Moving quickly and quietly, he closed the distance between them. At one point, she stopped, her whole body tense. The female cocked her head to the side. Coal stopped as well. It was a very long few seconds before she continued on the path.

The others were not far behind. He needed to act quickly. He needed to mark her with his scent. A sense of urgency rose up in him and he picked up speed.

Excitement pulsed through him. This female had been a worthy adversary. It did not matter that she was a human. He doubted that a dragon shifter female could have done much better. It was a pity that she was so weak and defenseless though. He hoped that he would be able to muster interest for her in the days and weeks to come, so that the task of mating and impregnating her would be less arduous.

In one quick motion, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against him. The female cried out in shock.

“You are mine,” he growled. Although that wasn’t quite true. Not yet at least. The tiny female in his arms wriggled and kicked. She reminded him of a little wildcat with her spitting and clawing.

“Easy.” He said, as he wrapped a second arm around her. How the hell was he supposed to do this?

He was a prince. Not just a prince but a fire dragon. This female should be thankful that he had chosen her. She should be begging him to take her.

He sucked in a deep breath. Then again, she was just a human and unfamiliar with their ways. He needed to try and have understanding for her disposition. Her way of thinking.

Coal turned her around as they arrived at a large tree. It wasn’t easy because she was squirming and kicking. Her small foot connected with his shin a couple of times making her wince. He pushed her up against its massive trunk. Her face was a mask of fury. Her eyes burned bright. “Let me go.” She shoved at his chest with one hand. “You have no right.” Using the same hand, she balled up her fist and pummeled him. Her attempts at harming him barely registered. Pathetic.

Coal could hear a snap of a twig and the thud of footfalls. The others were close. Too close for comfort. He didn’t have long to claim this female for his own or lose her. His brother was relying on him. Coal was not about to let Blaze down, or the rest of the fire kingdom for that matter. He had a duty to perform.

Her hair was matted with twigs and leaves, her skin and clothing covered in mud and grime. She snarled at him, teeth bared as she continued to hit at his chest, this time with an open hand. The female grimaced.