Jones - Drake

Drake

Book 3 in the Dragon Warriors Series

KD Jones

2018 KD Jones

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Blurb

Drake, second-in-command to the dragon shifter king of the West, has been tasked to investigate rumors that their enemy is hiding in the Philippines. As always, he will serve his people. Though he expects danger, battles, and other surprises, he isnt prepared for the toughest challenge of his life: a flame-haired female who makes his dragon roar with need.

Emily Campbell loves teaching underprivileged children on a small island in the most beautiful place she had ever seen. Her three-year teaching contract is almost up. She wants one last adventure before she has to head back to the United States. Her wish comes true in the form of a tall, dark, and sexy stranger. One night in his arms leads to more than she expects:

A world of danger, sexy dragon shifters and a love that will either set them free

or be their doom.

Chapter 1

Drake, in his dragon form, flew high in the sky above the clouds. He enjoyed how the wind under his wings flowed over his scales. He knew he would have to be returning to the large ranch where most of his clan lived. His goal for this day had been to escape for a little while. It became disheartening watching the newly mated couples and their happiness. It only made him feel edgy and lonely.

He had once made a promise to a young pretty dragon shifter female named Fena. Then an enemy alien race attacked their home worldDrakonia. To save their people, the mages opened a portal for them to escape to a new planet called Earth. He was supposed to meet his Fena at the portal, but she never made it. He went in search of her to find she had died. Her home had collapsed in on her. Fenas father had told him with his dying breath that Fena would want him to live, so Drake went through the portal to the new home for his people.

Unfortunately, the new planet proved to be more primitive than what they had been used to. Over the many centuries, his people kept separate from the humans, not trusting them completely. Fewer and fewer Drakonians mated and bred dragonlets. In time, his people began to slowly die out. A long life without finding mates took a terrible toll on themand on him.

Returning to the ranch the clans king, Reichardt, had purchased for their home in Dragoon, Arizona, he landed behind the barn. He shifted to his human form and trudged into the barn to the stall where they kept clothing.

Drake dressed in the jeans and T-shirt he had folded on the bench. He pulled the little figurine that he had fashioned in remembrance of what he lost on Drakonia over his head. It hung down on his chest hidden beneath his shirt. He wanted to keep the memory of Fena, which was why he kept the figurine close to his heart. Sometimes he forgot the color of her hair, the color of her eyes. His dreams of her started to fade and he hated that the most.

He needed a new purpose for his life. All he had done since coming to Earth had been to serve his king and his people. Thoughts of having a family of his own filled him with longing. A year ago, he would have thought it impossible. But now that two of his fellow dragons, including his king, had found a true mate in humans, all his people garnered hope. Unfortunately, none of the humans he met thus far aroused his dragon.

As he walked out of the barn, one of the dragon warriors approached him. The king would like to speak with you.

He nodded as he continued toward the large ranch house. Entering the main entrance, he continued down the hallway toward the kings office. At the closed door, he knocked and waited.

Come in.

Opening the door, he entered then closed the door behind him. My King, you asked to see me?

King Reichardt sighed. Drake, you know you dont have to call me king, especially when we are alone.

Its a habit.

One I wish you would break. Sit, Reichardt motioned for him to have a seat on the chair across from his desk, I have news from Queen Arena.

She has been unusually quiet since you mated with Gema, Drake commented.

Reichardt shrugged. She rules all of Asia. Shes busy. Besides, our time together was only companionship for two lonely souls. Our dragons tuned each other out. Anyway, she reported sightings of Dyson near the Philippines. Her people made quick work of searching but they feared tipping him off to their presence, so she pulled them out. We discussed sending one person in who may be able to go undetected.

He thought over what Reichardt told him. One person would be no match for King Dyson and his remaining followers.

Dont call him that. He no longer bears that title after his mass killings and exposing us to humans.

Drake sighed. Its a habit, but Ill work on it.

The person we send is only to get confirmation of Dysons presence, not to fight or confront him. He may not be there himself after suffering such severe wounds at our last encounter. Do you have anyone you would recommend for this mission?

Ill volunteer to go, Drake told him.

Reichardt smiled. I hoped you would say that. Its why I asked you first.

I can shift and leave as soon as it gets dark.

Actually, I want you to take a plane. Its a fifteen-hour flight but traveling as a human will help cloud your identity. Dyson would have people looking for dragons in the air.

Drake felt sick at the thought. Fifteen hours in a small metal plane with a bunch of humans is not my idea of fun.

Mine either but I do believe it will be the safest way to go on this mission. If you dont want to, Ill ask someone else.

Drake glared at his old friend. You know Ill go.

Yeah, I just wanted to give you a way out.

Youve gone soft in your old age, My King, Drake said.

Reichardt growled. Im not going soft.

At that moment, his mate, Gema, a short dark-haired female, came into the office with their baby and the mans stern expression melted into love and adoration. Drake laughed as he got up and left. He couldnt imagine how wonderful it would be to have what his friend had, and he wanted it.

Chapter 2

Emily laughed at her students joke said in English. They had come a long way since the beginning of school. She would miss her students and the little town in the municipality of Santa Ilocos Sur Philippines. It had been her home for the past few years.

Shed come to this town in a teaching abroad program. Her three-year contract about to end, Emily would be going back to the United States in a matter of weeks.

Emily did miss her country. A few of her friends she had kept in touch with looked forward to her return. It just wouldnt feel the same, not after her aunt died. The only immediate family she had, her father Colonel Campbell, wanted her to live with him in Florida, but they had not gotten along after her mother died when Emily had been a teen.

Her father loved her, but he had been absent most of her life. Her mother raised her on her own. They had moved about from place to place because her father had been in the military. Her mother did her best to keep them together as much as possible and to make sure Emily had a home. When her mother died, her father lacked the mentality and capability of being a single parent.

If she were honest, she didnt make it easy on him. Shed been bitter about having to move from base to base during her childhood. She could never keep friends and always had to work extra hard to catch up to other kids in whichever school she went to next.