Page 36 of Reluctant Rebel

Styx nuzzled against Jinx's hand before sitting up and turning towards the female. He nudged her with his nose as if introducing them. Jinx reached out her hand, staying perfectly still as the other hellhound stretched her neck, taking in her scent. The female hesitantly sniffed at Jinx's hand before allowing herself to be scratched. A small whine escaped her throat, and she leaned in more.

“You're a beauty,” Jinx said softly, smiling at the beast.

Styx barked in agreement, his tail wagging happily. The female's tail suddenly entwined with Styx's, and they nuzzled each other affectionately. Jinx’s jaw dropped when the female lay down, baring her stomach. “I guess you’re more than friends, huh?” she questioned, eyeing the bulging belly in front of her. The pretty hellbitch was very clearly pregnant.

Styx puffed out his chest like a proud papa and trotted in a circle.

“Is this why you like the Forbidden Forest so much? Because you’ve got yourself a little mate here?” The knowledge thrilled her as much as it pained her. She had a mate, too. One destined to provide her with babies she would never hold. “Stop it, Jinx,” she growled, frustrated with herself. The female’s head poppedup in alarm. “It's okay, girl. I’m sorry,” she cooed softly. “I won't hurt you.”

The hellhound's tail gave a hesitant wag, and she lowered her head once again, allowing Jinx to stroke her obsidian flank. It was softer than Jinx expected, like warm velvet beneath her fingers. As she ran her hand along the hound's side, she felt the unmistakable flutter of movement within.

“Oh my,” Jinx breathed, her eyes widening. “Just how many hellpups are in there?” She turned to Styx. “And when are they due to come out?” Styx, of course, didn’t answer. But he did look proud as punch. “You’re a terror, you know that? Come on. How about we break the news to Brax that he’s about to be a grandpa?”

When she stood up, Styx didn’t budge. “It will be okay, big guy. I’m on your side, remember?” She leant down and whispered conspiratorially, “Besides, we both know Brax is a softie. He’s going to love puppies.”

Styx appeared to consider her words for a moment before rumbling his agreement. Feeling the chill of the forest on her naked skin, she shifted once more. Her tiger’s fur was much more suited to the environment. The three padded in companionable silence after the pretty lady thoroughly sniffed Jinx’s new form.

Just as they reached Jinx’s pile of clothing once more, a whooshing sound came from above. Styx and his girl darted into the trees, and Jinx crouched, belly to the ground. She watched guardedly as a huge black dragon circled once before beginning its descent. Its vast wings stretched wide, blocking out the light and casting an immense shadow over the clearing. The dragon's scales glimmered like polished obsidian, reflecting flashes of deep purple and midnight blue as it moved. Steam curled from its nostrils, and she could see the heat shimmer in the air aroundits massive head. Its eyes blazed like twin infernos, seeming to look right through her.

With surprising grace for a creature of its size, the dragon extended its muscular hind legs as it neared the ground. Its wickedly curved talons gouged deep furrows in the earth before it shifted into a familiar man. Dendey’s jet-black hair fell in tousled waves, framing a face that seemed carved from marble—all sharp angles and perfect symmetry. Vertical slits of inky black bisected vibrant orange irises, eyelids sliding across his eyes from the sides when he blinked.

The mercenary regarded Jinx for a moment before commenting, “You know, you’d make a nice throw rug.”

Jinx shifted, her long black and white hair covering the tips of her breasts but doing nothing to conceal the rest of her body. She didn’t give a shit. Shifters didn’t care about nudity. Fur was fur, and skin was skin. Dendey was shifter enough to be indifferent about his own naked flesh but arsehole enough to sweep his gaze over Jinx’s body. She stared at his junk in return, smirking when he coughed and used both hands to cover himself. He didn’t quite manage it, thanks to how well-hung he was.

Jinx led with, “And you’d make a beautiful purse. All those pretty scales …”

Dendey’s lips twitched, and for the first time, Jinx got a glimpse of the man beneath the hard exterior. He was devastatingly handsome. With that face and that cock, he was bound to be devastating in bed. “What are you doing here, Dendey? Sabre hates your guts. Giving her an opportunity to scalp you isn’t wise.”

Dendey smirked, oozing confidence. “I want to speak with the King.”

Jinx watched him cautiously. “So knock on his door. Brax has a pretty open-door policy. I mean, probably not for you. Youdidthreaten to kill his mate. But you might make it a few seconds before he rips you a new arsehole.”

Dendey snorted in derision. “He could try. But I don’t want to seethatking. I’m talking about King Mikhail.”

Jinx kept her face carefully blank. “He’s dead.”

“Please, let’s not play games. King Mikhail is very much alive and hiding out in the monstrosity of a place behind you. I want to speak with him,” Dendey demanded.

“He’s dead,” Jinx repeated deadpan.

Dendey tsked. “I really thought we were getting somewhere. I was going to storm the castle, so to speak. That’s why I’m entering from the forest. If you’re unwilling to help me, I can return to my original plan.”

Jinx eyed the dragon blandly, giving nothing away. “He’s dead.”

“Fuck!” Dendey yelled, pulling on the dark strands of his hair in frustration. “Will you stop saying that?! I know the fucker isn’t dead, all right? I’m adragon. He’s been masquerading as Hound. Poorly, I might add.”

“Let’s say I’m buying into this little delusion of yours,” Jinx began. She felt nervous but was determined not to let it show. How the hell did Dendey know about Hound? “How would you have found this out?”

“Because I recognised him at the rebel camps,” Dendey said through gritted teeth.

Jinx narrowed her eyes. “Why would you be there? Are you saying you’ve beenhelpingthe rebels?”

He sniffed, crossing his arms over his smooth chest. “I don’t help anyone unless there’s something in it for me. Just tell Mikhail I need to talk to him. I’ll wait here for one hour. If he doesn’t show, he can say goodbye to the information I have for him.”

She didn’t trust him one bit. But her curiosity was peaked. “You have information?” Dendey nodded once, the muscles in his jaw flexing tautly. “You know, you could have led with that.”

Smoke curled from his nostrils. “You are an incredibly frustrating creature. I can see why Sabre likes you.”

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