Mated To The Alpha Dragon (A BBW Paranormal Romance) (2 page)

            Once Callie and I had finished our meal later that evening, I packed two suitcases and set them by the front door.

            "Do you think two is too many? Do you think the shifter dragons prefer that girls only bring one? And do you think I should have packed more than two light sweaters? I know the dragons live under the mountains, and I really have no idea what the climate is like under there. Do you?"

            Callie surveyed my suitcases, shaking her head. "You're going off to blindly marry a shifter dragon. Honey, I think you have bigger problems than whether or not you packed appropriate clothing."

            Suddenly and inexplicably a little misty, I wrapped her in a hug. "I'm really going to miss you. So much. And I'm going to try really, really hard to communicate with you. I promise. Maybe we'll even see each other again some day."

            She hugged me back, hard, and when she spoke, her voice was husky. "Let's hope and pray for that. Let's hope and pray for that every day."

            I nodded into her shoulder. "We will. And everything will work out. We can't be afraid of the unknown. We've just gotta be brave."

            Callie nodded, and I gave her a final squeeze before pulling away.

            "Cal, do you think...."

            "Think what?"

            "If the shifter dragons aren't cruel... if the one I marry isn't cruel... let's say he's even slightly nice... well, do you think there's any chance he might find me attractive?”

            Callie snorted, giving me a little smile, even as her eyes still shone with unshed tears. "You're a pretty blonde with curves that don't quit. Of course there's a chance."

            "But... you've seen that I'm not just 'curvy', right? You've seen that I'm really... bigger."

            She smiled, rolling her eyes. "Yes. I've seen that you're a bigger girl. But you're forgetting something. Some men like that. Have you forgotten about George and Rose?"

            George was a very attractive man in our town, and Rose was his very curvy wife. And after fifteen years of marriage, they still seemed very much in love. To the point that George could barely even keep his eyes off her in public. Rose always seemed to have a smile on her face.

            I shook my head. "No, I didn't forget about George and Rose. But I know that men like George are rare."

            "We've gotta keep thinking positive, though. Maybe your new husband will be the shifter dragon version of George."

            "Yeah. Although I guess I'll settle for a shifter dragon husband not intent on my immediate murder."

            Callie frowned. "No more talk like this. We're thinking positive. Hear me?"

            I nodded. "I hear you. And you're right. Only positive thoughts from here on out."

            My positive thoughts lasted about exactly twenty minutes, until I went to bed. I tossed and turned for at least an hour, wondering if I'd made the right decision. Wondering if it really was possible that the shifter dragons might treat their wives well. Wondering what the average shifter dragon thought about curvy girls. Eventually, I feel asleep and dreamed about being locked in some sort of stone room or underground vault, trying to unlock a stone door to get out but being unable to.

            I awoke over an hour before sunrise the next morning, showered, dressed, and met Callie and our other roommate by the front door a little over a half-hour later. They both gave me great big hugs, sniffling a little and saying how they wished they could accompany me to the city gate, which was only opened once a year for the sacrificial bride. But they couldn't. Family and friends weren't allowed to accompany a bride to the gate anymore because of a few upsetting incidents where mothers and fathers had tried to chase after their daughters at the last second before the gate closed. So now, it was Mayor Richardson's job to accompany sacrificial brides to the gate.

            After saying one final goodbye to Callie, while blinking back a few tears and giving her a few goodbye notes I'd written to a few other friends in town the night before, Mayor Richardson led me away from the house by the hand, only letting go when I insisted I wasn't going to try to run or do anything rash.

            "I volunteered for this, and I'm not backing out."

            But as we got closer and closer to the city gate, and as the sky turned gray and lavender with the first hint of dawn, my pulse began pounding in my ears.

            "Not gonna run, or do anything stupid. Not backing out. Thinking only positive thoughts. Not backing out."

            I wondered if the shifter dragons insisted on sleeping with their new brides right away, on the wedding night, even if the brides didn't want to or didn't feel ready yet. I was suddenly wondering a lot of different things. We reached the gate, and my heart began to sound like a jackhammer in my ears. I clutched the handle of one of my suitcases so tightly my knuckles must have been white.

            Mayor Richardson set down my other suitcase beside me, unlocked and opened the gate, and then squeezed my shoulder. "Be brave, now. This is for the good of everyone, remember. We've gotta keep the dragons happy, or else who knows what they might do to the town. You're helping to keep the town safe."

            I nodded. "I know."

            "Goodbye, Kate. And good luck."

            Just then, while the first rays of dawn painted the sky in shades of pale pink and peach, a Keeper in human form approached the gate and stopped a few feet beyond it. He appeared to be in his early thirties, and his expression was so stern, his face might as well have been chiseled in stone. Mayor Richardson took the side of the gate to close it. I took a deep breath, picked up my suitcases with trembling hands, and stepped beyond the gate. It immediately clanged shut behind me, and I heard the sound of Mayor Richardson lock it and jog away.

            The Keeper surveyed me, and then my suitcases. "What's in the suitcases? Clothes? Where we are going you won't need clothes..."

C
HAPTER TWO

   My mouth became dry as sandpaper, and I stammered for a few seconds before being able to form words.  "What do you mean I won't need clothes where we're going?"

            The Keeper opened his mouth like he was going to answer, but then shut it and shook his head. "Not yet. Walk."

            His green eyes slightly narrowed, he took off across the grassy, hilly several-mile expanse between Haverbrook and the Smoky Mountains, not even offering to help me with my suitcases. I stood, frozen, until he turned and barked at me again to walk. Obediently, I snatched up my suitcases and hopped to, scared of what he might do if I didn't. With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I wondered if all the Keepers were as stern as he was, and if so, if that sternness could become outright cruelty. I didn't want to find out, but I knew that soon, in however long it took to reach the mountains, I would. And I was just guessing that just based on what my guide-Keeper had said about me not needing any clothes, the answer would be yes, that all the other Keepers were as stern as he was and even cruel. Shivering even in the warm morning sunshine, I pictured some sort of dungeon where all the wives were kept naked and chained. A wave of nausea washed over me.

            But soon, to my surprise, it lifted. And actually, the feeling of nearly being sick became replaced by one of near-euphoria. I'd never been outside the confines of Haverbrook once my entire life, not even for a second, and the beauty of the open green not bordered by any electrified fence was almost more than I could handle. Daisies bloomed in patches along the way, swaying in a breeze. Puffy white clouds appeared golden in the sunrise. A few butterflies whirled and zipped in front of me, and with suddenly misty eyes, I watched them twirl away toward the mountains.

            "So this is the world."

            My Keeper-captor glanced at me over his shoulder, his green eyes still narrowed. "Hurry up."

            I picked up the pace, my heart so light I felt like I could have carried even two additional suitcases. I suddenly wondered if there was still even the smallest hope, even just a shred, that the shifter dragons might not be entirely cruel. I wondered if there was even just the slightest possibility that they might let their wives out sometimes to explore the green world outside the mountains. Even if they kept their wives naked and chained the majority of the time, and even if they were abusive and cruel, I knew I could bear it, at least for a while, as long as I could experience the wide green world at least occasionally. I knew times of freedom and euphoria like I was currently experiencing could keep me going, no matter if those times were few and far between.

            My Keeper-captor and I walked along in silence for a few minutes, and I wondered if there was even the slightest chance that shifter dragons got a little nicer if they were shown that an individual was a good, friendly person, and maybe if that good, friendly person got them to open up a little. I decided it was worth a try, and I caught up to just a few paces behind the Keeper.

            "Will you tell me your name? I'm Kate. Kate Archer."

            He didn't answer, and I tried again.

            "Will you tell me your name? Or even anything else you'd like me to call you? Like, maybe just 'Sir', or...or..."  I couldn't think of anything else he might like me to call him.

            He didn't even glance back at me. "You'll call me nothing, because you will not speak again. And if you do, you'll suffer the consequences."

            My heart, which had been rising like a balloon, popped. I had no intention of finding out what the consequences of speaking would be. The Keeper was fairly tall and broad-shouldered, and I knew at the very least, he could send me sprawling with probably no more than a single-fingered shove. And I knew that he could, and probably would, do much worse than that. I pressed my lips together, my suitcases suddenly heavy. And my heart even heavier.

            We began climbing a hill, and I struggled with my suitcases. But I didn't dare slow my pace. Even though the Keeper was a good seven or eight inches taller than my five-foot-four-inch frame, and even though his legs were much longer than mine, I kept up, right behind him. I didn't know if there would be consequences for slowing down, but I expected there probably would be. A thin sheen of perspiration broke out on my forehead, and not just because I was exerting myself physically.

            We crested the hill and then descended into a valley at the foot of the next hill. And then something weird happened.

            My Keeper-captor came to a stop, turned with something like a sheepish grin on his face, and gestured to my suitcases. "Set those down and rest now. Please. I'm so very sorry. Please rest. That part we just did is the part I hate the most. We're out of sight now, though. I'm so terribly sorry."

            Stunned, and unsure if I was being given some sort of test I'd be punished for if I failed, I held onto my suitcases.

            The Keeper gave me another sheepish grin. "Sorry again. I feel terrible. But you can really put them down now and rest. Oh, and to answer your earlier question, I'm Samuel. But friends call me Sam. And you can call me Sam."

            Studying him, I didn't respond, still uncertain if I was being given some sort of a test. But his green eyes seemed genuine.

            "Really, it's okay to set them down. I'm so sorry I had to act like a jerk while we were still within view of the town. Some people watch the leaving of the bride with telescopes, you know. And those of us who escort the brides have to remain very stern and fierce. And it helps us if the brides appear a little frightened and intimidated. We Keepers have to retain tight control over the town. But no matter what you've heard or thought, we're not cruel. Not at all. So, please... set down your suitcases and rest. Before I feel any worse than I already do."

            Wondering if I'd regret it, I decided to trust Sam, and I set my suitcases down. "How do you know we call you the Keepers?"

            He grinned. "Oh, there's a lot we know about you townsfolk. A lot we overhear. Some of us do a bit of spying while we patrol the fence. And in fact, I happen to know that you actually volunteered to be the bride sacrifice this year. That was very brave of you. Brave and noble."

            I smiled a little in return, weak with relief at his kindness and what he'd said previously about the shifter dragons not being cruel. "Thanks."

            He smiled. "You're very welcome. So. Would you like to continue the rest of the journey to the mountains on my back while I'm in dragon form? We'll get there a lot faster."

            I nodded. "Sure. But... can I ask you a few questions before we go?"

            "Of course. Ask away."

            "Well... um, I guess I don't really know exactly how to ask this, but...." I swallowed, suddenly having a little difficulty meeting Sam's gaze. "I guess I'll just come right out and say it. You seem really nice and polite and kind, and I'm not exactly sure how all the other shifter dragons are going to be, so...." I swallowed again. "Any chance that you're unmarried and wanting a bride?"

            Sam smiled. "I'm flattered you would ask that, and thank you. But I'm actually already married, and even if I weren't...." He gave me the briefest of once-overs. "Something just tells me that this is going to be Victor's year to claim a bride. And something else just tells me that he's not even going to hardly let any other man lay eyes on you before he announces his intention to claim you for his own bride."

            "Who's Victor?"

            "He's the dragon lord. He's our leader."

            I couldn't answer for a moment while some sort of little thrill rippled through me. "And he's... he's not cruel? Does he like girls who… What kind of girls does he like?"

            "Well, as far as being cruel, no, he's definitely not, although sometimes he can be a little... maybe
stern
is the right word. And that's because, as our leader, he somewhat has to be. But no, he's definitely not cruel. And as far as what he's attracted to..."

            Sam gave me the briefest of once-overs again, and I couldn't be sure, but I thought his face reddened slightly.

            "Well, as his second-in-command, friend, and for all practical purposes, brother for many years, I can say with certainty that he's definitely expressed a preference for pretty blondes on numerous occasions. And I don't think my wife would mind me saying in the most platonic of ways that that's definitely you. And as far as physical attraction, I can say with equal certainty that he's definitely expressed admiration for...." Sam cleared his throat, his face clearly reddening now. "For very feminine, very, um... full, curvy figures."

            "Oh." Having to leave Haverbrook to marry a shifter dragon was starting to seem like a dream come true. "Well... oh." I couldn't think of anything more to say, my stomach suddenly full of butterflies flapping their wings as rapidly as a pair of them that were fluttering near my suitcases in the grass. "Oh, I guess."

            Sam smiled, his green eyes twinkling. "Yeah. Although I can't be a hundred per cent certain, of course, something just tells me that Victor's not going to allow a council meeting to determine who will be allowed to claim you as their bride. A council meeting is usually what happens when a new bride arrives. Those who wish to claim her for their own inform the council members, who then have a meeting to determine whose request will be granted. But as Victor is head of the council, and as I'm fairly certain that after one look, he'll want you for his own, I don't think that's going to happen. But don't get me wrong... I don't think he'll only be attracted to you physically. I know he's also attracted to kindness and bravery and compassion, all qualities you displayed when you volunteered yourself to be this year's sacrificial bride. And I'll be sure to say a few words to him about this."

            I smiled. "Thanks. I really appreciate that. All of a sudden, I'm feeling, like... really hopeful about all this. And I have to admit, earlier this morning, I was kind of fighting a little dread. Especially at the gate when you... hey. Were you at all serious about what you said? I mean... you shifter dragons don't really keep your wives, um... naked all the time, do you?"

            Sam winced. "Sorry about that. After I said that out loud, I realized it probably sounded a little more threatening than I intended it to. Although when I said you wouldn't need any clothes, that wasn't too far from the mark. See, where we live, in the caverns beneath the mountains, we have many natural pools and lakes, and even a few natural underground hot springs. Everyone, but especially the wives, loves to go swimming all the time. So as far as clothes, honestly, if you'd only packed a swimsuit, you'd probably be fine."

            Before I could answer, Sam suddenly looked up and surveyed the clear blue sky, frowning. I asked what was wrong, and he shook his head.

            "Maybe nothing. But we should go. I seem to have a sixth sense for when the Oppressors are near or when they're planning something, and I've been sensing strange things for days."

            "You have a sixth sense for... for the who?"

            "Oh, sorry. The Oppressors. That's what we call the sorcerers responsible for the Event."

            "It was... it was sorcerers who did it? But... how exactly? What happened?"

            "Sorry, Kate, but to be on the safe side, I really think we should head for the mountains now. Explanations might have to wait."

            I said that was fine, although I was really dying of curiosity. Sam asked if I was ready to fly on a dragon's back, and I said I thought so.

            "You won't drop me, will you?"

            He smiled. "No. I promise I won't. I'll fly slow. But you'll have to hold onto the handles of your suitcases tight, although if you tuck them up by the back of my neck, that will kind of help me 'hold' them for you. Now, are you ready for me to shift? I realize it might be a somewhat odd or even frightening experience for someone who's never seen it before."

            "No, that's okay; I won't be scared at all, even if it seems strange. But... don't you have to take your clothes off first? Do you want me to turn my back?"

            "Not at all. We actually don't need to remove our clothes when we shift."

            "Won't it rip your jeans and t-shirt, though?"

            All shifter guards wore the exact same thing all the time: dark jeans with a black shirt or t-shirt. It was like a uniform.

            Sam shook his head. "No. Shifting doesn't rip our clothes at all. When we shift, our clothes simply disappear along with our physical bodies, and then reappear when we shift back to human form."

            "Well, that's convenient."

            Sam gave me the slightest of winks. "It sure is."

            He told me to stand back, and I did. Then, within the blink of an eye, without even any magic words or anything, he shifted into a dragon. The same deep green as his eyes, his scaly body from head to tail was about twice the size of his human height. Massive wings, each at least ten feet long, protruded from his sides. Long claws at the ends of his four limbs appeared to be razor-sharp. I stood speechless for several seconds until Sam lowered his body to the ground and gave me a little gesture with his head that I knew probably meant hop on.