Primal mates, p.1
Primal Mates, page 1
part #2 of Dragon Warriors Series
Primal Mates
ML Guida
Copyright © 2019 by Mary Guida
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my wonderful proofreader for Sydney M Dolan-Neblett for helping with the final touches on Primal Mates!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Dear Reader
Excerpt from Fated Mates
About the Author
Also by ML Guida
Chapter 1
Present Day
You’re evil. You’re evil. You’re evil.
Lauchlan couldn’t get that foul voice out of his head. He’d had another damn nightmare or was it a vision? Either way, it sucked.
He’d told no one about them.
Not his adoptive mother.
Not even his brothers.
He hadn’t been able to sleep and got up before the sun peeked over the Scottish Highlands.
Running always helped him clear his mind. He ran faster and faster, his arms and legs pumping. His feet pounded on the gravel path parallel to the bubbling river near Stormholme Castle.
The red and blue plaid flag rippled on the top turret. As a dragon, he’d flown over it hundred times and a sheaf of five arrows was the Cameron Clan’s crest, but it was his adoptive mother’s clan, not his.
He turned on a paved walkway that went into a small family plot cemetery that was carefully maintained. In the center was a garden of blooming wild flowers and thistles. He stopped under a large oak tree that shaded the many graves and inhaled the sweet fragrant smells of the wildflowers. But it wasn’t the charming garden that drew him into the graveyard––it was the magnificent crypt where some of his mother’s ancestors were buried.
The XV hereditary chief of Clan Cameron had insisted a black dragon had saved them in a fiery battle from the invading Vikings. A dragon had flown out of the sky and chased them back to the sea. No one had ever believed the story and thought the old Lochiel had just liked dragons. He had liked them so much that he had insisted a black dragon guard the clan’s crypt. Lauchlan had always wondered if a dragon from the planet Zalara had protected his mother’s clan. He never found any evidence in Stormholme’s extensive library of such a thing happening, but his mother’s ancestors had died hundreds of years ago, so who knows?
The black dragon was carved out of onyx and was perched on top of the crypt with its wings spread out wide. If he didn’t know any better, it was an exact copy of him, but that had to be coincidence. He ran his hand down the stone crypt that was still in excellent shape. He sighed. What would the man have thought if he knew real black dragon resided at Stormholme Castle?
Most black dragons with his powers had gone dark like their immortal enemy Ian. His real mother–the Fate Ythei–had given him these powers. Why couldn’t she have given him abilities that wouldn’t have fascinated him with the dark side of torturing his enemies?
The dark bubbling river slowly faded to a light blue. Dawn had finally arrived, trying to catch up with him, but the smiling sun couldn’t erase the gloom weighing heavily on his heart. The sun’s beams caressed his naked back, but clouds were threatening to douse her rays. New fallen red leaves were scattered beneath the proud oak trees. Their bright and dark red leaves made the trees look like they were on fire. The air had turned crisper and early birds sang their morning song. A hawk screeched over head. His muscles rippled beneath his shirt, and his blood pumped faster. He wiggled his stiff fingers. He was tempted to shift and fly into the misty sky, but he knew he couldn’t escape his fate.
Or was it his doom?
He gritted his teeth. His feet crunched on the pebbled path. A herd of red deer nibbled on the deep grass. All except the stag who watched him wearily. Since the wolves had been extinct, the numerous herds had no predators to fear except for man.
And dragons.
Lauchlan had no intention of hunting today. He headed back to Stormholme. The turrets almost touched the gray clouds, promising rain. The morning chill left goosebumps on his skin. Cold felt better than the heat burning inside him. If he could jump into the icy river and douse his dragon’s fire, he would.
But he was a black dragon.
Nothing on Earth could stop his budding energy.
Not even him.
He rushed over Stormholme’s drawbridge and went through the portcullis. He almost wished the gate would have fallen on him, crushing him. But it would be futile.
His dragon was more powerful than a castle’s iron gate.
He stopped at the entrance that led into the living area and put his hands on his knees, panting. The flag of the Cameron Clan hung from the high beamed ceiling. Two armor knights stood against the wall as if they were guards, but they were empty shells left over from another battle.
“You can’t run away from your destiny, son. Today is the Fall Solstice.” His mother’s gentle voice made him wince.
He slowly stood.
She leaned on her cane in the doorway. Gray strands of hair sprinkled through her dark brown ones. He hadn’t even heard her open the oak door.
He wiped the sweat from his brow. “I know today’s the damn day, Mom.”
She narrowed her blue eyes. “Don’t take that tone with me, Lauchlan.” She jammed her finger into his chest with each word.
He lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m just nervous.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about. Faye will love you, just like Arya now loves Rory.”
But he’s not a black dragon.
His gut clenched, but he forced a smile on his lips like he always did.
His older brother Rory was coming down the stairs with a stupid grin on his face. Since he’d mated with Arya, every morning he was whistling or smiling. Lauchlan sighed. He didn’t think he would be so lucky.
Rory was a blue dragon. Blue dragons didn’t go dark.
Lauchlan winked at his mother. “If Faye’s anything like Arya, I’m in trouble.”
Rory’s smile faded away replaced with a frown that would have turned the rain to sleet.
“Arya is a lovely lass.” His mother lowered her voice.
Lauchlan couldn’t resist. “For a viper.”
Faster than a blink of an eye, Rory slipped around their mother and grabbed Lauchlan by the throat. He slammed him against the stone wall, shoving the air out of him. His brother’s golden eyes glowed with rage. Lauchlan almost hoped Rory would use his laser eye power and fry him to a crisp.
Their mother clicked her tongue and banged her cane on the stone steps. “Lauchlan. Rory. You two stop that this instant.”
Rory’s nostrils flared. “You will not disrespect my woman.”
Lauchlan put his hand on his brother’s wrist. “Don’t get me wrong. I really like Arya, but she’s a spitfire…” He grinned. “Chicken.”
Make me pass out.
Rory squeezed his fingers tighter and tighter and tighter. “Don’t call me chicken. Only Arya can call me that.”
“Rory, stop,” their mother said. “Lachlan’s face is turning purple.”
Lauchlan dropped his arm. His brother’s face went in and out of focus, surrounded by a fuzzy, flickering red-haze. Pain pierced Lauchlan’s throat, and his lungs burned, starving for air. His eyes fluttered shut and his head slumped onto his shoulder.
Blissful escape…
“Rory, release him this instant.” His mother’s furious voice drifted away.
His brother abruptly released him. Lauchlan fell hard on his knees, holding his throbbing neck and spitting up bile. Tears blurred the rocky ground. He coughed hard, his ribs rattling.
“Lauchlan.” His mother rubbed his back. “Are you okay, honey?”
He nodded wordlessly.
Why couldn’t one of his plans go right? Like him, his brother Rory had always feared using his powers, because they were so strong. Arya had tapped into his doubt. She had the ability to manifest a person’s dreams or nightmares. With Rory, she’d manifested his fear into a chicken, which was now a joke between them.
But only between those two.
He thought he could get Rory to knock him out, so he wouldn’t have to face Faye.
His mother pushed Lauchlan’s hair out of his face. “Rory, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Then, he shouldn’t have called me chicken,” Rory grumbled.
Lauchlan fell on his ass. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine. But maybe I should lie down.”
His mother stared at him, the anger in her eyes lifted and turned to a knowing gaze that made him want to crawl under a rock.
She put her hands on her hips. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”
His face heated. “What?”
“Don’t give me that innocent look?” She gestured at Rory
Lauchlan shrugged his shoulders and hung his head.
“Mom, it’s not that easy waking a mate,” Rory said.
Lauchlan lifted his head and gave Rory a grateful smile.
“You’re dragons, not cowards. Without each of your mates, you will not have enough strength to defeat Ian.” She used her cane to stand. “Is this what you both want? Do you want to see Earth enslaved and King Greum murdered and the Zalarians ruled by a tyrant?” The anger in her voice rose to a fevered pitch.
Lauchlan ran his hand through his damp hair. “No, of course not.”
She poked her cane on his thigh. “Then get up there and wake your mate. Now.”
He dropped his arm. “Can I at least shower? I don’t want to wake her with my stench.”
He’d no idea how he was supposed to wake her. Waking Mates for Dummies hadn’t hit the market yet.
Rory stretched out his hand. “Come on, brother.”
Lauchlan sighed and grabbed his brother’s peace offering.
Rory hauled him to his feet. He clapped him on his back. “It will be okay, brother. Trust me.”
“Yeah, like it had been a walk in the park for you,” he grumbled.
Rory squeezed his shoulder. “Maybe it will be easier for you.”
Lauchlan shook his head. “Only if this was a Hallmark movie.”
He left Rory with pity in his eyes and his mother with smoke still fuming out of her ears. He climbed the stairs two at a time, hoping he wouldn’t run into anyone else.
But he’d angered the Fates.
Arya MacFarlane blocked his path. She was his brother’s mate and Faye’s older sister. She’d pulled her hair up into a tight ponytail, and she had on sweats that fit her like a glove, emphasizing her ample breasts and defined muscles. But she wasn’t the one that set his blood on fire.
She cocked her eyebrow and gently touched his throbbing neck. “Teasing Rory again?”
He grimaced. “He needs a good laugh.”
“Uh, huh. I can see that.” Her blue eyes turned solemn. “Today’s the big day. Ye wake my sister.”
“Somebody’s got to wake sleeping beauty.”
“A word of advice.” Her stern voice chased the smile off his lips.
“And what that would be?”
“Faye needs someone who will watch over her, even if she doesna think she needs it. My sister can be a little headstrong.”
He smirked. That was the kettle calling it black. “I take it you two don’t see eye-to-eye on things.”
She didn’t answer right away and played with a loose string on her shirt. “How do ye propose to wake her? With a kiss like Rory did me?”
He ran both his hands through his hair. “I’ve no idea. According to Mom, each of us will wake our mates differently.”
She yanked the string off her shirt. The uneasiness in her eyes picked his curiosity. Something was up, but he’d have to pry the truth out of her with a crowbar. Even Rory had a hard time getting her to open up when she wasn’t willing to give up a secret.
He wondered if Faye would be the same way.
“Good luck.” Arya sniffed. “Hopefully, yer na going to wake her by smell.”
“Ha, ha. If you’ll excuse me.”
He left her laughing on the step, but she wasn’t fooling him. She’d been a nervous wreck these last few days as the Fall Solstice approached. With her pacing and worried eyes, he wasn’t quite sure it was from excitement. Somehow he didn’t think all was well between the two sisters.
That’s all he needed, a hissing cat-fight between the two of them.
He headed to his room and took the longest shower of his life. The pelting water turned ice cold before he jumped out. He toweled himself off and stared at himself in the mirror.
He didn’t look evil. In fact, he looked more like a beach bum with his shaggy blond hair and tanned skin. He should have gotten a haircut, but it was too late now.
Finding something to wear was the next hard task. He needed to wear something that didn’t make him look evil. That meant anything black was out. He didn’t want to go Darth Vader on her.
He shucked out shirt after shirt onto the floor until he decided on a white sweater and blue jeans. White meant good. Even if he was the wolf under sheep’s clothing.
When Rory had woken up Arya, he said he felt an evil presence following him––lurking behind every shadow, turning the air ice cold.
Lauchlan flew open his door. He didn’t expect that problem. He was the evil.
No matter how much he or his family wanted to deny it, the darkness was growing inside him, pushing him to use his powers.
He walked down the corridor.
A screech outside drew him to the window. Rory had shifted into a dragon, and as always, his spunky mate rode on his back, her red hair flying in the wind. She held her magical sword in one hand. The blue dragon and Arya disappeared into the clouds.
He folded his arms, wondering if he’d ever have the bond that Rory and Arya had. How could anyone love a black dragon whose power was to inflict emotional, physical, or mental pain on their victims? He hated the way he felt after using those powers. Fates helped him, he enjoyed the feeling of using his power.
No one knew.
Except for one. Ian. But then again, Ian had turned to the dark side long ago.
His younger brother Fergus clanked swords with Rhain, their dragon trainer. Fergus was a green dragon and had the gift of healing. How come Ythei couldn’t have given him a power that was good?
The dragon trainer Rhain was more of a father to all of them. He was a black dragon, but he didn’t possess any magical powers. More than once, he’d envied Rhain, since he wouldn’t grow dark. It still blew Lauchlan’s mind, because Ian was Rhain’s father. He sighed. Obviously, possessing powers wasn’t always hereditary.
“Lift your sword higher, Fergus,” Rhain growled.
Fergus did as he was told, but Rhain lunged, their swords clashing, sending Fergus flying and landing into a puddle of mud.
“Damn it.” Fergus climbed out of the puddle, mud dripping down his back and onto his jeans.
Lauchlan smiled, wanting to run outside and join them. He loved nothing better than teasing his brothers when Rhain got the best of them.
But not today.
No one looked up at him. He could have used a word of encouragement.
He forced himself to turn away, dragging his feet, and he headed for the oak door at the end of the hallway. The door creaked open, revealing the narrow, winding staircase. He trudged up the stairs. The flickering torches cast shadows on the wall, making the hair on the back of his neck stand straight up.
His mother insisted that torches be lit in here to remind the women of their past lives. The rest of the castle had all the modern conveniences.
The top of the stairwell came up much too soon. Behind another oak door, Faye and her sister Elspeth slept in suspended animation. He’d no idea how to wake her or even if he succeeded, what to say to her. What woman wants to hear they're fated to be with the dark lord of Mordor?
Enter. She awaits you. A feminine voice had whispered in his ear.
He almost jumped out of his skin.
He whirled around in a circle, but no one was there. Damn it. He hadn’t brought a single weapon, because he wanted to look innocent, not like a warrior.
Probably another mistake.
He hadn’t recognized the voice. It definitely wasn’t his mother or Arya or Rhain’s mate Sunshine.
He rubbed his sweating forehead. Crap, now he was hearing things. The only good thing was it hadn’t been Ian’s. He froze. Maybe it had been. Maybe Ian had figured out a way to disguise his voice. Maybe he was walking into a trap.
“Quit being an idiot,” he mumbled as he swung open the door.
He leaned against the doorjamb staring at Faye, his fated mate. Her dark hair flared out around her shoulders. Her blue and green kilt wrapped around her firm legs. She was beautiful. For days, he’d stared at her for hours, trying to figure out a way to wake her before the Fall Solstice approach, but he was no closer to figuring out what to do now than he was earlier.
