“Lyra? I was just about to call you. Colonel Sirus just reported that Kira tried to provoke him and that Stoneclaw attempted to attack him. What the hell is going on?” Cayro’s voice was sharp, demanding, and tinged with a hint of exasperation as he answered my call.
That slimy bastard! He was trying to flip the narrative, turning his vile actions against my fleet. My lips curled into a snarl, and I shot Cayro a glare, my hackles metaphorically raised. “Seriously, Cayro? You’re taking his side?” I barked, my voice dripping with betrayal.
Cayro immediately raised his hands, his expression softening as he realized the storm he’d unwittingly stepped into. “No, Lyra, I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this. I only have his side of the story right now,” he replied, his tone calm and measured, a sharp contrast to my seething anger.
I felt a hand rest gently on my shoulder, and I instinctively whipped my head around, ready to snap, but stopped short when I saw Stoneclaw. His face was a mask of cold, professional detachment, a stark contrast to the turmoil I’d seen in him earlier. Taking a deep breath, I stepped aside, giving him room to speak to Cayro.
“General Zaraki, I believe Colonel Sirus harbors a deep-seated prejudice against supernaturals. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered someone who despises us despite the crucial role we play in this country’s defense,” Stoneclaw said, his voice even, his military discipline on full display.
Cayro nodded, his eyes narrowing as he processed Stoneclaw’s words. “I need to hear your account of what happened, Major. The accusations Colonel Sirus has made are severe, not just against you and Sergeant Holland, but against the entire fleet,” he replied, his tone equally professional, though a shadow of concern flickered in his eyes.
“Hold on,” I interjected, the wheels in my mind turning quickly. “Let’s see if Scuzball managed to get any video footage of what happened.”
Cayro gave a curt nod, and we waited as I contacted Scuzball. Of course, Scuzball was already two steps ahead, always on top of things.
“I managed to catch a reflection of the incident off one of the trucks, but the angle is distorted,” Scuzball said, the footage already playing on the screen in front of us.
He wasn’t kidding—the image was warped, the angle off. We could see Kira turning away from the colonel before he locked her into the position of attention. But the crucial moment, when Stoneclaw intervened, was obscured. The video did catch me tackling the colonel to the ground just as Stoneclaw shifted, jaws snapping in fury.
“Stoneclaw, this footage is damning. Can you explain what triggered you to shift and attack Colonel Sirus?” Cayro’s voice was hard, but there was an underlying note of concern.
Stoneclaw recounted his version of events, every word dripping with the tension of a man on the edge. I confirmed Kira’s account, both of them aligning in every detail. Cayro sat back, his brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. Then Scuzball chimed in, his voice cutting through the silence.
“There is indeed a chemical that matches Stoneclaw’s description. Its production has been banned since supernaturals became public knowledge. However, the formula is complicated and requires a pharmaceutical-grade lab to manufacture. It’s unlikely the colonel could have done this alone,” Scuzball explained, the chemical formula displayed ominously on the screen.
Cayro’s eyes flicked to Stoneclaw. “You said you and the other dragons were used to test this chemical in the past?”
“Yes, General. We called it Feralium TCV-003,” Stoneclaw replied, his voice tinged with a bitterness that had been honed over years of betrayal.
“And you’re certain that’s what the colonel sprayed at you?” Cayro pressed.
“Absolutely. The concentration he used was far more potent than what we experienced during the tests,” Stoneclaw confirmed.
Cayro leaned back, his fingers drumming on the desk as he considered the gravity of the situation. “Here’s what we’re going to do. That video is too incriminating—it doesn’t exist. Lyra, keep your unit away from Colonel Sirus. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard about his prejudice against supernaturals. Without concrete evidence, this remains a case of conflicting accounts. I’ll file a report that downplays the incident, chalking it up to a misunderstanding. No one was seriously hurt, and that’s how we’ll keep it,” Cayro declared, his tone final, brooking no argument.
“Cayro!” I shouted, my frustration boiling over. “We didn’t do anything wrong!”
“I don’t believe you did, Lyra,” Cayro replied, his tone measured, trying to defuse the situation. “But Colonel Sirus will make a huge stink out of this if I just sweep it under the rug like nothing happened.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Stoneclaw’s gentle squeeze on my shoulder stopped me. His touch was grounding, a reminder that sometimes, even when you’re right, you have to play the game.
“Lyra, it’s for the best,” Stoneclaw said softly, his voice a crack in the otherwise impenetrable mask of military professionalism he wore. Beneath that façade, I could see his genuine concern for all of us.
I bit the inside of my cheek, slumping back into my chair with my arms crossed, feeling the bitter taste of compromise. “Fine,” I huffed, though the word felt like sandpaper in my mouth. “So, he gets away with provoking us while we get slapped with a unit reprimand letter…”
“Oh no, he’s not getting off scot-free,” Cayro corrected, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “He and his unit will receive reprimands as well. As the unit commander, he’s directly responsible for what happened.”
That was a small consolation, but it made me feel marginally better. At least that bastard wouldn’t walk away unscathed after nearly causing a disaster that would have landed squarely on our shoulders.
“As of now, I want you to keep away from him and his unit,” Cayro continued, his voice firm. “Your task is to escort them, not to intermingle or get involved. In the meantime, Scuzball, can you relay communications between the two units? Act as Lyra’s voice and ears?”
Stoneclaw’s brow furrowed slightly as he voiced his concern. “Are you certain that’s a wise choice, Sir?”
“Actually, yes, it is,” Cayro replied, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Scuzball enjoys snooping around. He might gather further evidence from the colonel during the trip. Plus, if he’s busy playing the role of a communication relay, he won’t be as… let’s say, ‘aggravating’ as usual. Isn’t that right, Scuzball?”
“In this case, I will happily play the dumb A.I. that does nothing but relay radio chatter,” Scuzball said, a devious twinkle in his virtual eye.
“If the 77th Armored Regiment needs help with repairs or assistance, do we help them?” I asked, trying to anticipate any potential issues.
“Do the bare minimum, nothing more,” Cayro answered, his tone leaving no room for debate. “I’m serious, Lyra—keep your pack members away from them. If this has already happened, I don’t want to think about what more could go wrong.”
“Yes, Sir,” I replied, my voice resigned but resolute.
Cayro ended the call, and I turned to face the others in the MCV. These three—the backbone of my command, both as an alpha and as a military leader—nodded in unison, ready to follow orders despite the injustice hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
“We have our orders. We are not to deviate from them,” I said, the authority in my voice clear despite the undercurrent of frustration.
A knock at the door pulled my attention away. Suspicion flared; I had explicitly ordered everyone in the fleet to stay in their trucks. Marching to the door, I opened it to find the Command Sergeant Major standing on the MCV’s landing.
“How may I help you, Sergeant Major?” I asked, my tone flat, giving nothing away.
“Colonel Sirus sent me to inform you that he’s spoken with General Zaraki and that he has been reprimanded for the situation. He won’t bother Dragon Fleet any further,” Sergeant Major Baxter reported, his voice as steady as his gaze.
“Understood, and thank you, Sergeant Major,” I replied, nodding curtly, ready to close the door.
But Baxter quickly raised his hand, stopping me. “May I come in? There’s further information that Colonel Sirus didn’t share with me.”
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion deepening. But something in Baxter’s demeanor suggested that whatever he had to say was worth hearing. I stepped back, allowing the dark-skinned man into the MCV. After closing and locking the door, I returned to my seat, watching him closely.
“What can we do for you, Sergeant Major…” I glanced at his name tag, “Baxter?”
He pulled off his patrol cap, revealing a bald head that shone under the fluorescent lights. “Unfortunately, I witnessed what the Colonel did. However, I can’t act as a witness. My testimony would be seen as biased, taking sides in a dispute between units,” he explained, his tone laced with the frustration of a man bound by duty.
From his pocket, he produced a small object and handed it to me. It was a spray bottle, unassuming in its appearance, but heavy with implication. I looked back up at him, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“What is this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, sensing the gravity of the situation.
“How did you get this, and why can’t you act as a witness?” I demanded, my voice edged with suspicion as I eyed the small spray bottle in my hand.
“When you tackled Colonel Sirus to the ground, he dropped this,” Sergeant Major Baxter explained, his tone measured. “I picked it up. This is what caused your Major to shift.” His eyes flickered, shifting to a shade of green, and his pupils elongated into catlike slits.
I blinked, instinctively stepping back from him. “What are you?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
“I am a werejaguar,” he answered calmly.
My eyebrows shot up, and I regarded him with a mix of surprise and wariness before handing the bottle over to Stoneclaw.
“Does Colonel Sirus know?” I asked, still processing the revelation.
“No… and I would prefer it to remain that way. This is why I said I would make a bad witness. He would think I was taking sides with my own kind over him,” Baxter replied, his tone betraying a hint of the weariness that comes from years of hiding.
“Understandable, Sergeant Major Baxter,” I said, my voice more controlled now. “We appreciate the information you’ve brought us. We are under strict orders to keep our distance from your unit. Please inform Colonel Sirus that we will be rolling out in ten minutes.”
Baxter nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He understood the delicate game we were all playing—one where loyalty and survival often required silence. He turned and exited the MCV, closing the door softly behind him.
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I spun around to face Stoneclaw, who was cautiously sniffing the bottle. He jerked it back from his nose with a grimace.
“Is that what the Colonel sprayed you with?” I asked, my voice low.
“Yes, it is…” he growled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “Put it somewhere safe where no one except you or I can get it,” I ordered.
He nodded and moved further into the MCV, his steps heavy with the unspoken burden we both carried. My gaze followed him as Steve and Catalina watched me, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the moment.
“That was the most random visit I’ve ever witnessed,” Catalina finally said, breaking the tense silence.
“What do you mean?” Steve asked, his curiosity piqued.
“The fact that the Sergeant Major is a werejaguar and the Colonel doesn’t even know,” she explained. “Also, that he was willing to give us the evidence over protecting his commander.”
“Since when do cats care about dogs?” Steve quipped, a hint of humor lightening the mood.
I raised an eyebrow at the two of them. “I don’t think it’s about him caring for dogs or dragons. I think it’s more about what he believes is right and what is wrong,” I said, my tone reflective.
Stoneclaw returned, leaning against the wall, his presence commanding as always. “Not only is the Sergeant Major a supernatural, but he’s also dark-skinned. He’s probably dealt with prejudice from multiple sides throughout his life. I bet he has a very straightforward point of view on racism and does not appreciate anyone being treated differently, whether it’s because of their skin color or their ability to shift into an animal form,” Stoneclaw added, his voice tinged with respect.
“That’s a good point,” Catalina said, nodding thoughtfully.
“Okay,” I interjected, bringing the conversation back to focus. “We can solve this puzzle later. Right now, we know we have an enemy in our midst, but it also seems like we may have an ally who can keep an eye on him. For now, we need to get the fleet rolling.”
They all nodded in agreement, and Steve and Catalina buckled themselves into their chairs, ready for the journey ahead.
“I’m going to send Mac to ride in the MCV with the two of you. Try not to get into a pissing match with the phoenix, please?” I asked, my voice lightening slightly.
“We won’t,” Steve replied with a grin, though Catalina eyed me with mild suspicion.
“Stoneclaw, I want you to ride with me,” I ordered, turning to face him.
He arched an eyebrow, a silent question in his eyes, but he didn’t argue. He pushed off the wall and walked past me, heading out the door of the MCV. I followed him, our footsteps in sync as we made our way to my truck. I knocked on the driver’s door and waited for Mac to unlock it. When she did, I opened the door, and she climbed out to face me.
“Is everything alright?” she asked, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.
“For the most part. General Zaraki gave us orders to stay away from the other unit,” I answered, trying to keep my tone steady.
“That’s good,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“I’m going to need you to ride in the MCV. I need to talk to Stoneclaw in private while we’re en route,” I explained, hoping she would understand.
“Oh,” she said, her smile fading as a look of disappointment crossed her face, making my heart tighten in my chest.
Without thinking, I leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips, a soft reassurance that she was still important to me. Mac kissed me back, her lips lingering on mine before she broke the kiss and gave me a nod.
“If anything happens to our truck, the FRS, or you, I will not be held responsible for whatever I do if he caused it,” she said with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I chuckled, watching her head off toward the MCV, throwing me one last look over her shoulder. I climbed into my truck, finding Stoneclaw already seated in the passenger seat, his face an unreadable mask. Donning my headset, I signaled on my tablet that I was ready to roll. A few moments later, the entire fleet showed green. Activating the fleet-wide channel, I gave the order to roll out, with Scuzball relaying my command to the 77th Armored Regiment.
Silence settled between Stoneclaw and me as we drove up to the Omaha Gate, the only sound being the muted music playing in the background. I had requested that Scuzball mute the external speakers—I wasn’t in the mood to share our tunes with the regiment trailing us.
As we cleared the gate, a few wisecracks echoed over the radio about returning the "dinosaurs" to their proper place. I noticed a fleeting smile on Stoneclaw’s lips, but it quickly faded. I asked Scuzball to mute the music in my truck and silence the mics on both mine and Stoneclaw’s headsets. What we were about to discuss was private, and I didn’t want anyone, especially Mac, to overhear.
I glanced over at Stoneclaw, arching an eyebrow. He returned the look, tilting his head slightly to the side.
“This is your opportunity to unpack what was brought up earlier, Stoneclaw,” I said with a huff, my tone softer than before.
“Alpha,” he began, but I cut him off.
“Stoneclaw, I’m not being an alpha right now. I’m just Lyra, your friend and companion. Put our ranks aside and just talk to me like normal,” I said bluntly, trying to ease the tension.
“Fine… Lyra, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that,” he apologized, his voice heavy with regret.
“How long have you known?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the road but stealing glances at him.
“Since the night you came to check on Ironfist aboard the Star Lancer,” he answered, his voice steady.
I felt my jaw drop, my gaze flicking between him and the road. He pointed at the road, a silent reminder to keep my eyes forward.
“Were you ever going to tell me?” I asked, a note of hurt creeping into my voice.
“I wasn’t sure. I thought my internal instincts might have made a mistake. You aren’t a dragon, and I’ve never known another dragon to mate outside of our race,” he confessed, his tone uncertain.
“Stoneclaw, as strange as this might be, you should have told me. This is information I needed to know as an alpha. Especially when it came to bonding you to the pack,” I growled, my frustration bubbling to the surface.
“I didn’t tell you for a couple of reasons. The first being, I wasn’t sure how to handle it. Like I said, I’ve never seen another dragon bond outside of our race,” he argued softly, his eyes avoiding mine.
“Fine, what was the second reason then?” I demanded, my patience wearing thin.
“I was afraid you would reject me and the bond,” he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
I let out a deep sigh, allowing my shoulders to relax. I could understand why he was scared. A rejected mate bond was excruciating, both mentally and physically. I had seen wolves who were rejected, and they were out of commission for weeks, sometimes months. I couldn’t imagine how much worse it would be for a dragon. If Stoneclaw had been rejected, he would have been useless to us.
“Is that why you’ve been acting so weird lately?” I asked him, trying to piece everything together.
“Yes,” he answered simply, his eyes finally meeting mine.
“Do you want me as a mate in the first place?” I asked pointedly, needing clarity.
He sat in silence for a long moment, the hum of the engine filling the space between us as I drove.
“Stoneclaw, it’s not a complicated question. Do you or do you not like me?” I asked flatly, my tone leaving no room for ambiguity.
“Yes, I want you as my mate. As strange as it may sound or be, I do want you,” he finally answered, his voice steady but tinged with vulnerability.
For some strange reason, hearing him admit it made me feel... happy. I turned my head slightly, letting a small smile escape before regaining my composure. I focused on the road, trying to process the weight of what had just been revealed.
“I’m assuming you’re going to reject me now that you know the truth,” Stoneclaw said, a note of defeat in his voice.
I glanced over at him, furrowing my eyebrows. “What makes you think that?” I asked softly, genuinely curious.
“Because I’m a dragon, and you’re a werewolf. You probably want a werewolf mate,” he answered, his tone resigned.
I gave him a flat, incredulous stare. “Seriously, Stoneclaw? Of all people, I would have thought you’d know I don’t give a damn about traditions and customs.”
He opened his mouth to reply but then shut it with an audible click. Leaning back in his seat, he placed his hands in his lap, staring out the windshield. For a moment, I almost felt bad—had I just broken my big bad dragon?
“Stoneclaw, you know my history better than most. You know I’m not a typical werewolf, and that I see myself as damaged. It’s why I guard myself so fiercely,” I said, trying to fill the silence that had settled between us.
“I know. That’s another reason I didn’t tell you. I thought it was better to be your friend than risk the bond, even if it meant sacrificing my wants and desires for you,” he confessed.
His words hit me like a punch to the chest. He was willing to give up his mate bond, something sacred, just to ensure I wasn’t pressured or unhappy. It was the kindest thing anyone had ever said to me. This man understood me on a level I never thought possible. That realization meant more to me than I could express.
“I’m not going to reject you, Stoneclaw,” I said, my voice steady as I looked over at him.
His eyes widened, but before he could say anything, I held up a finger to stop him. “But... I’m also not going to accept your mate bond yet.”
He looked taken aback, tilting his head to the side in confusion. “Why?”
“Because... I’m not willing to hurt one member of my pack over another. You’ve put me in a predicament, Stoneclaw. If I choose you, I hurt Mac. If I choose Mac, I hurt you. That’s not fair to either of you. I have feelings for both of you, and I have no idea how to deal with them. So now, I have to come up with a solution that’s fair to all of us,” I explained, my voice firm.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to sharing you with Mac,” Stoneclaw said flatly, catching me completely off guard.
I stared at him in surprise. I hadn’t even considered that as an option. “You would share me?” I asked, incredulity lacing my words.
“Yes, if you’re okay with it,” he replied calmly.
I bit my inner cheek, mulling over the idea. Could I have them both? They were both important to me in their own ways, and they both made me happy. I turned to face him fully.
“One condition,” I said.
“What’s that?” he asked, leaning forward slightly.
“You and Mac both have to agree and also care for each other as well. I don’t want to be fought over. If the two of you can’t do that, this won’t work,” I stated firmly.
“That’s a fair request,” he agreed, nodding.
“If you two can do that, then I will accept the mate bond,” I said, a soft smile spreading across my face.
A smile cracked on his face as well, and he nodded. That had gone a lot smoother than I expected. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. My mind began to wander to the thought of having them both, wrapped around me as we slept. The idea of a shared bond actually sounded... nice.
My pleasant daydream was shattered when Scuzball suddenly appeared on my tablet screen, his digital face twisted in urgency.
“Put your headset on!” he roared through the truck speakers, making me jump.
Grabbing my headset, I slid it over my ears and was immediately hit with a cacophony of noise.
“What’s going on?” I demanded, trying to make sense of the chaos.
“One of the tanks broke loose and slid off one of the trailers!” Sasha’s voice shouted over the channel.
“Say what!” I exclaimed, my heart pounding.
“One of the M1 Abrams main battle tanks broke loose and fell off its trailer,” Steve clarified, his tone urgent.
“Dragon Fleet, pull over!” I ordered, my mind racing to catch up with the sudden shift from personal to professional crisis.
We came to a screeching halt in the middle of the interstate, the sound of air brakes hissing as the convoy settled. I leaped out of my truck and sprinted towards the back of the fleet, my heart pounding with a mixture of concern and irritation. As I rounded the corner, the scene that greeted me was a disaster—a tank had broken free from its chains and slid off the M1000 trailer, landing upside down in a ditch like a beached turtle.
Within moments, the entire fleet had gathered around, observing the mess with a mix of curiosity and schadenfreude.
“Should we go help them?” Charlotte asked, her voice tinged with concern.
“We can, in accordance with our orders,” I replied, my eyes narrowing as I surveyed the wreckage. “But I’m going to wait until they ask for our help.”
“That’s kinda cold, Alpha,” Seth muttered, though his tone held no real reproach.
“Well, it was kinda cold of their unit commander to provoke a fight with us and nearly cause a huge mess,” Stoneclaw retorted, his voice carrying a steely edge.
“Good point,” Seth conceded.
As if summoned by our collective disdain, Colonel Sirus and Sergeant Major Baxter came striding over, the Colonel looking like he was ready to pop a blood vessel, while Baxter simply shook his head in exasperation.
“Are you mutts just going to stand around and watch while we figure out how to fix this mess?” Colonel Sirus barked, his tone dripping with condescension.
Sergeant Major Baxter performed the military equivalent of a facepalm, clearly wishing he were anywhere else. My entire fleet crossed their arms in unison, matching my stance as I glared at Sirus.
“First and foremost, Colonel Sirus, you and I are of the same rank. Don’t pretend you have any right to command me or my fleet—because you don’t. Second, this is my mission, not yours. I am the Queen Bitch of the Western I-80 Corridor, and these so-called mutts you’ve so affectionately referred to? They have no qualms about leaving your rude ass behind. And third, most importantly, Colonel, the word ‘please’ goes a long way. Maybe you should consider using it.” My voice was saccharine sweet, but my eyes were pure venom.
Colonel Sirus’s face turned a delightful shade of beet red as his temper spiked. For a moment, I wondered if he was about to have an aneurysm—something I’d be totally okay with, given how he’d treated us.
I turned on my heel, ready to lead my fleet back to our rigs when Sergeant Major Baxter cleared his throat, stopping me in my tracks. I faced him, waiting for him to speak.
“What the Colonel meant to say was, would you be so kind as to lend your assistance in getting the tank back onto our trailer? That way, we can continue the mission in a timely manner,” Baxter said, his tone polite and diplomatic—a stark contrast to Sirus’s earlier tirade.
I glanced up at Stoneclaw, who gave me a nod and a smile.
“Certainly, Sergeant Major Baxter. We’d be glad to assist the 77th Armored Regiment in recovering your tank. Would you like our expertise on proper securement as well, so this doesn’t happen again?” I asked sweetly, grinning as I saw the Colonel’s face contort in barely suppressed rage.
“We would appreciate all the help and expertise the 781st Transportation Pack has to offer,” Baxter replied with an equally sweet grin.
As one, my fleet took a step forward, ready to assist. The look on Colonel Sirus’s face was priceless—a mix of utter rage and shock as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. That’s right, you stuck-up asshole, an entire pack of wolves, dragons, a pixie, and a phoenix just agreed to help you, despite your best efforts to alienate us.