A/N: Deacon above just imagine a younger version lol, also extra long chapter because I love you guys :)
Actaeon Island: The Vulcan Clan of Dragon Shifters
Beach Front
Pulling Ethan's jacket tighter didn't do much against the cold harsh winds. Standing slightly behind Ethan, Alice observed the massive beasts in front of her. They were huge but none as huge as the black one in the middle. Even though she got a glimpse of the man, the dragon still terrified her. Never in her life had she seen such fierce beasts before, they were even scarier than Alpha Jake. Ryder had taken Emma in his arms and was quick to mount a sky blue dragon. Ethan then tried to follow suit by dropping the ex-alpha on top of another dragon before jumping up and reaching his hand out to Alice.
She froze staring between him and the blood red beast. Its fangs were huge and every time it exhaled bits of fire escaped its snout. As if sensing her eyes on him the blood red beast turned to her in curiosity before noticing her fear and reluctance to get on so he smiled at the tiny creature in encouragement. Infinite rows of long sharp fangs were revealed, gleaming white dangerously sharp and almost as big as her whole body. The smiled seemed more like an evil smirk as Alice quickly realized that this dragon could eat her in one bite.
"I'll walk." She mumbled out carefully backing away from the smiling beast.
Finally noticing her fear Ethan slid off and stepped to her.
"Don't worry they wouldn't hurt you." Ethan spoke softly trying not to spook her. He could see how scared she was, her face was pale and her breathing shallow as she took shaky steps back but at his words she paused. Looking between him and the red beast she finally nodded however it didn't last long. As she stepped forward suddenly all the dragons turned to her and in what they had hoped to be a friendly manner, they all smiled.
ARGHHHH!!!!!!
Alice screamed before running back towards the beach.
Deacon observed her quietly with interested eyes. It was his first time seeing a woman so delicate. She was like a doll, very different from the tall muscular women of his clan. The top of her head would reach somewhere near his heart, she was that tiny. Not to mention she was adorable, something about her just pulled at his heartstrings. He didn't like that she was afraid of his kind but he didn't know what to do to help. When she suddenly screamed and started running away he didn't think twice.
Quickly sliding Ambrose off his back he flew over to drop right in front of her. Hence cueing even more screaming as she stopped dead in her tracks falling backwards at the largest of all the beasts being only a few feet in front her, just as quickly Deacon shifted into his human form before a pair of shorts sailed through the air. Instantly her screams went silent and she hurriedly covered her eyes with her hands noticing the very naked man in front of her who quickly slipped on some shorts that rode way to low on strong hips. As she peeked at him behind slightly parted fingers he stepped even closer giving her an eyeful of his eight pack before kneeling in front of her reaching down to her level. Deacon didn't have much experience with women but he was hoping this goes well.
"Don't be afraid." He spoke softly as she peeked at him from behind her fingers.
Very slowly she lowered her hands just staring up at him trying to avoid the clear display of his perfect chest and biceps. Black eyes meet green as he smiled softly at her shocked expression. Footsteps came to a stop behind her and she turned looking up into ocean blue eyes. Ethan gently reached down to help her up before carefully regarding Deacon. Ethan had grown somewhat protective of Alice. He was beginning to think of her as a little sister. Deacon to followed standing to his full 6'6 height and towering over them both after all dragons were taller and more muscular than werewolves.
As Alice finally looked up taking in all that was Deacon she unconsciously took a small step back, he was intimating. He was even taller and more built than Ethan and Ryder. She looked like a child in front of him. A strong muscular arm reached behind a thick cored neck as Deacon scratched behind neck in nervousness. Now she just seemed put off by his massive built what was he suppose to do now? Just then an idea came to him. As the clan leader he was the strongest and like his father Deacon could also partial shift. Slowly large black wings unfolded from behind him as Alice's eyes went wide. Ethan's confused eyes meant Deacon in question.
"How did you do that?" Ethan questioned.
"It's a partial shift, only a clan leader can do it among other things." Deacon responded briefly before looking at the tiny brunette again.
"So is this better than ridding with a dragon?" He questioned softly.
Glancing between the blood red beast and the enormous clan leader she hesitated for a few seconds before nodding reluctantly. While Deacon was intimidating and his size was unsettling, the red dragon was even scarier.
"Shall we?" Deacon questioned extending a hand to her.
"Okay." Alice spoke softly before placing her hand in his wondering if it was still too late to walk.
. . . .
Actaeon Island: The Vulcan Clan of Dragon Shifters
Inside the Fortress
The Fortress was made up of high walls surrounding a castle. Atop the walls were many sub stations with a dragon in each section keeping guard. The castle itself had balconies in each and every room but what made it different was that all of them had no railings. There was also no roof but instead a wide open space for landing. It was clear at first glance, this castle was made for the Vulcan Clan.
Five figures stood in the sick room staring at the unconscious one lying in bed. Ambrose then moved forward to check on Emma's condition as the others held their breath. She quite literally came back from the dead, they weren't sure what to expect.
"Well?" Ryder questioned impatiently as after a few minutes. They had put the ex-alpha in another sick room next door and were currently trying to figure out Emma's condition.
"Her heartbeat is weak. Her energy is quite low however it's not fading away. In fact she is getting stronger but it's a slow process. Also she is too cold. If she isn't warm enough she will heal even slower or worst... she might die, for good this time." Ambrose spoke gravely staring at the blazing fire side, with how cold Actaeon island was she will need more than just a fireplace. Someone will need to stay with her constantly acting as her hot water bottle. There was no other way to keep her properly warm.
"What are you not telling us?" Ethan questioned, call it sixth sense but he knew Ambrose was holding back something.
"When I first met her I felt a great power within her so dark and absolute it made me want to bow down before her, a mere child. Now however there is no trace of it. If I didn't know any better I would say she was human." Ambrose spoke carefully gauging their reactions. He didn't want them thinking he meant any insult to the right hand however he was shock at the sad resigned faces reflecting back at him, it would seem they already knew.
"Wh-What did you just say?" A shaky voice stuttered out from the doorway and instantly all heads turned.
The ex-alpha stared in bewilder at his unconscious mate.
"She's a hu-hu-hu..." He continued stuttering out as if just saying the word was a sin.
Immediately Ryder descended on him, grabbing Jake in a choke hold and slamming him into the wall before lifting him high up. Liquid gold stared back at chocolate brown as Jake struggled to breathe trying to understand what was happening.
He woke up in a foreign place surrounded by strangers but he still felt her, his mate. Following the mate bond he found her here. In a room with numerous powerful males surrounding her, even the runt was here. It irritated him that so many powerful males were around her and given her status he was quick to want to take her away from the roomful of better suited males. He didn't care that she was more dominant, that he would have to bow down to her for the rest of their lives or that he will never measure up to the great being that is his mate. All he cared about was that she was his and he wasn't letting anyone else have her. He was just about to take her away from them when he heard the unthinkable. His mate, his love, his life was the one thing that he hated the most, a human the same creatures that destroyed his life.
Shock, disbelief and dread filled him as he was grabbed by one of the males. He didn't even notice his dire situation until his lungs burned for air. Both his hands gripped at the single iron fist squeezing his windpipe in an attempt to pull the male off but it was of no use. Finally looking back up he stared into gold eyes, the kind that reflects a pissed of male protecting their mate. Suddenly the male growled low and deep, a clear warning before speaking and from the fact that some of his words came out in growls it was clear he was an inch away from ripping Jake's throat out.
"I know how you treat humans, if you think for one second you could hurt her I will kill you where you stand, no questions asked."
Even more disbelief and shock filled him. They really think he would hurt her, his own mate? Truth be told, they had a valid point but he wasn't that person anymore. The mistake he made in Tobago by rejecting Emma was still fresh in his mind. The moment he thought he had lost his mate forever, he came to realize he didn't care. He wanted her even if she was human. Sure he was confused about what was really going on, he thought she was human then she wasn't and now they are saying she is. However he didn't care, she is his mate and he will never hurt her. He was going to have to work hard to show her how sorry he was for everything. He would grovel for the rest of his life if he had to as long as she belonged to only him.
As a second male came to stand behind the first Jake was released and dropped to the floor gasping.
"I'm Noble Ethan ex leader of the Execution team. This is Noble Ryder ex leader of the Stealth team, we are now her protectors. Your reputation with humans is well known and until we can fully trust you, you are not allowed to be with her unsupervised." Ethan warned with a glare and a restraining hand on Ryder's shoulder.
Before Ryder could question on why the hell would Jake need to see her, he was instantly slapped with the truth as Jake stood. His chocolate brown eyes melted into a bright liquid gold, the brightest they have ever been yet reflecting that Jake had fully accepted the mate bond. Ryder stared at the gold hues in confusion as Ethan gulped thinking, 'This will not end well'.
Jake spoke low in a deadly tone.
"I will never hurt her and no one will keep me from my Mate."
Ryder gasped loudly as Ethan glanced between them nervously taking small backwards steps away from the bloodbath to come.
Ryder's wolf was on alert. He grew completely still. Gold eyes ablaze, fingertips grew into claws, teeth lengthening. The threat Ryder felt was emanate and with it he finally realized what his wolf has been trying to tell him all along. The way he just wanted to rip this insignificant male to shreds and claim his female it was clear as day. Emma was his second chance mate. It wasn't impossible but extremely rare.
Ryder was close to shifting. His wolf wanted a certain ex- alpha's blood.
"Your Mate?" Ryder questioned deadly glaring Jake down, daring him to try saying it again.
For a brief second Jake was confused at Ryder's burning gold eyes and the way his wolf was bristling at Jake's words as if ready to taste his blood for making such a comment but he continued his own wolf close to the edge as well.
"She is MINE!" Jake roared the last bit as his control snapped. Shifting Jake lunged for Ryder's throat as Ryder follow suit.
It was a dangerous battle of teeth and claws as both male wolves fought for their mate. Quickly Deacon had his warriors in front of both Emma and Alice as he quickly jumped into action with Ambrose close behind.
Ryder had rammed Jake sending him through the open bedroom door over the staircase to land hard on the ground floor. The tiles smashed into a crater as Jake landed with a whimper. It was clear who the stronger wolf was. An Alpha was no match for the ex-stealth leader and noble council warrior. Fueled by desperation and the fear of losing his mate Jake started shifting into his Lycan. The wolf stood on all fours growling and snarling as paws lengthened and the massive beast emerged. Ryder sensed the change and in turn leapt off the first floor to the ground floor in front of Jake. The drive to eliminate the threat so strong it was suffocating as Ryder too shifted into his Lycan. A burst of dominance erupted in the air forcing many to their knees.
Just then a blur pass by as suddenly Deacon was in between the two with both hands out stretched into full size dragon claws, his partial shift in action as he blocked both Lycan's from getting at each other. Both his massive clawed hands gripped their throats as his wings quickly unfurled from behind him stretching wide and blocking their view of each other. If given the chance their fight could destroy the whole fortress and even kill any clan members that get in between them. Despite Deacon's power it would be a suicide mission trying to stop just one of them. There was no way he alone could do it but he did succeed in what he was aiming for, distracting them.
Ambrose jumped over the railings of the first floor landing next to Deacon in a protective blue light, a reflection of his light magic before slamming his staff down hard and while shouting.
"Enough!" He roared as blue light emitted from his hand flowing down his staff and outwards washing over both the hot headed males. Instantly they shifted back into their human forms looking confused and astonished. Quickly Ambrose lifted both his hands staff outstretched towards Ryder and his other hand towards Jake before speaking another command.
"Until I say otherwise you will not shift into your Lycans!" Like chains his spell binds them locking away their Lycans as an unnatural calm consumed them. Staring at each other still confused identical gold hues bled into forest green and chocolate brown. Lifting his hand Ambrose beckoned a maid forward who quickly handed them both some clothes before leaving. Footsteps were heard as Ethan and Alice approached seeing that it was now safe.
"We need to talk." Ambrose spoke gravely glancing at both Ryder and Jake in sympathy.
"Let's go to my private study." Deacon spoke leading the way. A few minutes later and they had arrived at large double doors. As Deacon opened it they all stepped in, Ethan, Ryder, Jake and Alice. The six walked silently passing rows and rows of books. The shelves itself seemed to be never ending going as high as the ceiling.
Finally they had reached a large oak desk that seemed to be Deacon's however instead of taking a seat in the massive chair behind the desk Deacon chose to lean on the edge of the desk while Ambrose walked around it claiming the head seat. There were two long coaches facing each other as Jake and Ryder each took one, Alice and Ethan took the last long coach on the far end giving the two hot heads enough room in case another fight broke out. Ambrose quickly mumbled a few things under his breath but Alice knew what he was really doing, she had seen Emma do it already. He was casting spells, making it so that no one can over hear them.
"We were beginning to think the council didn't need us anymore. What did we miss?" Ambrose questioned with a slightly raised brow. Ryder snorted in amusement before answering rudely.
"Really that's what you wanted, the gossip you missed for two hundred years? Listen I want to know what the hell just happened?" Ryder damned as Jake too sat up straighter a slight show of support to Ryder's words, while Ethan and Alice stared wide eyed. Suddenly a loud deep laugh broke the deadly silence, Deacon's laughter filled the air as it slowly died down into a chuckle while Ambrose glared daggers at the back of his head.
"He's got a point, you are always too curious of the outside world. Why don't you explain to them first then they can take turns telling you bedtime stories of everything you missed." Deacon spoke lightly with amusement clear in his eyes.
Ambrose lifted his right hand towards Deacon before flicking it outwards, suddenly an electric current ran through Deacon as he yelled painfully. It lasted two seconds before Deacon was left gasping for breath and Ambrose with a smug grin. Ryder now lowered himself slightly unconsciously acknowledging the stronger male. Despite Ambrose's age his power was no joking matter.
"I meant what was the finally straw that landed you all here, but I guess you're right. We can wait till Emma awakens before we speak about that. As for what happened before..." Ambrose took a deep breath before looking at Ryder and Jake sadly.
"You don't have a mate do you?" He questioned Ryder softly who looked down gripping his hands tightly.
"My first mate is dead."
"I thought as much. Have you ever heard of second chance mates?" Ambrose questioned was now directed to everyone.
"Yes but they are rare." Ethan responded as Ryder, Jake and Alice shock their heads.
"When a werewolf is born without a mate the wolf will sense it, the human though will not. While the human looks for his true mate the wolf looks for a substitute, a close match, a second mate. The wolf will only choose someone based on the human emotions. If the human was in love with another and the wolf deems them worthy the bond will form, problem is the wolf will never chose another wolf in fear that they may have a mate somewhere out there and so a second chance mate is never another werewolf. Also the bond is one sided, for it to be completed the werewolf needs to make the other fall in love with them. Bottom line is Emma is your second chance mate." Ambrose spoke staring at both Jake and Ryder cautiously a fight was bound to break out and he had to be ready to stop it.
"NO!!! SHE IS MINE!" Jake roared trying to lung for Ryder but Ambrose was faster using a calming spell had both Ryder and Jake sitting back down.
"I think she is both your second chance mate and when she falls in love with one of you the bond will be completed and the other's bound will break." Ambrose spoke grimly as they both sat quietly wanting to rip the other's throat out to get rid of the competition and claim their female.
"Actually... Jake is her true mate. She is Ryder's second chance." Ethan spoke as Alice nodded in support.
Aged confused eyes turned to Ethan in question.
"What? She is not a wolf, how can she have a soul mate." Ambrose questioned as Jake gasped loudly. She wasn't a werewolf? Then how can she be the right hand? Is that why she had red eyes, claws and fangs? Then what was she?
"I don't know the how but he is her true soul mate, the bond was two sided unlike a second chance mate, I don't think she ever felt anything for Ryder." Ethan spoke apologetically looking at Ryder who was growling and glaring at Jake. If the two got a chance they would start world war three right inside the library.
"I think when she wakes up she will tell us more, she has many secrets." Alice spoke softly.
Deacon turned looking at the tiny brunette noticing the way her eyes drooped and her shoulders sagged she was tired.
"Why don't we all just get some rest for the night and we'll talk about this tomorrow. Besides I think we need Emma for this conversation, there may be things she knows that we don't." Deacon spoke softly looking at Ambrose who nodded in response.
"Okay. That's a good idea and judging from her state she should wake up tomorrow." Ambrose agreed before calling in some servants.
"Show the council members and the young lady to their rooms." Ambrose ordered.
"What about me?" Jake questioned but Ambrose ignored him until Ryder was out of earshot.
"Right now your mate needs you. She can't keep herself warm in such a weak state so you will be staying with her until she wakes and please for the sake of peace don't let Ryder know about this." Ambrose warned but it went over Jake's head as he was just too happy at being acknowledged as her mate. It felt good that there as something he could do for her. Smiling like an idiot he left the library to go find his mate.
Standing in front of her room his hands shock slightly in nervousness as he reached forward to open the door revealing his sleeping mate. As quietly as he could he closed the door stepping into the room. The curtains were open and moonlight bathed his mate's sleeping form. She looked like an angel in a peaceful sleep, so beautiful and pure. He was mesmerized. Moving towards her in slow steps he finally had her all to himself. He wanted to absorb everything about this moment. How her rich dark hair fell into her closed eyes, her pink soft lips, her cute button nose and the list goes on.
Finally at her bedside he slowly reached forward, a large strong hand hovered over her face for a few seconds in hesitation before gently brushing her bangs out of her eyes. Jake felt like this whole thing was unreal and that he would wake up to that moment on the beach where he single handily destroyed his happiness by rejecting her. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that she was human, that he in fact didn't care, that he was here with her. Or that for tonight he can truly act as her mate. Act? That word tasted bitter. He would change it, there will be a day where he wouldn't be acting but in fact be her mate but until then he had a lot of work to do. Don't get him wrong, he still hated humans with a burning passion but she was different, she was his only exception.
Sighing softly Jake shrugged out of his shirt revealing a perfect eight pack and jeans that rode way too low on his hips revealing the black waist band of his boxers. His hands hovered over the button of his jeans thinking about whether it was wise to take off his jeans as well after all he always slept in his boxers. No she might not be comfortable with that. Large rough hands dropped away from the jeans leaving it intact before he lifted the blankets getting in. Snuggling close to her he quickly realised just how cold she was. Ambrose wasn't kidding, she was freezing. He quickly shifted her under him till he was almost fully covering her like a second blanket but careful not to squash her. He completely caged her in with his arms and legs, there was no escaping him.
Looking at her sleeping face he whispered softly.
"I'm so sorry love. I'll make it up to you I promise."
Planting a tender kiss to her forehead he closed his eyes with a light smile on his lips from the feeling of having his mate in his arms. Letting sleep take him over he didn't noticed the light twitch of Emma's finger.
. . . .
Sneak peek: Next update Emma wakes up
AN: I really hope you guys enjoyed this extra long chapter :) I'm trying to add more romance and comedy let me know if you liked it. Writing this chapter had me really unsure of myself, thanks to my Beta for supporting and believing in me so much, this chapter is dedicated to you :)
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