Page 69 of Billionaire Dragon King’s Rejected Mate

The stone cracked beneath the force of it. The impact sent a shockwave through the mountainside as dust and debris scattered outward in a violent burst.

For a moment, there was only the echo of it. Then nothing but stillness.

Chance shifted into his human form before the dust had even settled. He moved forward with his gaze locked on his father, who had also shifted and was already pushing himself upright. Fury burned in Gunner’s expression, but Chance also saw fear and pain.

It would have been easy to kill him.

In that moment, he had the advantage and victory was within reach. It would have been so easy to end it and to finish what had been started years ago. He could have cut down the man who had ruled through fear and pain and called it justice.

Gunner seemed to expect it and his stance shifted as he braced for the final blow.

Chance stepped closer and stopped. Randi’s words, I’m not afraid of you, echoed in his head. Would she be afraid if he turned into a killer like his father?

At that moment, Sven and Jakob arrived in dragon form. They landed nearby and shifted, but Chance held up his hand to keep them from approaching. This was a fight he needed to finish on his own.

“You lose.” His voice was steady as he glared at his father.

Gunner’s lip curled. “Then finish it.”

Chance held his gaze. “No.”

The word landed heavier than any strike could have. Confusion flickered on Gunner’s face, quickly followed by anger. “You think this is mercy? This is weakness.”

Chance took a step closer. “No,” he said quietly. “This is where it ends. Right now. You don’t get to define strength anymore,” Chance’s voice was resolute in a way that left no room for argument. “Not for me. Not for Noriveille.”

Gunner said nothing. And in that silence, something broke the cycle. Not with death, but with Chance’s choice.

Jakob took over binding Gunner in chains that would prevent him from shifting into his dragon form while Chance and Sven took off up the side of the mountain toward the cave

Chance’s lungs burned with every step as he climbed over the jagged stone. “Randi!” His voice cracked as it echoed against the cavern walls.

“Chance! We’re here.”

Relief hit him so hard his knees nearly buckled. Sven gave him a push up over the edge of the cliff

He pulled her into his arms. Tears streamed down her face. “Hey, hey, I’ve got you.” He pulled back and gently cupped her face. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.” Her voice trembled, but her eyes searched his. “You came.”

“Always.” The word slipped out, raw and unguarded.

“Sven!”

Chance turned sharply. Across the cavern, Sven was locked in a fierce embrace with Bryne. The two of them clung to each other like they might vanish if they let go. Bryn laughed through tears, her voice echoing with relief as Sven lifted her clean off the ground.

“You’re okay,” Sven kept repeating.

Randi slapped Chance’s shoulder in mock outrage. “You know if you had come the other way, you wouldn’t have had to climb the cliff.”

“Always the critic,” he teased before he kissed her.

Heavy footsteps approached. Randi stiffened in his arms. “The guards are back.”

Sven set Bryn down slowly and pushed her behind him. Chance turned to greet the newcomers. His protective instinct snapped into place and he stepped in front of Randi.

The guards emerged in a cluster with their weapons drawn. Their eyes darted around the cavern and landed on Chance.

For a long, suspended moment, no one spoke until Chance stepped forward. “My father is no longer your king. I have taken the throne.”