Chapter 13: An Old Friend

Alyssa

I couldn’t believe who I was seeing, Timothy Thatcher.

“What are you doing here?” I said after she hugged him. “Wait, you’re a dragon too?!”

“Guilty as charged,” Tim laughed nervously. “I can’t believe you’re one too. I don’t understand, where have you been? How in the goddess’s name are you here?”

“I hate to break up this touching reunion, but please catch up after class is over,” Mr. Reid said.

“Sorry, Mr. Reid,” Tim said. “I’ll talk with you after class,”

Tim and I returned to the other students. Vincent was holding me close to him and shooting daggers at Tim. Vincent’s possessiveness is a little cute.

“Who was that?” Vincent said, his voice a little gruff.

“He’s a friend from before I turned,” I explained.

That didn’t put his mind at ease. I can feel what he is thinking and tell that he doesn’t trust him, and when I see things from his perspective, I get it; Vincent doesn’t know Tim, but that will change when they get to know each other. I paid little attention during the rest of the class. My head was filled with many questions, and class ended at last.

“We’ll catch up with you later guys,” Audrey said, and she left with Izzy and Jacob.

Tim approached Vincent and me, and I could feel Vincent radiating his dominance. Tim looked at Vincent and bowed to him. “So can we talk now?” I asked.

“Alyssa, may I have a word with you before you go?” Mr. Reid called out.

“With me? Now?” I said. I looked back at Tim, and he nodded.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Tim winked. “I’ll wait for you outside the field,”

“I’ll wait outside,” Vincent scoffed,

What’s up with him? I will have to think about that later. “Mr. Reid?”

“Alyssa, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve got to say that I’ve never seen a gold dragon before,” Mr. Reid crossed his arms.

“I get that a lot,” I rubbed my neck,”

“I can understand that. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Now, the reason why I called you here is because your situation is quite unusual. You’ve been a dragon for two years now, am I right?” Mr. Reid asked.

“That’s right?” I nodded,

“When did you shift into you’re dragon?” Mr. Reid said.

“Just before my nineteenth birthday,” I said.

“Pecuiler,” Mr. Reid chuckled.

“What is this all about?” I asked.

“You don’t have to worry about anything. You have impressive control over your transformation,” Mr. Reid smiled.

“Took some time I can tell you,” I chuckled.

“I heard. Listen kid, I just wanted to let you know, that if there’s anything I could help you with, don’t hasitate to as,” Mr. Reid smiled.

“Thank you, Mr. Reid,” I said.

“I know you’ll do great things here,” Mr. Reid smiled.

I left the field and searched for Vincent, and he was talking with Timothy. I can hear their conversation.

“So Tim, you were together in high school?” Vincent asked.

“That’s right, and the first year of college, then she disappeared,” Tim said, his shoulders drooping.

“What did the humans say about her disappearance?” Vincent asked.

“All the police found was that her home was trashed, and they found blood in the living room. The police speculated that someone killed them and moved their body elsewhere. They never had any persons of interest, no leads,” Tim shook his head.

Then Tim saw me and waved me over; I could tell he didn’t know I was overhearing them talking. “Alyssa, I still can’t believe you’re alive; everyone thought you were killed. Alyssa, what the hell happened to you?”

“That’s kind of a long story,” I laughed.

“I have time, and school is over, so I’m all yours,” Tim smiled.

“Alright,” I then looked at Vincent. His left eye twitched slightly, and a low growl escaped his lips. “Is it okay of I skip coffee with you today, Vincent?”

“Of course, Do you know how long you’ll be? Let’s meet up later.” Vincent said calmly.

“I have a lot to catch up with Tim, so I don’t know how long I’ll be,” I said.

“Alright, I’ll see you later,” Vincent kissed me passionately and walked off.

“Come, we can talk and walk to a secluded part of the beach and catch up there,” I said.

We talked to the beach; now I know that Tim is a dragon; he has a new energy surrounding him. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” I said.

“I can’t belive I found you. I tried doing my own invesgation regarding your dissipeerance, but I came up with nothing. Whoever took you covered thier tracks very well, no wonder the police were stumped,” Tim said.

“My head is filled with questions, and I want to ask a few now that I know you’re a dragon. What type of dragon are you?”

“A Lightning Dragon,” Tim said.

“Are both of your parent’s dragons? I know that at least one of them must be a dragon for you to be one,”

“My mother is a Lightning Dragon, and my father is descended from a clan of dragon hunters. My father is mortal but has the magic of the Wind Dragons. Every day my dad is slowly losing his grip on his humanity. I want the Moon Goddess to lift his curse before he succumbs to the Curse of Dragon Communion and suffers a fate worse than death,”

“I’m unsure if there is a cure for that, Tim. The books I’ve read have told me that this was the retribution that the goddess placed on the practice.” I said.

“He didn’t have a choice, either he ate the heart of a wind dragon willingly or they force it down his throat. He shouldn’t be punished for something he was coerced into. If there is a cure, I will find it,” Tim said. “Now, there is something I still don’t understand,”

“And that is?” I stared.

“If you’re a dragon, why am I only seeing you first now? Where have you been these past two years?” Tim asked.

“It’s complicated,” I shook my head.

“The police found so much blood in your home,” Tim started crying.

“That wasn’t my blood,” I turned away from him.

“You’re mom,” Tim gasped.

I couldn’t bear to answer him; I just nodded my head.

“Alyssa, I’m so sorry for your loss. Who the hell did this to you?” Tim’s sadness turned to rage.

“Even to this day, I still don’t know who kill my mom and took me. All they wanted was me, and my mother was in the way. That night before I vanished, I manifested.” I said.

“Holy shit! You were almost nineteen!” Tim was shocked.

“When I told my mom what happened, she said we had run away, but before we could, they caught us. I was drugged, and they killed my mom.” My eyes swelled with tears.

“Why did they want you?” Tim asked.

Right, Tim arrived after I showed everyone my dragon. “They wanted me because I’m the Gold Dragon,” I told him, and his mouth dropped.

“You’re the WHAT!?” Tim shouted.

“Yep, I’m the Gold Dragon, everyone has been talking about me apparently,” I mumbled.

“I know your mother wasn’t a dragon, but I’m guessing she knew the truth and never told you,” Tim speculated.

“Yeah, she knew I was a dragon and never told me anything, and that knowledge died with her,” I said.

We spent the rest of the day talking, and it was like we had spent no time apart. It was just like before everything went to hell. Tim walked me back to Izzy’s house. But before I could walk through the door, Tim asked me about Vincent,

“Alyssa, that boy you were with, is he your boyfriend?” Tim questioned.

“He’s more than my boyfriend, he’s my fated mate and I bear his mark on my neck and parts of my shoulder,” I smiled.

“Oh, okay. I’ll see you at school. I’d just thought I asked,” Tim gave me a sad smile and left.

I entered the house, and it was dark; the moment I entered the living room, the lights turned on, and sitting on the couch were Isabella and Annabeth, and they gave me devilish smiles.

“Hey girls, what’s up?” I smiled.

“What’s up? What’s up?!” Annabeth said sarcastically.

“Bring it down a notch, honey,” Izzy said as she covered her ears.

“Fine, Izzy told me you spent the day with Timothy?” Annabeth said.

“Wait? You know him?” My eyes widened.

“He was in the academy with us last year. He’s a good guy.” Isabella said.

“But the bigger question is, how do you know him, and why have you kept Vincent’s mark a secret from your best friends?” Annabeth gave a playful, angry look.

I started to explain everything about Timothy and how I knew him from my past. It was difficult going through the painful memories I wanted to forget, but it got easier the more I told it.

“I know I shouln’t worry, but what does Vincent think about this?” Izzy said,

“I sort of just bailed on him to talk to Tim,” I said regretfully.

“You didn’t!” Annabeth gasped. “I wouldn’t worry; he is your mate, he could be mad at you, but he won’t stay that way forever. He loves you too much to let that ruin what you two have built, and besides, you’re fully mated. Did you two have sex yet?”

“Annabeth!” Izzy elbowed her on Annabeth’s side.

“What, they completed the Mate Bond; the sex is just a perk,” Annabeth smiled widely. “Us fairies and dragons love to make things official by being intimate,” Annabeth said, moaning softly. “Hey, why not call him to be sure that he’s not mad at you. He gave you a phone, right?”

Izzy faced Annabeth. “That is the smartest thing you’ve said tonight,” Izzy joked.

“Maybe I should call him,” I pondered. “Like you said, he’s my mate, and I don’t think he’s the jealous type,” I took out my phone and called Vincent. He answered immediately after the first ring. I placed him on speakerphone so the girls could hear.

“Hello beautiful,” Vincent cooed.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” I said.

“No, never. I’m just working out,” Vincent said.

“I wanted to say that I’m sorry for bailing on you earlier. I want to make it up to you. Do you want to go for a walk?” I asked.

“I’d love that,” Vincent said. I sense Vincent beaming a smile.

“Meet me at the gardens where you took me beofre meeting the elders,” I said.

“I’ll see your there,” Vincent then hung up.

I put my phone in my pocket. “I’m going to get dressed, then meet Vincent in the gardens,” I changed my clothes to feel more comfortable in the cool night air. Vincent was waiting for me in the pavilion. “Hey,” I said behind him. Vincent turned to face me, and I got to look at his body again. He didn’t button up his shirt. I knew he had abs, but oh my god! His skin and hair were still damp from the shower, making me look hotter! I then noticed the strange look in his eyes. I pulled him in and claimed his lips.

“What was that for?” Vincent giggled.

“That was me saying sorry for bailing on you today,” I said.

“I get it, he’s an old frieed,” Vincent nodded.

“Vincent, Timothy is just a friend and always will be,” I reassured him.

“Okay,” Vincent nodded. “I’ll admit I was a bit jealous,”

“You don’t have to worry about anything, I’m your mate, you are mine,” I said seductively.

“And don’t you forget it,” Vincent purred as he claimed my lips.