But something feels different now. The shadows seem deeper, more alive. They cling to me like old friends, wrapping around my form and making me one with the darkness. My eyes begin to glow with that eerie green light that marks my true nature—twin emerald beacons in the gloom that would terrify anyone who glimpsed them.
Stalking closer with predatory grace, my paws make no sound whatsoever against the sandy soil of the training grounds. Every calculated step positions me more advantageously for the ambush to come. The war horses sense something unusual in the air—their ears twitch and they shift restlessly in their stalls, but they can’t pinpoint the source of their unease.
One mare whinnies softly, a sound of pure anxiety that cuts through the stillness like a blade. The others pick up her fear, their eyes rolling white as they press against the backs of their stalls. They know a predator stalks nearby, but their primitive minds can’t comprehend what hunts in their midst.
The very atmosphere seems to thicken, growing heavy with anticipation. Time slows to a crawl. Each heartbeat echoes like thunder in my ears. Each breath comes sharp and measured. The world has narrowed to this single moment, this perfect convergence of hunter and prey.
When my target’s attention is focused elsewhere, I gather my muscles and leap up into the wooden rafters with fluid athleticism. The movement is so smooth—a black blur that exists between one instant and the next. From this elevated vantage point, I can follow him overhead while remaining completelyinvisible to ground-level observation. The ancient beams creak softly under my weight, but the sound blends seamlessly with the natural settling noises of the old stable.
The shadows above seem to welcome me, embracing my form until I become indistinguishable from the darkness itself. My glowing green eyes are the only evidence of my presence—two points of otherworldly light that track my target’s every movement with unwavering focus.
Every step he takes below me is mirrored by my silent movement above. Every foot forward makes it easier to isolate my quarry from potential witnesses or interference. I glance back frequently to ensure no one is following him—the last thing this operation needs is unexpected complications from curious observers.
The tension builds like a drawn bowstring. The very air seems to vibrate with potential violence. My tentacles twitch with anticipation, ready to strike. My breathing becomes shallow, controlled. Everything narrows to this single point of focus.
The hunting music crescendos in my mind:duunnn dunnn... duuuunnnn duun... duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn.
Below me, Leander moves with complete obliviousness to the danger lurking directly above his head. He has no idea that death itself could descend upon him at any moment. No idea that unseen eyes track his every gesture, that a predator has marked him for capture.
The moment stretches like taffy, sweet and inevitable.
The horses grow more agitated, stamping their hooves and tossing their heads. Some primitive parts of their brains screamwarnings they cannot vocalize. The very walls seem to press inward, the shadows growing longer and more menacing.
And then...
The moment arrives with crystalline clarity. He’s positioned exactly where I need him, alone and unguarded, completely unaware of the romantic ambush about to unfold.
Time snaps back to normal speed.
I leap from the rafters with explosive power, my displacement abilities allowing me to appear from seeming nothingness as I descend toward my unsuspecting target. My tentacles unfurl like striking serpents and wrap securely around his waist while my front paws hit the sandy ground with perfect balance.
Startled calls and whinnies rise from the war horses around us as they react to my sudden materialization, their powerful forms dancing nervously in their stalls. But their alarm comes too late to warn him.
My first target is successfully acquired. Leander is secure in my grasp, completely bewildered by his capture, and about to be transported to make all of his deepest dreams of fatherhood come true.
The hunt has claimed its first prize, and Operation Last Clutch moves into its next crucial phase..
Chapter
Eight
I arrivewith Leander in the hidden chamber, and the atmosphere hits us like a physical force. The air is thick with Mina’s potent musk. It’s a heady, intoxicating blend of dragon pheromones and pure feminine power that makes every instinct in my body come alive with desire and purpose.
The scent wraps around me like a familiar embrace, reminding me of countless intimate moments shared with the love of my existence. My heart swells with the familiar mixture of devotion and protective instinct that Mina has always inspired in me. Even now, in orchestrating this romantic conspiracy, every action stems from my deep, unwavering love for her and my desire to see her dreams fulfilled.
Within seconds, I shift back to my human form and stride purposefully toward the carefully prepared bag containing the specialized leather harness. The scent grows stronger with each step, making my movements feel almost dream-like as I retrieve the safety equipment we’ll need.
“Hello, daddy-to-be,” I announce with a wide grin, waving the leather harness in a way that’s both playful and reassuring.The joy I feel for Leander radiates through my voice—this man has become more than just a fellow mate over the years. He’s become one of my closest friends, someone whose happiness matters to me almost as much as my own family’s wellbeing.
“This is your very important date with a certain mate who’s gone into season specifically for you,” I continue, watching his face with the satisfaction of someone who’s about to grant a dear friend’s deepest wish.
“She...” Leander’s mouth works frantically, opening and closing as he struggles to form words that simply refuse to emerge. His eyes are wide with shock, desire, and a healthy dose of overwhelmed disbelief at the situation he’s found himself in.
I can see the exact moment when the reality hits him—that his years of longing, of watching others experience fatherhood while he waited patiently for his turn, are finally coming to an end. The sight fills my chest with warmth and satisfaction. This is exactly why I’ve spent weeks cataloguing schedules and orchestrating romantic ambushes.
The sound of water displacement draws both our gazes to the far side of the chamber, where Mina rises from the hot spring like an ancient goddess stepping onto earth before her devoted disciples. Steam rises around her magnificent form, creating an almost ethereal halo effect that makes her appear otherworldly and divine.
My breath catches in my throat as it always does when I witness her in her full power. After all these years together, she still has the ability to render me speechless with her beauty and presence. The love that floods through me is so intense it’s almost painful—this incredible being chose me, chose all of us, and trusted us to build something extraordinary together.
