Page 3 of Bound by Fire and Scales (The Dragons of Earis #1)

For such a small woman, Sabrina was quick.

One moment she was there, and the next, she was gone, vanishing from the bar with the swiftness of a cat. All that remained was her sweet scent of vanilla lingering in the air. But I was a dragon, and my senses were sharper than other creature’s. I breathed deeply, drawing in on her scent, and let it guide me. I wasn’t sure why, but something deep inside of me stirred at the thought of letting her slip through my fingers. It wasn’t just curiosity. It was a pull, an unexplainable desire to chase after her.

I tracked the sweet scent of vanilla through the dark alley, the familiar, comforting fragrance now tainted with the scent of fear and anger. My alpha instincts went on alert instantly and I rushed, following her trail to a scene that filled me with blinding fury. Sabrina was backed against a wall, cornered by three men. Their stench told me all I needed to know. They were nothing more than regular betas, the kind who thought they could prey on those weaker than them.

The sweet vanilla mingled with panic, and my anger flared. A deep, guttural snarl slipped from my throat as I took in the sight. What were they doing? How dare these worthless betas intimidate an omega like this? Sabrina’s hazel eyes met mine, surprise flashing across her face when she saw me. But my focus remained on the pathetic excuse for a man in front of me, the short, fat beta who had the audacity to speak first.

“Hey pal, she’s fair game. She’s unclaimed,” he sneered, his eyes barely meeting my eyes. I scoffed. A coward like him would never dare look into an alpha’s eyes.

I didn’t give him a chance to finish, my hand shooting out to grip his shirt, lifting him off the ground with ease. His feet dangled helplessly, his eyes wide with panic. The other two betas immediately shrieked, begging me to release their friend, pleading for mercy. Their voices were the familiar whine of cowards, a sound I was all too familiar with. I couldn’t help but smirk as they cowered, just as I had expected.

“Did they touch you?” The words tore from me in a low, dangerous snarl. “Did they hurt you?” Sabrina flinched at my tone, but she bounced back fast and looked directly at me without showing any fear, shaking her head.

“They didn’t have time,” she said, her voice filled with disgust. In one fluid motion, she stepped away from the wall and, with a swift kick, she caught one of the betas off guard, sending him stumbling back with a hit to the groin. Before he could even recover, she spun, her fist connecting with the second beta’s nose, and I heard the satisfying crack of his bones being broken. I stood there, rooted in stunned silence, watching her with a mixture of admiration and disbelief. She wasn’t like the other omegas I knew. No, she was a firecracker.

I gripped the struggling beta tightly, shaking him once more, letting him dangle in the air like a ragdoll. “What do you want to do with this one? ”

She tilted her head slightly, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips as she met my gaze. “Put him down.”

I obeyed without hesitation, releasing the beta and letting his limp body fall to the ground with a dull thud. She eyed him as he scrambled to his feet, his movements shaky and desperate. “Not so brave now, huh?” she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.

The beta didn’t answer. His gaze flickered between us, his eyes wide with panic, before he turned and bolted, his feet kicking up dust as he fled into the distance. We stood there, both of us silent, watching as the pathetic beta vanished into the shadows of the street.

I stole a glance at her from the corner of my eyes and couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t intervened? Could she have defended herself? Probably; those betas weren’t that strong, and after what I just saw, I had the feeling she could hold her own if it came to it. But still, did she face this kind of attack often? Was this a routine humiliation, something she’d learned to expect from those who saw her as beneath them? As an omega, did she endure this sort of treatment every day?

Among my species, even the weakest were respected, honored as members of the clan. The humans feared us, called us demons, spun tales of our ruthlessness and savagery. But at least among dragons, we didn’t degrade our omegas, didn’t treat them like something less than kin.

Her gaze shifted to me, her hazel eyes studying me with a quiet suspicion. “Thanks, but I’m still not changing my mind.” She turned away. A surge of desperation overtook me, and before I could think, I grabbed her arm, spun her back toward me, and unintentionally pulled her too close. Her body pressed against mine and I was suddenly too aware of her soft curves and sweet scent.

We faced each other in silence while she glared at me incredulously as my hand stayed on her arm. Her eyebrow arched, her eyes flicking down to my hand, snapping back to mine. “What do you think you’re doing?” Her voice cut through the air. I released her arm and stepped back, creating a careful distance between us.

“Please, just listen to me for five minutes…” She let out a dry, humorless laugh.

“Well, buddy, you must be really desperate if you want me, of all people, to be your dragon queen.”

Yes, I was desperate, but I couldn’t grasp why it had to be her. Why my dragon practically bowed for her, I couldn’t explain. Of course, I was drawn to her. She was breathtaking, with curves that captivated my eyes and legs that seemed to go on forever. But it was more than just desire. It was an undeniable pull, deeper, stronger, something that went far beyond the physical. Why was I so drawn to her?

“It has to be you, Sabrina. If it’s not you… then there’s no one else for me.”

“Why?” she demanded, her voice sharp. “What makes you think that? You’ve known me for, what, fifteen minutes? Why me ?”

“Because you’re nothing like any omega I’ve ever met.” I held her gaze, searching the depths of her hazel eyes. “You’re not afraid of me, and you don’t need anyone to protect you. Hells, I’ve never seen an omega fight like you did. You’re strong, Sabrina. Smart. Fierce. I need someone like you at my side. I know I’m asking for far too much, but I truly believe you’re the only one who can help me.”

A soft blush crept across her cheeks, painting her face with a beautiful shade of red. As the faint scent of her embarrassment teased my senses, I fought a growl from leaving my chest. She was adorable. “Are you planning on giving your fake mate the bite?” she asked and my eyes followed the movement of her teeth, biting her soft pink lower lip.

I knew what she meant. She was asking if I would mark her. To be mated to someone meant to bear each other’s marks in our bodies. Typically, such a bond was forged when both mates shared the bound bite, a ritual that carried with it an unbreakable vow, binding their fates together for eternity. But to give that to someone, to offer such a mark, meant something deeper. It was more than a mere gesture. It was an irreversible act of trust, of surrender.

“No,” I said, my voice firm, though it came out sharper than I intended. The word hung in the air, but it did nothing to quiet the sudden rush of heat that flared inside me. I shifted uncomfortably, my pulse quickened as an image—unwanted yet vivid—flashed in my mind.

Her slender neck, bare and vulnerable, turned toward me, offering itself willingly. The delicate line of her skin, waiting for my claim. The thought of sinking my teeth into her soft flesh, marking her as mine, sent an intense wave of desire down my lower region. I pushed the image away, forcing my gaze to remain on her. It was unlike me to get distracted by an omega, but I was having some difficulty with her.

“So,” she continued, and despite her voice being steady, I could tell by her scent that she was still uncertain. “If I become your fake mate, what would happen next?”

“Next, we would present ourselves to the council as a united front. Let them believe what they want to believe.”

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. The plan had seemed so simple when I first thought it, but now, as I spoke it aloud, there were too many things that could go wrong. I paused, confusion flickering through me. “After that...” I trailed off. I hadn’t fully considered the consequences. This was my first time acting on impulse, the first time I’d ever dared to defy the council. “I guess we’ll see where this takes us,” I finished, though the words felt hollow even to me.

“Alright.” Her eyes flickered with something unreadable before she finally spoke again. “I’ll help you. But don’t think for a second that I’m going to just play along without having a say in what happens.”

A slow, satisfied smirk curved my lips as my alpha roared within me. The omega has accepted us . “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Her eyes softened just slightly, but there was still a sharp edge to her voice when she asked, “when do we leave?” Her scent had shifted, a blend of excitement and apprehension that was impossible to ignore.

“Now.” The sooner we left, the better. “Unless you have any pending matters to attend to.”

She gave a quick nod, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Let’s go then, big dragon,” she said, her tone playful. “I need to grab my things at the inn before we leave.”

I gave a slight nod and let her take the lead, following at a steady pace as she led us through the narrow streets toward the inn where she stayed. The curious stares from the guild members barely registered, though I could feel their eyes linger on me.

I knew I stood out—an outsider in a place like this, a low rank guild with no well-known members. But that was precisely why I chose this one, far away from any dragon territories, where no one would recognize me. I couldn’t afford to be exposed. If everything went according to plan, I’d have this matter settled, and maybe the council would finally allow me to lead the Firescales as I was meant to.

I lingered, my gaze tracing the soft waves of Sabrina’s long blonde hair as it cascaded over her shoulders. Her delicate button nose and the faint sprinkle of freckles that danced across it caught my attention in a way I hadn’t expected. I couldn’t deny it. She was beautiful. Even beneath the veil of the chemicals of her suppressants, I could still detect the faint, sweet hint of her vanilla scent lingering in the air. It stirred something in me, something I tried to suppress with every ounce of discipline I’d trained for as an alpha. But her scent, her soft voice, the way she moved drew me in. Despite my efforts to remain unaffected, there was an undeniable pull toward her, a magnetic allure I couldn’t escape.

Sabrina wasn’t exactly what I envisioned for this role, and I knew she was far from what the council expected in a mate for me. She was human, and her appearance didn’t fit the council’s strict ideals. Her slightly tan skin—probably from her life as an adventurer—would surely raise some eyebrows.

In our society, omegas were rare, cherished, and treated with the utmost care. They were never expected to do manual labor, heavy tasks, or any type of dangerous work. That Sabrina had sun-kissed skin wasn’t an issue for me. In fact, I liked how it contrasted with her blonde hair .

My gaze trailed over her slender form. She wore her adventurer’s clothes, dark trousers held up by brown suspenders and a simple white blouse. The casualness suited her, but I knew the council would demand she change to fit the standards of my family. After the war decimated our numbers, I became the last alpha of the ancient fire dragon bloodline. That was why the council would be so keen on molding her into the perfect mate.

I didn’t care for titles or how pure the blood in my veins was. I was a leader, a warrior, a strategist. What truly worried me was whether she’d have the strength to endure the trials the council would inevitably throw her way once we returned to the clan. She was slender and petite, barely reaching my shoulders. I towered over her effortlessly.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that she and the council would crash against each other. The council thrived on tradition, demanding obedience, especially from omegas. Would she be able to handle their demands? Was I making the right choice by choosing her for this job? Wasn’t I being too selfish by following my instincts for once and picking her just because my alpha felt the pull towards her?

“What are you daydreaming about? Thrilled that you’ve landed yourself a fake mate?” Sabrina asked, turning back to me with a teasing smile. I was caught off guard yet again; her playful tone was unexpected. I wasn’t accustomed to being addressed this way, most wouldn’t dare to speak to me so casually. But I couldn’t fault her for it. She had no idea of the reputation I carried among the dragons.

“Come on, big dragon. We’re already here,” she urged, gesturing toward an old building that I assumed was our destination. There was an undeniable spark in her voice, a delightful blend of mischief and confidence that both intrigued and unsettled me.

As we stepped inside, the heavy door creaked open, revealing a cozy yet worn interior. The inn was modest. The stone walls bore cracks in places, softened by the flickering light of a few dying candles perched on crooked wooden sconces. A fire crackled lazily in the hearth at the back, casting dancing shadows across the uneven floorboards, which groaned underfoot with each step.

Near the counter stood the innkeeper, a wiry older woman who watched us as soon as we entered, her gaze darting between Sabrina and me with a glint of curiosity. I could almost sense the questions swirling in her mind: Who is he? What does he want with her?

Sabrina paid her no mind, holding her head high as she led me through the small common area toward the stairs at the far end of the room. I followed her, still grappling with the strange thrill her words had ignited within me. What was it about this human girl that made me feel so challenged yet undeniably alive?

She stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor, fumbling with her single key. With a swift kick of her boot, she forced the wooden door open, its creak echoing in the stillness. “I’ll be quick,” she said, gesturing for me to step inside.

As I entered, the room felt cramped, my larger frame taking up half of the space. It was difficult to move without bumping into her, reminding me of our size difference. I stood slightly curved against a wall while I watched her move around the room with no problem. The room was as modest as the rest of the inn, a small bed tucked into one corner, a plain wooden table against the wall. But there was an emptiness to the place. It felt impersonal, as if no one truly lived here. The absence of personal touches suggested she used the room solely for sleeping.

I frowned, wondering why she chose to live this way. Was she trying to distance herself from something?

I glanced at Sabrina, my gaze meeting her hazel eyes. Her eyes darted to the floor, then to the cracked walls, before landing on the rumpled blanket draped across the bed. A soft flush crept up around the point of her nose, and she quickly moved to straighten the blanket, as if that small act could make the room more presentable.

She thought I was judging her.

I could see it in the way she avoided my gaze. She was ashamed of this room, of her life. I didn’t say anything for a long moment, just watched as she busied herself grabbing some clothing and shoving it inside of a bag. Her movements were rushed, as if the weight of my silence was too much for her to bear. But it wasn’t judgment I felt—far from it.

She then turned to me, crossing her arms over her chest. “Well? What do you think of my room? You’re probably surprised by how I live, huh? I mean, you’re a clan leader and all…” She began, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “But not everyone has the same resources you do. Especially not a single omega trying to make it in this world. So spare me your judgments.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. “I’m not judging you,” I finally managed to say, holding her gaze. “I’m trying to understand.”

Her eyes narrowed, skepticism dancing in their depths. “Understand what? That I don’t live in a grand fortress like you? That I don’t have the luxury of being part of a clan?”

“No, that’s not it,” I replied, my voice steady. “I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t help but ask: why are you alone? Why aren’t you mated? Where is your family to protect you?” My tone softened as I spoke, revealing my genuine curiosity. I had been taught to care for our omegas. The thought of my sister, an omega, living alone like Sabrina, was almost unfathomable to me. It felt like a betrayal of everything I had learned. How could she navigate this harsh world without the support and protection that I considered vital?

She hesitated, her hazel eyes lowered, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her shoulders rigid with tension. “I don’t have a family,” she finally said, her voice laced with bitterness and edged with pain. “Not anymore.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy and cold. There was something raw in her tone, something that told me this wasn’t just a passing loss.

“And as for why I’m not mated...” Sabrina’s voice cracked as she let out a mirthless laugh, her hands tightening into fists. “You really want to know why? Because alphas treat omegas like possessions. Like we’re nothing more than tools for them, something to breed, to control, to show off. That’s all we ever are.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off, her words spilling out now, faster and more heated. “I’ve seen it my whole life. Omegas tossed aside when they’re no longer useful, replaced when they stop being interesting. And no one cares. They say it’s just the way things are.” She shook her head, her voice breaking. “I’ve had enough. Enough of pretending that it’s normal, enough of being told I should be grateful for whatever scraps of affection I get.”

I stepped closer, my voice calm but firm. “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with alphas like that in your life, Sabrina, but I’m not like them.” She let out a scoff, not looking at me. “Dragons don’t treat their partners like that. I was raised differently. My parents—” I hesitated for a moment, thinking of them, of their bond, and how it shaped the man I had become. “They were equals. They built everything together, side by side. My father never treated my mother like property. That’s not how we were taught.”

Her shoulders tensed at my words, but she didn’t turn to face me. I took another step closer, now standing just behind her. I could see the way she clutched her arms, as if trying to hold herself together, and my chest tightened at the sight.

“I promise you Sabrina, that under my care nobody will use or mistreat you. You’re an omega and should be treated with care and respect.”

For a long moment, she didn’t respond. She stood there, her back to me, and then, finally, she turned, her gaze locked on mine, searching, hesitant, as if trying to decide whether to believe me.

“Why should I believe in you? I barely know you.” Her voice was barely audible.

I stepped even closer, not touching her, but close enough that she could feel the heat of my presence. I held her gaze, refusing to look away. “Well, you already trusted me when you decided to help me with my clan. I suppose you’ll have to continue trusting me, right?”

She tilted her head, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Trust isn’t so easily given, you know. If I’m helping you, it’s because you’re paying me well. That doesn’t mean I trust you.”

“I suppose we’ll find out, won’t we?”

She flashed me a smirk, her arched eyebrow challenging me to prove her wrong. Our gazes locked as I smirked down at her, a strange sensation swelling in my chest and sending my heart racing. I was determined to show her that not all alphas were monsters.

Then she turned, tossing her bag over one shoulder. “So, are we ready to go? Or are you enjoying the luxury of this glamorous room a little too much?” I frowned as I noticed she was taking only that one bag with her. I swiftly masked my expression, determined not to let her see the worry in my eyes.

I cleared my throat. There was still something that we had to take care of before leaving. I couldn’t bring her into my clan without ensuring her protection—ours, yes, but especially hers. That’s why I wanted to forge a blood contract. This was the only way she’d be protected. The blood contract was more than a formal arrangement; It was a promise, a guarantee that no matter what happened to me, she would receive what was rightfully hers.

Her eyes were on me, expectant but guarded, as if she was already waiting for me to give her bad news. And that look on her face told me why we needed to do this. She needed more than just my word. She deserved to know that she would be treated with the respect she was due, and that her role in helping to rebuild my clan by bearing an heir wouldn’t leave her vulnerable.

“We should seal our deal with a blood contract.” Her hazel eyes shot up to meet mine, surprise widening them as I had expected. “This way, we’ll be bound to honor our agreement, even at the cost of our lives.”