A dragon shifter novel Chapter 90

The Tail’s Betrayal

Allison

7440

The sound in his chest starts again, a deep, low rumble that vibrates through the air between us, and gods, he does something ridiculous to my body. It rolls through me like warm honey, settles low in my stomach, and my knees almost give out. It must be the bloody bond, has to be, because the logical part of my brain would never want to melt into the solid wall of muscle that is this man’s chest. I take a slow breath, will every ounce of self–control I have not to do something stupid, and instead of launching myself into his arms like some lovesick idiot, I just… take his hand.

The moment our fingers touch, the bond hums happily, warm and bright. It feels like a sigh of contentment curling beneath my ribs. He watches our joined

hands like they’re some divine miracle, his expression softening in a way that’s almost unfair.

I clear my throat, loudly, trying to reel this back to reality. “If we’re going to do this,” I say, gesturing vaguely between us, “we need boundaries.”

He tilts his head, clearly confused. “Boundaries?”

“Yes, boundaries,” I repeat, firm. “Starting with this: I get to say when I come and go. We’re not-” I gesture at him, “-shadow–napping people, and we’re

definitely not locking them away in kingdoms. I’m going back to school.”

He opens his mouth, probably to argue, but I hold up a hand to silence him. “It’s not like I want to go to that school, but it’s a council thing. If I ever want to be part of the mortal realm again, I need to finish my education, or they’ll send me off to war. And trust me, war is not on my to–do list.”

He frowns deeply, his tail twitching behind him like it has opinions of its own. “You do not need that realm,” he says, voice soft but stubborn. “You have our

realm. You could live here, with me.”

I exhale, already anticipating this argument. “Yes, that’s very sweet, and I appreciate the offer, but did you miss the part where I have- I pause, counting in my head and grimacing, “-three other mates?”

He raises an unimpressed brow. “You mean four other mates,

“No,” I say quickly, “we’re absolutely going to go with three.”

His lips twitch. “You had four.”

“Three,” I insist, crossing my arms. “We’re ignoring one entirely, thank you very much.”

He studies me for a long, quiet moment, then asks, voice low, “Do you want then to be part of your life?”

The question hangs there, heavier than I expect. My hand drifts unconsciously to my chest, right over my heart, where the bond threads pill try bepath-

my skin. His eyes follow the motion instantly, pupils dilating, as though the act of me touching myself there is something sacred.

“The boni…” I start, the words slow, thaky. “The bond definitely wants them”

He inches loner. “And your

I wallone hard. My valce is hanity above a whisper when I answer, “I guess.. I guess I want them to”

“Then you will have what you want. I will make sure of that. I promise you in every detone that you will have what you

The weight a tlume weeds, presses into my chest imtil me the IU’s desiation Dishakabile and tarzitving

713

12:52 pm Pppp

The Tail’s Betrayal

ache, The–certainty in his tone, the quiet strength behind it, feels like standing before a storm that has chosen not to destroy me. Now I just need to find

ut if the others want me too.

I lift my gaze, the firelight from the conces painting his skin in molten gold and shadow. “Can you take me back there now, please?” My voice comes out small. “It’s been hours since the festival. I’m sure a few of them are… worried about where I’ve disappeared to.”

He studies me for a moment, his eyes softening. His thumb traces idle, swirling patterns across the back of my hand, the way one might touch a relic they were afraid to break. “Time is not a thing here,” he murmurs What feels like hours to you has been but a blink in your realm.”

I blink, the logic of that struggling to land. “So… what? If I go back, I’ll step into the same night?”

“Exactly that,” he says with a faint smile. “But must you rush to leave?”

The question catches me off guard. His voice lowers, rough velvet over steel. “Would you stay with me here, a little longer?”

He looks almost uncertain when he says it, a strange sight for someone who commands legions. There’s a hint of vulnerability in his expression, and it does

something absurd to me.

“L…” I start, but words fumble on my tongue.

The bond hums again, soft and coaxing, like it wants me to stay just for a little while longer, to see what it feels like to be with this mate of mine.

“Okay,“1 say quietly, the word leaving me before I even realise I’ve decided. And when I look up, the expression that crosses his face is enough to steal the breath right out of me. That impossible, fearsome creature, the Demon King, looks purely, devastatingly happy. His tail moves before he does, sweeping around me in one smooth motion. The sleek, dark length coils gently at my waist and tugs me forward until my palms press flat against the hard planes of his chest. My breath catches. My thighs part over one of his, and heat rushes to my cheeks before I can stop it.

“Ah–Rhaziel blinks, looking utterly mortified. “Apologies, my hummingbird.” He glares down at his tail as if it has personally betrayed him. “It seems my

tail is… overenthusiastic.”

The indignant flick the tail gives in response makes a surprised laugh escape my lips. “So it does have a mind of its own,” I murmur, and that pulls the smallest, crooked smile from him, equal parts embarrassed and adoring.

“I will have words with it later,” he says solemnly.

But the warmth from his chest seeps into me where I’m still pressed against him, and before can think better of it, I lean closer. My cheek brushes eset bis skin, and he goes absolutely still. Not a breath. Not a twitch. Just… stillness. Then, slowly, that deep, resonant purr starts again and vibrates through every inch of him, through me. It’s not just sound, it’s a feeling, safety and heat and something dangerously close to affection, this arfils come up, strong and careful, wrapping around me like he’s terrified I’ll vanish if he holds too tight and I melt. Gods help me, I melt right into him. The tension eps from my shoulder as my body gives in, sinking against his warmth. His chin lowers, brushing the top of my head, and his breath stirs my hair,

“I did not mean to pull you so close,” he murmurs, voice toughened with restraint. “But now that you’re here…” He exhales. “I fled I the not wish to let yo

23

12:52 pm Pppp.

The Tail’s Betrayal

Comments

Amanda

6440

7 Comments >

oh the demon king is just so damn adorable!!! I do think his tail needs a nickname like “Fred“>

7 days ago

51

Share

0 45 9 5

315

12:52 pm pppp

Thornhill Academy

Sorted Our Shit Out.

Evander

6440

Kael and 1 lingered in the soft, dew–kissed grass for what felt like an eternity, the night air cool against our skin as we finally unravelled the tangled knots of jealousy and misunderstanding between us. We’d sorted our shit out, as Ally would put it with that mischievous glint in her eye, her blunt, endearing way of cutting through the drama. It felt liberating, like a weight had been lifted from my chest. My dragon no longer viewed Kael as a rival encroaching on our sacred mate bond with Ally. After all, he shared one with her, too. Far from diminishing what we had, it only strengthened it, weaving an intricate web of connections that promised her double the fierce protection and boundless love. Or, wait, more than double, really. Allison had been blessed, or perhaps cursed, depending on how you looked at it, with five mates in total. Five souls bound to hers, each of us a thread in the tapestry of her destiny.

A chuckle escaped me as 1 broke the comfortable silence. “Did you ever expect the professor to be part of this madness?” I asked Kael, my voice laced with

amusement.

He turned to me, his lips curling into a lopsided grin that revealed a flash of sharp teeth, a remnant of his own hellhound heritage. “Hill? The ever–stoic

scholar with his nose buried in ancient tomes? Nah. But what about Cage? Or, hell, the fucking demon King himself?” His words hung in the air, laced with a

mix of incredulity and reluctant acceptance.

1 barked out a laugh, the sound echoing softly across the open field. But the mirth faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a sharp slap of reality that hit me square in the face. We’d just been officially claimed by our mate in a whirlwind of passion and fate, sealing bonds that thrummed with unbreakable power. And yet, in our haste to hash things out, we’d left her alone… with those three. Hill, Cage, and the enigmatic demon King, each a force in their own right, each now irrevocably tied to her. Shit. A surge of protectiveness roared through me, my dragon stirring restlessly beneath my skin.

Kael must have sensed the shift, or perhaps the same thought had struck him like lightning, because he was already hauling himself to his feet. He brushed off the remnants of his half torn suit, which had been shredded during an earlier partial shift, with futile swipes, attempting to smooth the wrinkled fabric back into some semblance of order. As if that could erase the wildness we’d embraced moments ago. We exchanged a wordless nod, the urgency building like a storm on the horizon. We began with a brisk walk, our strides purposeful and synchronised, but restraint gave way to instinct. By the time we reached the festival’s outskirts, we were sprinting full tilt, our shoes pounding against the earth in a rhythmic thunder. The once–vibrant courtyard had quieted considerably; the earlier laughter, music, and revelry now reduced to a subdued murmur. Strings of fairy lights still twinkled overhead, casting an ethereal glow, but the energy had shifted. I could only assume that those fortunate enough to have found their mates were off in secluded corners, basking in the glow of newfound bonds, whispering promises, exploring touches, surrendering to the pull of destiny. The unmated ones, meanwhile, likely wandered the shadows or retreated to their dorms, nursing the sting of envy and solitude.

My eyes darted through the thinning crowd, searching desperately for any sign of her- that cascade of hair, the curve of her smile, the spark in her gaze that called to my soul. No luck. My pet, my Ally, was nowhere in sight. Ahead, Kael barreled into the cluster of entwined dancers on the makeshift figar, their bodies swaying languidly under the star–studded sky to the fading strains of a melodic tune. Couples clutched at one another, lost in intimate moments, but Kael showed no mercy. He shoved through them with determined force, eliciting startled gasps and indignant glares. When one dared to protest, a muttered curse or a challenging stare, he responded with a low, guttural growl that brooked no argument, his eyes flashing with hellfire. I watched as he emerged on the far side of the dance floor, pivoting sharply to scan the area once more. His expression told me everything before he even met my gaze: brows furrowed in deep concern, jaw set in grim determination. She wasn’t there. The festival’s magic, once so enchanting, now felt like a cruel illusion, hiding our mate from us in its folds. Panic clawed at the edges of my mind what if something had happened? What if the bonds had das her into danger? We had to find her, and fast.

“We should go check in with Hill. He said, once he got back to me.

“Yeah I ugree, if she went with anyone, it’d be with him. Yeah, they didn’t have that sort of relationship, but she would teel inle with him. Tim a

Kal leads the way, his long strides cutting through the overgrown trail. The trees here grow thick and uneven, old is sting them, the

The rain comes into xles after a few lembes, a spiat, Waller on thing with mike cuiling ruity Join the Chinese RA

7921

12:52 pm pppp.

Sorted Our Shit Out.

Consulering what’s happening tonight. My chest tightens as we climb the small porch. Kael knocks once, twice. The door creaks open, and Professor Hill peers out, wearing that same damn half–distracted expression he always has, like he’s already halfway through a lecture in his head. His shirt’s wrinkled, sleeves rolled up, and he’s got ink on his fingers.

“Ah. Kael. Evander.” His tone is poise but cold, eyes flicking between us. “Is this about the festival?”

Kael crosses his arms. “We’re looking for Allison.”

Hill’s brow furrows, but only faintly. “Miss Rivers? I assumed she was with you.”

“She was,” I say tightly. “But something happened. She left. We thought maybe she came here with you.”

There’s a long pause. Hill studies us both with that detached sort of curiosity that makes my skin crawl.

“I haven’t seen her,” he says finally. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring your… personal affairs to my doorstep.”

Kael’s nostrils flare. “Personal affairs? She’s missing, and she’s your mate.”

Hill sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Allison Rivers is more capable than either of you gives her credit for. If she’s gone, it’s because she wants to be.

Not because she’s lost.”

That hits me like a slap. 1 take a step closer before I even realise it. “You don’t care that your mate could be in danger?”

Hill’s gaze sharpens just slightly. “You assume too much, Evander. I care deeply, but I am not in a position where I can do anything about it.”

Kael growls beside me, baring his teeth. “Pathetic. That’s all he says before he turns and starts back down the trail.

Comments

R Visitor

Interesting plot! I am enjoying this

7 days ago

47

Share

1 Comments >

611/0

52

12:52 pm PPPP

Thornhill Academy

Dead Ends.

I’m halfway down the trail before I even realise I’m moving. My shoes hit the dirt hard, every step pounding out the rage sitting heavy in my chest. Hill’s cabin disappears behind me, but his voice his fucking indifference–rings in my head.

“She’s fine.”

“She doesn’t need rescuing”

“If she wanted to be found-

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches. He should’ve been happy. He should’ve been fucking with her. Not sitting there sipping tea and pretending nothing

was wrong. After everything she’s risked being here, that smug bastard couldn’t even lift a finger. She’s missing, and he just… doesn’t care. A growl rips out

of me before I can stop it, my dragon’s fury flaring in my chest. The trees tremble as I shove past them, needing to move, needing to do something.

“Evander!”

Kael’s voice cuts through the night, heavy boots crunching on the dirt behind me. He catches up fast, of course, he does, damn hellhound.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“Cage,” I bite out, not slowing down.

Kael grabs my arm, forcing me to stop. “What? Why the fuck would she go to him?”

“She shouldn’t.” I yank my arm free, eyes burning. “But if the bond’s messing with her, if it’s twisted something between them, I need to check.”

Kael stares at me for a second, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and reluctant understanding. Then he swears under his breath. “You really think she’d go to that bastard?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” I snap, running a hand through my hair. “But I’m not sitting around while everyone acts like she’s some lost cause Hill can rot in his fucking cabin for all I care. I’m finding her.”

Karel exhales slowly, his eyes dark in the dim light. “Then I’m coming with you.”

I give a curt nod, already moving again.

The campus lights are distant now, swallowed by trees and fog, and the sight air feels heavy–charged. Like the whole world’s holding its breath. If she’s with Cage… If he’s done anything…

The thought cuts off before it finishes forming, replaced by something fierce and cold in my chest.

“She shouldn’t be with him. mutter, more to myself than Kael. “But on the off chance that she is-

Kael glances at me sidelong, his solise low. “They we’ll make sure she’s okay”

1 no one, by wings Wching beneaths my skin. “Damn right we do.”

And then we’ry Fiming again and the dorms, toward og Toad whatever the hall this ding to

12:52 pm pppp

Dead Ends.

By the time we–rench Cage’s dorm, my chest is heaving and my temper’s barely hanging on by a thread. Kael kicks the door once. No answer. He doesn’t hother knocking again, just shoves it open. Cage looks up from his chair like we’ve interrupted a nap. He’s sprawled out, boots on the table, a half–empty bottle beside him, smirking like the world owes him something. His eyes flick between us, slow and lazy.

“Well, look who’s come knocking, he drawls. “Didn’t expect the rescue squad.”

The smell of whiskey hits me before his words do. My fists clench. “Where is she?”

He raises a brow. “Who?”

Kael snarls. “Don’t play stupid. Allison.”

“Oh,” Cage says, like the name barely registers. “Haven’t seen her. Don’t plan to.” He leans back in his chair, stretching like a fucking cat. “What, she ran off

again? Sounds like a her problem.”

My vision blurs for a second, rage pounding through my skull so fast it’s almost dizzying. “You don’t care.” It’s not a question. It’s an accusation.

Cage gives a small, mocking shrug. “Why should I? She’s not my responsibility. Hell, she’s not yours either. The girl’s chaos wrapped in skin. You two should be thanking me for keeping my distance.”

Kael steps forward, but I’m faster. My hand slams into the table, sending his bottle crashing to the floor. The sound echoes sharp and violent in the small

room.

“She’s our mate,” I growl. “And if you can sit here while she’s out there alone

Cage doesn’t even flinch. “Yeah, weil, the bond didn’t exactly come with a rulebook, did it? I didn’t ask for it. Didn’t want it. And I sure as hell don’t need it

to tell me she’s not my problem.”

Kael’s eyes flash, his claws halfway out. “Say that again.”

Cage smirks. “You heard me.”

For a heartbeat, the room feels like it might explode–heat rolling off me, hellfire flickering under Kael’s skin. Cage just sits there, unbothered, watching

like this is entertainment.

I take a step back before I do something I’ll regret. “You’re a fucking coward,” I tell him, “She could be hurt, and you’re sitting here drinking

His smile falters, just barely, before it’s back again. “You don’t get it, do you? If she’s gone, it’s because she wants to be. Maybe he finally realised what a

mistake all this was

Kael moves then, so fast. Cage doesn’t see it coming. His fist connects with the wall just beside Cage’s head, cracking the plaster, Cage dogs‘ hink, but the

smick’s gone now.

“You ever talk about her like that again,” Kael says quietly, and I’ll show you what a hellhound bite feels like

va foave before it gets worse. I slam the door behind us, hard enough to rattle the frame. Outside, the night we hits cold wilmat my bukming

Kad exhales, still vibeating with fury. He doesn’t give a dam

Tay, staring back at the Arm, los light. “He durant

2/3

12:52 pm PPPP

Dead Ends

The words taste bitter in my mouth. Cage’s apathy, Hill’s indifference, it all feels wrong. Like they’re seeing something we’re not, or worse, pretending not to see at all. But I’m done talking. Done waiting.

“Next stop?” Kael asks.

I look out toward the dark stretch of woods beyond the campus. The bond thrums faintly in my chest, restless and alive, pulling me somewhere I can’t ser

yet.

“The demon King.”

Comments

40