Page 10 of Microburst

I arrived back to the castle without anyone knowing I’d been gone and helped before and during the Alpha meetings. Keeping those fools in line was obnoxious, and honestly I foresaw Sagan needing to break one of them permanently to really change their attitudes.

They seemed to already have forgotten the beating she’d given some of them that I’d heard about. It was funny howpridecould shorten the memories for men with small… Brains.

I went to slip out early the second day so I could meet Otto, but there was one thing I needed to handle first. I cornered the Alpha of Nevelyn, the uncle of Wilder, who had been thrown out of the “competition” for Sagan.

“If you evenattemptto approach her about having a new prospective mating candidate from your area for her, I will break you,” I warned him as I let my power crackle around me.

He did a double take as rage filled his eyes. “This is why mystic dragons used to be hunted. You cannot—”

“Stop while you’re behind, boy,” I seethed as I fisted his shirt. “You are disgusting and the world would be better off without you. She is not arideyou can just send someone else to enjoy. She is thequeen, and if you were a better man, you would have paid better attention. You—you areselfishand are owed nothing.

“If you do this, then they all will. It will never end. One more. Just one more. Another cousin. Another—enough. The people will turn on all of you, which is actually good forher, but bad for Thovudin and all the Alpha families. For stability. Why can noneof you think about anything besides yourselves?” I shoved him away. “Throw my kind being hunted in my face again…”

“And what? You’ll kill me?” he mocked. “Go ahead. Explain that and you won’t be here to help her.”

I slowly blinked at him and tried not to laugh in his face. “You think anyone would ever know it was me? Have any proof of anything other than—oh, I’m insulted, you stupid, stupid boy.” I smirked as I leaned in closer. “No one would ever know. But you’re right, killing you would be too obvious. Maybe I’ll punish one of your children?

“What about your mate? A sibling? Have any who are depressed? Any who are in bad relationships? A few small pushes and they could have a partner who goes off the rails. A random act of violence when someone’s out at a bar. That’s all it takes and no one will ever know.” I patted his cheek when he went pale. “Leave Sagan alone and lick your wounds. Good talk.”

It was clear that was handled and everything else was calm. Sagan was going to have a private dinner with those close to her like normal instead of dealing with the buffoons who expected too much. I left the castle in a good mood because a lot had been achieved that made Sagan shine and also benefited a lot of people.

The gods chose well letting her be queen. She will bring dragons to where they should be and repair this fucked up nation’s crumpled reputation.

I nodded to Otto who was waiting outside of the meeting that was absolute chaos. He looked amused but also like he was maybe rethinking getting involved.

I simply winked at him and changed my appearance to be a man before using magic to open the door. Smashing it in might have been more dramatic, but there was no reason to do damage.

I was going to be the owner now and would have to replace it after all.

“Who the fuck are you?” the person in charge demanded.

“The new owner,” I answered, and with a flick of my wrist, snapped his neck. Everyone went dead quiet and I smiled out at them. “Now, what that disgusting trash wasn’t telling you is the former owner is dead. The manager didn’t kill him but was trying to use the situation to become the owner and—it matters not.”

One of the men studied me. “And you killed the owner? This is a hostile takeover?”

I tapped my nose even if it was a lie. “You’re a sharp one. There’s a new boss of Nerthus, and let me be clear none of you have a chance to take me on. So be smart and choose life.”

Avior, the bookie who had helped Sagan and Myriam on many occasions, glanced from the dead manager back to me. “You didn’t give him a choice. It makes it difficult to even consider working with you.”

“Fair, but we’ve actually met before, Avior,” I purred and then winked. I tapped the dead manager with my foot. “This was personal. He wasn’t justtryingto start sex trafficking women, the female mystic dragon fighter, he already did.”

“Is she okay?” he asked, genuine worry in his voice.

“Not her,” I clarified. “And the two I saved will be helped.” I glanced around the room. “There will be no sex trafficking of women in Nerthus. None. Ever. Spread the word.” I gave a grand wave to the dead body at my feet. “This is the price one pays for it. Does anyone need another demonstration of my feelings on this?”

Otto snorted when it was clear they didn’t.

“An ancient isn’t coming out of nowhere to take over an underground gambling and fighting den because they ran girls,”one of the security guys mumbled, glancing between the others. “There’s more to this.”

“There is, but it’s not for the muscle to know, kiddo. Just know I’m a much better owner and I don’t fuck over my people as long as they’re loyal.” I smiled when Otto smothered a chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Avior asked Otto.

“That he thinks this is the only place being taken over,” Otto drawled.

“Basically.” I gave a half shrug. “I’m taking them all. The clusterfuck is now over, gentlemen. I am the underground gambling and fighting in Nerthus after tonight.” I clapped Otto on the back. “And this young man will be running it all for me. He has a short fuse and a temper. Be good, okay?”

Someone coughed and looked at the dead manager. “Hehas a short fuse?”