Page 13

TEN

ASHER

A sher reached Danica, his eyes lighting up as she turned toward him.

The afternoon sun caught the highlights in her brown hair, making it glow against the light blue fabric of her sundress.

Something about seeing her there, clipboard in hand, made his chest tighten with possessive pride.

His mate. His woman. Here, standing in his town and helping his people.

He studied her face, noting the slight tension at the corners of her mouth. It seemed like she was hiding something from him. His dragon senses detected the subtle change in her scent—stress mingled with anxiety. But he wouldn't push. Not now.

"We don't have much time left," he agreed, keeping his hand resting on her back. "Just this afternoon until dark. Thankfully, the volunteers really stepped up this morning. It's coming together faster than I expected."

The council meeting had been brief but intense.

Councilman Thorne, one of the elders, had objected to a human mate, as expected.

But the others had quickly reminded him of the ancient texts.

A true mate bond was sacred, regardless of species.

Besides, as Councilman Garron had pointed out with a smirk, Danica might not remain human for long after their mating ritual was complete.

That thought alone made Asher's body tighten with desire. What would she look like as a dragon? Would she take on his coloring, or develop her own unique scales?

"What are you thinking about?" Danica asked, nudging him as they walked over to the main stage area. "You've got this intense look."

"You," he answered honestly, enjoying the blush that spread across her cheeks. "Always you."

They spent the rest of the afternoon moving through the festival grounds, making adjustments to decorations, approving the placement of vendor booths, and finalizing the performance schedule.

Whenever another clutch member approached, Asher made sure to keep Danica firmly at his side, his arm around her waist or his hand resting on her lower back—a clear signal of his claim.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the town square, Asher stepped back to survey their work.

The festival grounds had been completely transformed into something magical—far beyond what he'd initially imagined.

Colorful tents stood in strategic locations, breaking up the traditional white canopies.

Fairy lights twinkled from every tree, creating a soft glow against the deepening twilight.

The main stage was draped in cloth that transitioned from deep red to burnished gold, the colors of his dragon form.

"Dragon fire and golden treasure," Danica said softly beside him, nodding at the stage. "I thought it would be a nice tribute to you."

Asher turned to her, stunned that she'd incorporated such a personal touch. Without caring who might be watching, he pulled her against his chest, one hand tangling in her hair as he tilted her face up to his.

"You are extraordinary," he growled, his voice lowering to a register that rumbled from deep in his chest. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."

She blinked up at him, genuine surprise crossing her features. "Really?"

"Really." He ran his thumb along her jawline. "This festival would have been a disaster without you. Your vision—your creativity—made it exceptional."

Around them, the last of the volunteers were finishing up, many shooting approving glances their way. Even Elder Markov, notorious for his skepticism of outsiders, gave Asher a grudging nod of respect as he passed.

"Everyone seems pleased," Danica observed, leaning into his touch. "Even your council members."

"They are." Asher's thumb traced the curve of her lower lip, delighting in the small catch in her breath. "And tomorrow morning, the whole town will see what we've created together."

Asher stepped back reluctantly, his dragon instincts craving more contact with his mate.

The black dress shirt he wore felt suddenly restrictive across his shoulders, and he undid another button at his throat.

The cooling evening air felt good against his heated skin as he watched Danica smooth down her light blue sundress.

"Ready to head out?" he asked, offering his arm in a possessive gesture that felt completely natural. Her delicate hand slid into place, and a primal sense of rightness settled in him.

They walked through the town square toward his red Porsche parked on Main Street, Asher hyperaware of every admiring glance Danica received from passersby. His dragon rumbled with satisfaction—let them look, let them see. She belonged with him.

"The Black Kettle has the best jambalaya in town," he suggested as he opened the passenger door for her, unable to resist brushing his hand against her back. "Or we could grab something from Rosie's if you're in the mood for something lighter."

"Jambalaya sounds perfect," Danica replied, her brown eyes sparkling up at him.

Asher slid behind the wheel, enjoying the purr of the engine as it roared to life. "Your wish is my command."

As they drove through the winding streets of Ectorius, Asher stole glances at Danica's profile. Her hair danced in the breeze from the rolled down windows. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this light and this eager for what came next.

"You know," he said, navigating a turn with practiced ease, "I should probably ask if you'd prefer to go to the hotel tonight instead of crashing at my place again."

The words contradicted everything his dragon demanded—to keep her close, protected, and in his territory—but he forced himself to offer the choice. His knuckles whitened slightly on the steering wheel as he awaited her answer.

Danica turned to face him fully, her expression unreadable. "Is that what you want?"

Asher let out a low laugh. "What I want involves you sleeping in a different bed than last night." He paused at a stop sign, holding her gaze. "But it doesn't involve you leaving my place."

The blush that swept across her face was worth the momentary vulnerability. He pulled up to the Black Kettle, pleased to see her smile hadn't diminished.

Ten minutes later, they pulled into his driveway with aromatic containers of food. Instead of heading to the dining room, Asher grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Follow me," he instructed, leading her through the mansion to the back door. "I have something to show you tonight."

His stone patio looked especially inviting.

He'd had the foresight to leave a few hurricane lanterns scattered around earlier that morning, and now he quickly lit them, their golden glow casting dancing shadows across the flagstones.

The night air carried the scent of jasmine and magnolia from his gardens.

"Give me two minutes," he said, disappearing into a storage cabinet and emerging with a handful of pillar candles. He arranged them on the wrought iron patio table, their flames steady in the still evening air.

Danica's eyes widened as she took in the transformed space. "This is beautiful."

Asher pulled out her chair, pleased by her reaction. As Alpha, he was accustomed to commanding respect, but her genuine appreciation kindled something deeper in him. He wanted—needed—to provide for her and to show her that being his mate meant being cherished.

As they ate, Danica gazed upward at the blanket of stars. "I never see skies like this in the city. It's so much brighter and clearer here in Ectorius."

Asher followed her gaze to the constellation-filled expanse above them. "One of the benefits of living away from light pollution," he agreed. "Though I've never appreciated it quite as much as I do tonight."

His dragon preened at the soft smile that curved her lips. He'd put that there. He'd brought her pleasure. It was a primal satisfaction that ran deeper than reason.

Asher watched with satisfaction as Danica took her final bite of jambalaya, her eyes closing briefly in appreciation.

The candlelight gilded her skin, turning it to liquid gold that made his dragon rumble with possessive pleasure.

As Alpha, he was accustomed to commanding rooms full of powerful shifters, but this petite human woman had ignited something primal in him that no amount of power or position had ever touched.

"Would you like to take a walk through the gardens?" He rose from his chair, extending his hand toward her. "The night jasmine only blooms after sunset. The scent is... intoxicating."

Much like you, he thought, as her delicate fingers slid into his palm.

"I'd love that," Danica replied, setting her napkin beside her empty plate.

The stone pathways wound through precisely manicured hedges and wild, untamed flower beds—a contradiction that pleased his dragon sense of order balanced with freedom. Moonlight spilled across the grounds, casting elongated shadows and turning Danica's blue sundress nearly silver in its glow.

"I designed these gardens myself," he admitted, guiding her around a corner where a marble fountain bubbled quietly. "Something about creating beauty from chaos appealed to me."

"Like ruling a town of dragon shifters?" Her question was perceptive, cutting straight through to a truth he rarely acknowledged.

Asher's laugh was low and appreciative. "Exactly like that. The past five years as Alpha have been..." He paused, searching for words that wouldn't sound like complaint. Leaders didn't complain. "Challenging. Running a town, protecting my clutch—there's a weight to it I wasn't prepared for."

His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand as they strolled beneath a moonlit arbor covered in climbing roses.

"Doing it alone has been the hardest part," he continued, the words emerging with surprising ease. "An Alpha traditionally rules with his mate at his side. The elders have been patient, but there's been... pressure."

Danica slowed her steps, her expression thoughtful in the dappled moonlight.

"I'm not sure I'm what they had in mind.

" Her voice had lost some of its usual confidence.

"I heard some people talking today when you were at town hall.

They said I wasn't strong enough to be your mate.

That I couldn't possibly have the instincts to support an Alpha. That I don't belong here."

The instant surge of protective rage nearly overpowered him. His dragon clawed beneath his skin, demanding he find those who had upset her.

"Who said that?" The question emerged as a growl, his free hand clenching into a fist.

"It doesn't matter." She shook her head. "But they're right, aren't they? I'm human. I'll never breathe fire or have super strength. I'm an imposter as your fated mate."

Asher stopped abruptly, turning to face her fully. He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. The intensity of his eyes locked on hers, unwavering.

"Those people are idiots," he stated flatly. "You're the strongest person I've ever met. You walked into a town of strangers, faced down a stubborn, territorial Alpha—who, I might add, was being a complete ass—and managed to put me properly in my place."

Her lips quirked at that, encouraging him to continue.

"You transformed our festival from a disaster into something magnificent in two days. You did that without claws or fire. You did it with sheer force of will and brilliance." His voice dropped lower, rumbling from his chest. "That's the kind of strength an Alpha needs at his side."

Danica's shoulders relaxed slightly. "You really think so?"

"I know so." Asher stepped closer, the heat of his body radiating toward her in the cool night air. "What we pulled off together these past two days proves we're worthy of each other. We work very well together."

"We do, don't we?" Her smile returned, tentative but genuine. "Though I still can't help feeling scared. I've never felt so... needed before. It's terrifying."

Asher's hand slid to cradle her cheek. "You think I'm not scared? Being responsible for an entire town, making decisions that affect everyone—the weight of it is crushing sometimes."

"You make it look easy," she countered.

"It's not. But having you here..." He paused, the vulnerability uncomfortable but necessary. "You make the burden lighter. For the first time in years, I feel like I can breathe."

Danica's hand came up to cover his. "You make me feel seen. Valued. Beyond what I can do or create."

The moonlight caught the moisture gathering in her eyes, and Asher couldn't wait another moment.

He leaned down, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that started gentle but quickly kindled into something fierce and hungry.

His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his body as his mouth claimed hers completely.

The dragon inside him roared with satisfaction as she melted against him, her fingers threading through his short dark hair.

He backed her against the stone pillar of the arbor, his body caging her smaller frame as his kiss deepened further.

The taste of her—sweet wine and spices—inflamed his senses until rational thought retreated beneath primal need.

"I want you," he growled against her lips, hardly recognizing his own voice. "All of you. Now."