Page 27

Drágon

It’s late at night, and something has awakened me.

There is darkness all around the room, but I have a distinct sense that I’m not alone. I rise from the bed and stand, only to realize that I’m no longer in a bedroom. I’m standing in an endless, dark field.

Looking up at the indigo sky, I see a purple moon in the process of an eclipse. The stars that fill the sky are unfamiliar. There’s no Big Dipper, no Orion’s Belt.

The presence I sense lurking nearby is silent and still, but I can hear their breathing.

Suddenly, the thunder of wings fills the air as the wind whips violently around me.

Like a flock of startled birds, dozens of dragons take flight, soaring into the sky, their shimmering scales a colorful kaleidoscope of greens, reds, blues, golds, and blacks.

The sight takes my breath away as I watch the beautiful display of my brother and sister dragons.

I feel a gentle touch on my arm and turn to find a beautiful, curvy woman. Her long blonde hair curls in soft ringlets down her back, and her doe-brown eyes gaze at me with adoration. I know her. I can sense her deep in my soul, a bond that connects us. She feels so soft and warm. Am I dreaming?

“Is this real?” we both ask in unison.

“It’s a memory,” whispers an otherworldly voice. “From before time began.”

“I know you, don’t I?” I ask the smiling female.

“Yes,” she sighs. “You’re one of my soulmates. The moon goddess joined us.”

She turns to the other side, and there stands another male. He’s tall, with brown eyes and dark hair.

“I know you too, brother,” I say, feeling the tether that binds us all together.

He nods, gazing lovingly at the woman. “You’re my soulmate as well,” he tells her.

“Yes,” she says, smiling at him with devotion.

The voice whispers a prophecy on the wind:

“Two mate bonds were created before the world began—one of ice, the other of fire. The first will shatter you; the second will restore you with a true love’s kiss.

Within you, both were meant to join, but deceit tore the bonds apart.

The choice is yours: choose both, choose one, or neither.

In your choice, true happiness will be found.

Decide, and your heart will be healed, and your path will be sealed. ”

The female takes my hand, and I kiss it, sealing our promise. She then takes the other male’s hand, and he kisses it, binding their vow.

We turn our eyes to the sky, admiring the dragons cavorting above, celebrating the eclipse. Both of us males hold the female’s hands in contented silence when another female approaches me.

“Come with me,” she cajoles sweetly, but her presence is unwelcome, and I push her away firmly.

“Come with me,” she insists, pulling on my arm.

“No!” I say firmly. “Leave us alone.”

She smirks at the female holding my hand and dances around to the other male, smiling at him alluringly.

As the new female gently caresses the other male’s arm and smiles flirtatiously at him, she whispers in his ear.

Giggling, she continues her touches, and with each advance, the other male becomes more captivated by her, being enticed away from our shared bond.

He smiles down at her, slipping off with her, irreparably severing the connection.

The female, still holding my hand, is devastated by the male’s abandonment and collapses to the ground, clutching her chest. I watch in horror, unable to move or comfort her.

“Save me!” She cries, her voice raw with pain. “Help me!”

“How?” I ask, my voice filled with desperation.

“True love’s kiss,” answers the disembodied voice.

I wake with a jolt, gasping, sitting upright in my bed.

I search the dark room around me, finding nothing amiss.

The scene from my vision is slowly fading, leaving an ache in my chest over my heart.

I press my palm to it and look down. Under my hand is a new tattoo: a shattered eclipsed moon.

I stare at it, wondering: What’s going on?

What is this? What does “true love’s kiss” mean?

Knight

We’re currently on our way to the Talons we’re confident she can manage things in our absence.

A vigilante-style trial has been called for Marissa.

It seems she’s joined the Talons & Claws MC, where she’s been hiding.

Thankfully, she stayed away from Paisley until recently.

Now, Marissa has made some serious claims, accusing Paisley of supplying drugs to teens, which ultimately led to Paisley’s kidnapping.

We all know how Marissa loves to stir up trouble for her.

The Talons & Claws, however, are notorious for taking out the scum of society—those involved in drug dealing and trafficking.

Because of their “services,” Alpha Commander turns a blind eye to their morally gray activities.

They take loyalty to their club very seriously. Because Marissa lied and tried to frame Paisley for her own selfish reasons, the club is more than a little angry. This is especially true since Marissa’s vendetta against Paisley is personal, while Paisley is innocent.

We’re about an hour away from the motorcycle club headquarters. Alpha Stone is in the passenger seat, and I’m driving. Miles is in the back with Rachel, our medical tech, who wants to check on Paisley. She’s concerned because Paisley hasn’t had her Amra since the kidnapping .

I’m concerned about Paisley, just like everyone else in the vehicle, but the closer I get to the MC headquarters, the more my wolf is acting up.

He’s pacing in my head, chanting, “Mate, mate, mate.” It’s bizarre because up until now, he’s had a strong interest in Paisley—so much so that I concluded we were mates—but he’s never been this agitated.

Miles is acting a little jumpy, too. I can see him in the rear-view mirror, and his eyes reveal that his wolf is eagerly scanning the forest outside the windows, almost as if he’s tracking prey.

I’d think something else was bothering our wolves, mine and Miles’ if it weren’t for Alpha Stone and Rachel.

They look calm and collected, as if nothing is triggering their animals.

As we continue the drive, my wolf grows more insistent, pushing me while chanting repeatedly, “Mate, mate, mate.” I shake my head to clear it and try to exert a little more control over him. “Settle!” I order silently, and for a moment, it works. He stops his antics.

Miles

I can feel something in the wind tonight. Since the surgery, my bond with Marissa has been severed, and it’s like I’m finally free. For the first time in years, my mind is clear and not haunted by thoughts of her.

But I’m still plagued by memories of my time with Paisley. Like a warm summer day, Paisley brings a soft caress of color to my life. Calm, beautiful, effortless, rare. Everything is more real, peaceful, and content with her.

Marissa, on the other hand, is an adrenaline rush, and like a junkie, I craved the intense, addictive chaos.

The highs were thrilling, but the lows were draining.

It was like being swept up in a violent, exciting, but damaging storm.

Now, I see my relationship with her for what it really was: a toxic, destructive cycle.

My wolf is pushing me forward. Despite the moon mother’s words, I feel my bond with Paisley even stronger now.

Although it hangs by only a few frayed threads, it’s a tapestry of colors connecting us, pulsing and strengthening the closer we get to the MC compound.

For the first time since my bachelor party, I feel hopeful.

Rolling the window down, I stick my head out and feel my wolf coming forward, scenting the air.

Even though we’re still miles away, I swear I can smell her sweet wildflowers and honey aroma.

I close my eyes and recall her on the eve of our bonding ceremony, entwined in my arms, looking up at me with those adoring doe-brown eyes, her long blonde hair curling down her curvy body.

That last kiss we shared, so full of promise and love, makes my heart ache with loss.

Looking forward, I whisper, “I’m coming, Paisley. It isn’t too late for us. I promise forever this time.”

Lynsey

It’s my turn to sit with Paisley. Although she’s still unconscious, I can see that her physical state is changing.

For one, she’s running a fever, her skin is hot to the touch, and her body is drenched in sweat, so much so that it almost looks like steam is rising from her skin.

I’m not sure if it’s magic at play or something else, but her condition is definitely worsening.

About an hour ago, she started talking in her delirium, her words frantic. She keeps repeating over and over.

“Save me!” She whimpers. “True love’s kiss.”

I don’t know what it means, and Sawbones is at a loss as to how to help her. We continue to bathe her with cool towels, and Sawbones has started an IV drip to administer fluids into her system. It doesn’t look good.