PROLOGUE/CHAPTER 1

PROLOGUE

Seven supernatural races once ruled the realm: Werewolves, DragonBorns, Vampires, Witches, Feys, Tinotaurs, and Zodoos.

For many centuries, the seven supernatural kingdoms lived in uneasy peace. There were no alliances and no battles, just a balance of power.

Until the DragonBorns got greedy.

Believing they were meant to rule everyone, they released fire across the realm. Lands burned. Families died. No one could stand against the strength shared between a DragonBorn and their dragon.

No one, until the Werewolves fought back.

While the other kingdoms cowered in fear, the wolves refused to bow, even as thousands of them burned. Hope was almost gone, until a lone werewolf-witch hybrid stepped forward.

Her name was Nali’yum.

She knelt on the battlefield, slit her own throat, and released a powerful curse that split the skies. Thunder roared and a storm began as she screamed:

“For six hundred years, no Golden Dragon will be born again! When one finally returns, it will be born alongside a Werewolf, one tied to both fire and fang. And the future of the DragonBorns will rest in the hands of this hybrid. Then I shall return.”

That same night, Alpha King Ajax slew the DragonBorn Sovereign king. The Golden Dragon linked to the Sovereign died too, ending the sacred fire of the DragonBorns.

Dragons could no longer spit fire.

Now, six hundred years later, The Werewolf Queen bore a son.

His name was Draekon.

And in his hand, was the long awaited Golden Dragon egg.

CHAPTER 1

IRON-VALE (PROVINCE OF THE ALPHA KING).

"Father!!!" Vaelora's lips quivered as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "No!!!"

Her scream ripped through the air as she dropped to her knees. Her father’s lifeless body lay twisted on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. Her hands shook violently as she lifted his head into her thighs.

"Please open your eyes." She begged.

But he didn’t. He never would again.

He had fallen from a three-storey balcony. Or…had he been pushed?

Her gaze rose slowly, dread gripping her chest as her eyes locked with that of the culprit.

Draekon Noir.

Just then, Vaelora jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat and breathing heavily.

It was that nightmare again.

Even after seven years, the wound still felt fresh. She would never forgive Draekon Noir.

Never.

Dragging herself out of bed, she forced herself through her morning routine, refusing to start her day defeated.

Besides, she had gotten good news. News she was excited to share with her mate, Dione Noir. The scroll from the Vexley Keep Academy arrived last night, and she found it almost impossible to sleep last night, due to excitement.

She set out toward the royal House of Veylor to see Dione immediately, not knowing the day was about to get unbelievably crazy for her.

——————

The House of Veylor stood tall on the mountain tops of Iron-Vale, its ancient stone walls trembling under the guttural growls of Andronikos, Alpha King Draekon’s dragon.

Today, the beast sounded restless, almost aware of the incoming clan spirits.

The DragonBorns had indeed just arrived Iron-Vale, difficultly navigating their way through the extremely crowded streets.

Several dragons flew towards the House of Veylor in an elegant formation, ahead of their masters, drawing gasps from the enormous crowds of werewolf masses that had gathered in the streets to witness as much as they could, of this significant day.

Meanwhile, inside the royal chambers, tension hung thick in the air amongst the three brothers.

Zayn, the ever empathetic one, paced the room restlessly, while Dione who could care less, sat in a corner looking bored.

Draekon, the cold and eldest one amongst the brothers remained silent, towering like an angry god while maids worked around him, fastening his ceremonial robe.

“Are you really sure you want this, Draekon?” Zayn asked, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time.

After losing his mate seven years ago, Draekon had also lost a huge part of himself.

As a DragonBorn-WereWolf hybrid, the idea of having a second chance mate was almost impossible. Most DragonBorns were fated to only one soulbound in a lifetime. So he really didn’t see the harm in his decision.

"Veylor." The royal Gamma entered.

"Ambrose." Draekon replied in a rather bored tone. "What is it?"

"The DragonBorns are fast approaching, and their dragons are...."

"I am aware." Draekon cut in, waving the maids away with a flick of his hand.

As they retreated, his gaze fell on one of them.

“You.” He called, and they all halted their steps.

He made his way to the maid in question. She was pleasant to look upon, with full lips that could serve purpose.

"Are you new here?" He asked, lifting her chin with his index finger.

"Yes, Veylor." Her eyes fell, unable to hold his.

"What is your name?"

"Marie."

"Pretty." He exhaled lightly, his clean breath brushing across her face.

"Marie, how well can you use your mouth?" His asked, eyes sparkling with a deep sense of lust.

"Huh...?" She tried to appear oblivious, but the pink tint on her cheeks gave her away.

"Gamma Ambrose," Draekon called over his shoulder. "Take my brothers with you and welcome our guests. I'll join you shortly."

At his request, Zayn, Dione, and Gamma Ambrose shared knowing a look amongst themselves.

"All of you, get out." Draekon ordered, and the other maids scampered out, followed by the Gamma and his brothers.

Now left alone, he turned to Marie and placed his hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her down to her knees before him.

Not too long after, Draekon arrived the arena in his usual regal splendor, his presence commanding immediate silence.

He nodded approvingly at Zayn and Dione, who had kept things running smoothly in his short absence of lustful exercise.

Then, he approached the Prince of the DragonBorns.

"Merakkai." He called, voice low. "Welcome to Iron-Vale."

Merakkai bowed stiffly, and the rest of the DragonBorns followed his lead. So much tension in the air.

"Glad a day like this has finally come." Merakkai replied. The disdain in his voice was a huge contrast to the smile on his face. He hated he was about handing over his kingdom to a Werewolf. Hybrid or not.

But Draekon cared less.

His destiny was to be Sovereign ruler over the DragonBorns, a fate decided over six centuries ago. A punishment for their greed and wickedness.

Moreover, he was kind enough to agree to take one of the noble DragonBorn females offered to him today, as his chosen mate.

In exchange, the DragonBorns would bend the knee, recognizing him as their Sovereign ruler, so that the ancient celestial ritual of the Golden Dragon could finally be performed to free them from their curse.

So their dragons could finally breathe fire again after so many centuries.

To him, it was a fair trade.

"Let us begin." Draekon announced, and the peace treaty started.

An hour later, the event was already in full swing, when Zayn sighted Vaelora walking in through the tall gates of the Royal House. He quickly excused himself from the ceremonial arena and headed in her direction.

The moment she saw him coming, a smile appeared on her face.

"Lora!" He pulled her for a hug as soon as he got to her. Zayn and Vaelora had been best friends ever since they could comprehend things.

"Here to see my brother?" He asked, just realizing that Dione was yet to return to the arena after the 'quick' restroom break he had taken, nearly half an hour ago.

"Yeah! I can see it’s a busy day?" She said, eyeing the busy arena.

"Yes, it is." Zayn muttered with a dim expression. "Draekon has agreed to take one of the noble DragonBorn ladies as his chosen mate. What if the moon goddess gives him a second chance mate?"

"That is no business of mine, Zayn."

Vaelora muttered coldly, and a loud uncomfortable silence followed after as they both made their way inside the Royal House.

Just as they approached the entrance to Dione's quarters, Zayn spoke again.

"I know Draekon has made mistakes, but I only hope you can forgive hi...."

"Never." Vaelora cut him off, and angrily walked ahead, accidentally dropping the scroll in her hand. Zayn picked it up before she could, his eyes widening as he opened it.

“Lora…” He gasped. “This is amazing. We should be celebrating.” His gaze turned remorseful. “So sorry I almost ruined your mood.”

“It’s fine.” She whispered, a small smile on her face.

“Come on. Let’s show Dione.” Zayn grinned, eagerly leading her to his younger brother's chambers.

Without waiting for the sentinels stationed at the entrance of Dione's chambers to announce their presence, he opened the door and they both walked in to meet the shock of their lives.

Vaelora ceased to breathe for seconds.

The betrayal hit her hard and she staggered backwards.

"Di.. Di... Dione." She stuttered, tears clogging her eyes as he quickly pulled away from the naked woman beneath him.

The unfamiliar lady scrambled backwards, hiding her nakedness behind the sheets.

Vaelora wanted to scream. To cry in agony. But all she could do was release a laboured breath.

After so many years together, how could he do this to her?!!

"I, Vaelora Hugo...." She began, her voice trembling.

"No no no!! Vaelora please!!" Dione fell to the floor in fear, crawling towards her. But his older brother blocked his path—Zayn was furious.

"....rejects you; Dione Noir, as my mate." She completed with a heartbreaking tone of finality.

As she turned and walked away, she heard a loud punch, and then a thud.

Zayn had obviously hit Dione.

The composure she thought she had, came crumbling as she walked on. Hot tears poured down her cheeks.

How could nine years mean nothing to him?! They were supposed to be getting married in a few weeks!!

She didn't realize she had been walking towards the arena, until an overpowering scent dulled her senses, making her halt her steps.

Inhaling deeply, she looked up to see that she was just in the middle of the arena. Right where the peace treaty rituals were taking place.

All eyes were on her.

That maddening scent attacked her nostrils again. Aggressively.

Eventually, realization dawned on her.

But how was that even possible?!

She had only rejected Dione few minutes ago. So how could she have found her second chance mate already?!

Just then, her gaze fell on him.

Alpha King Draekon Noir.

He stood still in his spot, a bloodied sword in his hand and a decapitated horse on the ground before him.

More confusion descended as her brain registered Draekon's figure, moving towards her. His eyes not leaving hers.

"Vaelora...." He muttered her name in mild confusion, as he came closer.

"No..." She whispered inaudibly, fear draping her.

"MINE!!" His beast bellowed from within, crushing her completely. Claiming her.

No.... not him! Not the Devil!

Anyone, but Draekon.