“It’s no one’s choice, Dax. It is his right and I will see it be done.”
There was a long pause before Dax finally answered. “Is there more than him just being the rightful heir?”
“He’s my mate, my true mate. I hope to claim him if he feels the same.”
“I see.” The disappointment in Dax’s voice was evident.
She wouldn’t apologize. Arena had always been straightforward about her feelings. She and Dax were not mates and never would be.
“I will prepare for your return with your mate.”
“Thank you, Dax.” She hung up, feeling relieved.
As she turned to head back to the ranch, she noticed a female approaching her. This one looked a little familiar. She had to be from Blaze’s clan. She gave the female a warm welcoming smile.
“Good day to you.”
The female didn’t return her smile but stormed up and blocked Arena’s path. “You think you’re so special, don’t you?”
“Have I done something to offend you?”
“You’re trying to come between me and my mate!”
Arena felt like someone had hit her over the head. “What are you talking about?”
“Blaze is mine. I’ve been with him for almost ten years.”
“He said he didn’t have a mate.”
“We were making plans before we traveled to Earth. Plans that included our dragonlet,” Shanna said with tears, placing a hand over her flat stomach.
Arena looked down at the female’s stomach and felt the blood rush from her head. “No, he would have told me…”
“His queen, all pale beauty. He told me how you tried to seduce him when he was just a teenager. You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re nothing special.”
Arena turned away from the female and stumbled away. No, this couldn’t be right. Blaze would have told her about taking a mate—-about expecting a dragonlet. She touched her own flat stomach and felt pain at the knowledge that she may never be able to have dragonlets. She and Zocor had tried and failed. It had torn her up. The thought that Blaze was going to have a one with another female was too much for her.
She reached for the hem of her dress, pulled it over her head, and tossed it to the ground right before she shifted into her dragon form and took off into the air. She didn’t look back and missed the satisfied look on Shanna’s face. Arena had to get away from everyone.
