The Dragon Mate

Protection

Sebastian’s POV

I have lived a life I can honestly say I’m proud of. Rising in the ranks of the royal guards to become captain, learning to work with the limitations of my own magic, honoring both my mother and father in my work. Even with my own soulmate rejecting me, I can’t say I’ve had any regrets in my life. At least, I could have say that before this night. I’m forty years old, what am I doing trying to find love at this stage in my life? If I had just resisted the temptation of finally settling down with a mate of mine own then maybe the most beautiful goddess of a woman I’ve ever been blessed to meet wouldn’t be bleeding out. Maybe this patchwork of flesh and nightmares wouldn’t be baring down on a small innocent town ready to unleash horrors no one deserved to suffer.

This creature should not exist, whoever came up with the idea to make such a monster shouldn’t either. A massive body covered in fur of different colors from various creatures. Its legs were made to resemble that of a spider though made of human limbs with hands for feet. On either side of that fur covered body was the upper half of a humanoid body attached the same way one was to the centaur’s horse half. Both humanoid bodies clearly having come from adult females. The one that had struck Mana had four arms on the body, each holding a different blade though the one that had struck Mana looked to be crafted from a bone. the second humanoid body didn’t have arms to match, instead it had snakes where arms should have been. Neither humanoid body had a human head. The one with the four arms had the heard of a wolf and the other had a snake.

Cursing I draw my blade prepared to die fighting the monstrosity. The witch appeared amused by my determination as the creature’s attention turned me now that Mana was down. It was fast, faster than a creature its size should. I lift my blade prepared to block the creature’s own weapons. It never came down to meet his own. Mana was up and caught the creature’s strike in a hand covered in armored scales with hands that looked more like claws.

“Hellfire.” Her voice devoid of emotion spoke the single word.

Boulder sized fireballs fell from the sky that had darkened with black clouds. The creature screeched as it was buried under the attack. I look to see Fern was shielding the two of us with his own magic. I could only watch as Mana moved with astonishing speed, her body slamming into the creature’s sending it skittering across the ground. When she ran at it again, she jumped high into the air and came down with a spinning kick. A sickened crush echoed as fire continued to rain down on the surrounding area. The ground beneath the creature giving away under the force of her attack. The witch scoffed in annoyance before disappearing, no doubt a teleportation spell.

The creature’s body was burning as the flames from the sky finally came to a stop. They had done their job, burning the corpse to leave nothing of the monster left. Mana turned looking for the witch, her gaze filling with rage for a moment upon finding her gone. I took a deep breath as eyes unlike anything I’d seen before turned to me, the eyes of the legendary sky beast, a dragon. Mortal man was not meant to see such a creature, they lived close to the sun never wasting their time on the tiny insignificant creatures bound to land.

“Are you well?”

I nod slowly, more concerned for her as she still had a wound in her chest.

“We need to inform the pack of this, this town is close to our territory. If she chooses to return, we need to be prepared.”

I fully agreed with this and moved to her side with Fern close behind. She teleported us to pack territory and headed to a large building. I considered asking why we were at this building and what we were waiting for but resisted. I glance at Mana instead, her hands still claws and her arms still covered with those scales. Though the sight of them should be terrifying I instead find them attractive. They were a part of a woman I was already drawn to and for all their deadly strength I knew the kindness of the woman and knew they would never be turned on me.

When the door to the room opened I realized who we were waiting for. We did have similar appearances, something the alpha noticed as well.

“Frost.” The alpha greeted though he noticed quickly the state of her appearance. “What has happened?”

“The town that is close to our territory has suffered a recent visit from a witch, one that uses chimeras she creates to do her bidding. Two fathers were attacked and their family bled dry for supposed medicine. When the scheme was discovered the witch attempted to leave without notice. I destroyed her chimera but it is likely she may return.”

The alpha sat down, his eyes locked onto her wound.

“The witch did that?” He asked, concern etched in his tone.

“Her pet chimera, it hurts but it will not kill me. Once I do as promised to your crops I ask that as tribute to Earth Mother you share her bounty with those families.”

“Of course, as for the witch you mentioned our pack doesn’t have any defense against magic. Do you have a suggestion?”

“I can place wards on each of the pack, it will fight against any harmful magic. The chimeras would be the only problem.” Mana touched the wound on her chest wincing. “A very big problem.”

Levi nodded in agreement.

“I can try to form an agreement with the neighboring packs that also regularly visit that town. See if I can get them to help watch over it and protect it against any further attacks. I’d have to find something to offer them though and in the past we haven’t been able to reach any kind of agreement.” Levi’s gaze shifted to me and Fern. “We haven’t been introduced. I am Alpha Levi.”

I bow my head respectfully.

“I am Sir Sebastian Rider, former captain of the royal guards and currently courting Mana.”

Levi’s eyes widened in shock.

“I am Fern, my future mate Knight Van Helsing was going to announce our union to you at your next meeting.”

“Y-you are Knight’s mate?”

Fern nodded.

“Yes, my daughter speaks highly of you alpha.” Fern says flashing a smile towards Mana. “Now I’d like to take her home as she needs her wound treated and rest.”

Levi snaps out of his shock.

“Frost, I’d like you to stay here to rest. You are pack and injured badly. Your father and suitor may stay of course.”

Mana gives a nod of agreement before passing out. I stand quickly but Fern goes to her side and begins treating her wounds. He promises us that she will be fine, I hope he’s right.