Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

Adrian was about to ask why Kai wasn't there when a familiar female voice filled his ears. "Adrian? Is that you?"

Both man and beast perked up, albeit for different reasons.

His dragon growled. It's her.

Hoping his beast was wrong, Adrian slowly turned around, only to find a short, curvy human female with brown hair and glasses over her brown eyes.

It was Elsie Day.

His dragon roared. She's ours.

Not this again. It's been years. The pull should've faded.

It's not as strong, but I still want her.

No. I won't allow it.

Not wanting to tempt his dragon, Adrian bolted in the opposite direction. He expected a reprimand and would happily take the consequences. What he couldn't risk was the mate-claim frenzy rekindling.

He made it about twenty feet before a large, muscled form tackled him from behind. With his dragon banging on about going back to Elsie, his concentration slipped and the muscled person pinned him down. A Northern English accent filled his ears. "Where do you think you're going?"

Jane's voice traveled on the wind. "Don't hurt him, Kai."

Kai. That meant Stonefire's head Protector had pinned him.

Since honesty was his best bet at this point, he turned his head and said, "That female, Elsie, stirred a mate-claim frenzy years ago. I can't risk it exploding again."

Kai moved his face further down and frowned. "The DDA inspector?"

He wanted to ask since when was Elsie a DDA inspector, but focused on what was important. "I just need to get away from her."

He swore understanding dawned in Kai's eyes. The male stood, and Adrian jumped to his feet. Kai placed one hand on Adrian's shoulder and used the other to motion for Jane to join them. The second she was at their side, Kai ordered, "Take him to our home and watch him. I'll send Zain over to help as soon as I can." Kai pinned Adrian with a stare. "Lay a finger on my mate and I won't be as understanding next time."

"I have no interest in harming anyone. Hence why I'm trying to get away from Elsie."

Kai looked like he wanted to ask something, but turned back toward Elsie and Cal. Kai tossed over his shoulder, "We'll talk more later, but I'll make sure she stays away."

Adrian chanced a glance at Elsie.

She stared right at him. Her hair was longer and she had different glasses, but she looked as if she hadn't aged at all in the intervening years.

His beast growled. Why are you making this difficult? She clearly wants to talk with us.

You want to do more than talk.

I can control myself. The pull to claim her is faint compared to before. I want her, but I would never force us on her.

I'm not risking it, dragon.

Although he hated to contain his beast, Adrian quickly constructed a mental prison and tossed him inside.

Turning away from Elsie, he looked to Jane. "Let's go."

He followed her lead. He hoped she would leave him alone, but she asked, "How do you know her?"

"That's a long story for another time."