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

meeting with Alphas/no way in h3ll 35

Chapter 35

Drago pov

I was nervous., What would happen if someone had seen her shift?

What if word got out? …What were we going to do then? We hurried inside, getting the kids settled for their playdate. I knew it wasn’t the same as being outside, the sun shining down on them, the open space to run free… but for now, this was the safest option. It would have to do. Once the kids were settled, I made my way to my office. The moment I stepped inside, a wave of memories hit me. I used to come in here with my father all the time. He would sit me down beside him, showing me how everything worked: the computer, the paperwork, the responsibilities. He always told me that one day, I would be king. That I would have to rule over our people… …but also love them. Now here I was. Doing exactly what he trained me for. I sat down and started going through emails before moving on to paperwork. Then came the treaties, agreements between Alphas that needed my approval. I read every line carefully. There was always a catch. And if I didn’t agree with it… I didn’t sign it. Simple as that.

I had just picked up my pen, about to approve one, when my phone started ringing. I froze for a second… then answered it. By the time I hung up, my jaw was tight. Another call came in. Then another. And another. I slammed the phone down on my desk, anger rising fast in my chest. Someone had seen Amber shifting. And instead of keeping their mouth shut, they ran and told every damn pack. Now every Alpha wanted a meeting. Here. Tomorrow. Before I could even process it fully, the door opened quickly. Levonna rushed in, her eyes filled with concern.

“What happened? Is everything okay? Why are you so angry?”

One question after another. It irritated me, but I didn’t let it show. I knew she meant well. I just needed to learn how to block her from feeling everything I was feeling. That was going to be difficult.

“Someone saw Amber shifting,” I said, my voice tight. “They went around telling everyone. Now every f*****g Alpha wants a meeting with me tomorrow.” Her expression changed instantly.

“We need every guard watching the castle and Amber’s room,” I continued. “I want to know who’s coming and who’s going. No one leaves without me knowing.”

“Alright, well honey,” she said, her tone firm, “first of all, you don’t talk to me like that. You’re mad at them, not me.” That hit harder than I expected. “Second,” she continued, “mindlink everyone. Then do the same with the guards, they’ll listen. I’ll get four guards in Amber's room. No one goes up those stairs unless it’s you or me.” I knew she was right.

My father’s words echoed in my head, never take your anger out on your mate. She didn’t cause it. If you push her away, she may not come back. I let out a slow sigh and stood, walking over to her. Pulling her into my arms, I held her close.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. I just… wasn’t thinking. I didn’t expect all the Alphas to come at once.”,I pulled back slightly, looking at her. “We’re going to have over fifty Alphas in this castle.”,

“s**t, Drago… fifty?” she said, eyes widening. “That’s a lot of power in one place. How about they stand in line and wait their turn? We are not having all of them in one place.” I almost smiled. She was trying. But it wouldn’t work.

“They won’t wait,” I said, shaking my head. “But I know what we can do.” I stepped back, already thinking it through “We’ll hold the meeting in the Thorn Room. Power is blocked there, only we can use ours. We’ll sit on our thrones… and they’ll be standing. It's the only way to control the situation.”

She nodded in agreement. I didn’t like wearing the crown; it was heavy, a constant reminder of everything resting on my shoulders.

But a king doesn’t get to choose comfort. A king does what needs to be done. And right now… I needed to figure out how to keep my cool while over fifty Alphas walked into my kingdom.

By morning, the entire castle was on edge. Guards lined the halls, twice as many as usual. Every entrance was watched, every window secured. I had already mindlinked every single one of them, orders clear and unquestioned. No one gets near Amber. No one. Levonna had done her part too. Four of our strongest guards stood outside Amber’s room, and I could still feel her presence upstairs, calm, protective… but alert. She was just as ready as I was. I adjusted the crown on my head, resisting the urge to take it off. It felt heavier today… like it knew what was coming.

“They’re here,” one of the guards announced from the doorway, bowing his head.

Of course they were. “All of them?” I asked, my voice steady.

“Yes, my King. They’re waiting at the gates.”

I let out a slow breath. “Bring them to the Thorn Room. All of them.”

The guard hesitated for half a second before nodding and disappearing. Even he could feel it. This wasn’t normal. I walked beside Levonna as we made our way down the long corridor. The castle felt different, quieter, like it was holding its breath.

“Are you ready for this?” she asked softly.

“No,” I answered honestly. “But I don’t have a choice.”

Her hand brushed mine for a moment, grounding me before we stepped inside. The Thorn Room. Dark stone walls twisted with black vines, the air thick with ancient magic. The moment you stepped inside, you could feel it, power suppressed, controlled.

Neutralized. Except for us. Our thrones sat at the far end, carved from obsidian and wrapped in sharp, curling thorns. A reminder of exactly who ruled here. I took my seat, Levonna beside me.And then…They started filing in. One by one. Alpha after Alpha.

The room filled quickly, voices low, eyes sharp, power rolling off them in waves… but the moment they crossed fully into the room, it dimmed. Muted. Their expressions shifted. Good. Let them feel it.

Over fifty Alphas now stood before us, forming a semi-circle. None of them sat. None of them spoke at first. They were waiting.

Watching. Judging. I leaned back slightly in my throne, resting one arm against the side, forcing myself to stay calm.

“You’ve all come a long way,” I said, my voice echoing through the chamber. “So let’s not waste time.”

Silence..Then one of them stepped forward. a tall, broad man with streaks of gray in his hair. His eyes locked onto mine without hesitation. “Is it true?” he asked bluntly. “Your daughter… shifted?”

Murmurs rippled through the room..I felt it.That spark of anger rising again. But I didn’t let it take control. Instead, I tilted my head slightly, my gaze hardening.

“You came all this way,” I said slowly, “to ask me about my child?”

The room stilled. No one moved. No one breathed.

Another Alpha stepped forward, this one younger, but no less bold.

“With all due respect, King Drago, if a child has that kind of power, every alpha will need a strong luna,

There it was. Not concerned. Not curiosity. Wanting, My fingers tightened slightly against the arm of my throne, thorns pressing into my skin. Good. Pain kept me grounded. Levonna shifted beside me, calm but firm.

“Our daughter is too young ,” she said, her voice cutting clean through the tension. “She will not have a mate until she is old enough. And it will be her choice.”

A few Alphas exchanged glances. Not convinced. Of course not.

I leaned forward now, my presence pressing outward, controlled, but undeniable.

“You stand in my kingdom,” I said, my tone dropping. “In my throne room. Questioning my ability to protect and raise my own daughter.”

No one spoke. No one dared.

“If any of you believe she is up for grabs to be your luna…” I continued, my eyes scanning every single one of them, “then say it. Clearly.” Silence. Thick. Heavy. And then. One voice.

“I do.”

Every head turned. A younger Alpha stepped forward from the back, his chin lifted slightly, though I could smell the tension on him.

“She shifted too early,” he continued. “That kind of power doesn’t just happen. What if she needs protection? I'm a strong young alpha. I could wait for her longer than they can.”

The room held its breath. And for a split second… So did I. Then I stood. Slowly. Deliberately.The Thorn Room seemed to react instantly, the shadows deepening as my full presence filled the space.

“You’re talking about arrangements,” I said, my voice calm… too calm.

The Alpha didn’t back down, but he didn’t step forward either.

“That” I continued, taking one step down from my throne, “is not going to

happen,” Another step. No one moved. No one spoke.

I stopped just a few feet from him now, looking down at him, not just as a king… But as a father. “If you, or anyone else in this room, so much as thinks about coming near her with anything but respect…There will be arrangements with my daughter” My voice dropped to something darker. “Then you will answer to me.” Silence crashed over the room. And this time… No one challenged it.