.But before I could move, my dragon stirred, low and restless.,Mate… I froze. My gaze lifted without thinking, scanning the grounds.,No.

I forced the feeling down immediately, shoving my wolf back into place.,Not now.,Not ever… until she’s ready. Drago’s warning wasn’t empty, I knew that much. If I even stepped out of line, I wouldn’t just be facing an alpha. I’d be facing a father. And I respected him too much to cross that line. Taking one last breath, I headed toward my car, my mind already shifting back to responsibilities, to my pack… to my mother. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her out of my head.