บททั้งหมดของ Under the Dragon's Protection: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

It had been two days since the 'Nubendi in Aerem' ritual and Iris just felt her mood dropping with every passing minute. She had blocked her mind-link to Dom, who was now getting worried about her as well as everybody else who came in contact with her. Anyone could sense from miles away that something was troubling her and she was unable to say it, but it was eating her insides. With the next ritual, the final elemental ritual, getting closer, Dom wanted to fix things with Iris and to know the reason behind her downhearted and aloof attitude. He needed things to be as they were before. But Iris was avoiding everyone and somehow only Lily managed to get through to her during mealtimes. Iris was worrying everyone but she was the most worried of all. Lily's words were still ringing in her ears and she had lost her appetite, her sleep, and her usual cheery demeanor that this marriage and mate bond was bringing her. Lily knew what was wrong but she acted as oblivious and worried as every

A tiny crackling was heard like small, almost unnoticeable sparks around them. Dom and Iris quickly looked up to notice the numerous lanterns decorating the cave walls were beginning to catch fire from nothing and lightening up the dark cave. Şekileus had started to accept the part of the ritual that surrounded the passion and devotion of the couple to each other. But the main ring was still silent and cold. That reminded them of the ritual they were there to perform. Dom went back to his position after a soft peck at Iris' forehead as she sat straighter than before. It was time to resume the ritual and be done and over with the last elemental ritual of their wedding. It was time, to be honest. And Iris still had some heavy weight on her heart. They gazed into each other's eyes and Dom saw guilt still swimming in hers. He sighed and started, "Alright, My Queen, I'll lead and you can follow as you feel comfortable. Hm?" Iris wordlessly nodded and with a deep breath, Dom began, "

To say that Iris was surprised would be a huge understatement. Because when Carlisle Gilbert walked in wearing a black tux and bow tie, smiling tenderly, her jaw almost literally dropped to the floor.Before she could even begin, he complimented, "When I say you look drop-dead gorgeous, I mean it. Because you do look mesmerizing, Iris. Dom is going to have his mind blown.""Carl." Iris breathed, still not sure if he really was there or if she was imagining him.He smirked, "O please, don't be so surprised. I wasn't going to miss my best girl's wedding now, was I?"He hugged her, careful not to mess up her dress or makeover. And she finally realized he was really, actually there."H-how are you even here? I thought after the last time you and Dom were in the same room-""I know, I know. It all went downhill. But you know it was all just a huge misunderstanding. We later met and talked like adults and clarified it all up. So much so, that he even allowed me to walk you down the aisle, if

It was almost dawn. Many hours had passed since Dom and Iris discovered the dead body in their bedroom. All the wedding festivities were over in an instant. The cheerful mood was gone. Of course, the details of the incident were known to only a selected few. Unstable Liliana was left out of the loop so she won't cause any damage and would be protected herself from the knowledge as well. Dom was back in full Alpha mode and the meeting room had been occupied by various members of the dragon family all the time. One thing was clear, Waai was behind all of this. And clearly, there was a connection between the fire at the wedding cake shop and this corpse. The worst part wasn't that Waai still had minions on the island to cause mischief, it was that his minions had infiltrated the mansion and even reached Dom's bedroom. What was stopping them from slipping in again for something worse than placing a burnt corpse? It was obvious, there was still a mole in the dragon family. Even after G

That night's meeting was tense. It had so many revelations yet raised so many new questions. Facts like some anti-shifter operations were at work by humans, were revealed. And that meant some humans were not as oblivious as expected. Dom was the tensest of all. He hadn't spoken a word since the meeting had begun. Iris, along with Elijah and the rest of them, had started to get worried about him. But Freddie reassured her, "He is always like that when something turns up. In our meetings in the past, he always went silent until the very end, listening and thinking. Until he speaks and usually a perfect solution or plan is ready. Don't worry, he is cooking up our way out. Let him be." And they all let him be until the last guy sat down after presenting radio evidence of Miss Kate's connection to Y and giving his theory about it. That is when, after a minute, Dom spoke. He didn't look up at anyone but his tone didn't leave any room for discussion, proving that his decision was final a