Chapter Three

Everleigh has been alone in the world ever since the heart-breaking death of her beloved father two years ago, only a month before her eighteenth birthday. She has been wandering around searching for a purpose and direction, having no clue what she wanted to be or do with her life. However, deep down, she feels like the strong connection between herself and this dragon shifter, might just be a sign from the universe, fate is giving her a new direction, an opportunity she never could have imagined.

The thought of what being mated to a powerful dragon shifter would mean for Everleigh's life is both exhilarating and frightening at the same time. She had to admit that it would be a lot more fulfilling than waiting tables and delivering food from the pizza parlour she worked in with her oldest friend, Beth. She knew it wouldn't be all roses and sunshine. She'd no doubt find herself in situations that were infinitely more dangerous than she was used to.

Could she really take the plunge and leave her mundane life behind to embrace the unknown?

As Everleigh stares into Xavier's deep eyes, her heart speaks louder than her head, telling her that the answer is an unwavering yes. She has no reason to stay, her job interview the previous day had been a complete disaster, and she is growing weary of having to constantly shift between her friends' houses until she finds somewhere to settle.

In the deepest depths of her soul, all she really desires, is to find a true sense of belonging. Xavier's gaze is penetrating, and Everleigh is relieved to realize that he seems to be just as eager for this relationship as she is. He sits on the bed next to her and leans over, his body gently guiding her to recline her against the plump pillows, his arm winds around her waist, his fingers trace the contours of her hips. She can feel the heat radiating from every point where their bodies brush together.

His lips caress the curve of her neck and shoulder, his hot breath rolls over her sensitive skin, sending shivers down her spine with each butterfly soft touch. Everleigh finds herself lost in the moment. Her body is reacting more intensely than she thought possible and she knows without a shadow of a doubt that if he continues, she will beg for more.

"I want you," she pleads as though joining with him was the only thing that would keep her from combusting from the intense heat building at her core.

"Are you certain, because once it’s done it can never be undone?" his words carry a warning but all she knows is that he is the only one who can quell the raging inferno threatening to engulf her, she nods and tells him she is sure.

“Good.” he groans, the sound rumbling up from his chest. He expertly peels the leather trousers down to his ankles and kicks them the rest of the way off his feet then off the bed entirely. He shifts the arm around her waist and pulls her closer so that his hand covers the curve at the bottom of her back, allowing him to lift her hips from the soft, forgiving mattress. His other hand tears off her underwear like it is made of rice paper and his finger leave a scorching trail down her thigh as he moves to drop the shredded lace on the floor.

"Hold on." he whispers the words, and she inhales deeply when she feels his hot, hard arousal, pressing against her abdomen. She reaches up to grip his shoulders and he whispers more words she doesn’t recognise in her ear then thrusts deep into her body making her let out a sharp cry of pain. She hadn’t realized just how much strength there was in those broad shoulders and arms until he pulled her onto him, sinking himself so deeply there was no doubt in her mind that they had just truly become one.

He stopped moving almost immediately when he heard her whimpering cry, and buried his face in the curve of her neck. He was shaking, she realized, his whole body trembling with excess emotion. She stroked her hands up and down over his back in an effort to soothe him, but it wasn't until he nuzzled closer that she felt the wetness on her neck where tears had fallen.

"Everleigh," he whispered against her skin, "I'm sorry. It shouldn’t have happened like this. you deserve so much more. I was overcome. It will stop hurting soon and I promise you will feel good. I will always make you feel good Princess" he held onto her tightly and kissed every inch of skin on either side of her throat, his tongue flicking over her collar bone, tasting the salty sweetness of her flesh.

Everleigh hadn’t thought much about what her first time with a man would be like. She certainly never imagined it would be with a dragon shifter. Xavier rests inside her, and she knows she wouldn’t want it any other way. As their bond forms her pain subsides and their souls become one. When he begins to move inside her, he’s careful not to take her too quickly and she appreciates his surprising tenderness but no matter how gentle he is, she is sure to feel the effects of his invasion for days.

They continue to explore one another, his hands and lips build a mental map of her body, and she finds herself entranced by everything about him. He’s gentle and charming and eager to please, but also strong, confident and overwhelming. He wants her so badly she can feel it through the bond in this moment of raw animalistic need. The way he’s gazing at her, his eyes lit up with a desperate need to see her, touch her, taste her. It is overwhelming and it makes the feeling of being wanted for the first time in her young life feel so damn good. He knows just how far to go and when to stop. She hungrily explores his bulging arms and muscular back with her hands, which seem to be everywhere all at once, as if they can't get enough of him. When she feels herself reaching the peak of her pleasure, she calls out his name on a shuddering breath. In this moment of exquisite, blissful release, her heart fills with love and adoration. Xavier’s emotions pour into her over their unbreakable tether, and hers into him, an infinite loop.

As she falls into a deep sleep in his arms, all she can think about is this divine connection and cherishing the moment, never wanting to let go of the bliss that comes from being in his embrace. If she thought it was all a dream before, she knows it to be real now.

Xavier was overwhelmed by emotions when she chose him. He sensed her fear, but their mate bond was too strong to deny and it compelled her to take the leap of faith. His whispered words before he claimed her would tie them together forever, but more than that, he knew it would give her the protection of his lineage.

"I love you," Xavier said, his voice rough with emotion. "With all my heart and soul. I would never do anything to hurt you princess." his words go unheard by his sleeping beloved, but he hoped that she could feel the intensity of his emotions nonetheless.

Their pairing had moved quickly, even for shifters. Xavier couldn’t help but worry that she would wake with regret. The weight of the bond will be heavy on her to begin with, but he knows the goddess would not have paired them if she couldn’t handle it.

He lay there with Everleigh draped over his chest, wondering how he got so lucky.