Page 12 of His Brazen Mate

Had he truly wanted this, or was it just another power play? As for her, had she wanted this and was now denying it to make herself feel better?

Drake pulled her into his arms. “Only lesser dragons put their human mates through that horror. My people have always embraced bringing new blood into the clan. There will be no cocoon. With a human the transition is rougher, but not the kind of torturous process you imagine. For another kind of shifter, you might have some discomfort, but nothing that can’t be managed. The added bonus is that your snow leopard will remain. You will have the advantage of being able to shift to either a drakaina or a snow leopard.”

Megan searched his face and saw nothing but compassion and truth. Enemies, lovers, or whatever this game was, they seemed to be playing; in that charged silence, she felt something settle within her. Even though she was uncertain, and her heart was still racing, Megan knew one thing for certain: this dance between them and whoever threatened what was now her distillery was far from over.

CHAPTER 7

DRAKE

Drake felt a surge of possessive triumph as he scooped Megan up into his arms. Her curvy frame was taut with barely contained fury; her muscles coiled as if ready to strike. The claiming bite, fresh and vivid on her skin, pulsed with the electric connection that now bound them. He rumbled soothingly, his deep, resonant voice a stark contrast to the storm brewing in her green eyes.

“Megan, you’re mine now,” he declared, his tone unapologetic. “There’s no going back.”

She glared up at him, anger blazing in her gaze. “You had no right to claim me without my consent, Drake.”

Drake shrugged. “Dragons don’t really concern themselves about such things, especially alphas.” His lips curled into a smug smile as he carried her to their bed, laying her down amidst the soft linens, down comforter, and antique quilt. He sat beside her, exuding a calm confidence that only fueled her anger. “What’s done is done. You’ll end up agreeing that I did the right thing.”

He made a rumbling sound that was part purr, part growl, and all together seductive and erotic.

“Don’t do that,” Megan snapped. “You’re an arrogant bastard.”

“And now you’re bound to me.”

“I’ve got a Glock that says differently.” When he said nothing, she continued, “You think you can just take whatever or whoever you want?”

Drake’s eyes darkened with a mix of amusement and determination. “I did what had to be done. You’ll understand in time.”

Megan’s hands clenched into fists, but she didn’t back down. “You think you can control me? Think again. If you think just because I wasn’t born drakaina, I’ll be easy, you couldn’t be more wrong. I won’t be a docile mate.”

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. “I don’t want docile. I want strong. Fierce. Exactly what you are.”

The bond between them, forged by the bite, thrummed with a volatile mix of emotions. Drake knew they needed to navigate this alliance carefully, but he wasn’t about to apologize for his actions. He had claimed her because it was the only way to secure their fates, to intertwine their quests for truth. By establishing the bonding link, he could be sure that he would know when she faced danger and needed his help.

He wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of her continuing to work with the ATF. This would be her last undercover assignment. He would see to that, but if he could get Jasmine attached to her as some kind of special liaison, there might be a way for the SEALs, the Coast Guard, and the ATF here in Alaska to work together more efficiently. It was an idea worth pursuing.

“You came here to try and figure out what is going on with your case. I want to know if my father was murdered, and if so, by whom. I think the two are intertwined. We need to share everything we know,” Drake said, his tone brooking no argument. “We can get Jasmine assigned to the case specifically to help. She should be able to provide whatever tech support is needed.”

Megan nodded. “Jasmine Chen is an ace hacker and her intelligence gathering and analysis skills are second to none. Anything that might help us understand the bigger picture would be good.” She sat up, looking into his eyes while hers flashed defiance. She really was extraordinarily beautiful, and she was his. “But if any of this is going to work, we need to set some ground rules. First, you don’t get to make unilateral decisions that affect me.” He nodded. “Second, no more secrets.”

“Agreed,” Drake said, his expression serious. “Anything that might help us understand each other and what’s happening would be to our mutual benefit.”

Megan let out a bitter laugh. “Your aunt is not going to be happy. I don’t think she’s going to be too happy to learn I’m not just your fiancée but your fated mate, and that you’ve claimed me.”

A slow smile lifted the corners of Drake’s mouth. “Aunt Victoria has always had strong opinions, but they have no influence on my decision-making. She can either accept or leave. Don’t get me wrong; I love her. Having never found a mate of her own, she stepped in when my mother died. She’s been more of a mother than an aunt to me, and she’s very protective.”

Megan’s eyes narrowed. “Sounds like she’s in for a rude awakening.”

Drake admired her fiery spirit, the way she stood her ground even in the face of his arrogance. “Snow leopards are tougher than they look, I’ve heard.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the hint of a smile. “Count on it.”

The tension in the room remained palpable, a volatile mix of distrust and burgeoning understanding. Drake reached out, taking her hand in his, the bond between them humming with a new, tentative trust. They were allies now, united by their shared quest and the bond that linked their fates.

“We’ll figure this out, Megan,” Drake promised, his voice firm and unyielding. “Together.”

She squeezed his hand, her grip surprisingly strong. “Together,” she echoed, her temper still simmering beneath the surface. And for the first time since the bite, Drake felt a fierce satisfaction. They would be fine, and his clan would be all the better for having such a fierce first lady.

Drake woke to the feel of Megan's warm body spooned against his, her soft breathing a gentle rhythm that matched the beat of his heart. A satisfied smile spread across his face as the events of the previous night replayed in his mind, vivid and undeniable. They hadn’t been a dream. He had claimed his fated mate, and she was here, nestled in his arms.

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