Page 118 of The Dragon's Gambit

Weston smiled and glanced at Dex. She really was a warm soul. Her beauty wasn’t just on the outside … she was the complete package. All joking aside, he could look at her how he should, though maybe a bit more endearing. She had the ability to draw you in and captivate you. And before you knew it, you needed her in your life.

“So, are we going to stand near the punch bowls all night, or are one of you going to ask me to dance?” Reiya turned and looked at the two uncomfortable men.

Xander laughed as he walked up behind them, grabbing Reiya’s hand. “Come on, I’ll dance with you.” He winked at the two guys.

Lila smiled. “Come on Dex. Come and dance with me.”

Xander twirled Reiya around on the dance floor and she giggled. “So, the buzz is that you belong to all the kings.” Xander smirked and Reiya rolled her eyes.

“The information spread to you already? Geez … dragons are blabbermouths.” Reiya shook her head as Xander swayed with her to the music.

“I think someone else heard the news and is pretty grumpy about it.” Xander smiled as he watched Reiya’s reaction.

“The others seem pretty scared of him. I told them they’re overthinking his temper.”

Xander frowned a bit. “They aren’t, Reiya. The guy you know and the one they know aren’t the same.” He smiled as she looked at him curiously. “You’ve tamed him down more than you know.”

“I hear you, Xander. But still, he wouldn’t kill them over something like that and you know it.” Reiya smiled, and he nodded.

“No, but this whole situation is taking great restraint on his part. Our animals are very primal. The more dominant we are, the worse it is. Not being able to keep what is yours close, well …” Xander glanced at Lila, who was dancing with Dex. “Let’s just say that I’m not sure how he does it. I guess it probably has to do with the difference in our statures. The restraint he has is amazing.”

Reiya looked at Xander and then glanced at his hand holding hers. “Something’s going to happen soon, isn’t it? I can sense it. There’s a buildup happening, out of sight.”

Xander studied her quietly, a bit of curiosity in his eyes. There was a warm, buzzing feeling in their hands again. “Do you feel that?” he said in a hushed voice.

Reiya nodded. The warm energy in their hands was tingling through her body. It was like something was trying to jointogether or unify them. It was as if their souls recognized the impending danger and were calling out to the other. She squeezed onto his hand as her chest burned.

There was no escaping the destiny that was coming. There was no denying the fact that her soul recognized Xander's, either.

Chapter 74 Odd

Reiya looked up at Xander, full of questions. What was this energy between them? She felt like she needed to protect him from something at that moment. An almost vulnerable feeling swept over her, like the two of them needed to disappearfrom the world’s eyes. She felt like she knew him, and there was no doubt that she was connected to him. Her body recognized Xander and his energy, but why? What was this strange feeling? The hanging twinkling lights danced around in her blue irises as the two of them gently swayed to the music.

Xander was feeling the same way. There was a sense of urgency to protect her. Why was this desire to protect her so strong? What was this bond he could feel between them? He recognized her soul as one that he knew but wasn’t sure why.

“Maybe we’re like superheroes, and our combined powers turn us into a giant robot or something,” Reiya joked, trying to lighten the solemn mood.

Xander chuckled. “I hope your wolf is able to tell us what she knows, because this is a bit odd to say the least.”

“A twenty-year-old werewolf without her wolf is odd too.” Reiya gave him a crooked smile.

“Look, if we get superpowers, I want invisibility,” Xander said thoughtfully.

“Eeewwww! No way, pervert. Like you could be trusted with a skill like that.” Reiya chastised his suggestion.

“Pervert?” Xander coughed out. “I’m insulted. I might be a flirt, but I am not a pervert. I’d only use it on behalf of justice … worldly and personal,” he added with a wink.

“Let me guess … your personal justice lies on the lines of no boner left behind?”

Xander choked, shook his head, and grinned down at her. “Always surprising me.”

“I don’t know anything about Lila, but let me know if she mistreats you. I’ll have a talk with her. You know, as her superior and all. It may not be protocol to have favorites, but I was never one to follow protocol.” Reiya watched him pull his lips up, revealing a wide smile.

“Are you getting all protective over me or something? Worried I can’t handle myself?” Xander chuckled and looked at her.

“I know you’re a good guy, Xander. You can hide behind your rough exterior all you want. But I know deep down you’re actually a softy.” She met his gaze, and a small smile now rested on his lips.

“She’s a good one. She has been for as long as I’ve known her. It’s probably her you should be worried about.” Xander winked and spun Reiya around again. As he pulled her up to him, he had a strange smirk on his face.