Dragon 3 Chapter 5 (Patreon)

The next day, I was wide awake early and prying myself out of Jadelyn and Scarlett’s limbs. Both of them were hardcore snugglers, so I found myself completely smothered whenever I’d wake up in the morning.

Particularly Scarlett, who wrapped her tails around my chest. They needed to be taken off delicately, though the fluffy limbs often refused to part with my chest.

Slipping out of their embrace, I threw on a pair of pants and padded my way out to the kitchen.

Kelly was already there, making a mess of the kitchen as she hunted through the cabinets. Already, several things had been deposited on the counter in her hunt.

“Anything I can help you with?” I asked.

A very cranky looking Kelly glared at me and spoke one word. “Coffee.”

“Use your nose; it can’t be that hard, can it?” I teased her.

She squinted at me and pointed to a fancy canister of coffee. “Found the grounds. Need filters. Damn filters.” She grumbled as she continued ransacking the cabinets.

I poked at Jadelyn’s spiffy coffee machine, opening the compartments up and seeing there was a wire mesh inside. Taking the grounds, I went ahead and poured them in without a filter, taking a chance that it didn’t need it.

“What are you doing?”

“Making coffee.” I said. “Unless you don’t want any?”

Kelly slammed the cabinet door and growled at me as she got low, like she was going to pounce.

“Kidding. Calm down. Damn, you are testy before your first cup.”

Kelly nearly sat down on the floor as she crouched, waiting somewhat patiently. But when the first few drops fell into the pot, she was alert again. That nose of hers lifted up, sniffing the air.

She moved her face within an inch of the pot, breathing in deep breaths through her nose. “I think I love you.”

“If that’s all it takes, we can take you down to a coffee shop. I’m sure they have one somewhere around here. We can see how many men are willing to buy you a cup, so you have lots of options.”

“No.” she grumbled but didn’t stop hovering over the pot of brewing coffee. “You are the only guy other than my father that’s been able to stand up to me. I want you and no one else.”

It was a little early, and I wasn’t sure in Kelly’s pre-coffee mind that she just realized how that sounded.

After a moment of silence, I spoke. “You know I have a lot going on, Kelly. More things seem to be rearing their head every day.”

“Like trying to claim a dragon hussy the second you see her?”

I let out a heavy breath. “Yeah, like my beast trying to claim a woman just because she's a dragon.”

“Your ‘beast’ isn’t really anything other than your instincts. You still did it.”

I didn’t argue with her. It had always felt like another, more separate, part of me. But I had to admit, the more I embraced it, the less it felt separate and the more it did feel like some sort of inner instinct. “Doesn’t seem to stop it from doing its own thing.”

“Maybe if you spent more time with the pack, you’d learn a thing or two.” She smiled at me. “There’s a reason that we let ourselves shift and go for a run in times of stress, or at least once a month. You can’t keep that part of you bottled up.”

“Yeah, let me just go for a run in the street here and shift. I’m sure that won’t cause any problems.” My voice was dripping with sarcasm.

It earned me no points with Kelly as the non-caffeinated grouch turned to me, unamused. “Work with me. Find a chance and take it out for a spin. Maybe the beast will settle down.” She started bouncing on her feet as she watched the coffee trickle into the pot.

“Fine.” I held my hands up in surrender, noticing the coffee pot might have enough for a cup.

Sure enough, Kelly was already moving, pouring herself out a mug while some dribbled on the hot plate. But she somehow had the pot back in place in record time. Paranormal reflexes were good for something.

“Ah.” Kelly let out the most contented sigh I’d ever heard as she curled herself around her warm mug of coffee, inhaling the steam in between big gulps. She was off in her own little world for the moment as she powered on for the day.

I let the coffee maker run its course before pouring my own cup.

As soon as I was done, Kelly was grabbing her second and looking far more alive. “So, serious question; how awesome is it having a dragon libido? I mean, the way you make those two squeal. I have to imagine it’s pretty awesome. And I’ve imagined quite a bit.” She sipped her coffee, not making eye contact with me, but a smirk spread on her face.

I nearly spit out my fresh cup of coffee. But she was trying to get me riled up, and I was not going to take the bait. “Yeah, it’s pretty awesome. No complaints here, or out of them.”

She laughed and bumped my hip, giving me a suggestive wink. “I’d imagine. Based on their moans, they’re quite happy. But if you ever need more to be satiated, you know where to find me.”

I wasn’t dense. I knew she was straight up propositioning me, but I just didn’t want to go there with her. Morgana was my focus, and I wasn’t about to get distracted.

“I do, Kelly.” Looking down at her hopeful eyes, I felt bad for wanting to slow things down between us.

She saw the look on my face and looked defeated. “Look, I’m really trying here. This is new for me. I haven’t wanted somebody the way I want you before. To make things worse, I’m somehow supposed to be a goddamn alpha, but I’m here pining after you.”

“I know.” Giving her a side hug, I put my mug down and refilled it with one hand. “But things are already complicated with Morgana. And it has my head all messed up. I need to sort that out before I’m going to be ready to even think about anything or anybody else.”

I waited, anticipating she wouldn’t take that well, but it was the truth.

She sipped her coffee in silence, staring off into the distance, but she didn’t pull away from me.

Jadelyn’s home was terribly silent as the coffee machine made small little drips.

I waited, the moment stretching out before she finally spoke. “Okay. I can wait a while longer.”

She eyed the coffee machine, which was slowing down in its production of coffee. She moved over, starting to refill it.

“And I came for more than just to hang out with you, so don’t be so cocky.” She sent a big smile my way. “I figured if anywhere would have information on my pack’s fertility issues, it would be here. I have appointments setup with the three fertility clinics in the city.”

I kicked myself, feeling a little silly for thinking she’d just come because of me.

“Great, if you need any help with that, let me know.” I knew it was partly my fault for changing up pack dynamics by making a female the alpha.

“Well…” Kelly trailed off. “It would be nice to not go to a fertility clinic by myself.”

I paused, realizing what she was asking. “Sure. I’m happy to be supportive.”

Jadelyn came out into the kitchen in her messy nightgown. “What are you two talking about?”

“Zach was just agreeing to go to the fertility clinic with me.” Kelly smiled and raised her mug of coffee in a toast.

Jadelyn blinked several times, seeming to wake up. “That’s nice.” She finally settled on a non-answer. “I think I’m going to make breakfast. Want anything?”

“Bacon?” Kelly was looking over her shoulder into the fridge.

“Just make enough eggs for three people for me, and sprinkle some meat in there if you have it.” I responded.

Jadelyn nodded, still looking a little sleepy as she started pulling ingredients out of the fridge and laying them on the counter to make a nice breakfast.

“So, do I need to know anything about your fertility, Zach?” She asked, but still looked half asleep.

I facepalmed. But at least it let me clear the air.

***

“You sure you want to go in alone?” Scarlett asked for the dozenth time as we pulled up outside Grendal’s Grog. It was the bar I was supposed to meet T’s daughter, in a rather neutral neighborhood that was just on the up-and-coming edge of what seemed to be a younger area of the city.

At least that’s what all the young mothers pushing strollers on the sidewalk told me. It seemed harmless.

It wasn’t fancy, but it looked well kept. Even at half an hour before noon, the place was filling up. I still had half an hour before I expected T’s daughter, but I was already anxiously trying to spot her.

“I’ll go alone. Hopefully she saw the fliers. I’ll sit at the bar and wait. With all four of us, she may not approach.” I let my eyes roam up and down the street, looking for something out of place that would tell me why she picked this bar.

Jadelyn gave me a pleading look. But it wasn’t going to work. I would not let my mate anywhere near danger.

“If anything goes wrong, I have an open line with Scar. You can all run in to save me.”

Scarlett had given me one of her men’s ear pieces, but I’d put it in my jacket pocket where it would be a little less inconspicuous.

“Damn right. We’ll be in there, guns blazing, if something happens. Do. Not. Shift.” She reminded me firmly. But her tails were beating against my chest as they happily absorbed the mana I was putting off.

I nodded, ready to go. I hopped out of the car.

It was an odd feeling, having a secret meet up. Kind of like a blind date, only I was more anxious than I would have been on a blind date, especially not knowing what I was about to face here.

But I didn’t have many options. I’d sit and wait and hope she found me.

“Just you?” The rabbit-eared hostess asked, her eyes roving me hungrily as I entered.

“Yeah, can I get a seat at the bar?”

“Sure thing. Seat yourself.” She looked over her shoulder to double check there were seats.

“Thanks.” I gave her a nod and slipped past, feeling her eyes move to my backside.

I was still getting used to the increased appreciation from women as my body had become more built from my transformation.

Sliding onto a barstool, the bartender took note of me, but waited to finish with her current customer.

I took the chance to look around and take in the room. There was no glaring neon sign, nor a spooky dark corner that said ‘secret meetings here’.

Darn, I’d just have to wing it.

“What can I get you, Sunshine?” The forest elf had a sort of whimsical air around her as she worked. The wreath of flowers in her hair and the loose dress screamed flower child.

I wondered if elves liked the seventies? That time period seemed very elven.

“Just water to start. I’m waiting for someone.” I replied.

“Can do.” She pulled out a beverage dispenser and pushed the button for water, talking while it filled. “Got a name? Maybe I could help point out the regulars.”

I shook my head. “Blind date. Don’t even know what she looks like.”

“If she’s ugly, just give me the sign and I’ll break it up to tell you there’s a call in the back for you.” She giggled and plopped the water down in front of me.

“Much appreciated.” Her light attitude was infectious, and I was already feeling more relaxed.

The door chimed, and I turned, maybe a little too quickly. There was a broad-shouldered paranormal that had almost a cloak of slimy tentacles coming off their shoulders.

“Tell me that’s not her.” The bartender was still giggling to herself.

“That’s a he, isn’t it?” I sincerely hoped it was.

“Nope. That’s a girl, but I’m pretty sure not yours. They aren’t known for being very friendly.”

I turned back to my water, using it as a distraction from searching for T’s daughter. The bartender floated off and circled the bar, attending to each customer in turn.

Keeping myself to my human range of vision, I didn’t notice anybody sitting alone. But I was early.

I told myself just to relax, taking some deeper breaths. She’d show up if I just stuck to the plan.

But I couldn’t help myself from instantly turning the second anybody came through that door.

Patron after patron entered, but none that fit. T’s daughter would be elven and… I wasn’t sure, but I felt like I’d know a crazy alchemist’s daughter when I saw it.

Soon my water was empty, and the bartender was refilling it again. “She isn’t showing?”

“I don’t know.” I replied honestly, starting to think she must not have seen the flier. She was in hiding, after all. It would make sense if she wasn’t out and about all the time.

“Here, this is on the house.” She poured me a beer. “It’s a crowd favorite.”

I took a sip. It was a nice, heavy stout. It went down cold, but still warmed me up. “Thanks. I’ll hang out a little bit longer. Just in case.” This stout had quite the kick to it.

Another door chime and I turned. It was finally a lone woman, but she wasn’t an elf. She quickly made eye contact with another group, and they both shouted at each other as she joined a table.

Apparently, she wasn’t alone.

The beer went quickly as I waited, and the bartender focused back on me.

“So, who was the unlucky lady who missed out on you?”

“Friend’s daughter. It honestly isn’t as much a date as a meetup.” I said, my tongue feeling a little looser from the beer. And the bartender seemed friendly enough.

She nodded along with me. “Still, you have to know something about her.”

“Just that she's an elf and probably a little scary if she’s anything like her father.” I kept to vague truths, deciding there was no harm in it.

Keeping busy, she rinsed and started cleaning glasses. “Why would you want to meet up with a girl whose father scares you?”

“I want to meet her because she can help me find another lady friend.”

The bartender’s eyebrows bounced at that. “Greedy, huh?” She laughed and poured me another beer. “Careful with this. The dwarven stuff is pretty potent; take this one a little slower.”

I felt clear in the head, and my draconic nature should have handled the beer well. But I did have to admit that I was feeling oddly comfortable with the bartender. She’d probably perfected that charm over the years talking to strangers.

Taking another sip, I let my beast rise up a little and tried to see if it was detecting anything. But it just wanted to go find Yev and go take a certain kind of bite out of her.

I rolled my eyes at it, shoving it back down. But I paused my drinking.

The bartender noticed and gave me a questioning look. “Don’t like it?”

“Feeling it.” I waved off her concern.

She nodded, putting down her towel and walking over, leaning forward in front of me as her eyes became very serious. “Who gave you the way to meet up with me?”

Shock rippled through me as I realized that she was, in fact T’s daughter. But the bigger shock was when I instantly replied.

“T did. I needed to find Morgana after she ran off.” I slapped a hand over my mouth. I had not planned on saying that; there definitely was something in my drink.

“Do you mean me or her any harm? Does anyone else know you are here?”

“No, I mean neither of you harm. Yes, my mates know I’m here.” I cursed, glaring at the drink. “What did you do to me?”

She glared at me. “What are you?”

I clamped down my jaw, pulled my beast up as far as I could risk it to stave off whatever she had given me.

For once, the beast came to my aid and, rather than talk, I growled as my hand crackled on the edge of a shift and the wooden bar top splintered. I grabbed her by the collar and pulled her close.

I used no words, just my growl, to communicate that we were done talking.

She fidgeted with a vial in her hand before putting it back in her dress. “Let me go. I’ll take you to Morgy, but your friends stay behind.” It would seem that I passed the test.

I couldn’t help it. I snorted at her nickname for Morgana. “Morgy. Oh, I’m going to use that one.”

“Come on.” She pushed off the bar, and I noticed the room was a little quiet as people watched us carefully.

T’s daughter waved to the crowd, and that seemed to mollify them. They went back to their conversations, content that there wasn’t an issue with their bartender.

“T could have told me what you did. Would have made this easier.” I grumbled. “Got a name?”

She shrugged. “Since you call my dad T, call me H. But he didn’t know about my job. All the meets are one time uses. I change up how I operate in them all the time.”

“Oh, got it. But, is the bar okay? You kinda just walked out on the job.” I asked, as I followed her back through the kitchen.

“I don’t actually work here.” She said flippantly as her hips swayed in front of me as she went out the back and through a few alleys before she came back out in a normal-looking street. Then she opened the first in a set of row homes.

The house was normal, plain. It was just the place no one would expect two very wanted people to be living.

My blood pressure spiked as I heard her say, “Morgy, you have a friend.” H called it out into the house as we stepped in, hanging a set of keys on a hook by the door.

“I don’t have friends. Who have you dragged back —” Morgana came around the corner, her normal outfit missing, but I would know her anywhere.

Standing in front of me was a beautiful drow nun. The baggy frock she was wearing couldn’t hide her sinuous curves.

“Fuck.” Her red eyes went wide as I barreled down the hall at her.

Lifting her up, I smashed her into the wall.

H was screaming something at me, but my focus was on Morgana, who was curling in on herself in pain.

“Come on, I’ve hit you a lot harder than that when we spar. Don’t think you can pull one over on me by faking it.” I clenched harder on her clothes and pushed her up the wall.

Her frock snagged on the wall, tearing across her chest, revealing her bra and bandages that were falling off nasty red blisters all over her skin.

“You said you meant her no harm!” H was there, about to use whatever was in that little glass bottle against me.

I glanced at H before focusing back on Morgana. “What the fuck happened to you?”

“Now I have to patch her back up. Put her down now.” H yelled at me again.

I wanted answers, but Morgana was clearly in actual pain. Loosening my grip, I carefully set Morgana back on the ground.

Quick as a whip, she tried to catch me with a right hook, but it was laughably weak for Morgana. I grew even more concerned as I easily blocked it, stepping back as H pushed her way between us.

“Probably best to listen to her. Never know what is in any of the vials around here. Could melt your face off, could cure cancer. Never know with her.” Morgana clutched at the exposed skin where the bandages were loose.

H rolled her eyes. “Hold still.” She pulled the bandages tight and made Morgana wince. But a small smile still sat on Morgana’s face.

“I assume you’re not going to go away no matter what I do?” She asked me.

I simply growled in response, and she nodded her head, wincing a bit.

“Okay. Where do you want me to start?” Morgana lay there while H worked on her bandages.

“From the beginning. I need to know everything if I’m going to get my partner back.” I growled, pulling a chair over and sitting down to watch her.

“Fair enough.” Morgana pushed her head back into the wall, letting out a puff of air as she started into her story.

AN - Thanks for understanding yesterday. Feeling better, able to keep food down goes a long way to having energy! Next chapter, time for Morgana's story.