Chapter Five

Leah looked up in shock when she heard Ray start to growl. His blue eyes were glowing, and his fangs were sticking out beneath the snarl of his top lip. She didn't know why he was so angry. She could only assume it was on her behalf. It was kind of sweet. No one besides her father and brothers had ever stuck up for her. Being an alpha and a princess meant that she was usually the one sticking up for others. 

Leah reached over and placed her hand against of Ray's cheek. He turned his face into her hand, and placed a kiss against her palm. The gesture sent a tingling sensation up Leah's arm, and straight to her clit. She didn't know what it was about this man, but something inside her was telling her that he was special, and she fully agreed.

Ray nuzzled her hand a little longer, then turned to stare into her eyes, shaking his head vehemently. "You are not mating with anyone except me!"

Leah tried to pull her hand back, but Ray wouldn't let go. She sighed, and gave up trying to take her hand back, but refused to acknowledge his claim on her. "I don't have a choice in this. Believe me, I have tried to get my father to change his mind. He won't."

"I can't just leave my family, my clan."

"Why not? If they are forcing you to do what you don't want to do, then why not leave?"

"It's not that simple."

"Why not?"

"Because they are my family!" Leah snatched her hand away from Ray and ran it through her hair. "I am the princess of my clan. Just as it is my father's responsibility to protect the clan, it is also my brother’s and mine. I was the one chosen for this treaty and I have to do my duty!"

Leah got up out of her seat, and grabbed the remains of her snacks, throwing them into the trashcan. She turned back to face Ray as he stood to follow her. "I know you don't understand, but this is what I have to do. I'm sorry." 

Leah turned and ran out of the cafe. She could hear Ray running after her, calling her name. She didn't stop running, or wait to reach the launch pad, before shifting into her dragon. She glanced back once to see Ray staring after her. He didn't look happy, but there was nothing she could do about that. She had a clan to protect; they needed her.

Leah noticed the sun had started to set. She groaned. She was going to be late for the clan meeting. Her father was going to kill her! Speeding her way home, she didn't take the time to enjoy her flight this time. She was already half an hour late. She just hoped she wouldn't completely miss the meeting or else she would really be in trouble. 

Leah bypassed her home, and went straight to the clearing where the clan meetings were always held. Shifting as she landed a few feet from the clearing, she hit the ground running. She eased her way around the crowd to go stand next to her father, trying not to draw too much attention. She could feel the heat from her father's glare practically burning a hole in her. 

"Thank you all for coming out tonight. Please, mingle and enjoy the refreshments set up in the back. This is to celebrate a new beginning for us all!" 

Leah cringed inside as she heard the end of her father's speech, realizing that she had in fact missed the whole meeting. She was not looking forward to the tongue lashing she just knew was coming. She sighed, pasted a practiced smile on her face, and waved to her fellow clan members. She quickly turned to walk away, hoping to avoid her father's wrath for a little while longer, but luck was not on her side.

"Leah." 

Her father's deep, stern voice stopped her in her tracks. He didn't yell, but then he didn't need to. The growl Leah heard in her father's voice was enough to get his point across loud and clear. She wasn't afraid of her father by any means, but she wasn't stupid either. She knew that now was not the time to piss him off. 

Leah turned around to face her father, a sheepish look on her face. "Hey, Dad. How's it going?"

King Marcus did not look amused. "I would like a word with you. Meet me in the library in ten minutes."

Without another word, he turned and began walking towards the house.

Leah sighed, rolled her eyes, then followed him.