Dragon 1 Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Scarlette was staring at me. An eyebrow quirked as she waited for an answer for our lavish dinner. “I swear, one of my friends is just messing with me.” Spreading my hands out defensively. “I’m honestly not a big deal at all.”

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed further conspiratorially. “Who?”

“The owner of this place and I… have a work arrangement. And I guess we are kind of friends now?” It felt weird saying it, but in the few days I’d known her, Morgana had become a friend. She was my sponsor into the para world and part of my safety, but we also had each other's backs in a less mentor and mentee way.

“Friend or friends.” Scarlette’s tone grew more defensive.

“She’s ancient Scarlett. I’m sure she looks at me and sees a little twerp barely out of diapers.” I figured it was all accurate enough, although I wondered that at Morgana’s age if it played as much of a role anymore.

Scarlett nodded and looked at her menu again. “Alright. At least I get to pig out. She’s really going to pick up the bill?”

“If she doesn’t after this, I’ll drag her around by her ears.” I picked up my menu and scanned it, looking for the most expensive steak just to spite Morgana. She was having too much fun at my expense.

“It’s fine. Sorry for all the questions; I’m just being cautious. Suddenly, my date is a lot more mysterious. I thought he was just a normal student at school, then suddenly the fancy restaurant gushes over you. Makes a girl wonder.” She shrugged, but didn’t seem too put off.

I did my best to push down my annoyance at Morgana, looking out at the people passing by the window. A woman hurried by, clearly late for something. Another man was strolling, but subtly ducked into a darker area of the street. Curious, I watched him closer.

Leaning next to the wall next to a man that had been standing nearby, he slipped a wad of cash to the side, passing it to the other. In return, he received a small baggie of what looked like white powder, although it was a bit hard to make out from a distance.

My gut spun. It looked a lot like V-phoria. Were these guys dealers? I wanted to go after them, but I was on a date, and we needed to move further up the chain than the low-level distributors.

Committing their faces to my memory, I tried to make sure if I spotted them again, I’d be able to do something more about it.

“You’re cute when you’re thinking, you know that?” Scarlett’s eyes were fixed on me when I looked back from the window. Her statement had the immediate effect of warming my cheeks.

“Thanks, but really? Only when I’m thinking? Hurts a little.” I winked at her. “And here I am trying to keep up with you, who seems to look stunning in about anything.” She blushed, leaning forward as she put her arms crossed on the table, raising her breasts higher and pushing them forward. Based on the look on her face, she knew exactly what she was doing as I tried to keep my eyes level with hers.

“Flattery will get you everywhere. But I need to let you know, even though sororities have a reputation, I have a rule that I don’t sleep with a guy on the first date.”

I choked and nearly spit my water out at her bluntness, and she burst out laughing. I recovered and wiped at the corner of my mouth, where a few dribbles had escaped. “Fine with me, but I’d still love to have you over to my place after, if you’re up for it.”

Her hand slipped across the table to grab mine, our eyes locking. “I’d love that.”

The sudden lump in my throat stopped me from responding. She was gorgeous. How had I gotten so lucky?

“Hush. We aren’t that late.” A voice I could have sworn was Chad, came up from around the corner. Looking over, I groaned internally. It was Chad’s voice. He was led over by the hostess, with Jadelyn at his side.

“Zach?” Jadelyn stopped just short of the table while the hostess guided Chad to sit next to me.

“Jadelyn?”

“Fucker.” Chad glowered at me, not taking the offered seat. “Jadelyn, you didn’t tell me this guy was going to be here.” He shot her an accusatory glare, but Jadelyn was too startled, staring at me to make any comment back.

Scarlett’s voice cut through the tension like a sharp knife. “You all know each other?” Her confusion was evident.

Not wanting her to feel awkward, I tried to push aside my desire for Chad to be anywhere but at our table. “Please, sit down.”

The hostess walked away while Jadelyn and Chad got seated and turned to Scarlett. “Yes, I met them the other night.” I tried to keep it vague, not sure how to explain our relationship without giving away the para world.

Jadelyn’s face grew more puzzled, looking between us. Suddenly, she burst out laughing. “Neither of you know, do you?”

“Know what?” I asked. Scarlett’s eyes were narrowed at her friend.

“You can stop with the subtleties. Both of you are Para.” Jadelyn dropped it suddenly, and my mind spun for a moment.

I turned, staring at Scarlett, who was looking at me with the same surprise. Her eyes flashed for a moment to gold, reminding me of when I’d seen them after the bike accident. I’d been such an idiot; of course, they really were able to turn. And she’d healed so quickly.

“I think you broke him.” Chad barked in laughter.

“Hush, or we are going home.” Jadelyn shot across the table. “You said you’d be civil tonight.”

Chad raised his hands in defense. “I didn’t know it would be him. But I’ll behave.” He put his hands down on the table and started to ignore me while he looked through the menu.

Across the table from me, Scarlett’s mouth was still open in a flat ‘o’. She might have frozen in place, but now that she had my attention again, she realized it and snapped her mouth closed. “What are you?”

“I actually don’t know.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Jadelyn calls me a lost one. And since you know about the para world, I guess I can explain this dinner better. I know the owner of this bar because the owner is mentoring me into the para world.”

Jadelyn turned to Scarlett and added a detail I didn’t know she was missing. “Morgana is sponsoring him. This is her bar.”

Scarlett softly smacked her forehead. “I feel like such an idiot.”

“Please don’t. When the whole bike thing happened, I didn’t even know. It wasn’t till that night that I got in a fight with Chad and my abilities showed themself.” I made a small explosion gesture with my hands.

“Wait, you were the one that fought with Chad on Friday? But then—” She paused as Chad started growling low.

“Don’t you say it.” The threat was clear in his voice, and I immediately bristled. I didn’t like him talking to Scarlett that way.

Jadelyn jumped in first, though, using her most calming voice. “Chad, you need to calm down. We all know you are an alpha. There’s no need to push your dominance right now.”

He turned to her, clearly calmer but still flustered. “You don’t understand. The pack bond and pack magic are still forming. I have to push all contenders down or I could lose my position.” There was an undertone of almost fear in how he said it. It was hard to feel sorry for the guy, but I could imagine the immense pressure getting and maintaining that sort of position would cause.

Jadelyn wasn’t happy with that answer, and she frowned. “None of us here are going to fight you for your alpha position.”

His head shifted slightly to me, looking out of the corner of his eye. “You sure about that?”

I spoke up for myself. “Look, I’m not a shifter. I have no interest in your pack.” It was true that I had no desire to join Chad’s pack, but they were still of interest in my investigation. Now didn’t seem like the right time to push that topic, though.

He continued bristling next to me, but he at least stopped growling. Not wanting him to ruin my date, I shifted my focus back to Scarlett, wanting to make sure we were still okay. “Is it rude to ask what you are when I can’t tell you what I am?”

“I’ll show you later.” She beamed back at me, clearly doubling down on our plan to go back to my place after. A tension in me I hadn’t realized I was holding was released. We were still good, even with the secret out in the open. I couldn’t help but grin back at her like a love struck fool.

It took only a few more seconds before I realized the full impact of her knowing. I didn’t have to hide my paranormal life from her; I could even talk to her about it. Our relationship had much a better shot at working out now.

“Hello, here is the Chateau D’Yuvore.” The server broke the tension at the table as he poured me a small sample. Chad’s eyebrows rose at the wine, but he didn’t say anything.

I didn’t know much about wine, but it wasn’t spoiled, so I gave her a nod and she poured each of us a portion before setting it down in the bucket next to the table.

“I do hope you enjoy the wine, but I’m afraid that before I take your orders, I have one unpleasant reminder I must voice on behalf of the owner.” She fixed her focus on Chad. “The owner would like to remind you that violence in her establishment will be met harshly.” Our server bared her fangs for a moment before the polite server facade slipped back over her face. “Now that unpleasantry is settled, what can I get for all of you?”

We took turns ordering, and Scarlett jabbed at Jadelyn to whisper something in her ear while I was ordering. Chad ordered a porterhouse while Scarlett ordered a filet and Jadelyn the halibut. I joined Scarlett with another filet with blue cheese on top. It was hard to pass that up.

“So, has Morgana narrowed down what you are yet?” Jadelyn started conversation back up after the server left.

“Sort of. She has a guess, but it is a little embarrassing.” I took a sip of wine to try to hide the awkwardness.

“Oh, come on. I’ll tell you if you tell me?” Scarlett’s added excitement made me almost want to spill right there, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell Chad and Jadelyn yet.

“Later, when we are alone.” I deepened my voice on the alone, enjoying the small shiver that spread across her body. The corner of her lips quirked up as she offered me her hand across the table again. I took it and let my rough thumb run over her soft knuckles.

Jadelyn smiled at the two of us. “You two are just too cute together. Scar has been gushing about her new guy. I just didn’t realize it was you.”

“Jade.” Scarlett batted at her friend. “Girl talk stays in the house.”

I didn’t mind. It was nice to know that Scarlett was as into me as I was her. But the mention of the house told me they were also sorority sisters.

“What good are friends if you can’t tease them?” Jadelyn smiled, taking a sip of her wine.

I looked over at Chad, who had his phone out and was texting at the table. My smile faltered for a second, and Jadelyn noticed. She went to chastise him, but I gave her a small kick under the table. If he wanted to exclude himself from the conversation, I didn’t mind. He never seemed to have much to contribute anyway.

She got the message, suppressing a chuckle as we continued chatting.

“So, how is it working for Morgana?” Scarlett asked. - Her impression of Morgana, how much does she know?

“She’s been great so far. Although, I’d say that even if it wasn’t true. I’m fairly certain she can hear just about anything said in this bar, or at least it seems like it.” I looked over my shoulder at the balcony again, but I didn’t see even a hint of her this time.

The girls followed where I was looking, but both came away as empty-handed as I had. “She’s pretty badass.”

“I got to drive her jag yesterday.” I remembered the harrowing drive in a positive light after surviving.

“Yeah?” Scarlett leaned forward. “That sounds amazing. I bet it felt like you had a monster under you.”

“Something like that. We were tracking down the vans…” I paused, my eyes trailing over to Jadelyn to see if she was okay with me telling this story.

Jadelyn waved away my concern. “I’m not offended.” She looked over at Scarlett. “They were the vans that had kidnapped Kelly and I. We would have been so screwed if Chad hadn’t been able to get to us.” Her face softened slightly as she looked over at the werewolf, who was engrossed in his phone.

I paused, not sure what to do with that. If it helped their relationship, I didn’t want to blow it up. But I also didn’t like that Chad was taking credit for more than was his due. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to slip the look off my face fast enough, Jadelyn catching it.

Her head pivoted slightly, a question in her eyes. I tried to cover it up and wave it away, taking a sip of my wine to avoid having to say anything, but she didn’t let it go.

“What Zach?” Based on the look on her face as she said it, Jadelyn was going to wait until I spilled.

Sighing, I looked over at Chad, who still didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on in our conversation. As I played with the decision to tell her, I ultimately decided she had a right to know, especially when she wasn’t yet actually tied down to him. “Well, like I was saying, we were chasing after you both. And we found you at the factory. We took down the men keeping you in the fridge, and then I guarded you both while Morgana did her thing, slaying the drug workers. She got a lot of them. Brent and the pack took care of the rest when they arrived.”

I waited as she processed that information. When she looked up again, I finished it off. “But…” I nodded towards Chad to avoid getting his attention. “… just arrived at the very end, after it was all settled. He took you from the freezer and carried you away.” A small gasp from Scarlett indicated that my news would not go over well.

I looked at Jadelyn, who looked completely pissed. Her eyes pulsed silver for just a second. “I see.” Her voice was level and cold.

“Look, I’m sorry. You two seem to be in a better place, and I didn’t want to mess that up. But you deserve to know.”

Jadelyn shook her head. “Never feel like telling the truth is trouble.”

Chad put down his phone as another jock came up to the table and put down a little baggie of white powder. Just seeing it, even if it wasn’t V-phoria, gave me the chills. One unpleasant night had been enough. I had no desire to be anywhere near it, and I had a feeling Morgana would be massively pissed if she knew this was going down in her club.

The jock jerked his head up in greeting and walked away.

“What the hell was that?” Jadelyn whisper-hissed at Chad, who seemed to notice her again. I had no idea how a guy could spend his time on the phone when he was across from such a beauty.

Chad and her broke their brief stare off, and he held the baggie up. “New drug. It is supposed to be a fantastic time. Really enhances how IT feels.” He bobbed his brow suggestively.

Jadelyn’s face actually curled with disgust. “Don’t even try it. You know my family's rules. If you think you can have me before marriage, you can also expect my father to have you hunted down and killed.”

His nostrils flared, and Scarlett’s nails dug into my palm, causing me to look up at her. She looked ready to fight.

But Chad calmed down and turned to me, like I was going to be his lifeline. He didn’t know that I was holding back my own anger that he’d take a drug that could cause so much trouble for the para and human worlds.

“Have you tried this stuff? It’s supposed to be amazing. Supposed to pump up shifters.” He dangled the bag between us in an offering.

“No interest. That’s V-phoria, right?”

He nodded, a cold grin spreading across his face. “You’ve heard of it.” His tone took on that salesman quality.

“Yeah, no thanks. You shouldn’t do that either. I saw what it did to some wolves in the factory we busted; it made them into freaks.” The images of the grotesque transformations of the wolves the night before came to mind. I was half tempted to grab the bag and flush it.

But Chad just chuckled, arrogance in the tone. “You saw pussy omegas use it. A real wolf is nothing like them.”

“The council put out warnings about this stuff, Chad. You should reconsider.” Jadelyn pushed a deep frown on her forehead.

“The council does what the council thinks is in their best interests. I bet they’d say the same thing if the drug gave wolves an advantage too.” He gave the rest of the table a toothy grin that would have looked more appropriate as a wolf, baring their fangs.

I had to wonder if he’d been hit in the head, or if he always made wolfen gestures when he wasn’t shifted. Remembering how the drug had messed with the pack magic I’d seen before, I tried to focus on my right eye. I was curious if I could push it into shifting to see his pack magic. But it didn’t come. Instead, I just felt Scarlett’s hand squeeze my own.

Lost in my own world for a moment, I realized she was trying to get my attention. The other two at the table were glaring at each other, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Hello. Which of you ordered the halibut?” A server kicked out a collapsible stand and set down a platter with four steaming dishes. They smelled fantastic, and the tension at our table broke.

“I’m the halibut.” Jadelyn raised her hand.

“Filets here.” I pointed between me and Scarlett.

“That just leaves the porterhouse here.” The server put the last plate down in front of Chad. “Now, the plates are very hot, please be careful and enjoy.” The server collapsed their stand and made their way back to the kitchen.

Scarlett's eyes were wide as she looked over at me. “Zach, you are going to burn yourself.”

I realized I’d rested my hands on the edge of the plate, but it actually felt pretty good. “Oh. Whoops, guess it isn’t really that hot.” I lifted my wrists to show her that I hadn’t burnt myself and dug in.

Conversation died down as our silverware clicked against plates. The filet was absolutely to die for and seemed to have only needed seasoning with salt and pepper. Cooked perfectly, the meat was so flavorful on its own it needed little else.

I thought for a moment about that room in the Atrium that Morgana had given me. If I stayed here, would I get to eat this every night?

“This is amazing.” Scarlett leaned back, chewing with her eyes closed, enjoying the filet.

“It would be so much better with a little pick-me-up” He dangled the back over the center of the table again, trying to offer it to Scarlett.

“Chad. I said no. Scarlett, don’t touch that.” Jadelyn sounded like she was ordering Scarlett, and I found it bothered me.

“Wasn’t going to. I don’t think that’s going to make the night better.” Scarlett agreed. “Chad, maybe it’s time you left.”

“I think so too.” Jadelyn agreed.

“Fine. Let’s go.” Chad pushed himself back from the table and stuffed the baggie of powder in his pocket with one hand while he extended the other to Jadelyn.

“No, I think you should spend a night on your own.” She stayed seated, rooted to the seat by her posture. She hadn’t even hesitated. I was glad she was starting to stand up for herself.

Chad’s fist clenched tight, the veins on the back of his hand bulging with the promise of violence. My eyes narrowed. If he hit her, I was going to have to act.

“So be it. I’ll remind you of this moment later. Maybe I’ll have you tag along to my next fuck-a-bitch Friday.” He said it in such a way that it made my blood curdle. I had to work hard to stay seated, focusing on my breathing.

“Right this way, sir.” The server was there by our table immediately, gesturing for Chad to leave. I felt like I saw a glimmer of a blade tucked away in her apron, but I wasn’t sure. Either way, Chad took the out he was offered and stormed away. “Now, is there anything I can bring to help you three have a more pleasant evening?” As we shook our heads, the server bowed and drifted back to their job.

I let out a breath in a huff that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

“Sorry. He’s such an… alpha.” Jadelyn gave us a fragile smile. I could see she still was bothered by his Friday night activities. He must have found out that she’d been told about them. I couldn’t believe he’d brought it up just to bother her further.

“I don’t want to ruin your date. I’ll get going.” Jadelyn stood to go, but Scarlett reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Wait, a while? At least till we are confident that he’s gone. Then you can call a driver to take you home.” Scarlett coached her, and Jadelyn nodded with a small thanks and got back to her meal.

“I’m sorry again for ruining your date.”

I waved it off. The last thing she needed was any more guilt. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry your situation isn’t turning out well.”

“I knew he was an alpha, but hearing about it and… being part of it are just two different things.” Her mouth twisted, and I could see her eyes water with unshed tears before she used her napkin to dab at her face. “Gosh, I’m being such a downer. Let’s talk about happier things.”

A bit of mischief entered her watering eyes as Jadelyn asked, “So, Zach, what’s your favorite position?”

I nearly choked on my next piece of filet. “Uh what?”

Jadelyn and Scarlett’s giggles filled the room as they watched my face. The conversation eased back into something more comfortable after that, and we dug into our dinners.