Shades Of Dragon (A BBW Dragon-Shifter Paranormal Romance) Read Free Page A

Gods, he deserved a little more recognition than just a mere child.
          “His name is Tegan,” Grey answered, placing a hand on Tegan’s shoulder in a fatherly gesture, “A brave soul I found trying to fight off a Rhino-beast in human form. He’s been alone in the woods for years now without kin or shifting, and I intend to ask the council to grant him membership to our clan.”
          “You’ve been in the Meadowlands Forest for years, without shifting?” The other sentry, a blonde with blue eyes, asked incredulously. “That’s suicide, boy. You’re one hardy lad to have survived so long.”
          “Thank you.” Tegan wasn’t certain as to whether or not the sentry was being complimentary, but he decided to take it as such anyway.
          “Alright, enough chatter!” Grey demanded. The sentries snapped to attention immediately, and Tegan suddenly had the distinct idea that Grey was an important person amongst the clan. “This youngling hasn’t had a proper change of clothes, food, or a place to sleep in years, and I mean to give him one. Please, open the gates.”
          “Yes sir,” Abram snapped him a salute, and the two sentries pushed their respective turnstiles. The gate, a wrought iron creation that was three times Tegan’s own height slowly wound open, granting them entryway to the valley.
          “Thank you,” Grey called. “Good watching to you.”
          “And you,” they called as Grey ushered Tegan through.
          They walked through a narrow corridor that gradually opened up into a town that stood in the middle of a vale, as green and beautiful as anything Tegan had seen outside. Huge purple grey mountain faces rose up on all sides of the valley, providing a kind of safety and security that none of the villages outside really got to enjoy. The valley itself was dotted with various houses and buildings, some more elaborate than others and marked as dwellings, while others were shops and service houses. Tegan’s stomach grumbled as he caught the scent of a roasting pig – oh my, he could really use a bite right now.
          “I live just over the hill outside of the main town,” Grey explained as he led Tegan down a street through the main cluster of buildings. Most of the places around here were built out of brick and stone, rather than wood – which Tegan figured made sense when you were a big pack of fire-breathing dragons. “We’ll bring you to my dwelling to get some food and a change of clothes and rest, and then I’ll be introducing you to the Alpha later.”
          “The Alpha?” a little shiver of apprehension slid down Tegan’s spine. “Is he a kind man?”
          Grey snorted. “I don’t think kind is what I would call him,” he said darkly. “But don’t you worry. He won’t naysay me on having you here.”
          “I don’t want to be any trouble – ” Tegan began.
          “Children are never trouble.” Grey rounded on him, his eyes suddenly intense. “They are meant to be cherished, and brought up with care and kindness…meant to be heralded as the next generation, and not tossed away like trash. You deserve every one of those things, and I mean to give them to you. Please, don’t let what happened to you define who you are, Tegan. I see so much potential in you.”
    “But you don’t even know me,” Tegan replied. How could this man be so kind to him when his own mother…and clan, wanted nothing to do with him?
    “Sure I do,” Grey replied with a smile. “I know that you are a survivor, and that no matter what kind of rough start you had in life, you weren’t willing to just give in and let the wilderness and solitude destroy you.” He chuckled, and when Tegan met his gaze, he winked at him. “Or that damn Rhino-beast.”
          A lump swelled in Tegan’s throat at the heartfelt words that he never thought he’d hear from anyone in his life. “Thank you,” he