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NINE

DANICA

D anica felt a blush warming her cheeks as she basked in Asher's words, her heart fluttering like a caged bird. His lips so close to her ear sent delicious shivers cascading down her spine.

"I've never met anyone like you either," she admitted, her eyes meeting his piercing gaze. The words she didn't say hung in the air between them – how he was the most intense, caring, and attractive man she'd ever encountered, all rolled into one perfect package.

She still couldn't believe that Gerri had failed to mention that Danica was Asher's fated mate.

Then again, the matchmaker's 100% success rate wasn't an accident.

Every moment with Asher confirmed what her body and soul already seemed to know – they fit together perfectly, like complementary puzzle pieces finally united.

Their chemistry was undeniable, unlike anything she'd experienced with any previous partner.

Just thinking about their interrupted encounter on the kitchen island that morning made her thighs clench involuntarily.

The memory of his impressive length pressing against her core remained branded in her mind, making concentration nearly impossible today.

"I can't believe I didn't ask earlier about what you did before becoming Alpha," she said, genuinely fascinated by this revelation about his craftsman side. "What kind of furniture do you make?"

Before he could answer, Giuseppe appeared with two steaming plates. The aroma of garlic, fresh herbs, and tomato sauce wafted upward, making Danica's mouth water instantly.

"Buon appetito!" Giuseppe announced with a theatrical flourish.

Danica twirled her fork in the pasta and took a bite, closing her eyes as the flavors exploded across her palate. "Oh my god, this is incredible. Best Italian food I've ever tasted."

"Giuseppe's family has been making these recipes for generations," Asher explained, his arm still draped possessively around her shoulders.

"Most businesses here have been operating for centuries.

That's what makes the festival so important – it celebrates not just our dragon heritage, but the town's continued success. "

Watching Asher talk about the town, Danica was struck by how deeply he cared for his community. His eyes lit up with the same passion when he soon described the furniture he'd crafted.

"I specialize in hardwoods – walnut, cherry, mahogany," he explained, gesturing with his free hand. "Tables mostly, but also chairs, cabinets, desks, bed frames…" His eyebrow quirked suggestively at the last item.

"I'd love to see your workshop sometime," Danica said, taking another bite of her pasta. "And some of your pieces."

"You've already seen one," Asher replied. "The mahogany desk in my office – I made that five years ago, right before I became Alpha, after my father passed."

Danica placed her hand over his on the table. "I'm so sorry about your father."

"He was a great man." Asher's thumb stroked the back of her hand. "He was proud of me. I was just about to launch my furniture business when he had a sudden heart attack."

"That's terrible," Danica said softly, squeezing his hand. "I promise I'll help you find a way to pursue your passion again, one way or another."

The vulnerability in Asher's eyes as he looked at her made her heart squeeze. "Nobody's ever offered to help me like that before."

"Well, get used to it," she replied with a playful nudge.

After they finished their meal, they stepped back out onto Main Street. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the storefronts. Danica's sundress fluttered around her knees in the gentle breeze as Asher guided her with his hand on her lower back.

"Let's check on the festival setup," he said, his thumb tracing small circles against her back through the thin cotton fabric.

Danica nodded, hyperaware of his touch as they headed toward the town square.

She still couldn't get over how quickly everything had changed.

Two days ago, she'd been a single event planner focused solely on her career.

Now she was supposedly the fated mate of a dragon shifter Alpha mayor who moonlighted as a furniture maker.

And strangely enough, it felt absolutely right.

When they got to the town square, Danica noticed immediately that it had transformed dramatically since yesterday.

White tents stood in neat rows, while jewel-toned canopies created vibrant focal points exactly where she'd suggested.

Volunteers scurried about hanging fairy lights from the tent ceilings, creating the magical ambiance she'd envisioned.

The main stage dominated one end of the square, while a smaller platform had been constructed at the opposite end.

"This is amazing," Danica breathed, surveying their collaborative vision coming to life. "I can't believe they've accomplished so much in such a short time."

Asher's chest puffed with pride as he took in the scene. "Dragon shifters work fast when properly motivated. And finding out their Alpha's mate is finally here is pretty damn motivating."

A group of townspeople waved enthusiastically as they spotted them, and Danica felt a surprising warmth spread through her chest at their genuine acceptance. An older woman approached with a basket of pastries, pressing them into Danica's hands.

"For our Alpha's mate," she said with a wink. "My special dragon-fire tarts. Welcome to our clutch, dear."

"Thank you," Danica replied, genuinely touched. "These look delicious."

After they examined the festival grounds more thoroughly, Asher squeezed her waist. "I need to run to town hall — council business. I'll be right back." His eyes darkened as he leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "Don't go far. I'm not finished with you today."

His possessive tone sent shivers through her. "I'll just check the street preparations," she managed, her voice embarrassingly breathy.

Asher pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips before striding away, his powerful frame commanding attention from everyone he passed.

Danica took a deep breath to steady herself and continued down Main Street, clipboard in hand. The transformation extended beyond the square—storefronts were adorned with festive banners, and strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, ready to illuminate the evening celebrations.

As she rounded a corner, she spotted a flash of vibrant red hair.

Joni stood directing a group of volunteers hanging garlands between lampposts.

Gone was the sophisticated wrap dress from breakfast, replaced with a casual outfit that shouldn't have looked as stylish as it did—designer jeans that hugged her athletic frame and a simple white t-shirt that somehow screamed "expensive. "

Danica paused, observing the woman who had seemed so friendly yet simultaneously dismissive this morning at Asher's mansion.

Something about the way Joni commanded the volunteers reminded her of Asher's natural authority—it must be a dragon thing.

Yet there was tension in Joni's shoulders that hadn't been there earlier.

Joni hadn't noticed her yet, giving Danica a moment to collect her thoughts. The dragon shifter had congratulated them on their fated mate bond. But something in Danica's event planner instincts—honed from years of reading people and situations—whispered caution.

Is she really that okay with her ex finding his fated mate in the past twenty-four hours? Danica wondered .

Danica stood on the sidewalk, rooted in place, watching Joni from a distance. She was impressed despite herself at how the dragon shifter moved and interacted with others. There was something magnetic about these dragon shifters—a natural grace and power that seemed to radiate from them.

As she observed Joni directing the volunteers with practiced efficiency, a hushed conversation behind her grabbed her attention.

"That's her? The Alpha's supposed mate?" a woman whispered, not quite quietly enough.

"Some human event planner," a man replied with obvious disdain. "She's not one of us."

"What could she possibly know about our traditions?" another voice chimed in. "Does she even have the strength or instincts to support an Alpha?"

"Or the loyalty our clutch needs?"

Danica felt her body go rigid, her cheeks burning with shame and anger.

Her stomach twisted into a tight knot as the whispers continued, each word like a small dagger between her ribs.

She'd faced difficult clients and handled countless stressful situations before, but this was different.

These people were judging her very existence and her worthiness to stand beside Asher.

Before she could decide whether to confront them or flee, a flash of red hair appeared at her side.

"Are you okay?" Joni asked, her green-gold eyes assessing Danica with surprising concern.

Danica's gaze flicked involuntarily toward the group of gossipers, who now stood awkwardly shifting their feet. Joni followed her look, and her expression hardened instantly.

"You worthless gossips," Joni snapped, her voice carrying an undercurrent of something wild and dangerous. "Is this how we welcome our Alpha's mate? With petty jealousy and backbiting?"

The group scattered like startled birds, muttering apologies as they retreated.

"They said I don't have the strength or instincts to be Asher's mate," Danica murmured, hating how small her voice sounded. "That I'm just 'some human' who doesn't belong."

Joni sighed, flipping her long red hair over her shoulder.

"Look, whether you were human or dragon, there'd still be jealousy.

It comes with being the Alpha's mate." She placed a perfectly manicured hand on Danica's arm.

"Dragons are territorial and possessive, especially about our town and our people. "

"I didn't ask for any of this," Danica said.

"So, are you really up for it?" Joni asked, her tone gentle but her eyes penetrating. "Being an Alpha's mate isn't easy. The responsibility is enormous."

Danica swallowed hard. "I just want to focus on the festival right now. It starts tomorrow, and I promised I'd help. I haven't really given the 'mate thing' much thought yet."

"Hey," Joni said suddenly, "what's that by your foot?"

Danica looked down and saw a folded piece of paper on the sidewalk. She bent to pick it up and unfolded it, her blood running cold as she read the words scrawled in angry black ink:

A true mate wouldn't destroy what he was born to protect. The Alpha is blind. The town will never follow an outsider or a human.

The paper trembled in her hands. "What have I gotten myself into?" she whispered, her chest tightening. "I never asked to be anyone's fated mate or part of a dragon clutch."

Her mind spun with frantic thoughts. Maybe I should just leave. Go back to New Orleans. Forget any of this ever happened. I don't belong here.

Looking up, she spotted Asher striding purposefully toward them. Her heart did that ridiculous flutter again, even as panic clawed at her.

She was about to show him the note when Joni snatched it from her fingers, crumpling it in her fist.

"Don't worry about this trash," Joni said firmly. "And definitely don't burden Asher with it. He has enough on his plate already." Without waiting for a response, she strode away, taking the evidence with her.

Danica stood frozen, feeling utterly lost. Her car was back at Asher's mansion. She had no way to escape and nowhere to run. She suddenly felt trapped.

Asher reached her, his green eyes lighting up when he met her gaze. His hand settled possessively on her back, warm and steady.

"What were you and Joni talking about?" he asked, bending down to press a kiss to her temple.

She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words. How could she tell him some people were already rejecting her? That she was scared and confused and wondering if she'd made a terrible mistake.

But as she looked up into his eyes—eyes filled with hope and something that looked dangerously close to adoration—she couldn't bring herself to hurt him. Not yet anyway. She'd promised Gerri she would help with the festival, and she never went back on her word.

"Just festival stuff," she lied, forcing a smile. "Tomorrow is showtime."