Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Dragon King's Claim: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

SeraphinaMy leg bounced as I waited for the others to get off the bus. Even this early, the city buzzed with its usual restless energy. We were farther northwest than Center City, and the air was noticeably colder. I was glad I’d grabbed the extra blankets. Snow would probably hold off a few more weeks—enough time to gather more wood and supplies before winter truly set in.Once I was clear of the bus, I moved fast, heading toward the outskirts—the dregs. The city thinned as I slipped from street to alley, alley to shadow. When I reached the port covering, I slowed, scanning the area to make sure I was alone.Satisfied, I pulled the rebar I’d hidden in the corner and pried the cover open just enough to slide it aside. One last glance around, then I slipped inside. I stayed on the ladder long enough to pull the cover back into place before clicking on the flashlight I’d fished from my pocket.This section of tunnel was dark. I could’ve used one of the lit paths, but those ran farther

SeraphinaI woke restless, like something was moving under my skin.I tried to work it out of myself—sneaking out to the garden I kept hidden in the forest, washing laundry a full day early. I even stripped my bed, scrubbed the blankets, and hung everything to dry.Still, the feeling wouldn’t leave.I checked several tunnel entrances, making sure nothing had been disturbed, that no one had found me. Nothing. CC followed at my heels, voicing her displeasure every step of the way.“Sorry, Cosmic,” I muttered after tripping over her for the third time. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”She huffed. I sighed.When we returned home, I wished the familiar comfort of the station would settle me. It didn’t.I set my bag down and peeled off my disguise. CC immediately stalked toward the treasure car, slipping through the cracked door.“What are you doing in there?” I called, following her. “Don’t knock anything over just because you’re mad, or no more tuna.”She ignored me—as usual.I

SeraphinaOne moment I was aiming my gun at the biggest one, and the next it felt like a car landed on me. The gun flew from my hand, skidding across the floor.I realized fast it was a body.I punched and kicked and twisted, screaming at the top of my lungs—remembering just in time that shifters had sensitive hearing.“Don’t hurt her. Get up, you oaf,” Kaelith barked.There was a hiss, then a shout of pain. The weight vanished.I scrambled back until I hit the table, just in time to see the man who’d tackled me trying to fend off Cosmic—who was currently shredding his back and biting his ear.“Don’t hurt her!” I screamed, jumping to my feet.A large hand clamped around my arm like a steel vice. “Help him, Asher. Be gentle,” Kaelith said.Cosmic, sensing the shift, scrambled up and over the injured man and launched herself into my arms, growling and hissing like a demon.“Fuck, that little beast is horrible,” the other man snarled, glaring at my cat.I had to crane my neck to look at

SeraphinaThis was way more than I’d been expecting.My thoughts felt tangled, heavy, like someone had dumped a lifetime of information into my skull and expected it to make sense all at once.I stood and set CC gently on the ground before I started pacing. Madrigals. Fae. Dragons. Bloodlines and disappearances and destinies I’d never asked for.He said the decision was mine.I needed time.“I—I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, rubbing a hand over my face. “This is a lot to take in. If I’m supposed to believe you, I need time.”Kaelith nodded immediately. No argument. No pressure. That helped more than I wanted to admit.“Of course,” he said. “We can give you that.”I stopped pacing and looked at him sharply. “No. Not we. You.”His brow furrowed slightly.“I don’t want three dragons standing in my home while I think,” I continued. “You said this place matters. Then respect it.”For a heartbeat, I wondered if I’d pushed too far.Then he inclined his head. “That’s fair.”He glanced