Capítulo 37: The Dragon Shifters
Layla was clearly startled when she heard the dragon shifters were still in existence. A series of questions arose in her and she decided to wait until she saw the dragons before she asked Riven.
She took a quick bath after Riven and chose a cherry red gown and matching sandals. The gown hugged her bosom and her waist and flared down up to the top of her knees. The gown had short lacy sleeves and she was okay with it because the scars were totally gone. Her skin looked totally flawless, as smooth as the ocean pearl and Riven couldn't resist complimenting her great beauty.
Blushing deeply, she sat in front of the mirror and let Riven brush her hair. It was something he enjoyed doing and he loved to play with the lush thick strands. When Layla passed the fancy hair clip to him, the pretty one he got for her among the other numerous accessories, Riven shook his head, saying he wanted her hair free today.
Walking slowly down the stairs, he held her close with one hand around her waist. Layla blocked her mind so she wouldn't recall the dreadful scene that occured in that dark passage. She felt Riven's hand tighten around her waist and she smiled up at him.
[Alpha we're ready]
Cade's mind link reached Riven and he looked away from Layla's dazzling smile.
[Bring the horses around],he replied.
[Yes Alpha]
Riven got to the entrance of the mansion with Layla beside him. A dozen horses were waiting outside the mansion. Eleven of his trusted lycans would ride on the horses with him while the rest would go in their lycan form.
Layla squealed happily when she saw the array of horses outside. It was the most beautiful sight she had never seen, apart from Riven's wolf of course. Her attention was captured by Riven's stallion that was pure white and powerful. The stallion looked utterly magnificent and she turned her dazzled eyes to Riven.
"Can I touch him?",she whispered.
Riven was pleased with his mate's happy expression and a wide smile split his face. Of course she didn't need to ask. He would give her the entire world if she needed it.
"Of course my love",he said in high spirits. He took her hand and brought her close to the majestic white stallion. "His name is Thunder"
"Thunder",Layla whispered and brought her palms up for the stallion to sniff. Thunder shook his mane and nudged Layla softly with his head.
"He likes you",Riven said happily. His eyes shone with happiness and his heart was filled with love for his sweet mate.
"Will you be riding on him?",Layla asked.
"Not just me",Riven said and rested his hands on her waist. "We. You will ride with me"
Layla gasped in happiness and squealed again. Riven was utterly amused and he laughed at her excited expression.
Behind him, Cade and Caleb exchanged surprised looks with the other shifters. It came as a shock to them to see their Alpha laughing freely. Unlike the cold and ruthless expressions they were used to, Riven's laughing face totally transformed him. He looked normal again and Caleb couldn't help but whisper to the others.
"I guess finding your mate makes you soft"
"Yeah",Alex replied in a whisper. "Just look at Alpha Riven. He hasn't laughed this way in ages"
"Quiet both of you",Cade shushed them. "You wouldn't want the Alpha to overhear you. Prepare yourselves. We are meeting the Dragon Lord"
"I heard the Dragon Clan are a group of hotheaded creatures with harsh tempers",Caleb said and shuddered dramatically.
"And they are really powerful. They can kill with ease",Alex added.
"No matter how powerful they are, they aren't as strong as our Alpha",Cade said and moved towards one of the horses.
Caleb agreed silently. When he thought back to the way Riven smashed the head of the man that assaulted Layla, he knew what Cade said was true. Riven was a terror to his enemies and no one could compare to him.
A few minutes later, Riven rode out on the stallion with Layla sitting in front of him, held in his embrace. Cade, Caleb and nine other shifters rode behind him while the other shifters followed them in their lycan form. About two hundred shifters were left behind to guard the mansion.
Layla was totally awed with the nature around and it was obvious in the way she looked all around her. Since she arrived at the island, she had never stepped foot outside the mansion. The tall gigantic trees that towered over her. The multicoloured butterflies that flew low over the meadow filled with sweet smelling flowers. It was so amazing.
Riven watched as Layla stared around the surrounding with pure awe written on her face. He enjoyed watching her and he chuckled occasionally at her expressions. She was absolutely adorable.
"I saw a dragon shifter went I went to the past",she said suddenly.
"You never really told me of what occured when you went",Riven said. "Whom did you meet?". He slowed the stallion to a walk and the others on horseback rode ahead while the shifters remained behind.
Layla sighed. "Henrietta told me not to speak of the things of the past. She said it would affect the future"
"Is that so?",Riven said thoughtfully.
"But...",Layla paused and licked her lips. She had been wanting to ask Riven one particular question. Now seemed like a good time.
"But what my love?",Riven asked quietly.
"Did... did you almost get married, some time ago?",she asked almost in a whisper.
Caleb choked out a dry cough at the question. When Riven glared at him, he muttered an apology and hastened the horse to move quickly.
"I almost did",Riven answered. He wondered if this was what Layla had seen in the past. "But I didn't. Something stopped it"
"What stopped it?",Layla asked and held her breathe. She wanted to know if Riven would remember that she was the one that stopped it. But she was disappointed when Riven said otherwise.
"It happened years ago my love. I do not recall much of the incident".
Layla decided to change the topic. "Can the dragon people talk?",she asked.
"Of course they can talk",Riven said and kissed the top of her head. "We're going to meet them in their human form. But they are not allowed to shift"
"Why?",Layla asked, curious as ever.
"A curse was placed on them years ago, for a crime they committed",Riven explained. "Don't worry. I will tell you all about it someday"
Layla relaxed, resting her back on Riven's hard chest and ceased her questioning. The ride to the Dragon's Clan was totally silent while they both enjoyed eachother's company.
As they finally got close to the end of the island, Cade quickly mind linked Riven.
[Alpha. Will you bring Layla into the Dragon's den?]
[I will. She is much safer with me. But take her away on my command]. Riven's reply was straight to the point.
[Yes Alpha]
Soon the horses came to a halt and Riven got down. He encircled Layla's waist with his palms and brought her down. Layla looked around the place. The land looked barren, without much vegetation. The place where a river should flow through was dried and some of the trees were already dying, looking brown in colour. There was an abandoned looking building in the middle of the clearing, camouflaged with trees and fog.
"Stay close to me my love",Riven said and took her hand in his. The lycans formed a semicircle around Riven and Layla while the others stood still, head cocked and ears alert for the slightest sign of danger.
The entire clearing was blessedly quiet, too quiet, and Layla began to feel nervous. The feeling of being watched came over her and she moved closer to Riven, looking around nervously.
Suddenly a growl sounded from the building. The lycans responded with threatening growls of their own and hunched their back, ready to protect the Alpha and Luna.
Riven stood totally unafraid. His stance was relaxed but his eyes and ears were alert. His hands tightened around Layla's waist as his eyes moved over the deserted clearing. Then he spoke out in a clear loud voice.
"Magnus! I know you're in there. Reveal yourself!". His voice was sharp and authoritative.
A few seconds later, two figures walked out of the building and stopped a few meters away. The one called Magnus, Dragon Lord of the clan and the race of dragons stepped forward. His eyes were ruby red in colour and his skin had a bronze tinge. His hair was neatly smoothed over his head and when he grinned, rows of glittering sharp teeth could be seen.
"Riven Qinn",he said in a deep brass tone. "You finally pay me a visit after so many years". His red eyes shifted to Layla and he smiled cynically.
"And you brought along a visitor. How interesting". He licked his lips and his eyes devoured Layla's body.
"Take your eyes off my mate Magnus, or I will gouge them out",Riven said coldly.
...
Author's Note
Hello lovely readers
I'm sorry this chapter is coming late. I will try to update faster henceforth. To all those voting and supporting the book, thank you❤️
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