Chapter 76

Good goddess, looking at a shark still in the water was like looking at a shark. His eyes made me freeze, and the grip of fear was natural. An instinct even I could evade, but I can confront it. What unsettled me was that Koa stood still. He did not move; he just started daggers. I didn't know if they were meant for me or Calea. Maybe both, but just like that, he turns, his fist clenched and striding down the hallway quickly.

"Calea, I-"

"Go." She says without hesitation. I felt Koa would confront Ryuu, and I didn't want things to get too heated. Deep down, I knew Koa would make this more complicated. I noticed Koa is far more passionate about certain things, and his whelps were one of those things. Koa adored Ryuu, and hearing him leave without telling Koa was the worst thing for Koa to hear.

I finally catch up with him as he marches through the halls. I try to grab his hand. "Koa, wait!" He pulls his hand away from me, striding Forward. I stop and watch him go down the hall. My heart pounds and my blood rushes through my veins. I purse him until he enters a room, pushing the door open. Ryuu stands up from his chair, his chest pumping in and out as if spooked. 

Koa marches up to him, "How could you keep this from me?" The grit in Koa's voice makes my stomach plunge, but I sense an underlying hurt in his voice. Ryuu stands his ground, he does not back away, but his head dips slightly. Sometimes, I forget that in Dragon's eyes, Ryuu acts differently with his Pride, especially Koa. The little whelp I knew would show now and then in front of Koa. I watch as Koa steps forward, his eyes sharp like daggers, "Your father is the last to be told. Does our bond mean nothing?" Ryuu flinches slightly as if that question physically hit him. Ryuu says nothing at first, and the silence lies thick, and I can only hear the pounding in my ears. Ryuu keeps his eyes to the ground, his voice calm, "Our bond means everything to me," I watch Ryuu swallows hard, "you are who i look up to," he pauses, "and you are the last person I want to disappoint."

My heart melts at Ryuu's words, but my gaze remains on Koa. I notice his eyes glaze over; Koa groans and turns away from Ryuu. For a second I though I was imagining things, but I see a tear flow down Koa cheek, he wipes it quickly. I interject, "I told him to go Koa." Koa's head snaps towards me. I place my hands in front of me. "I made the mistake of throwing a fate upon him he never asked for. I never gave him a choice." I shake my head, "I don't want to be like parents; there's no way in Kadea's hell." I close the distance between Koa and me and place my hand on his cheek, "You remember what you said to me when he was born?" Koa exhales sharply, his hand covering mine. Koa gives me a knowing gaze, then turns back to Ryuu. 

"Tell me it is your choice and is not because of the witch." Koa's tone becomes stern. Ryuu clenches his jaw. "Calea has nothing to do with it. It is my choice and mine alone." Koa stares at him momentarily, then marches up, cradles the back of his head, and places his forehead on him. "You are welcome home," Koa says in a soft tone. It is a moment between him and his son, but Koa backs away and leaves as quickly as it starts. I smile at Ryuu and then catch up to Koa.

"Koa, he will be fine–" I start to say, but Koa snaps, comes to a halt, and pushes me against the wall, "I know," he growls out. I look into his eyes, at first i'm startled but I quickly regain my composure. "What has gotten into you Koa?" His eyes blaze, "I almost lost him because of Aneth. Now he wants to leave." I could see the pain in Koa's eyes, the fear he would never admit out loud, not to anyone. "I know," I cup his face between my hands and place his head against mine, "I know," I whisper to him softly. Koa is so much more "emotional" than Aneth and Nye. For some reason, it ended that way. Now that they took on human forms, I noticed their human persona was fleshing out. Koa's spirit reminded me of the seas' rouge waves and a glistening calm surface under a moonlight gaze. But it's the soul I fell in love with, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Suddenly, Koa's breath gets heavy, and he feels his hands slide up my dress, and before I can protest, he lifts me against the wall. I knew why; he could sense it. 

"Koa," I say breathlessly as his lips brush against mine, my cheeks flushing, "let me down," I try to convince him because I knew Nye would kill Koa if he attempted to mate with me during and he wasn't the leader of the Pride. Koa's eyes glow a vivid turquoise, "Nye should know better than to leave you unguarded," he wears a sly smile, "especially when it comes to me–"

*Wack*

"Ah!" I shout as I fall from Koa's arms, and he stumbles back. I look behind Koa, and I see Mael swinging a rather large branch in his hands, "I gotta admit that felt pretty damn good," he says with a taunting smile on his face. Koa regains and growls at Mael's steps forward, but Mael points the branch at him, "Back off; I got a barrier to build, and I'm pretty sure it's in your best interest not to piss me off, Serpent."

Koa's nose twitches, and he grabs the branch and breaks it. "Fight with your hands, not a twig," he says, throwing it to the floor. Mael shrugs, "What can I say? I like the dramatic entrance." Mael wears a smug smile.

"I love how you guys just leave me on the floor," I say sarcastically as I stand up and dust myself off. I look to Mael. "Calea said she would help us. We should find her and start soon." I notice Koa turn and walk away, but I know why and choose not to get into that conversation. Mael sighs, "Let's go before I change my mind," he smiles, then puts an arm around my shoulder. "You know, you should lock yourself. That scent can drive a Dragon mad." My eyes widen, and I give him a side-eye. "Is that why you got involved?"

He shrugs, "Possibly." He dips his head towards my ear, "Or maybe I didn't like seeing his hands on you." I purse my lips together, then look at him, "Your here to work with me, not fuck me."

Mael smirks, "Can't a Dragon get Lucky?"