Page 60 of Surge of Storms

I circle closer to the doors. “I don’t see any reason why you can’t be the leaders, given that you’re big male dragons.”

Than puffs out his chest. “They are not the leaders–”

“They simply have good ideas,” Kek finishes for him.

“So they listen to you and your opinions?”

They exchange another glance as I step closer to the doors as Kek explains, “They feel their opinions are best.”

“But if you’re equals, they should listen to your opinion. I mean, you guys came up with this great plan, right? They didn’t come up with a plan that worked.”

Than’s hands curl into fists. “The female is right. We should be the ones leading them. They should be listening to us.”

“But if we go against Balor and Malikay…” Kek begins slowly.

“I believe you can stand against them,” I say, wondering if I’m right. I’ve never taken the time to see which of them is bigger or stronger.

“We have never fought against them, any lifetime,” Kek responds nervously.

“And are you happy with the way your lifetimes go?” I ask.

Than answers before Kek can. “Every lifetime, we create a pack with them and try to steal a female. And every lifetime, we fail miserably. We make enemies of all the male dragons, and the female dragons fear and hate us.”

“So, maybe it’s time to do something different,” I offer. When neither of them responds, I continue, “If you take me back to my home, you’ll find a number of male beta dragons. There, we’re teaching them how to behave in this new world. We also plan to bring all the female dragons there. So if you want a chance to get a female dragon who wants to be mated by you, you’ll have your best shot then.”

Than frowns. “Why would we do that when we already have you?”

I take a risk. “But I’ve already picked my harem. I don’t want more members of my harem. You shouldn’t have to kidnap and force a female to choose you. You should have a willing one.”

Kek nods his head. “Perhaps.”

“No,” Than snaps. “We will never have a willing female. We are two small beta males who never get one. We have you now, a large female alpha. There can be nothing better.”

“But–”

“We have waited long enough,” Than snaps. “You will be our female. Now!” His gaze darts to Kek.

Kek slowly nods. “This is the only way to get her to see that she should be with us.”

“No,” I say. “There are other ways.”

But something in their faces has changed. They’ve made a decision, and I won’t be able to change it.

Both men advance towards me, and I take a step back.What now?

TWENTY-FOUR

Samantha

I forcemyself not to leap away from the two dragons as my thoughts start working. My gaze moves to the kitchen we’d walked past. With the way the house is set up, I can’t see the back portion of the kitchen from here, so I force a smile.

“We haven’t seen that room yet!”

Both dragons glance back, seeming confused.

“Female dragons like to see their homes, every inch of them.”

“Females are strange,” Kek murmurs, but the tense atmosphere fades a little.

---