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!!!" She let out an ear piercing scream.

There on the ground, laid the lifeless body of her father.

She struggled to lift his unmoving body onto her thighs, cupping his face as more tears poured from her eyes.

"Please open your eyes." She begged.

Just then, Vaelora jolted awake, sweating profusely and breathing heavily.

It was that nightmare again.

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

Never.

Dragging herself out of bed, she quickly went through her morning hygiene routine, refusing to let the rest of her day be ruined, because of a bad start.

Last night, a scroll had arrived for her from the Vexley Keep province, and It was great news. One she couldn't wait to share with her mate. Dione Noir.

Not long after, she was on her way to the royal House of Veylor to see him.

**********

The House of Veylor stood tall on the mountain tops of Iron-Vale, the rumbling guttural growl of Andronikos, shaking its ancient stone walls.

Andronikos- Alpha King Draekon's dragon.

Today, Andronikos sounded more agitated. His growls were deeper. Sharper.

It was as though, he could feel the presence of clan spirits.

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

The werewolf masses in Iron-Vale and even other provinces, had come out in great numbers, wanting to witness as much as they could, of this significant day.

A chorus of eerie cries suddenly resonated through the skies, and the werewolf crowd shivered in a mild sense of awareness.

They all looked up to the skies, watching with sharp gazes as several dragons flew across, sweeping towards the House of Veylor in an elegant formation, ahead of their masters.

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

Zayn paced the room, restless, while Dione sat in a corner, looking bored.

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

Draekon remained silent, towering like an angry god, while the jittery maids worked around him, fastening his ceremonial robe with trembling hands.

No matter how long they served him, they would never get used to being in his presence.

Draekon was the most feared creature across the seven kingdoms, and worse still, he was mad. 'MAD' in every sense of the word.

After losing his mate seven years ago, he had also lost 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.

"Veylor." The royal Gamma called, stepping into Alpha King Draekon's chambers.

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

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

A sharp screech split through the air, cutting off Gamma Ambros. The dragons had already announced their presence before he could.

"....pretty much here." He finished awkwardly, glancing at Draekon.

"I am aware." Draekon turned to Ambros, waving the maids away with a flick of his hand.

As they retreated, his gaze fell on one of the maids. She was pleasant to look upon, with full lips that could serve purpose.

He stepped closer, greatly towering over her slim figure. The other maids quickly averted their gazes.

"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, making her belly flutter.

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

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

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

He placed a hand on Marie's shoulder, pushing her down to her knees.

"All of you, get out." Draekon ordered, and the other maids scampered out.

Zayn, Dione, and Gamma Ambros shared brief looks, before exiting the chambers, leaving Marie at Draekon's mercy.

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.

With sharp calculated strides, he made his way to the sole delegate 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 said, his eyes holding nothing but contempt. He couldn't hide his disdain.

Who would be able to, when they were about giving away the reins of their kingdom to another?

But Draekon cared less.

He had agreed to take one of the noble DragonBorn females offered to him today, as a chosen mate.

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

To him, it was a fair trade.

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

**************

Vaelora looked at the scroll in her hands for the hundredth time that morning, as she finally arrived the royal House of Veylor.

High Lord Zayn sighted her from the ceremonial arena, quickly excusing himself and heading in her direction.

She saw him coming, and halted her steps.

"Lora!" He pulled his best friend for a hug.

"Heyyyy." She smiled sweetly.

"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! Busy day today?" She asked half mindedly, eyeing the busy arena.

"Extremely." Zayn muttered with a dim expression. "Draekon has agreed to take one of the noble DragonBorn ladies as his chosen mate."

Vaelora said nothing, resuming her pace.

"Everyone fogets he is also a wolf. What if the moon goddess gives him a second chance mate?"

"This is no business of mine, Zayn."

Vaelora muttered coldly, and a loud uncomfortable silence followed after.

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

"I pray that one day, you'll forgive Draekon. I know he has made mistakes, but...."

"Never." Vaelora snapped, fury gradually brewing within her.

She angrily stormed off, the scroll mistakenly falling off her hand as she did.

Before she could pick it, Zayn beat her to it, his eyes running through the open parchment.

He went silent for a moment, his gaze slowly falling on Vaelora.

"Lora....." He called in a low tone.

"I'm so sorryyyy, didn't mean to ruin your mood. We should be celebrating instead. When did this arrive?" He raised the scroll for emphasis.

"Last night." She sighed.

"I suppose that is the reason you came to see Dione? He would be happy to see this."

Zayn grinned, taking her hand and 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.

It was safe to say that the scene they met, made Vaelora cease to breathe for seconds.

The betrayal hit her hard and she staggered backwards.

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

He was too shocked to make any other move.

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.

The moment Dione knew where she was headed, he fell to the floor. Naked. Scared.

"No no no!! Vaelora please!!" He tried 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.

Regardless of all her ill luck in life, she had always been a strong girl.

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

Zayn had hit Dione.

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

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

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, unusual fear draping her.

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

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

Anyone, but Draekon.