Feral Dragon (Earth Dragons Book 5) Read online

  Feral Dragon

  Earth Dragons Series: Book 5

  Charlene Hartnady

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  About the Author

  Also by Charlene Hartnady

  Excerpt

  Copyright © September 2019, Charlene Hartnady

  Cover Art by Melody Simmons

  Copy Edited by KR

  Proofread by [email protected]

  Produced in South Africa

  [email protected]

  Feral Dragon is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author.

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter 1

  Stone knocked again.

  Still no answer. Weird. Maybe he’d gotten the date all wrong. No! He was sure he hadn’t. Just to be certain, Stone pulled his phone out of his pocket. No messages. He scrolled through his correspondence with Sand from the week before. Yep! Just as he had thought. This was the right date. The right time. The right place. He knocked again, feeling dread. Shit! He was an idiot. He looked down at the neatly wrapped package in his hands. A colossal idiot. What had he been thinking when he decided to buy this? Maybe he could quickly leave and ditch the thing. It didn’t seem like anyone was home anyway.

  Stone was just turning away from the door when Sand appeared looking grim-faced. His friend ushered Stone into the hallway before closing the door behind them.

  Crap! This was bad. It was supposed to be a celebration. “Oh shit!” Stone mumbled. “Is this what I think it is?”

  Sand looked at the closed door for a beat before widening his eyes, which were bloodshot. “Sorry, I should have called to warn you. It’s been a bit…emotional here today.”

  “I take it…” Stone pushed out a breath, “things didn’t work out as planned.” He wanted to hide the gift – which was burning holes in his hands – behind his back.

  Sand ran a hand through his already unruly hair. “We were so sure,” he whispered. “So sure it would work this time.”

  “I know. The human healer said that Macy would be highly fertile after the surgery. What happened? I mean, this was supposed to be ‘it’. You’ve been trying for months. How many heats has it been now? All the drugs and scans—”

  “I know. I know,” he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair again. “I tried to warn Mace. Tried to keep myself from getting too hopeful as well, but…we let ourselves get carried away in the end. We even started talking like…like Macy was pregnant already. That the test would be just a formality. You know that since you’ve heard us do it.”

  Stone nodded. He certainly did. The package in his hands suddenly felt like it was covered in flashing neon lights.

  “The babies this and the babies that,” Sand went on. “Mace even said she felt pregnant. Tender breasts and nausea. The whole nine yards.”

  “That does make it worse to swallow. No wonder she’s taking it so hard. When did you find out?”

  “A few hours ago. The pregnancy test she took yesterday was negative but that doesn’t mean anything. We couldn’t wait, so I took her to see our doctor this morning.” He rubbed his face with his hand, looking exhausted.

  “I can guess the rest.”

  “Yeah well, I can’t take it when Mace cries. It kills me. I want her happy. I would do anything for her but in this, I’m helpless. There’s nothing I can do.” His shoulders slumped in defeat.

  “You’re a fantastic mate to your female. You are doing everything in your power. More importantly, you are here for her every step of the way,” Stone reminded him.

  “She’s so afraid I’ll leave her one day if she doesn’t become pregnant.” Sand shook his head, his jaw tight.

  “No way. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a male more enamored than you. As you said, it’s an emotional process. It obviously makes her feel vulnerable.”

  “I know. She also really wants children. She always has,” Sand explained.

  “It’s tough.” Stone paused. “All you can do is be there for her. Keep telling her how much she means to you. Also, you guys have only been trying for a few months. It’s early days.”

  “A few months is a long time considering I’m a non-human. Most females become pregnant first time every time.”

  “That’s true, but Macy isn’t most females. She has very definite problems. You need to remember that.”

  “Endometriosis is no joke.” Sand shook his head. “I just wish she would stop being so hard on herself. We do have time. If she doesn’t become pregnant on the next heat, I think we should stop trying for a while. It’s getting more and more emotional each time. Mace takes it harder and harder. I want to take a break.”

  “That’s a catch twenty-two though.” Stone frowned. “I thought your doctor said that the older she gets, the worse her chances are.”

  “Britt…Doctor Baker did, but you must also remember that the longer Macy is mated to me the better her body will become at healing itself. The better her senses will become. As you know, it is a natural phenomenon. We need to give that a chance to kick in as well. Mace might improve without medical intervention. It could happen on its own. I’ve tried telling her that, but she’s just so single-minded right now. I hate seeing her like this.”

  “I’m sure. I’ll leave you guys to—”

  “Mace insisted that you still come over. She’s prepared your favorite meal. You know how she worries about you as well.”

  Stone frowned. “Are you sure? I don’t mind giving you some time to yourselves. And she should stop worrying so much. Most males around here don’t have a mate.” He chuckled.

  “Most males around here have family. You don’t.” Sand looked solemn.

  He felt an ache in his chest.

  His friend smiled. “You have us though. When we arranged dinner, we agreed it would be to celebrate or to commiserate, remember? We’ll have some wine and enjoy some good food. It’ll do Macy good. It’ll do you good too.”

  Stone winced. “We need to do something with this.” He held up the box he was holding. The one wrapped in pretty paper. “I guess you guys weren’t the only ones with high hopes.”

  “Oh…” Sand rubbed his chin. “Baby stuff?”

  Stone nodded. “I realize now that it was a really bad idea.”

  “I’ll take care of it. Come in.” Sand took the box from him. He hid it in the back of the closet by the door. “There.”

  “Thank you.” Stone nodded.

  They went inside. Macy smiled when she saw him. She was holding a glass of white wine. “Hey.” She smiled even more brightly, but her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. He could see that she’d used make-up to try to cover up.

  “Hey…um…” He looked down at his feet before looking back
at her. “Sand mentioned…the bad news…”

  Her face dropped and her lip quivered.

  “I just wanted to say how sorry I am.”

  “Thanks.” Her voice hitched.

  Sand put his arm around her, squeezing her hip. “What can I get you to drink?”

  “Beer would be good. I can get it…” He gestured towards the kitchen.

  “No sweat.” Sand went to fetch his drink.

  “You didn’t bring a date tonight?” Macy asked, changing the subject.

  He made a face. “I never bring a date, Mace, yet you ask me every time.” He chuckled.

  “I know.” She smiled. “That’s why I’m asking. I keep telling you to bring someone and you never do.”

  He shrugged. “I haven’t met anyone I want to spend time with.”

  “Are you going on the hunt this weekend? Maybe then…” She raised her brows, her eyes brightening up.

  “Nah!” He shook his head. “I’ve been on a couple of those things but,” he shrugged, “I guess they’re just not for me.”

  “Probably understandable,” Sand said, returning with two beers. He handed one to Stone.

  “I never thought of that before, but yeah, I guess I associate…bad vibes with the hunt. I don’t want to meet a female like that.” The hunt had left a bad taste in his mouth.

  “How then?” Macy asked. “It’s not like there are many opportunities available.”

  “I don’t know.” Stone shook his head. “I’m not worried. It will happen one day. It’ll happen in a way that it is meant to. I’m sure we’ll take one look at each other and we’ll just know. It’ll be love at first sight.”

  Sand choked out a laughed. “Yeah right!”

  Macy chuckled as well. It was good to see her a little more light-hearted.

  “It never happens that way, bro.” Sand shook his head.

  What was complicated about it? Love was straightforward. He’d know. He’d act and that would be that.

  Chapter 2

  Six weeks later…

  The human clutched her glass so tightly her knuckles turned white. She took a small sip that was more for show than to quench her thirst. There was something worrying her friend. That much was evident. Cordia wanted to ask her what that something was. Instead, she held her tongue. The human would tell her when she was good and ready.

  “So, when do you leave for the conference?” Vicky asked; she smiled but it was tight.

  “Tomorrow.” Cordia took a sip of her own juice.

  “Are you excited?”

  “Of course.” She licked her lips. “However. I need to keep my expectations low. There is no cure for our species’ affliction, or for—”

  “You don’t know that.” Vicky leaned forward, putting her glass down on the table.

  They’d had this conversation several times before. The human was forever the optimist. Vicky hadn’t seen the death. She hadn’t lost friends and family. Cordia’s chest tightened as she thought of her sister. Each and every fertile female of their species fell ill and died in the space of just over two years. It was devastating. “We need to look at finding a cure for clutch sickness, as well as cures for the infertile females of the other species.”

  Vicky frowned. “It’s more than finding a cure. There may not be one for every species affected. Talon mentioned it’s to find solutions to the problems surrounding infertility, rather than a cure. Although, a cure would be first prize.” Her ever-positive friend did not believe that humans would be affected by the disease that had ravaged so many of their kind.

  Cordia was not so certain. “We do need to find a cure for clutch sickness as it could affect you humans as well. I must say, I’m looking forward to this conference but at the same time…” Cordia sighed. “I’m not all that hopeful.” Her heart did beat faster at the prospect of a solution. It wasn’t going to be long before the first human mated to a Feral decided to try for a clutch. What then? Would they be affected too? Would they die?

  “You don’t look like you’re looking forward to it.” Vicky looked at her with concern.

  “It’s a small-scale conference. More to explore topics and options for future meetings.” Cordia sighed. “What kind of solution could there possibly be for us?” Cordia didn’t see it. “Non-human males are not interested in infertile females and human males are easily broken. Our males might like soft, simpering human females and may be attracted to vulnerable beings needing protecting. It doesn’t work the other way around though.” She shuddered at the mere thought of a puny human male. Even the other species seemed puny to her. Her own males shunned her most of the time, which suited her perfectly.

  Vicky choked out a laugh. “I am one of those weak, simpering humans, you know?”

  Cordia smiled. “You know what I mean. It wasn’t a slight against you. You’re my best friend.”

  Vicky’s gaze softened. She leaned forward and squeezed Cordia’s hand. “You’re my best friend as well.” She chewed on her lower lip, her eyes turning…sad and then panicky. She picked up her glass, white knuckles evident again, and drank. This time she took a big swig of the juice, half choking.

  “You okay?” Cordia asked.

  “Yes.” Vicky smiled, pulling in a deep breath, her eyes shone from coughing.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Cordia asked.

  That panicky look was back. “There is nothing going on. Everything is…” Her shoulders slumped. “We don’t want to wait anymore.” She put her glass down with a thud.

  Cordia felt an icy fist grip her heart, knowing immediately what Vicky was referring to.

  “We’ve been together for almost a year now and…” She bit down on her lip for a second. “We’re going to try for a clutch. We want—”

  Cordia stood up. “No!” Even though the word was whispered, it was filled with such emotion that Vicky blanched.

  “I’m not a Feral.” Vicky shook her head. “I’m sure it will be fine. It will be fine.”

  “Why you? Why not one of the others?”

  “Kerry and Cadon have their child.” A human child who Cadon had adopted as his own. “The others are newly mated. It—”

  “Wait!” Cordia begged, her heart clenching so hard she felt physical pain inside her chest. “You need to have just a little more patience. It will only be a matter of time before—”

  “We don’t want to wait anymore. We love each other. We want children. Someone has to be first. I will be the one.” She sucked in a deep breath.

  Cordia sat down, heavily. The sofa creaked. She leaned back feeling drained. “And Talon is okay with this?” Adrenaline coursed through her veins. How did she stop this? “He can’t be okay with it.” The male had lost his mate to the ghastly sickness.

  Vicky shrugged. “No. He is worried. He hasn’t slept much since we decided a few days ago that we were going to go for it.”

  “You could get the sickness. You would die if you did. It is a horrific death.” She could still scent it. Still taste death on her tongue. There in the room even before it claimed its victims. She could still hear her sister’s agonized moans. She shut her eyes for a moment trying to block the images and sounds that accosted her. The memories that sometimes threatened to overwhelm her. “You can’t!” She gripped Vicky’s hand and squeezed, before letting go.

  Vicky swallowed thickly. “I’m not a Feral female. I’m a human. Chances are good I’ll be fine.”

  “But you don’t know that for sure.” Cordia shook her head.

  “No.”

  “It’s too big a risk then.” She tried to keep the emotion from her voice and failed.

  Vicky touched Cordia on the side of the arm, leaving her hand there. “It’s worth it. I don’t know how you do it. How you—”

  “This conversation is not about me. I’m worried!” Cordia swallowed thickly.

  “I know.” Vicky nodded. “Dying would be worst-case scenario and I can’t see it coming to that.”

  None of t
hem had seen clutch sickness coming. That was the problem. Yet it had come, and it had taken many lives.

  Her friend’s voice was high-pitched. “Can you at least try to be happy for us?” She raised her brows, her eyes filled with expectation. They were also brimming with tears.

  Cordia felt her shoulders slump. “I am worried that’s all. Of course, I am,” she grit her teeth for a moment, “happy for you and Talon. I wish you all of the very best.” She nodded. “I wish you would reconsider though.”

  “We’ve made up our minds.”

  Cordia suppressed a sigh. She forced her mouth to tilt into something she hoped looked like a smile. “Then I am happy for you and I support you both.” Her heart felt heavy.

  Vicky smiled. “Thank you!”

  Cordia nodded, still trying to smile. Trying to push the cloying fear aside. Surely the gods wouldn’t be so cruel as to take Vicky from her as well. Talon had also suffered terribly. Surely, he wouldn’t be made to suffer the loss of another mate to clutch sickness. It couldn’t happen!

  Chapter 3

  Cordia was eager for the events of the day to begin. She was eager to find more than just a solution to their problems. She wanted a cure. Had to find one. This wasn’t about her anymore. It wasn’t even about her fellow Feral females who were afflicted with infertility issues. It was about Vicky. Her best friend, who even then might be going into her heat. Who even then might be signing her own death warrant. May the gods protect her!

  There were two open seats across from her. Annoyance rose up but she forced it down. The conference was due to begin in four and a half minutes. Where were these delegates? Why weren’t they there yet? Did they not take this whole discussion seriously? It might be a precursor to future events, but it was important. She forced her annoyance down. There was still time. They weren’t late yet.