Chapter 151: Controlling Darkness
**Avery**
The relentless whispers of the shadow dragon coil around my mind tonight, like tendrils of smoke. They infiltrate my thoughts, compelling me to act impulsively, to surrender to the darkness. My fists clench, the dragon-scale patterned bracelets on my wrists digging into my skin. The weight of the crown on my head is not from the responsibilities of my kingdom, but from the oppressive influence of this creature. Its power grows stronger, more demanding, and I feel myself slipping away.
I pace the marble floors of my throne room, the sleek fabric of my gown whispering against my legs with each step. The crackling fire in the hearth casts mocking shadows on the walls. I am Avery, Queen of this realm, a dragon shifter with a lineage that spans centuries. Yet, tonight, I am a mere puppet, manipulated by a force beyond my control.
"Whispering the name 'Donn,' I feel the bitterness of it on my tongue, a plea I've hesitated to make. But with no other options left, I call out to him in desperation. And just like that, he appears before me. His tall, athletic figure fills the doorway, his jet-black hair framing his void-like eyes. That infuriating smirk of his makes me want to throttle him and beg for his help all at once.
With sarcasm dripping from his voice, he addresses me as 'Your Majesty,' questioning the reason for my summoning. Ignoring his taunts, I reveal my struggle with the shadow dragon consuming me, pleading for his assistance.
His smirk fades momentarily as he enters the room, the creak of his black leather adding to the tension. Mocking my vulnerability, he remarks on my admission of not being invincible. But I have no time for his jabs, demanding he gather the others - Cassius, James, Conner, Clint. We are embarking on a journey.
His eyebrows raised in surprise, curiosity replacing his usual arrogance. As I reveal our mission, he questions if it's a royal picnic.
Then he looks at me with such intense sincerity. "Are you all finally ready to admit that you're in over your heads?"
The gravity of the situation hangs heavy in the air, and I know that this journey will test us all in ways we never imagined. "Yes, Donn. No amount of research can help my mates and me. We need you because you are the darkness," I confess.
"It is high time for dragons to realize that the world does not revolve around them," Donn retorted, leaning against the wall with a smug expression as he gazed at me.
I clenched my teeth, my hands forming into tight fists. "This is not a mere game, Donn. The darkness is gaining ground. If I cannot find a way to control it, I will be consumed entirely. I refuse to become like the Ancient One!"
He studied me intently, his eyes void of emotion. Then, with a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Very well. I will gather your little harem. But if this is another ploy to manipulate me into owing you a favor—"
"It is not. Our debts are settled, no more obligations," I interrupted sharply, my voice cutting through the air. "This is a matter of survival. Mine, and perhaps yours as well."
He tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "How dramatic. Understood, Your Majesty. I will take care of it. But remember, I am only doing this because you freed my kind from that accursed prison. Not out of concern for your dragon predicament."
I can't help but roll my eyes, though deep down, I am grateful. Donn may be insufferably arrogant, but he is the only one who can guide me through the treacherous shadows that threaten to engulf me.
As the first light of dawn breaks, the rest of my mates arrive. Cassius, with his unreadable expression and piercing gaze. James, whose charm belies a keen intellect. Conner, a silent force of nature, ready to unleash his fury at any moment. And Clint, my beloved, whose mere presence soothes my frayed nerves. They encircle me, a mixture of concern and curiosity etched on their faces.
Clint's voice cuts through the tense silence, gentle yet unwavering. "What troubles you, Avery?"
I draw in a deep breath, the weight of my confession heavy upon me. "My shadow dragon grows stronger by the day. It twists my thoughts, controls my actions. If I cannot master it, it will consume me whole."
A wave of murmurs passes through the group, their eyes reflecting the fear they feel for me. They have witnessed the changes in me, the darkness seeping into my soul, the chill in my words, and my growing distance from them. I had even been reluctant to fuck them and I know it weighs on them even if they brush it off as part of my pregnancy.
"Donn believes there is a way to stop it," I declare, my voice filled with determination. "A path to Altima, a place where I may uncover the answers we seek. But make no mistake, it will not be an easy journey. We must delve into the depths of my past, unearthing long-forgotten pieces of my history."
Cassius steps forward, his expression grave. "And what if we do not succeed?"
I lock eyes with him, my voice unwavering. "Then the darkness will prevail. Not only over me, but over all of us. The Ancient One will achieve his sinister desires... with us as his pawns." A heavy silence descends upon the room, the weight of my words palpable in the air. Donn, usually smirking, now stands against the wall with crossed arms, his demeanor serious for once. "Let us begin," I declare firmly. "Time is not on our side."
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