153: Hidden Mate
**Avery**
The air crackled with anticipation as we pressed forward, the weight of our mission pressing down on us like a storm cloud. Donn’s hand brushed mine, his touch electric, a reminder of the mate bond that had blossomed between us. It was a connection unlike anything I’d ever experienced, raw and primal, a tether that pulled me closer to him with every step. The Ancient One walked ahead, his long black hair cascading in waves down his broad, muscular back. His tattoos, intricate and dark, seemed to shift under the dim light of the forest, as if they held secrets of their own. His piercing eyes, like shards of obsidian, glanced back at me occasionally, filled with an unreadable mix of calculation and desire.
We were headed to Altima, a place shrouded in myth and danger, where my twin brother awaited. But the path was treacherous, and the tension among my mates—Cassius, Clint, Conner, and James—was palpable. They walked a few paces behind, their gazes alternating between me and Donn, their jealousy a tangible force. I could feel their emotions like a storm brewing in my chest, their insecurities clawing at my heart. They loved me, each in their own way, but the sight of Donn and me together seemed to unravel them.
“Avery,” Donn murmured, his voice low and husky, “We need to talk, privately.”
We stopped beneath the canopy of ancient trees, their branches twisting like gnarled fingers above us. The forest was alive, whispering secrets I couldn’t quite decipher. Donn turned to face me, his eyes intense, his jaw clenched. “The bond… It's growing stronger. I can feel it, and I know you can too.”
I nodded, my heart pounding. “I can feel it too. It’s like… like we’re becoming one.”
He stepped closer, his hand cupping my cheek. “We are. And I need to show you just how much you mean to me.”
Before I could respond, his lips crashed against mine, hungry and desperate. His kiss was a storm, consuming me, pulling me into a whirlwind of sensation. I clung to him, my hands tangling in his hair, my body pressing against his. The mate bond surged between us, a current of pure, unadulterated need.
We didn’t make it far—just a few steps into the shadows of the trees. Donn’s hands were everywhere, tearing at my clothes, his touch both rough and reverent. My dragonscale jewelry clinked against the bark as he pressed me against it, his lips trailing down my neck, his breath hot against my skin. “Avery,” he growled, “I need you. Now.”
I was already trembling, my body aching for him. “Take me,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire.
He didn’t hesitate. His hands gripped my thighs, lifting me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. His cock, thick and hard, pressed against my core, and I moaned as he thrust into me, filling me completely. The forest seemed to hold its breath as we moved together, our bodies a symphony of flesh and need. Donn’s thrusts were relentless, his hands gripping my ass, his lips finding mine again and again. I could feel the bond deepening with every stroke, our magic intertwining, our souls merging.
“Donn,” I cried out, my orgasm building, a wave crashing over me.
“Let go, Avery,” he commanded, his voice a rough whisper. “Let go with me.”
And I did. My body shattered, my cries echoing through the trees as I came, my walls clenching around him. Donn followed, his growl of release vibrating against my skin as he spilled into me, our bond pulsing with a power I couldn’t comprehend.
For a moment, we just stood there, breathless, our hearts pounding in unison. But the silence was short-lived.
“You two make quite the spectacle,” a deep, aristocratic voice drawled.
I froze, my heart sinking as I turned to see the Ancient One standing a few feet away, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Donn set me down gently, his hand lingering on my waist protectively.
“We didn’t mean to…” I started, but the Ancient One held up a hand, silencing me.
“There’s no need for apologies,” he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. “Love is a force as powerful as any magic. But you must be careful, Avery. Your bond with Donn is strong, but it’s not the only one you share.”
I glanced back at Cassius, Clint, Conner, and James, who had stopped a short distance away, their faces a mix of hurt and anger. Guilt twisted in my chest. “I know,” I whispered. “I don’t want to hurt them.”
The Ancient One stepped closer, his presence commanding. “You don’t have to. Your love isn’t finite, Avery. It’s boundless. You can love them all, and you must if you’re to unlock the full extent of your powers. You’re not just the key to saving the dragons. You’re the key to saving every realm.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine. I looked at him, my mind racing. “How? How can I love them all without… without breaking?”
He smirked, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. “By embracing it. By showing them, individually, just how much you care. Fuck them, Avery. Not out of duty, but out of love. Let them feel your heart, your soul, your magic.”
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