“What makes you think his future queen will care that he is a dragon? Or leave him for that matter?” Archer asked.
“She’s fully human, or so I hear. We all know how well humans process information regarding the paranormal. They can’t handle it. She’ll probably fly right back to wherever the fuck she came from and check herself into the first mental hospital she can find.”
Agazon had seen it happen firsthand. He had fallen for a human woman. She promised she would love him no matter what. That turned out to be nothing more than a crock of shit. The supposed love of his life had left him the second she found out what he truly was. She had broken his heart into pieces. Pieces that had never healed. After that, Agazon knew he was destined to be alone. Only one of his nephews had found their mate, and that was Jace. Jace’s mating had given everyone, but Agazon, hope that they had mates out there as well.
“Hopefully, you're right. Though if Kingston ever finds out what you have done, brother …” Archer left his sentence hanging. There was no reason to finish it. They both knew the consequences. To attack someone’s mate was punishable by death. In their clan, it was the most egregious sin possible against one of their clan.
“I would rather die than be ruled by that little prick. He's no better than your father. Have you seen his lifestyle? His hedonistic club that he spends every waking moment at? Not only is it pure trash, but it also baits the humans and gives them clues to our existence,” Agazon growled.
“It is forbidden, and Kingston knows that. He flaunts his ways in everybody's face and expects that no punishment will come because he is the heir. How do you think our lives will be once he's in charge?” Archer asked.
“I don't plan on finding out. Neither should you, nephew. That's why we must stop this mating before it can happen. I don't care what it takes to get the job done, so long as we succeed.”
“Agreed. Let me know when you hear something further.” Archer unfurled his wings and launched himself into the air, not caring who saw him.
Agazon remained where he was after his nephew made his departure. Thoughts swirled in his mind. He hadn’t told Archer about his other attempt to take out Kingston’s mate.
He had been flying high above the island when he felt his nephews’ presence below him. He dove fast, intending to surprise him. But when he saw he was with a woman and smelled his nephew’s mating scent, anger filled him. He quickly shifted back to his human form and landed feet first in the water several yards away from where the pair swam.
By pure luck, a series of large waves made their way to the shore. The woman wasn't paying attention, and she was caught off guard by the water crashing over her head. He dipped under the water and propelled himself forward at a surprising speed. The woman was caught in the current. He grabbed her ankle, intending to drag her out to sea. His impromptu plan was spoiled by his brother's quick reflexes.
Kingston had plucked her out of the water and into his arms before Agazon had a chance to yank her into the depths of the ocean. From that minute on, he had begun searching for ways to destroy the woman his nephew planned to mate with and make the queen of the Pacific Dragos.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
“Oh my God! I should have known she was up to something! When is Gerri not up to something,” Emmy said as she paced around the cave. “So wait, let me get this straight. She told you that I’m your mate, and you guess that as well?” She turned to face Kingston and suddenly wished she hadn’t.
He was so fucking hot, she could barely stand it. If she had ever imagined a perfect man, Kingston would be it. He was everything she had ever fantasized about and more. Not to mention the fact that every touch of his sent a fresh wave of heat straight to her core and made her want things she hadn't wanted since she broke up with her ex.
So far, he had been nothing but a gentleman. She loved being around him. She felt comfortable around him. He made her laugh so hard that it brought tears to her eyes. No one had ever been able to do that. Well, no guy, anyway. Then, there was the fact that he had saved her life multiple times, which surprised the fuck out of her because up to this point in her life, there wasn't a single moment she could recall where she had needed to be rescued or saved by anyone.
She wasn't sure she liked the whole damsel-in-distress thing she had going on since her arrival on the island. Especially since she had always considered herself a strong and independent woman. That really didn't jive well with the wholeI am woman, hear me roarthing she prided herself on.
“No, I don't guess that you're my mate.” Kingston closed the distance between them.
In those few short seconds, her heart broke. She didn't know why. It didn't make any sense to her. It wasn't as if she had even expected him to be interested in her like that. But as silly as it was, she had still hoped that someone who looked like he did could be interested and someone who looked like her. It was absolutely stupid, and she knew it.
It didn't stop the hurt she was experiencing. It wasn't like she was living one of her own stories. It's not where the sexy hero fell in love with a chubby, dorky girl the second he laid his eyes on her. Life just didn't work like that. She, of all people, knew that.
He pulled her into his arms. She'd be lying if she said she didn't love how it felt. Refusing to look up at him, she buried her head in his chest and stayed there for a brief moment, enjoying it before he pulled away. He hooked his finger under her chin and gently lifted her face to meet his.
“I don't guess you are my mate, Emmy. I know you are. I knew it from the second I saw you that you were meant to be mine. I don't even know if you know what the word mate really means, but in my world, it is the most special bond two people can ever share.”
“Pinch me,” she said. This felt like a dream. It had to be a dream. Shit like this just didn't happen to her … ever.
“Why on earth would I do that?” he asked.
“Because this can't be really happening. I write romance books for Chrissake, and this sort of thing just doesn't happen in the real world.”
“Maybe not in the human world, but things are much different for shifters. You have to know that. Most of us wait our entire lives to find that one person we're meant to be with. Never settling until we find our mate.”
“I … I don't know what to say. I'm stunned, honestly. I've heard the term mates, but I'm not really sure what all it entails. Is it like marriage between humans?” Emmy really needed to have a serious conversation with Gerri about this whole mate thing and setting-her-up thing. Talk about being blind-fucking-sided.
“I don't expect you to say anything at all right now. I think your system has had enough shocks for today. I think you have a lot to think about, babe. And I understand that. I don't want to rush you into anything,” he explained.
“I have so many questions that I don't even know where to start,” she admitted. There were a million different thoughts and questions spiraling through her brain. She wasn't sure she was capable of plucking the most important ones out of the spiraling mass at this particular moment. Not when she needed a chance to breathe. A chance to think about everything. About her entire life. And about the fact that they had almost died just a few minutes ago.
“I get it. Believe me, I do. You've had a hell of a lot thrown at you, and honestly, I really don't know how you're not losing your shit right now. Why don't we make ourselves comfortable and we can talk, or I can leave you to think since we're stuck here for a while,” he offered.