Rayne couldn’t find it in his heart to care that in that moment they were being stalked by a crazed band of hunters or that his men were a few hundred yards away. All that mattered was the woman in his arms. He leaned down until he was draped across her back. He moved the collar of her shirt and nipped the little spot behind her ear that he knew from experience was extra sensitive. Her womb grabbed his softening cock and it began to rise again. God, he wished he had days, maybe even months to spend loving this woman. Their time would come, of that he was sure. He just had a few things to take care of first. Right now her safety came first, he had to get them redressed and back with his men.
As they reentered the fray, his men had the good sense to show no indication they had any idea what had just transpired between them. Even Lance knew better than to smirk in their direction. They’d all heard the stories from the elder couples about the mating call’s effect on a dragon shifter and were well aware of how possessive Rayne would become until the completion of the mating ceremony. He was eternally grateful they had all been taught the same lessons growing up. All drakes were extremely protective of their mates even after the completion of the mating ceremony but before it was a living, breathing entity until she wore his mating mark. The constant need to be near and touch their vibria would never go away but the jealousy would lessen once the bond was complete. The ability to mind speak was another byproduct of the mating ceremony and it gave another level of comfort to both mates when they could touch the others’ mind. The ability to hear their mate’s thoughts and feel their mate’s feelings calmed the drakes and let the vibrias know what their mate needed from them.
Rayne knew it was getting close to time to begin the hike that would take them closer to his clan’s lair. They needed to be at the highest point in the city by nightfall. He tucked Kyndel close into his side and called to his men, “Everyone get something to eat. Smells like Royce has been busy. We need to be ready to move out in thirty minutes.”
Rayne guided her over to the fire and saw the surprise on her eyes at the sheer amount of food being prepared. Just when he thought her eyes couldn’t get any larger or any rounder, she got a glimpse of Royce, the oldest and largest of his Force. He stood 6’10” and could have been the all pro defensive line for any NFL team. Not a player, the whole damn line! He knew his intuitive mate had picked up on the innate gentleness of his friend. Anyone could see that inside that huge body resided a gentle giant. He told stories of how he spent the better part of his formative years knocking heads together because all the children insisted on teasing him for his carrot orange hair and massive amounts of freckles. Although kindness and an incredibly even temper shone through his big brown eyes, Rayne could attest to the fierce warrior that inhabited the same space. Royce was not one to be messed with; he had not survived over one hundred and fifty years without knowing how to defend clan and homeland.
“Sorry, I didn’t get to meet you before. I was busy rounding up enough food to feed these ruffians. Name’s Royce, I’m very pleased to meet the woman that has turned our Commander inside out.” He reached out to shake her hand.
Rayne stiffened as she took her hand from around his waist to shake hands with Royce. She looked up at him with her patented one eyebrow up “what in the hell’s the matter with you” look and scoffed. Her hand completely disappeared into Royce’s huge paw. It was such a strange sight to see his mate’s delicate hand enveloped by his brethren’s not so delicate one. Hell, Royce could palm a beach ball, after all.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Royce. I’m not sure I have turned your Commander inside out but I can assure you if that iron skillet was empty I would bring him down a peg or two.” He couldn’t deny his mate’s quick wit was amazingly sexy.
His entire group of men stopped dead in their tracks. He knew they had never heard anyone but his mother, dare to talk to him in that tone of voice. He looked from man to man and suddenly they all burst out laughing. He schooled his features, attempting to appear appalled at her remark but couldn’t keep up the façade as she laughed so hard her eyes began to water. He growled at her for good measure, “Mate…”
“Don’t you ‘Mate’ me Rayne MacLendon. I can shake hands with anybody I want to. I will not be rude and the way you’re acting is pissing me off.” She huffed and he felt his pride grow at her refusal to back down to him.
Royce got his laughing under control, “You have quite the woman on your hands there, Commander. Perfect match for you, I must say. I couldn’t be happier for you. Let me get you both something to eat.” Rayne noted he continued to look back and forth between the couple while filling a huge plate to almost overflowing. He assumed it was for them to share and that Royce was playing to the growing need to care for his mate that they had all been taught existed. He would have to thank his oldest brethren when they were alone. His men liked that his woman was feisty. He was more pleased than he wanted to admit that his mate wasn’t afraid to stand up to him or anyone. She was his even match. The Universe did not make mistakes. She was perfect for him. He could see from the looks on the faces of his men that they were all pleased with his good fortune.