Delivery

It had officially been two weeks since the Council meeting, and I could feel the movement now more than ever. My belly was surprisingly small for carrying three, but Landis assured me they would be delivered small. I knew today was the day. My back had been spasming for hours.

When the next contraction hit, it was a physical blow that dropped me to my knees. My body surged, fangs lengthening, nails hardening into talons. But that wasn't the end of it. In a horrifying, beautiful rush, I felt my spine elongate, a sharp pain as a tail erupted, and then a tearing sensation as massive wings burst from my shoulder blades. Scales began to sprout across my skin.

In the next instant, I wasn't just changing—I was moving. I smashed through the balcony doors and landed on the back lawn, a full-grown Dragon. Last I checked, I was a pure-blooded vampire. Now, I was definitely something else entirely.

Another contraction hit, and I felt the babies shift, massive and ready. Marcus came flying out of the house. By the time he reached me, Atlas had taken over. For the first time, I saw Marcus's full Dragon form. He was colossal, the most breathtaking thing I had ever witnessed.

When he reached me, I heard his voice clearly in my mind, not from his mouth. He could read my thoughts.

The final contraction came. The first baby slid out—a miniature dragon, not a human baby. So much for my questions about delivery. At this point, though, I had more questions than answers about my own state.

The Return

Three baby dragons later, I was resting in the gold and jewel chamber with my children. Atlas had gently carried all of us here, and he stood guard outside while I healed. The chamber's importance was suddenly visceral; the sheer concentration of wealth made my accelerated healing feel abundant and powerful. I could move already, feeling almost normal.

I stood and moved toward the giant door, and as I walked, I felt my body dissolving the scales, retracting the wings. By the time I reached the door, I was human again and couldn't open it.

"Atlas!" I yelled.

He nudged the door open with his giant head. Seeing my human form, he stepped aside, letting me out before shutting the door behind me. As I pulled on the clothes waiting for me, the door reopened, and in walked Marcus, having reverted to his human self.

He had the biggest, proudest smile on his face. I didn't want to ruin the moment, but "Why did I become a Dragon?" echoed in my head, and I let out a low cry of shock.

Marcus just chuckled. "My marking had a chance of doing this," he explained. "They just weren't sure because you were a pure-blood vampire."

Now we knew. Because of that initial, volatile change, I could now become a Dragon whenever I needed or wanted to. The surprises just kept coming, and it had only been six weeks.

The Vision of Betrayal

I headed toward our bedroom, desperately needing a shower. After giving birth as a Dragon, I felt strangely sticky, my human skin covered in residue like a newborn baby. I went straight for the master bath.

I flipped on the light and was instantly overwhelmed, not by the beautiful bath, but by a sudden, blinding vision. An Alpha werewolf was attacking my coven, and the image was violently specific: my father was killed.

The intensity of the image knocked me to the floor. I gasped, struggling to focus through a splitting headache. When I finally cleared my vision, my father was standing over me. I’d expected Marcus.

If he's here, the vision was a warning.

I stood up, ready to relay the urgency, just as Marcus burst through the door. He instantly scooped me up, cradling me protectively. He must have sensed the psychic fallout. I leaned away from him, looking from Landis to Marcus, and Marcus nodded—confirming the warning was real.

We exited the room and headed straight for the meeting office. As we entered the Council room, another bright flash exploded behind my eyes, more intense than the last. This time, it showed me the Alpha werewolf's face: my Uncle Damos.

Damos, who had renounced his right to the throne years ago to run off with my mother. Since my parents were never true mates, he'd claimed her without consequence. It hadn't bothered my father; he only ever cared about me. My Aunt had been the mother I needed.

Now, Damos was back, clearly making a play for the throne on behalf of my mother. They intended to rid the kingdom of my father and me.

But they had no idea what I had become. Killing my father would not be an easy task. He would be around long enough to see his Dragon grandchildren grow.