The Dragons Claim

Inches from me, I didn't just smell her arousal—I tasted it in the air, a metallic, hungry sweetness that matched my own frenzied desire. The promise of slow and deliberate was a joke now. The mate bond was a fire, and we were both tinder.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, she launched herself at me, shoving her tongue down my throat. My dragon, Atlas, didn't like being taken—he wanted to claim. He surged to the surface, fighting for dominance. Stopping him was impossible; Atlas has always been my superior.

Mating as a full, gigantic dragon form was out of the question, but allowing him to take partial control was essential. I just prayed she could endure it. I would not hurt her.

As our kiss deepened, I felt the unmistakable prick of her elongated fangs as she deliberately nipped my lip. That small act of vampire aggression was the trigger. Atlas surged free.

A high, excited squeal escaped Raven, and a massive, delighted grin stretched across her face. I was slightly shocked by her reaction. I looked toward the wall mirror: my eyes had snapped into their serpent-like, red-gold configuration, and my own fangs had lengthened.

"What is your name?" she breathed, her eyes blazing.

"Atlas," the sound was a deep, gravelly rasp—rough and ancient.

She didn't hesitate. She was on me again, urgently ripping my clothes away. My dragon was thrilled. Atlas immediately clamped down on the soft skin of her neck in the midst of the kiss. Instead of a scream, she let out a guttural moan of pure pleasure.

I tried to pull back. Too fast, Atlas, too fast. But he wouldn't listen. Raven didn't give him the chance, ripping the last of my clothing off and revealing my readiness.

The Knot and the Collapse

Atlas was in full, ecstatic agreement now. As we began the mating, Raven reciprocated the claim, latching onto my neck and leaving a permanent mark that wasn't just feeding—it was staking ownership. It was a millisecond of stinging pain, followed by a shockwave of pleasure.

As we continued, Atlas pushed further. My horns sprouted, and my tail instinctively released, whipping out behind me. Raven, instead of recoiling, adapted instantly. She grabbed my horns for leverage. Atlas roared internally with satisfaction. He allowed a subtle, controlled growth, filling her completely. He knew he had to keep calm to avoid ripping her in two, but he was fully present and fully satisfied.

She moaned out her pleasure, adjusting to the sudden girth. As we hit our climax, Atlas knotted inside her.

The moment the knot fully engaged, she went silent. Her body stiffened in mid-orgasm, and then she went utterly limp—passing out as if she'd been struck unconscious.

Panic, instant and icy, hit Atlas, forcing him to relinquish control. Raven!

I was immediately back in command, but I couldn't move until the knot released. She looked perfectly fine, utterly peaceful, as if she were simply asleep. As soon as the knot shrunk, I slipped out of her, laid her carefully back onto the pillows, and threw the blanket over her.

Dragon Eggs

I dressed instantly and rushed to find help. I located the Dragon doctor first and dragged her back, but she was useless. "I don't know much about vampire anatomy," she confessed.

Then Landis, Raven's father, burst in. To my astonishment, he was super calm, a huge smile replacing his normal regal frown.

He took control. "She's fine, Marcus. More than fine."

He proceeded to drop a universe of bombshells on me: Vampires cannot get pregnant by humans or other vampires. But they can by dragons.

"When you knotted inside her, it caused her body to pass out so it could immediately adapt to the change," Landis explained. "The passing out confirms the pregnancy took. She is carrying your eggs."

Eggs. I couldn't process it. How was this possible? Technically, she was undead. The logistics alone slammed into me: How will she deliver dragon eggs—the size of which could be massive—in a human body? The size alone could tear her apart.

My mind was a cascade of panic and logistics, but all I truly cared about was when she would wake up and getting her checked out properly.

We made her comfortable. We sat to wait. Atlas felt terrible, a colossal beast suddenly reduced to guilt. Landis prepared to summon the vampire doctor, who would have the proper tools for a prenatal check-up. The dragon doctor would only be needed closer to the delivery.

Keeping her safe and alive through the delivery is my only priority. This wasn't how our first time was supposed to go. The idea of taking things slow is a ridiculous memory. Everything is happening at once, with no time to breathe and no plan.

I am operating on pure instinct—winging it—something I despise. But for this woman, who made my dead heart finally beat again, I will burn down any town and steal every ounce of gold in existence if it ensures her safety and her survival.