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  Winged Beast Series

  Book 5

  King Dragon

  By Crystal Dawn

  2018 Copyright by Crystal Dawn, all rights reserved.

  Edited by Eagle Editing

  Cover by Januel Escuelo

  This book is a work of fiction. All contents, including names, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to persons, living or deceased, businesses, locations or events are completely coincidental.

  None of this work may be used, reproduced, exchanged or transmitted by anyone but the person the book was purchased for. Any reproductions of this book in any part or any form must be done with the express written permission of the author or not at all.

  Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

  Sergeant at Arms

  Winged Beasts

  Book 0

  The males of the planet Draconis lose the planet that supplied their mates to a natural disaster. The females survive, but they have left and spread to the far reaches of the universe. Their eyes turn to Earth. Jarel is sent with five other males to find mates and test the compatibility of Earth females. Their results will determine if their Empire looks to Earth or elsewhere.

  Davy is trouble or at least she has trouble and danger following her. It's not her fault, it's all because of her ex-boyfriend who is a criminal and has sent killers after her. She meets Jarel who offers to protect her but she's a little suspicious where men are concerned. Should she trust him, or should she rely only on herself?

  Captain of the Guard

  Winged Beasts

  Book 1

  Romo is sent to Earth for a successful mating since Earth is a potential source of female mates for their mostly male race. Things are very different than he expected there but he believes he has found his one and he intends to woo her to his side.

  Bree is looking for her cousin Davy who disappeared at this very casino she's visiting. Sure, they all say she's in an isolated country, married and happy but how gullible does everyone think she is? It's a sweet dream but she doesn't believe it for a moment.

  Neither do the bad guys searching for Davy and they plan to attack their family to get Davy back. Romo will not allow Bree to be harmed, but can he really prevent it?

  Major of Special Forces

  Winged Beasts

  Book 2

  Betty brought her daughter Selia to Draconis with most of her family. They were escaping an existence made miserable by her ex-husband. She was attracted to the dragon Niku, but she feared her own judgement and preferred not to take on a man anymore.

  Niku knew how Betty felt, but he’d grown to care about her and her little girl. He would chase her to the ends of the world if necessary and when it was all over and the smoke cleared, they would be his family. A quick prayer to the gods and he would begin.

  General of Draconis

  Winged Beasts

  Book 3

  Garulto didn’t know what to do. Dori was his everything, but his career, the one he’d always put first before, was interfering with their relationship and he feared she would leave him.

  Dori loved Garulto. He was her soul mate and she knew it, but her first husband had put his career first and been killed in action. She couldn’t deal with that kind of loss again.

  Will fate step in and give them both what they need or will they call it a day and go their separate ways? Love can be magical, but it can also hurt.

  Winged Beast series

  Book 4

  Dragon Lord

  Toreen looked for Cretia everywhere, but she wasn’t to be found. That reminded him of the advice he’d been given over and over. He knew he’d been pushing her away, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Now she was gone and his dragon was going crazy. It was time to find her and there weren’t many places she could go. She would be brought back kicking and screaming over his shoulder if necessary. That female was his!

  She’d had enough and she’d finally hit her limit. Her bag was packed and it held more than she’d ever had. The hut she’d lived in before was still hers to use and her pride wouldn’t allow her to stay here where she wasn’t truly wanted. All her life she’d dreamed of her fated mate only to find he was more flawed than she was. As she walked out of this life and back to her old one, she refused to look back. From now on it was all about the future.

  Winged Beasts series

  Book 5

  King Dragon

  Erak had found his mate and he’d rejoiced. That was until she’d turned from him and rejected him completely. His plan was to pursue her relentlessly, but his position as king had interfered. Finally things were settling down and he was able to do as he wished. His mate didn’t stand a chance.

  Tomi had felt disappointed over and over. First she’d been misled and taken off planet to a strange world. Then Erak turned out to be a king, something he’d kept from her. Finally, he’d been discouraged so easily. Now he was back and he thought she’d fall into his arm? Ha, so wasn’t happening.

  Easy? Maybe not, but could two stubborn people fated to be together really mess things up completely? Hopefully not.

  Prologue

  He wasn’t sure what to do with his wonderful but stubborn mate. Since she’d taken over the kitchen at the castle they saw each other every day yet she still kept her distance emotionally. She was on his arm for castle events which her business catered, but she rarely went anywhere with him. Nothing seemed to help and no one’s advice worked.

  Her other sisters and even her mother had settled with dragons and they were happy. Why not Tomi? It was like she was afraid of him or didn’t want to be happy. He ached to love her physically and the few kisses she’d given him had left him wanting more. All he could do was try to convince her to be his. His need for her grew every day. Soon his heart would burst with his desire for only her.

  Chapter 1

  Business as Usual

  It was just another day. She’d hired several females from the villages and quickly sorted out who would work and who wanted a job where they could meet a lord or high level military man to mate. A couple of them had been nasty when she’d fired them, but she could handle dirty words and threats. She was tough enough to handle more than that if it was tossed her way.

  Erak would be mad if he found out what had happened and that she’d not informed him. Even though his interest was part time, she couldn’t deny what she felt for him. It was painful to care for someone who seemed to care so little for her.

  Did she have a bad attitude? Some seemed to think so, but she didn’t believe it was true. All she wanted was to be treated like she was important. Honesty and respect, those were what she wanted and she couldn’t seem to get them no matter what she did. First he lied to her, then he ignored her except when it suited him to have her company.

  Men seemed to be the same wherever you went. Selfish, self-serving, and they took more than they gave. She’d just stay alone. At least her mother and sisters had found males that treated them right. They must have gotten all the good ones.

  “Tomi? Someone should do the baking that Dala was supposed to do.” Sonja mentioned.

  “Thank you for reminding me. I’ll get right on that.” She didn’t mind. Baking calmed her and soothed her frayed emotions. As she gathered her ingredients, she began to hum softly.

  Her mind was on her work and she was getting things done. “Tomi?” A familiar male voice said.

  “What? I’m a tad busy right now.”

  “When were you going to tell me you were threatened?” Erak asked.

  “
It was nothing. People get angry when they get fired.” She replied.

  “I take these things seriously. What if they come back and try to cause trouble?”

  “I’ll deal with them then.”

  “You need to let me help you. Some of these people mean what they say when they threaten you.” He informed. “Won’t you stop what you’re doing and talk to me?”

  “I’m two people short. Someone has to do the work.”

  “I want to spend some time with you. Can’t you take a break?”

  “When you are busy, I need to understand. When I’m busy, you have no understanding. That’s just not going to work for me.” She continued to work and he stomped away.

  She just didn’t see their relationship going anywhere. They’d kissed and it had been amazing, but they’d not gone past that point. It might never happen, that they did more than kiss. Her body ached for him, but her mind said no. Her relationships back on Earth had left a lot to be desired and she’d rather be alone than have a less than stellar relationship. Ha, she’d accidently made a joke.

  The problem was her future happiness was no joke. Erak finally left when he realized she wasn’t going to drop everything to talk to him. Good! Males needed to be trained right. It didn’t matter if he was a king or a poor male. Being a poor male would actually be less complicated. Why did she hold him being a king against him? She didn’t even know herself. Maybe it was just the fact he’d hidden it from her. The problem was, she felt more for that male then she’d ever felt for another. No matter what she did, she was falling hard.

  Putting the bread in the giant oven to bake, she looked up and smiled. “Lushia! I am so glad to see you. I didn’t think you were coming in today.”

  “I’ll be honest with you, I couldn’t stand to work with Dala. If you’ll look at the schedule, you’ll see I was working the days she was not.” Lushia admitted.

  “If this happens again, you tell me. No one told me how mean and nasty that female was. I finally fired her because she was lazy. She spent all her time talking up the males.” She observed.

  “She threatened everyone here at some time or other.” Lushia declared.

  “Including me when I fired her.” She giggled. “Someone told Erak and he wasn’t happy.”

  “That female is dangerous if she’s willing to threaten you. Be careful.” Lushia suggested. “What do you need me to do?”

  “This is the list of food that needs done. Take your pick and mark it off the list once you start it. I’ve got all the bread in the oven.”

  “You’re amazing. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard or as fast as you do.” Lushia admitted.

  “I’m slow compared to my mom. Sometime I hope to get her in here to show us all how it’s done.”

  “I doubt her mate will let her do that. These dragon males are extremely possessive.” Lushia noted.

  “My mom doesn’t put up with that kind of behavior. They almost split up over it. The reason she can’t come in is she has a business she runs too. She just can’t find the time. That’s something I understand. So what hours can you work now that the big bully is gone?”

  “Bully?” Lushia asked.

  “Someone who pushes others around and uses their position or some other method usually size or strength to make others feel bad. It’s a hard term to explain, but it’s a bad person who is cruel to others.”

  “Some words don’t translate exactly. But what you just said fits Dala perfectly. I can work full time, I actually need to because my Reddik got laid off.” Lushia admitted.

  “What does he do?” She asked.

  “He worked on a farm, but they got a new worker who needs the house they provide and they can pay the male less.” Lushia explained.

  “Does he have a lot of experience farming?” She wondered.

  “Fifteen years and more, he was raised on a farm.” Lushia informed.

  “Here, send him here. They hire almost all the time. Have him tell whoever he talks to that I sent him. It should help.”

  “Thank you. He is so upset that he can’t work.” Lushia admitted.

  Her mom would give the male a chance. She hoped he worked out. Mates sometimes saw things differently than other people did. Usually, they had a gentler view. The outlook she had was harsher and she knew it. In her past the males she’d dated had always left her in pain or numb. That wasn’t something she intended to go through again.

  “Lady Tomi?” A voice called out at the counter where orders were taken.

  “Yes?” She said biting down her impatience.

  “The king would like to place an order and have you deliver it personally.” The male, one she’d seen around but didn’t know his name, said.

  “What would he like?” She asked not letting him see her irritation at Erak. He was, after all, the king.

  “He said for you to choose a good meal for two with drinks. You would make the best choice, he said.” The male told her. “Just charge it to his account.”

  “I will. Thank you.” She replied and the male hurried off.

  With Lushia here, she could get away briefly. She owed Erak this favor as he’d given her a huge amount of business. If she hurried, she could make it back before the lunch crowd hit. Since he’d let her make the call, she used up her leftovers so she could remove some of the pots from the cooler. Some had only a little food in them now.

  Rushing around, she made two meals. One of stew, a BLT sandwich, meatloaf, biscuits, and two pieces of pumpkin pie. Many of the foods here looked similar to ones from home. The other meal also had meat load and a BLT but then it had potatoes and carrots, the last of yesterday’s bread, and the last piece of cherry pie. That pie was one of Erak’s favorites.

  Once the tray was filled, she hurried away. Just outside the door, a soldier waited. He took the tray and led her to Erak’s office. What could the king possibly want? The doors were held open by guards as she and the other male walked into Erak’s meeting room. He stood immediately and came forward to greet her.

  “I’m glad you could join me.” He greeted. “You two may go.” Erak dismissed the guards and they hurried out. Motioning to the table, “Sit please. What have you brought me?” He grinned like a young boy.

  “A little bit of everything.” She explained.

  “Meatloaf? Gods I love that. Don’t be bashful, the other meal is for you.” Erak informed.

  It was true she’d been working hard and had forgot to eat. “Fine, if you insist.”

  “I do.” He moved to her and pulled out the chair helping her sit.

  She moved the plates around giving him the largest share of the food. It was all good to her, so she didn’t care what she ate. Her appetite wasn’t the best when she worked as hard as she had been.

  “I hoped you would attend Lord Toreen’s birthday party with me.” Erak asked.

  “When is it?”

  “In two weeks, I just received my invitation. Cretia said it will be a small intimate get together.” He explained.

  “I can do that if you’re sure you want me to?”

  “What do you mean by that?” He asked.

  “I just thought you might be better served looking for a mate.” She said even though it hurt. The thought of him with someone else pained her.

  “I’ve found my mate, she just refuses to see what she is to me.”

  She didn’t bother to act dumb. He meant her and she knew it. The problem was he hadn’t been honest and even if she forgave him for that, he’d not been persistent in his pursuit of her. He’d been there one moment and gone the next. Then he had waited weeks with no explanation and came around again after she’d taken over the cafeteria. It was like out of sight out of mind, then back on his mind when she was nearby.

  Why did everything in her life have to be crazy or disappointing? She really didn’t think she expected too much. A male that truly loved her, cared about their relationship, and was honest. That was it. Why was that so hard to find?

  “You’re
thinking too hard. I care about you so much and I want to spend time with you. What do I have to do to get you to agree?”

  A giggle broke free. “You could always come work for me in the kitchen.”

  “You jest? Maybe I’ll do it and then what will you think?”

  “We’ll see if you’re a good worker, won’t we?” She asked.

  “Maybe I need to find out how you make these marvelous dishes.” He commented then took a bite and moaned.

  The sound was sexy and made her body heat. He sniffed and she knew he was aware of her desire. Those winged beasts just had an advantage every time. They could sense emotions and even scent lies at times. Their senses were superior to humans and they were strong and fast. Erak in particular was also smart. She suspected eventually he would out smart her.

  He was planning all the time and she would eventually give in. It was just a matter of time. Meanwhile, she would hold out because he deserved to suffer for what he’d put her through. She had no plans to go down easy. It frightened her to think about holding out, but it also scared her when she thought about giving in.

  It was funny that she could imagine him in an apron with his sleeves rolled up. His hands would be sunk in dough or he’d be cutting up vegetables. A smile came to her face.

  “That’s better. I like that look on your face a lot.” He admitted.

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “Maybe a smile should worry you?”

  He frowned as he seemed to try to work out what she meant. “Do you mean you’re planning something?” He asked.

  “You’ll know when I do something.” She smirked. It was fun to tease him.

  They finished eating but now he was more withdrawn. That was alright because she didn’t like to talk all the time. Sometimes, it was nice just to have a companionable silence and relax with another person with you. Most humans disliked that but the people here were different. They didn’t mind it so much.