Page 48 of Charming the Dragon
Hayley had never really thought about that. Everything she’d read said the dragon half was more instinctual, and she’d always pictured a mate-claim frenzy as a kind of animalistic experience.
“Does the thought of a frenzy scare you?”
Her gaze shot to Nathan’s again. “No. But I’ve only received vague descriptions about it when I’ve tried asking before. While more and more information about dragon-shifters has come to light in recent years—ever since Melanie Hall-MacLeod first released her book—some aspects are still kind of fuzzy or missing.”
“Ask me anything you wish, love, and I’ll answer. But just promise me that you’ll talk with Kai and Bram before sharing what you learn with the outside world, though. We want humans to know more, but some things are still confidential for safety reasons.”
“I won’t share willy-nilly, I promise.”
“Good. Then ask away, as I can tell you’re full of questions.”
She liked how he knew her so well. “Then tell me what a frenzy is like. Well, the best you can since I don’t think dragons have more than one true mate?”
“They can, but not at the same time. If one dies, then it’s possible to find another. However, it’s rare to happen. Some dragon-shifters lose the will to live when their true mate dies and sometimes follow them. It’s a bit better these days than in the past, but it still happens.”
“It’s really that devastating? Don’t get me wrong, if my sister hadn’t received the dragon’s blood and had died, I would’ve bawled for months and been depressed and would’ve missed her every day. However, I wouldn’t want to die, too.”
He squeezed her hand in reassurance. Such a small gesture, and yet it meant so much to Hayley.
Nathan replied, “Maybe it’s because dragon-shifters have two personalities in one body, and so the grief is doubly bad. But just like humans, each of us is different.” He paused and added quietly, “I still miss my mother, even though she died a long time ago.”
Even though she burned to know the specifics of a mate-claim frenzy, she wanted to know about his family more. “Tell me about her.”
He smiled softly. “She was kind and sweet, yet strong when she needed to be. If someone needed a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on, she’d be the first one to offer. My parentswere happy together, even if they weren’t true mates. And my father mourned her for years before finally finding love again.”
“What was her name?”
“Jessa.”
“That’s a pretty name, if uncommon.”
“Dragon-shifters don’t always follow the trend of human baby names. Just look at Dr. Cassidy ‘Sid’ Jackson. Or Bram, for that matter.”
“True. I guess you missed out on being named River or Axe or Stone or something like that.”
He frowned. “Where did those names come from?”
“I read a lot of books written by Americans, and they seem to like naming male characters after strong or fierce things.”
He chuckled. “Just what kind of books are those?”
“Now you’re changing the subject. I’d rather hear more about either your mum or the frenzy.”
“Once we get to the surface, I’ll show you pics of my mother and will share some stories then. I’d rather talk about the frenzy right now.” He glanced over at Hayley. “If you’re sure?”
She raised her brows. “I’m not a prude.”
“Good to know.”
“Well?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I haven’t gone through one myself, but from what we’re taught growing up, a kiss with your true mate basically flips a switch with your inner beast. One where all they want to do is fuck until the female is pregnant. Once they can scent the pregnancy, they stop.”
“It’s very to the point.”
“Well, there’s a plus side to it for the female, for sure. Because whenever the male comes inside her, she orgasms automatically, making the frenzy more enjoyable.”
“Does that mean dragonmen are lazy?”
