Part 4 (2/2)
”I'm with you.” She could see that Candy's teeth were clenched and her shoulders were back.
”This just feels like some bizarre nightmare. I keep pinching myself, trying to wake up but it's not happening.” Pauline shook her head, her eyes were wide. ”I just wish I would wake up already.”
”Stick with us.” Julie gave the other woman's arm a squeeze. ”Maybe we can get out of this thing. We have to try and we have to go right now. Please come with us.” She looked down at Jo.
The other woman shook her head, still crying. Julie hated to leave her but what choice did they have?
She sighed. ”If you change your mind, you know where we've headed. Follow us.” She leaned down and squeezed her shoulder. ”Good luck.”
Jo gave her a half smile, she sniffed. ”It's useless you know, running. It's useless.” Her shoulders slumped.
Julie prayed that she was wrong even though a tiny voice inside her told her that Jo was probably dead on. Instead of listening to that little voice, she prayed even harder. The three of them set off for the river, they had to formulate a plan to try and disguise their scent. To try and fool the dragon s.h.i.+fter men.
Please lord, help us.
There were hundreds of dragon males a.s.sembled at the foot of the cliff that housed their lair. The scent of testosterone and adrenaline filled the air. The males were very much divided between the four kingdoms and chatted amongst themselves in small groups. He looked up, zoning in on the balcony off of his brother's chamber. Sure enough, there stood Blaze. Even from here he could see that the male radiated tension.
They had already been briefed, all of the males had to remain in human form and the fire dragons could not use their fire breathing ability under any circ.u.mstance. They were not permitted to take, or use weapons of any kind. Hand-to-hand combat only and then only if the females were at a safe distance. The safety of the much weaker humans was paramount and needed to remain at the forefront of their minds at all times. Only once a female was marked with a male scent would he be considered the victor.
She would not be his though until she was properly claimed and that was only cemented after the mating. Hunt, claim and mate as soon as possible. Coal felt uneasy at the thought.
As was normal with the hunt, the females had been given a head start. It was almost a pointless exercise. When the dragon species still had females to go around, not enough of course, they would regularly organize hunts such as this. Dragon females were much faster and yet even they, were no match for the stronger, faster, more agile males. Weak humans did not stand a chance, despite being given more time than dragon females.
Logically he knew that the reason for the time delay and the need to follow the rules of the hunt was so that all males could be given a fighting chance to find and land a female. It was also done to break up the large group. Royal males and the best warriors were much stronger, able to outrun the lesser males. It normally ended with a few small groups up ahead and the ma.s.sive hordes trailing minutes behind. He could not afford any errors. He would need to work quickly and quietly.
The hunt was not just designed to test strength. It was first and foremost, designed to test cunning. Coal doubted the humans would be difficult to track so brain matter was not really a requirement. The hunt was also designed to test stamina and strength, qualities he had in spades.
Coal stood quietly to the side. In fifteen minutes, the bell would ring and the hunt would begin. Blaze would join in but he planned on staying at the back of the pack. All of the fire tribes hopes rested with Coal.
He loved a good challenge. Coal's only yearning was that the prize was a little more substantial.
He huffed out a breath, wis.h.i.+ng he could be anywhere but there. Wis.h.i.+ng things could be different. Scarlet still wasn't talking to him and maybe it was for the best. That chapter of his life was over. It was time to move on.
Another male stepped in beside him. He chuckled. ”You look like you would rather be anywhere but here.”
”Is it that obvious?” Coal turned to face his longtime friend.
Flame was grinning from ear to ear. ”Oh yes. I still don't understand why you've never been on a stag run with the rest of us. You've been missing out.”
Coal shook his head. ”I highly doubt it.”
”If you're lucky, you'll soon find out that I'm right.”
Coal raised his brows. ”I will win a female but I highly doubt you'll be right.”
Flame laughed. ”It's a great pity that our dragon s.h.i.+fter females have always been at your beck and call. If you would have been forced to seek out a human female... just once. I can a.s.sure you that there would've been no turning back.”
”My brother says the same, yet he hasn't been on one of your stag runs in many years.” Coal folded his arms across his chest.
”I cannot speak for Blaze. My king will have my head.”
”Excuses, excuses. I'm pretty sure he found them lacking and decided not to go anymore.”
Flame c.o.c.ked his head. ”Could be that the opposite is true. You will have to ask your brother for an explanation sometime.”
”I have,” Coal said. ”I've asked him on several occasions but he's tightlipped about the subject.” He allowed his gaze to drift across the sea of males before spotting the water king. The air king was not in attendance. Blaze had banned him from taking part. Served him right. None of this would be happening if it weren't for Thunder's insolence. If Blaze had been allowed to take one of the fertile princesses, Coal would not be here right now.
Flame b.u.mped shoulders with him, bringing his focus back to the conversation. ”Like I said, I can't speak for your brother but I can definitely speak for myself. I have enjoyed each and every stag run, each and every human female that has shared my bed. They love us, can't get enough of us. And I can say without one ounce of doubt that I feel the same way in return.” His face had taken on a dreamy look. ”I f.u.c.king love human females.”
Coal smiled. ”Good luck to you, my friend.” They clasped wrists. ”I hope that it does not come down to the two of us and the last female, because I will win.”
”It seems like such a waste.” Flame frowned deeply. ”You don't even want a human.” Then he laughed.
”What's so funny?” Coal asked.
”If you do get your hands on one, I wish I could be a fly on the wall.” He chuckled. ”You must remember that she won't understand that you are royalty. She won't be so quick to do your bidding. Human females are a strange species. Although they are attracted to us, they often fight their desires and needs. It will mean nothing that you are a fire prince. You will probably need to win her over.”
Coal frowned. ”Yeah, Blaze has also warned me of that. I'm not sure how to go about it.”
”Be honest. Try and be nice to her.”
”Nice,” he growled. ”I'm not sure what you mean. I am nice, I always made sure that Scarlet was satisfied. That she had the things that she needed, that's nice isn't it?”
Flame shook his head. ”No. You would need to tell your human that she is beautiful and special. You need to make her feel needed, valued and respected. You would also need to mean it when you say it. Sincerity is key.”
”She will be mated to the prince. Of course she will be all of those things. As to being beautiful, I doubt that a human would be attractive to me, but I will do my best to see the good qualities in her.” Coal meant it. He took his position seriously. The king had given him a task. He would fulfill it even if it killed him.
”That is a start my friend but first, you must beat me to it.” Flame slapped him on the back. ”I can only pray that this hunt is a success and that there are many more in the future.”
”Blaze is concerned at the methods used to obtain these females. He doesn't like that they have been brought here against their will. He says that it is not right and although I'm not a huge fan of humans, I have to agree with him.”
”These females had bad lives. We have rescued them. They will be loved and cherished. I'm sure that they know that. They will welcome us with open arms.” Flame smiled.
Coal didn't know what to think. He had no clue what to expect. He had heard from the males that humans found dragon s.h.i.+fters attractive. That they were drawn to their big size and muscular frames. Females would often beg males to be allowed to return with them to dragon territory. Of course, they didn't know exactly what it was they were asking since the males posed as foreigners from another country. Coal couldn't help but to smile while thinking about how they would react if they knew that the males were s.h.i.+fters. They would probably run away and as fast as their weak, human legs could carry them.
He was a big male. One of the biggest and strongest, thanks to his royal blood. Would a human female be drawn to that or would she fear him? He doubted he could ever be attracted to something so weak and beneath him. He sighed. He would soon have his answers.
The bell rang once to signal the ten second countdown. When it rang again, they would be off.
The tension was so thick it was stifling. Males jostled for a place at the front.
Three... two... one... the bell rang out. A shrill clanging noise that was barely audible over the sudden groans and grunts. Males elbowed one another. Others took off at a sprint. Many more fell from blows or after being tripped. Coal surged forward, he took no prisoners, if any were in his way, they were felled. If any came at him, they would bleed. His eyes remained trained on the path ahead, a path of bodies were left in his wake.
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