Page 1 of Dragon's Surprise
Prologue
From the Diary of Seamus the Librarian
January 14, 1836
The situation in the castle is growing grim. I have long since lost my trust in the king and his brother. Their dark, sinister ways run contrary to everything I believe in. Even more now that I have discovered an astonishing fact.
Crown Prince Erwan is a white dragon. Aye, I heard the king and his brother discuss it, not realizing I was listening in. He showed as a white dragon on his sixteenth birthday, and they want to prevent him from growing into his powers.
Fools. Even the darkest magic couldn’t dim the light of a white dragon.
I would fear him getting hurt in their experiments if not for Queen Grian. Her husband does not realize the force of her magic, and that is a good thing. If the king knew the strength of her protection spells, he would end her life the way he has had with poor Fiona.
And as for King Niall, may he soar forever in the eternal realm. I have not yet found irrefutable proof, but I know in my heart his death was not natural. His sons killed him, and that dishonor and shame will forever darken their conscience.
The king can never find out what I know. It’s not my life I value but that of my dear Emma. She is the brightest light in my life, and I will do whatever I must to keep her safe. I have not told her my suspicions about the king. To do so would endanger her, for the king’s powers are growing.
But I did place a powerful spell on her. She cannot be touched.
My hope is in the vision I had many years ago. When the White Dragon and the True Alpha join forces, peace will reign.
May that day come soon…or we shall all perish.
Chapter One
One Year Before the Start of Dragon’s Mate…
Delton hadn’t expected to meet his fated mate mere minutes after the concept had been explained to him, but how else could he interpret the bolt of lightning that stabbed his heart in the best way when he spotted the massive hunky alpha? His mouth ran dry, and he had to swallow the tightness in his throat. With clammy hands and a racing heart, he couldn’t take his eyes off the alpha as he stalked toward him, his long legs eating the ground at an aggressive pace.
“Hey, Adar,” Sivney, the omega Delton had been talking to, said.
Adar. His name was Adar. What a strong, fitting name for this beautiful man. With short-cropped dark hair, brown eyes, and chiseled features, he was the epitome of masculinity in Delton’s book. And his body…
Delton could only hope he wasn’t actually drooling because mentally, he was. Six foot two-ish and built like a tank, with muscles that rivaled those of body builders, Adar looked like he could crush his enemies with one hand. Delton wanted to lick him and claim him, then beg the man to fuck him senseless. All in due time, of course.
“I’d like you to meet Delton, a trauma psychologist who is considering joining the pack.” Sivney gestured to him, and Delton forced himself to focus. “Delton, this is Adar, part of our security team, the men responsible for keeping us all safe.”
Adar held out his hand, and Delton took it, his brain frantically searching for the appropriate words. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Okay, that was perhaps a tad more formal than he had wanted, but at least he’d managed to speak. Considering the state of his body, mind, and soul, that counted as a win.
Adar’s handshake was firm, which didn’t come as a surprise with his size. Then again, Delton was on the small and slender side for a beta, which only emphasized the differences between them.
“Likewise,” Adar said. He turned his attention to Sivney. “I’ve finished interviewing all the refugees. Would you like me to report the results to you or Rhene?”
“To me. As soon as I’m done showing Delton around, I’d love to sit and get all the details, but can you give me the short version now? Anything concerning I should prepare myself for?”
Adar shook his head. “Nothing. Their stories all check out so far. No inconsistencies.”
“Glad to hear it.” Sivney cocked his head, a slight grin spreading across his face. “Anyone catch your eye? I saw some cute omegas among them.”
Delton hadn’t thought it possible for a man as intimidating as Adar to blush, but despite his tanned skin, the red spots on his cheeks were profound. “No. I mean, maybe? I haven’t paid attention to that.”
Sivney snorted. “Somehow, I doubt that, but we’ll let that go for now. I was just explaining the concept of fated mates to Delton.”
Fated mates. Pack. A pack alpha. Wolf shifters. All new concepts Delton had learned about in the last few minutes, yet they were somehow familiar, as if his soul recognized them on some level. He’d never considered himself of the floaty, new age variety that would take anything that couldn’t be proved by science seriously—he was a psychologist specializing in trauma, one who heavily focused on evidence-based approaches—yet he couldn’t deny the pull his whole being had to this place. How could he feel like he was coming home when he’d never been here?
He cleared his throat. “I’m not considering it. I’ve already made my decision. If you’ll have me, I’d be happy to join the pack.”