The male didn't even look their way. He either a.s.sumed, incorrectly, that Coal had already claimed the female or, he didn't want the light-haired human. A growl rose up in him.

Coal pretended to be interested in the female. He pretended to be tending to her. Acted as if he had indeed claimed her, thus removing himself as a threat. As the male tried to pa.s.s, he swiped out a leg and tripped up the king. The only remaining male in their group, a lesser warrior, roared as he spotted the female lying on the ground. She whimpered and tried to scramble to her feet but fell back. The weakling was sapped of strength. She closed her eyes and moaned.

"The dark-haired one is mine," Coal growled.

Torrent shook his head as he leapt to his feet. "I want her," he growled.

d.a.m.n!

Coal punched the male in the jaw. Torrent took a step back and avoided the worst of the blow. The lesser male was gaining ground. He was going to claim the light-haired female. If he did that, the water king would be left with no other choice but to go after the human that Coal had earmarked. His human.

Unacceptable.

His first instinct was to kick Torrent, causing him to fly into the lesser male as he approached, giving him the upper hand. The problem was that the female was too close. She was directly behind them and he risked harming her.

"That female is mine," Torrent snarled. "You may as well give up now. Take this one." His eyes stayed on Coal's.

Coal huffed out a breath. "Fine." His gaze firmly on the downed female. He slumped his shoulders in mock defeat and closed the distance between himself and the human. Torrent looked up ahead and began to move. The water king so easily a.s.sumed that he had won. These kings were so used to everyone always obeying them. They were equals during the hunt though. Torrent had made a big mistake and forgotten that important little fact.

At the last moment, Coal lashed out, hitting the male on the trachea. He put every ounce of strength he had into the action. He heard the pipe smash. The male gripped his neck. His face turning red, his eyes bugged from his skull. Coal raced to meet the remaining male who threw himself at Coal, a roar on his lips. Coal head-b.u.t.ted him. The male managed to knee Coal in the stomach, winding him for a second. A very short second. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d would be sorry.

The male reeled backwards, clutching his face. His nose had taken the brunt of the a.s.sault. Blood ran down the male's face and between his fingers. Coal punched him again and again. Within seconds, he was a crumpled heap on the floor. The male would not be getting up any time soon. As a lesser, his healing capabilities were not as superior as the royals.

Torrent was down on one knee. His face was pale. His lips were a light shade of blue. They matched the color of his eyes. "The others are a few minutes behind." Coal could hear the footfalls. Could hear the grunts and growls. There was a large group approaching at a speed. "You still have time to claim her." He glanced at the human who was just a few feet away from Torrent. Her eyes were wide but she was still in the same place they had left her. He didn't particularly want Torrent to claim this female, or any other for that matter. It wouldn't take him overly long to recover fully though, at this stage of the game, the king was his biggest adversary. They both had their sights set on the same female. If he wanted to secure the dark haired human, his best hope was to take Torrent out of the game. He was handing the male this female on a platinum platter. "Take her." He kept his eyes on the male who hadn't moved a muscle.

"Don't come near me," her voice shook.

"Do it." He growled as he ran downriver. There was no time to see what the male would do. Torrent could claim the light-haired female. He had time to put his scent on her. He might even be well enough to fight if a dispute broke out.

There was no one up ahead. The way the valley was designed, the best route to travel was the one he was taking right now. Coal could taste victory. He could feel it in every pore.

The female he wanted scented of a summer's night. She had dark hair and dark eyes and had proven herself a worthy adversary.

It was dusk by the time he caught her scent and fully dark when he caught up to her. He had managed to put a few more minutes between himself and the rest. The sound of their approach became more distant. Stamina counted more than strength. As a fire prince he could outrun most.

Her scent was interesting. Different from that of a dragon female. It was not entirely unappealing. Lightly floral with citrus undertones. It reminded him of a fresh summer's night. Or a field full of wildflowers. Wild, yes, she had a wildness about her. It intrigued him.

Coal was surprised at the speed at which she was moving. It was his understanding that human females were weak and slow. Although this one was small, she had spirit. He respected that.

Moving quickly and quietly, he closed the distance between them. At one point, she stopped, her whole body tense. The female c.o.c.ked her head to the side. Coal stopped as well. It was a very long few seconds before she continued on the path.

The others were not far behind. He needed to act quickly. He needed to mark her with his scent. A sense of urgency rose up in him and he picked up speed.

Excitement pulsed through him. This female had been a worthy adversary. It did not matter that she was a human. He doubted that a dragon shifter female could have done much better. It was a pity that she was so weak and defenseless though. He hoped that he would be able to muster interest for her in the days and weeks to come, so that the task of mating and impregnating her would be less arduous.

In one quick motion, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against him. The female cried out in shock.

"You are mine," he growled. Although that wasn't quite true. Not yet at least. The tiny female in his arms wriggled and kicked. She reminded him of a little wildcat with her spitting and clawing.

"Easy." He said, as he wrapped a second arm around her. How the h.e.l.l was he supposed to do this?

He was a prince. Not just a prince but a fire dragon. This female should be thankful that he had chosen her. She should be begging him to take her.

He sucked in a deep breath. Then again, she was just a human and unfamiliar with their ways. He needed to try and have understanding for her disposition. Her way of thinking.

Coal turned her around as they arrived at a large tree. It wasn't easy because she was squirming and kicking. Her small foot connected with his shin a couple of times making her wince. He pushed her up against its ma.s.sive trunk. Her face was a mask of fury. Her eyes burned bright. "Let me go." She shoved at his chest with one hand. "You have no right." Using the same hand, she balled up her fist and pummeled him. Her attempts at harming him barely registered. Pathetic.

Coal could hear a snap of a twig and the thud of footfalls. The others were close. Too close for comfort. He didn't have long to claim this female for his own or lose her. His brother was relying on him. Coal was not about to let Blaze down, or the rest of the fire kingdom for that matter. He had a duty to perform.

Her hair was matted with twigs and leaves, her skin and clothing covered in mud and grime. She snarled at him, teeth bared as she continued to hit at his chest, this time with an open hand. The female grimaced.

"I'm not going to hurt you." Coal pushed himself up against her, pinning her against the tree. If she wasn't careful, she was going to hurt herself. He took ahold of the hand that continued to beat at him. Her other hand held firmly onto a stick of some kind. She would probably try and beat him with that next.

His focus moved to her lips. They were surprisingly full and lush. The color of just picked, ripe raspberries.

"Don't you dare!" She yelled. Her voice shrill and high pitched. It made him want to cover his ears. Instead, he killed two birds with one stone, namely, he closed his mouth over hers, swallowing whatever else it was she was about to say.

Her eyes widened in surprise. Her entire body tensed up even more. At first she tried to pull away. To turn her head from him. Then she made a moaning noise that ignited something inside of him. Her body seemed to melt and mold to his. His shaft grew long, hard and ready. What the h.e.l.l was happening to him? How was this even possible? Surely not. His tongue rolled against hers and it was his turn to moan. So decadent, so divine. His c.o.c.k awakened fully. For a second, he was tempted to lift her dress and take her right there.

His free hand curled around her leg and then moved up. His long, deft fingers squeezed her a.s.s, pulling her up and more firmly against him. His... his... c.o.c.k rubbed up against her core and all of her nerve endings came alive and completely against her will. His... part was long and thick.

"Female," he growled against her lips. "Mine." He murmured as he took back her mouth. That one word jolted her back. What the h.e.l.l was she doing? She was letting the savage beast kiss her, rub up against her. This disgusting creature had caught her and therefore decided that she was his possession, to do with as he pleased. Here she was acting like she was enjoying it when it disgusted her. Yes, disgusted her. She tried to clear her m.u.f.fled brain. Her plan. Yes! Lull him into thinking she was a wilting flower. That's why she kissed him back. It was the only reason.

One thing was for sure, she was definitely not a wilting flower. Not at all and he could forget about doing what he wanted to her. Not going to happen d.i.c.khead.

She wasn't done fighting. Not by a long d.a.m.ned shot. Julie repositioned her handmade spear and with a quick jerk of the wrist, she plunged it into his back and bit down on his tongue. That would serve the a.s.shole right for thinking he could rape her and take advantage of her. The huge shifter pulled away on a loud snarl. The sound was mix of confusion, anger and... hurt. Like she'd hurt his feelings somehow. Good. It served him right.

Piece of s.h.i.t a.s.shole. Julie kicked him in the shin for good measure and slipped out from between the tree and his ma.s.sive body. Without looking back or thinking, she ran just about as fast as her legs would carry her. It didn't matter that her legs hurt, that she couldn't see a d.a.m.n thing. She just ran, praying that the riverbank was free from debris.

There were crashing, banging and snarling noises coming from behind her. There were also numerous footfalls. Was there more than one of them back there? She prayed not. It wasn't like she could take them all on, but she at least stood somewhat of a chance against one. If there were more of those goons back there, she was done for.

Someone grabbed her by her shoulders and jerked her back. She screamed and elbowed him hard. It almost felt like her elbow cracked from the sheer force of the blow. The guy behind her didn't so much as grunt or make a sound. He secured an arm around her and pulled her up against him.

"I said to let me go." She squirmed. "Do you want me to stab you again? Is that it?"

"I thought I smelled blood." This guy's voice wasn't nearly as deep as the one that had kissed her. The huge one with the dark eyes. Those haunting eyes. The one that held her, pulled her closer. "I was too focused on your scent to take much note." He chuckled. "So you stabbed Coal?" He chuckled even harder. He rubbed himself against her back. There was the telltale bulge poking into her. Dragon shifters wore thin cotton pants and nothing else it seemed.

"Stop that." She was irritated to find that her voice shook ever so slightly. Julie was more afraid than she'd ever been in her whole life. "You have no right to touch me like this. Let me go." She fought hard. Using every ounce of strength she had to try and free herself from his ironclad grip. She kicked and squirmed. Even though her heels hurt, she felt satisfaction when one of her kicks. .h.i.t home.

"I am the water prince and I am claiming you."

"Let her go." A deep growl, and a voice she recognized. It was him. "Do it now." He snarled, sounding like a lion with a bone to pick.

The guy holding her, secured her more tightly with his hands. "Your position and rank are null and void out here. It does not matter that you are fire and I water. You cannot tell me what to do during the hunt. This female is mine, by the time you get here my scent will be on her and there is nothing you can do about it."

Julie squinted but all she could make out was a dark silhouette a few feet away from them. It was him. The dark eyed brute. For whatever reason she was more afraid of the guy that held her.

"I have already marked this female and she is therefore mine."

"Bulls.h.i.t." A loud snarl against her ear.

"Scent her, you fool. You are touching what is mine and it is angering me. If it weren't for the female between us, I would remove your heart with my hand."

Nice guy.

It didn't matter. She still felt like she was in more danger with the one holding her, than she would be with the dark eyed, deep voiced one. She was losing her mind. Clearly!

The guy holding her sniffed. He sniffed again, this time repositioning her so that he could sniff at her face. She was tempted to head b.u.t.t him. To break his nose. Her gut told her not to do it though. The one with the deep voice sounded like he knew what he was doing. Quite frankly she didn't want either of them to win but it didn't look like there was much chance of that happening.

The one that was holding her sniffed her some more. "For f.u.c.k sakes." He growled at last, depositing her on her feet. "You got to her first."

Julie wobbled and almost fell over. The large shape moved closer and grabbed her by the elbow. It was definitely him, the guy with the eyes. The one that had kissed her. He moved surprisingly quick.

"Your female stabbed you." The other male chuckled. "That's one of the funniest things I've ever-"

The guy with the dark eyes pulled her behind him. There was a sound of flesh hitting against flesh and an even more sinister cracking noise.

"Owwww!" The guy bellowed. "I didn't realize she was yours."

"Leave, and do it now before I lose my temper." His deep voice was rough yet controlled.

"Fine." The other one huffed.

s.h.i.t.

Julie could hear the other guy walking away. That meant that they were alone. Alone.

She didn't want to be left alone with this deep voiced, dark eyed stranger. He seemed dangerous, even more so than the others. For a second she was tempted to call out. To tell the other brute to come back, but what good would that do her?

None. That's what. No good at all.

The big savage turned his head to the sky and bellowed loudly. He did this several times. The noise shook her bones and hurt her ears.

"What the h.e.l.l are you doing?" She tried to pull out of his grip.

"I'm letting the others know that you have been claimed." His voice was rough. His hold on her was like a vice.

"Claimed?" She shook her head. "No way."

He ignored her. "My name is Coal. You are mine now to protect and to-"

"f.u.c.k that." It just slipped out. If Mr. tall, dark and... she wasn't sure he was what she would call handsome. No, he was far too bulky, far too savage to ever be termed good-looking. His hair was shaved close to his scalp. His mouth was too full, his jaw too angular and his eyes too dark. He was a barbarian. There was nothing handsome about the guy. He was an abductor and a beast and... His grip on her tightened almost to the point of pain.

After that outburst, Julie cringed, waiting for a blow. Waiting for him to throw her on the ground and have his way with her. There wasn't much fight left in her. Her body ached and she was freezing cold. She'd never been hungrier in her life. They had been given some flatbread and cheese this morning. It was the last time she'd eaten. She pulled in a deep breath. It didn't matter, she would fight anyway.

She was shocked when the guy laughed. It was a deep, rich sound that lasted all of five seconds. "You are... interesting," he said. "You may not like it or want it, but I won you fair and square. It is something that you will have to come to terms with." He released her.

Julie took a small step back. "If you try and touch me. I'll... I'll... hurt you." She finally blurted without much conviction. She may have caught him unawares with her spear the first time around but she kind of got the feeling that it wouldn't happen again. His guard was well and truly up.

The big savage huffed out a breath. "Yeah, my tongue is already healed. My back"-he groaned- "will take another few minutes. I won't touch you, tonight." He added, like that was some sort of a comfort. It sounded like all bets were off by tomorrow though. a.s.shole!

"You won't ever touch me. Do you hear me?"

"I can hear better than any human. So yes, I heard you." The savage paused. "You need to understand, female, I will touch you and you are going to like it."

"No d.a.m.ned way. No way in h.e.l.l. No! You're not coming anywhere near me." She swallowed hard. "And just for the record, I would fight you every second and hate every minute."

His jaw tightened. "I'm not going to argue with you right now. It is a very long way back to my lair."

Lair. Lair? What the h.e.l.l was a lair? A hole in the ground? Julie bit down on her lip. It seemed that for right now she was safe. Well, if freezing to death was considered safe. She had until morning before he planned on forcing himself on her. She would need to try and escape before then. It was her only way out of this.

His warm hand clasped her arm and she shrieked. "I told you not to touch me!" She yelled, and tried to yank her arm free.

"What is wrong with you?" He asked. "Why are you shaking? Are you so afraid of me that why you are reduced to a quivering mess?"

"You wish, you a.s.shole! I'm freezing cold. I'm probably going to have frostbite." And she was a little afraid of him, okay, a lot afraid. Not that she would ever admit it.

"Cold," he made a humming noise. "I keep forgetting that you're human. What else is ailing you?"

"Well let's see... I'm hungry, my feet hurt and I'm tired." He wasn't very bright, was he?

The big oaf let out what was probably a curse word in dragon language. It made no sense to her. "I had planned on us making the trip back right now but that's not going to be possible is it?"

She shook her head. "I need to rest." It was true, she really did need some R&R before she could do any heavy hiking but more than that, she needed an opportunity to escape. It might not be possible once they arrived at his lair. Oh G.o.d, was this really happening?

He cursed again. "I wish I could shift but we are not permitted. I have to bring you back on foot. It is our way. Lores are lores." She wasn't sure what he was going on about.

Fear coursed through her at the thought of him shifting. He really was an animal, in the literal sense of the word.

"Your shivering is becoming worse. I will carry you a little ways into the forest so that we can find shelter from the wind."

As much as she detested the thought of him touching her, the idea of being out of the elements was just too appealing. Julie nodded. "Fine, but don't get any ideas. I'm freezing."

He made a growly noise, leaned over and picked her up, as if she weighed nothing. G.o.d, he was tall and built like a brick s.h.i.thouse. His chest was like a hard wall of muscle. He was also really warm and she couldn't help but to nestle in closer. "I mean it, don't get any ideas. I'm just really cold." She had to suppress a moan as his warmth seeped into her.

"I wouldn't dare." His chest vibrated as he barked out another chuckle. Then he was moving, big easy strides that ate up the ground like it was nothing. Within no time, he deposited her back on the cold ground.

Although it was much better within the shelter of the trees, it was still d.a.m.n cold. Julie couldn't help but to shiver and shake. She rubbed her hands together and blew into them to try and inject some warmth into the frozen digits. Her dress was still a bit damp. The earth beneath her a.s.s felt like an ice block.

"Wait here," the brute instructed. "I'll go and fetch some firewood. We'll have you warmed up in no time."

As much as she loved the sound of that, Julie could not hang around and wait for him.

She made a sound of agreement and pretended to make herself comfortable on the ground.

"Please don't try and escape. I'm stronger and faster than you. My sense of smell is excellent. Please do not attempt to throw yourself into the river again either. The rapids only become worse and there is a waterfall up ahead. Your head would be smashed on the rocks below."