The Dragon King's Mate

Moving on

Chapter 2

After the whole shock of my dad being evil incarnate, I threw myself into my training and work. Well, it did prove to be an effective way to manage my pain and trauma in the past. So why not this time, so basically, I wanted Mack to give me as much work as possible.

I had given up any hope on having a mate, I mean I was well respected in the packs and the council, I had managed to work my way to the 3rd spot even beating our team leader, but I did worry that my past would effect my mate bond when I did find him.

I mean, Rayne is pretty much perfect. She is a royal hybrid for goddess's sake, and she has been rejected by her first mate, and well, it didn’t exactly go great with the second one. I know the first one is pretty regretful, but now it is too late, and I have a feeling the other one may be as well.

So if even she can not have a simple mate bond with love and happiness, what hope do I have really. I am just glad I have not met any mates so far. I think that would be the straw that finally broke me if I was rejected.

Gem, my wolf is not too bothered about it. As far as she is concerned, we are amazing, and if the first doesn’t work out, then let’s just move along to suiter number 2. I swear my girl does not live in the real world at times, but I do love my sassy, confident little wolf.

After the trafficking case was closed, Mack gave Rayne’s team some slack as they were the ones who were constantly on it, with us being the backup. Although when we cracked the case, all four teams were on the take down of the two packs.

With them getting a bit of extra free time, my team were the first to get sent to any complicated cases as we were the second strongest group. It meant I could just work and try and avoid my family as much as possible.

I had kept in touch with my younger brother Stuart the whole time, just over the phone. My relationship was still tense with my mum. I knew how terrible she felt being mated to a monster, and how she wished she had been able to stand up to him earlier, but the fact is she did not and I was the one that had to suffer because of it.

Our relationship now consists of the occasional message or call on special days, and that is about it. I know she wants more, and to repair our bond, I am just not ready. Simon, well, I have not spoken to him at all. Does he feel bad? Yes. Did he leave me to fend for myself, not caring what had happened to me? Unfortunately, that is also a yes.

Just because he has finally grown a conscience and doesn’t look up to our father like he is some sort of god does not take away his part in my pain throughout the years. I don’t know if I will ever be ready to hear his side or apologies no matter how much he wants to now have me in his life. Sometimes, it is just too little too late.

I have my new family, which consists of my elite brothers and Rayne. They have never let me down and have always had my back. Even the guys on Rayne’s team treated me as one of them. They became quite protective while I was staying with them.

They were the first men that I felt comfortable around, except from our Alpha Mack. I think them being there and saving me and then also being around as I recovered with Rayne by my side, I managed to let them in and stop fearing all men especially as I started to get stronger.

I do feel sad that they lost George to his mate, but I know he is really happy and his mate is amazing, her brother is a di.ck but then I am biased because of the way he treated Rayne. George was the first one I sparred with. He is a gentle soul but also fiercely protective. I think with him being Rayne’s pretend mate gave me more reassurance about him as she trusted him so much, so his leaving was a blow to all of us.

At least I still saw him, I mean it was made clear to Mack that Rayne’s team would not step foot in the Southern royal lycan pack again, so any requests for help from them our team was the one to go and help out. Even if it did feel like it wasn’t that important, I am sure the royal pr.ick was just making up excuses to try and get Rayne back there. Well, he maybe should have thought about that before acting like a complete di.ckhead, I hated wasting my time on bogus missions when there may be actual people who needed our help.

I was kind of lucky that although being a strong Alpha female on the elite squad made me an attractive prospect to the unmated Alpha’s and Beta’s, also to any of the other kingdoms men in power, because of my history they were less pushy and a bit more respectful of my personal space, unlike with Rayne.

She had it bad enough with the horny males when she had her pretend boyfriend. Now, she had come out as a royal hybrid and had to admit that they were only pretending to keep men away. It has made her an even more tempting prospect. None of them push it too far as the guys always have her back, and besides, they all know she could easily put them down now if they pi.ss her off.

She has made me so much stronger, both physically and mentally, I have no idea where I would be right now if it was not for her. Not that she will take any credit for it, but she is always telling me it is my own strength that has gotten me this far. She has just been there to cheer me on.

I admire her so much, and having her support has helped me to gain the confidence that I needed to stand up for myself and help others who were in the same position I was. I am also able to look any man in the eye and not feel intimidated, knowing I am strong enough to look after myself now.

Even if we do love the guys in our teams and they are our brothers, we always go to each other if we need to talk through a problem. It is just so much easier to have an honest talk and open up properly when it is another female at times.

I enjoy working with the council as well, I am often the one sent to talk with them if they need someone there in person and Mack can’t manage. I think Rayne prefers not going as she is related to some, and her future in law is there as well, and she doesn’t want anyone to think they are playing favourites with her.

I have to say I do have my favourites there, the old vampire King Constantine for example is an absolute blast, with his flirty wacky sense of humour, his mate just rolls her eyes in amusement at him. I can see where his grandson gets some of his lines from. He was definitely a player in his day, much like the vampire Prince is now. Both Rayne and I have had offers of being his mate. Hybrid babies are definitely going to be on the rise since Rayne came out.

Rayne’s grandparents are also fantastic. They have her fire and sense of humour. They were the ones that originally started up the council to bring more peace and acceptance between the species. The old Fae and Lycan King of the North. They even helped us get a couple of large carrier helicopters, so I am all for them and their idea’s.

Probably my most favourite is the old dragon King Augustus. He is a bit younger than the rest, along with Rayne’s father in law to be, as they have already passed their crowns on to their sons and taken over from their fathers. He is warm, funny, and kind, and I know he has a soft spot for me. He is just so helpful and always puts me at ease.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the other members of the council, they are all very welcoming and respectful, but there are just some people than you just click with more than others, and surprisingly even with my past, those old coots have won my heart and respect despite being men in power.