The Dragon Mate

Fate's Choice has a name

Sebastian’s POV

“Lady Samantha, who are those the alpha is meeting with?”

My question causes the she-wolf to tense impossibly further. It had been rather chaotic in recent weeks. Mana was working full time now making medicines that were sold at the market regularly now, Fern and Knight were holed up in their home most of the time now that they were officially mated, and Levi had been working to help keep them all as safe as possible from any further attacks from that witch.

The increase in pack funds due to Mana’s new contributes had caused a buzz of excitement. There had also been an increase of outsiders visiting to speak with Levi but this group wasn’t like the rest, they caused everyone to become so tense and nervous. Levi had even advised Mana to stay away from pack territory during this group’s visit.

“That is Alpha Leon, his second in command Laura, and two of the pack Alpha Leon keeps with him when traveling to tend to any of his needs.”

I look at her confused at the way she spoke of them.

“You make it sound like they’re his servants or…” I couldn’t even bring myself to finish that sentence, it just wasn’t right.

“Slaves? They basically are. He has deemed them otherwise useless to the pack, in order to stay they have basically had to become his slaves. The other option is to be labeled rogues. There is a reason everyone is uncomfortable with their presence here but they are a pack that also boarder the town. If we want to be prepared for any further attacks from witches and their cursed hellbeasts than we don’t have a choice in interacting with their pack.”

“There has to be another option.” I argue but Samantha shakes her head and quickly looks away when the second in command turns her way.

“Word has spread of what that witch did and of the monstrosity she created. It no longer is just a matter of protecting ourselves but building defenses against such threats. Our pack isn’t the only one seeking to expand with stronger allies. The truth is that our pack and Alpha Leon’s both have much needed qualities the other lacks.”

“Like what? I’ve seen you guys, you don’t seem to be lacking much and whatever you are I really doubt they can offer.”

The she-wolf shook her head as she motioned for me to follow her.  I followed her with a final glance back at the group meeting with Levi. He didn’t look any happier than the others of the pack at their presence yet he’d arranged the meeting with them.

“Their pack has more connections and far deadlier members. Because Leon forces every member of the pack to prove their worth their warriors train non-stop becoming deadlier and more skillful everyday. They have a strength we lack and we have access to healers and mages now. Levi has in the past tried to have a truce between our packs.”

I can’t imagine ever wanting to have any contact with such a pack. As I follow her I find we’re heading towards Mana’s workshop in the pack’s territory. Glancing at Samantha I can tell she’s really on edge and lately she seemed to find Mana’s presence relaxing. Now that she wasn’t so set against having the dragon among the pack I would say they were becoming fairly good friends.

“Frost,” Samantha greets as she throws the door open.

Mana glances up our way only a moment before turning her attention back to her work. Her long hair was pulled into a messy bun to stay out of her way and she was wearing a sleeveless short dress that was slightly worn, it seemed to be one of her set’s of clothing set aside for this kind of work. Like the rest of her clothing it bore the earthly colors favored among the fae. Her current dress was a deep forest green with designs of flowers done in a brown the color of bark along the edges of the skirt and around the neck.

“How are things going with our guests?” Mana asked as she began measuring ingredients, her attention mainly focused on her task even as she asked.

“Everyone is still very uncomfortable and I look forward to that alpha leaving our territory.” Samantha sighed; her body visibly relaxing as she sat down near Mana.

“Let us pray the gods look favorably on us then, perhaps they’ll bless us and have him leave quickly.” Mana commented, her brows furrowed as she concentrated on her task.

I take a seat watching Mana work and glancing at Samantha who had relaxed enough to begin drifting to sleep in her seat. I hadn’t even noticed she looked tired until she was snoring softly where she sat.

“I haven’t met this alpha that has everyone so worried, what is he like?” Mana asked me softly, careful not to wake Samantha.

I let out a sigh crossing my arms.

“He’s big, not just tall but it’s clear he’s no weakling. Pretty sure even Levi wouldn’t want to fight him. His hair is short and a really dark brown, his eyes are like amber but they’re so cold I could be wrong. Even I haven’t wanted to stare into them longer than a split second. He’s clothes are high quality, clearly his pack is well off.”

As I spoke Mana’s movements began to slow. When I finally noticed I saw her eyes were wide and her body frozen, not even breathing as she stared aimlessly ahead of her.

“Mana?”

She suddenly stands, waking Samantha in an instant and bringing me to my feet as though a threat were near and ready to fight.

“I need to return home.” Is all she says gathering her things.

“What? Frost what’s going-”

Samantha’s words were cut off as the door opened and they all turned to see Levi standing there with their guests. I see at the same time as Samantha that the alpha’s eyes immediately go to Mana with recognition in those ice cold amber eyes.

“It seems the Blessed Three have decided to answer my prayers, I’ve looked everywhere for you my mate.” Leon’s voice is light with a false happiness within it as he pushes everyone aside to approach Mana who had frozen at the sight of him.

“What?” Levi snaps hearing the cold hearted alpha call our mate his.

Leon ignores him and grabs Mana’s shoulder drawing panicked eyes to his.

“I see you must have sensed me coming. Continue packing and I will bring you home with me.”

“Wha-what? No, I was going to return to my father’s…I needed to go see him. Why are you here? Why would you call me yours? You rejected me.”

Her words shouldn’t have been needed to realize what was happening but the shock seemed to have slowed not only my ability to process what was happening but everyone else’s. This alpha that had them all on edge was the soulmate that rejected their Mana.

“I know, I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. My family refuses to mix our pure wolf bloodline with others but I don’t need to worry about that. We simply won’t have children. I’ll have an heir with another and we can be bonded as the Blessed Three intended, you are to be my perfect match after all. Now gather your things, you’ve wasted enough time away from my side.”

“You seem to be under the belief that Mana is yours, she is not.” I interrupt, wrapping my arm around Mana to comfort her and to keep this cruel wolf away from my mate.

Those amber eyes shouldn’t have been able to become any colder but somehow he managed. His eyes filled with hatred and intent to kill me to remove me as a threat to what he’d decided was his was clear.

“Remove your arm from my mate, I will not hesitate to kill you.”

I tighten my grip and when his hand shoots out to grab me I use my magic to strengthen my body and grab his hand with ease. His eyes widened just a fraction before they narrow again.

“Do not touch me or my mate. Mana has moved on and unless she approaches you, stay away.”

Leon bared his teeth at me and moved to attack again but this time I didn’t even get the chance to stop him. The alpha was knocked through the wall as Mana hit him. All eyes widened as we turned towards her. Her normally friendly expression was replaced by one of pain and anger.

“I am no mate of yours, you rejected me and I’ve accepted that and moved on. Now leave me be.”

Her words were met with an enraged howl as the alpha had decided to shift. He was big, even bigger than Levi which I had thought impossible. Mana wasn’t deterred though as she walked forward to meet the challenge of the alpha.

“Frost.” Levi tried to stop her but she leveled him with a look that caused him to step back.

We could only watch as Mana stood against the enraged alpha wolf that was baring his teeth at her ready to fight.

“Leave, I don’t want to fight you if I don’t have to.”

With a howl the alpha rushed forward to strike. I expected her to shift but she didn’t. Mana stood calmly as the wolf charged her and when he was just a breath’s away from striking her uttered a single word.

“Smite.”

A lightning bolt shot down from the sky causing a pained howl that forced us to cover our ears. When I looked to see what had happened, I was shocked to find the alpha returned to his human form and unconscious but alive. I had expected him to be dead from that attack.

“I’d suggest taking him home.” Mana directed at the wolves from Leon’s pack.

They rushed to their alpha’s side and picked him up to take him away from the dragon that could have easily killed him. Instead she chose to spare him and they weren’t going to risk her changing her mind.

“Frost, that was amazing.” Levi said reaching out for her but his hand never made contact as Mana collapsed unconscious.

“Mana!”

She was breathing but she looked pale and trembled in her unconscious state. Levi didn’t need to say anything as he shifted. I picked up Mana and got onto his back. I held on tightly as he rushed to the fae forest. If anyone could figure out what happened it would be Fern and Knight.