All Chapters of Iniko: A New Beginning: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

InikoEver since the Elf War over a year ago, things at the Academy have become more strained. While my mother and the other Elementals have made sure that only elven troupes who agree to the dragons’ way of claiming are admitted to the Academy, elves still covet what they don’t have.It makes me worried about what will happen when I finally shift. What if I’m mated to an elf?Thankfully, any elf who wants me has to be mated to me to put in a claim. Not that I’m a fighter by any stretch of the imagination. Personally, I’d rather hang out with my sisters and brothers. Well, most of them are my nieces and nephews, since they are my brother’s children.Unlike Ancalagon, I’ve never wanted to fight, so I’m glad I’m not old enough for someone to try to claim me. Cal, however, always seems ready to challenge anyone who threatens our group or his family. I guess that’s why he’s our leader.“Cyreeeeene,” I croon as I land. I don’t have a favorite sibling, not really, but there’s something speci

Iniko“Hey, Iniko! Where have you been?” Raina asks when I get back.It’s pretty obvious that Raina will take over for Cal one day as the Alpha of Alphas. She can be bossy with her siblings, but she’s never that way with me. Of course, I never give her a reason to be. I’m pretty easy-going. I don’t let my scales get ruffled by stupid stuff like some of the other dragons do.“I was spending time with my sisters out at the mountain. Why did Cal call us home?” I ask.“You know he still gets nervous when dragons are out at night. He’s never gotten over the elf attacks.”Since the elf war only ended about a year and a half ago, all dragons are well aware of what happened to Kenzo, Laiken, and Ember. We nearly lost all three of them. Thankfully, the mate bond works in mysterious ways and now, all three are happy, healthy, thriving dragons with their own young to look after.“It’s fine. I don’t want my sisters out too late anyway. Cy is still young and Brooke still struggles with what she is,

InikoI didn’t think twice about announcing that Brooke is mine. However, the moment I say it, I see the shock on her face.I grin as she looks behind her before looking back at me. I slowly get to my feet and everyone moves out of the way as I walk toward her.“Yes, you,” I say, smiling at her and brushing her hair out of her face. I knew she was tiny, but I thought she’d be bigger once I was in my human form. She's not. She's still very small compared to me. She's not as small now that I'm in human form, but she's at least half a foot shorter than I am.“You look so different,” she murmurs.I chuckle. “Of course I do. I’m not in my dragon form any longer. ““I …” she begins, then looks at Ishir and Cyrene before frowning. “But you’re my brother.”I tilt my head at her. “We’re not related by blood in any way, Brooke. Do you not feel the mate bond at all?” I ask. Now it's my turn to frown. She has dragon blood, she should feel something.“I …” she begins again.“How about we take this

InikoI follow my mate and my family to the room that Aunt Kay thinks will work for us. I honestly don’t care what anyone except Brooke thinks about it. I know she’s struggling with this. I’m not surprised since she hasn’t fully accepted what she is and what that means in her life.I meant it when I said I could help her with that. Being mated to a dragon will help her connect to her dragon side. I'm going to talk to Aunt Kay about taking classes for regular shifters so I can have a better understanding of my mate’s polar bear and hyena sides.Everyone crowds into the room, looking around, as if they have any say in the matter. I stand in the doorway, watching Brooke.This is a one-bedroom suite. Unlike the dormitories which were built for unmated dragons and shifters, this area was meant for mated pairs, or in the case of King Yhendorn, royalty. There’s a kitchenette, a living space with a desk, a couch, and coffee table. I don’t bother going to look at the bedroom. Based on the feeli

Iniko“Not bad,” I say, sipping the champagne. I take her glass and mine and set them on the coffee table. Then I take her hand and lead her to the couch.“Why don’t we talk about expectations,” I say.She gulps audibly and her eyes get as wide as saucers, but she sits on the couch beside me.“Okay,” is all she says.I smile, hoping to help her relax. The whole point of this conversation is to get her to just be herself around me.“You’re obviously not ready for anything physical between us right now, and I understand that. I want you to feel comfortable here, so why don’t you plan to sleep in the bedroom, and I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”She frowns at me. “You’re not going to fit on the couch.”“Well, I’m hoping there’s a pull-out bed, but if not, I’ll make it work. For now, this is our home, together. We can talk about what you want in the future once you’re more comfortable with us living together. I want you to feel comfortable here. I want you to want to come home to our spa