The roar that came out of him was not planned. It ripped from his chest in a draconic register he hadn't used since his first territorial challenge, low and massive and vibrating through the scales of the dragon he was standing on.
A challenge roar and mating roar in the same. For a woman that he wanted and didn't know why. Broadcast on the open frequency for every dragon in the sky to hear.
He would kill every single one before he let one of them take her.
Maddox heard it. His climbing faltered for exactly one second. Then his wingbeats doubled and the gold light pouring off his scales went from bright to blinding.
Ryker: Sterling. Did Kael just—
Sterling: Yes.
Ryker: Did he just challenge Maddox Drakencrest for a mating claim?
Sterling: Yes.
Ryker: In this day and age? You're joking.
Sterling: Apparently not.
Kael didn't have time to regret it. The fae moved.
