Chapter 5 Jay (POV)

Autumn left for a home celebration. I knew she was trying to find her mate. I hoped this does not happen. How do I tell her that I love her? The day we met, as soon as I sensed her walking up behind me, her presence made me shiver. I was so dumbstruck, I had to watch my words before I jumped on her and claimed her. I knew the minute I laid eyes on her she was the one. My light to my dark, lonely world. Dragons live long, lonely lives.

Last I heard from the elders that full-blooded dragon females were almost extinct. But there was something about Autumn that I could sense. My great-grandfather told me once that there were species of our world that were hybrids and hardly ever heard of Tribrids. Autumn had a scent to her. She is not only were-wolf. I needed to consult with my great-grandmother. She is a dragon healer. She would know more.

I paced back and forth when Autumn left for Texas. I missed her so much. Every day I looked forward to seeing her beautiful smile. Just to be near her, calmed me in every way. Well, except one. I felt like a pubescent teenager. After our workday was over, I had to rush back home for a cold shower. I counted the hours waiting for Autumn to return.

It's early, very early Sunday morning. I have a cousin in New Mexico, near the town of Clayton. She sent me a message that Autumn just drove past the mountains heading toward California. It's very early for her to be driving back now. I thought she would spend time with her family. My cousin said she followed Autumn to the end of the Navajo Nation land. From above, no one can see us flying. My cousin, Janie, said she could hear Autumn crying. Something bad has happened to my sweet girl. Janie sent a message to my other cousin, Mark. He is watching Autumn from the night sky as she is going to Arizona non-stop. I sent Mark a thank you message.

He replies, 'good luck cousin. She is genuine. Her heart was just shattered by someone at her pack. But she is strong. She will make a wonderful mate for you. Oh yeah, you need to take her to visit great-grandmother. She will tell you more of Autumn's family background.' What is he not telling me? Damn Riddler!

I sent my thanks. What did they do to my sweet girl? First things first. I have to be very patient with her. She does not know of dragon world. Nonetheless, other species in this world. I decide to fly to Bakersfield and watch over Autumn as heads back to the university. I make it to the California line in a few minutes. My dragon speed cannot be matched.

I spot Autumn's car and follow her to the gas station where she is refueling. I watch as she walks into the gas station. There are two men following her. One goes inside and the other waits outside. I am getting bad vibes from them. I noticed the van that is parked on the side of the pumps just opposite Autumn's car.

I don't think so buddy or buddies! I swoop down behind the gas station and walk up behind the guy standing outside. "Weather is getting colder, isn't it?" I grumble as the guy standing outside watching Autumn turns to me in surprise.

"Yeah, it is." He mumbles and turns back around.

"Wow, she is pretty." I say to the man. He turns and glares at me. "Fuck off dude! She is with me." He takes a few silly steps toward me. He notices I do not backdown. His movements hesitate.

"Really! I do not think so. I noticed your friend in there following the young lady. And your buddy in there better not lay a hand on her." I growl out. The guy turns around and notices my eyes are glowing. He panics and runs toward his van. He jumps in and speeds off. His friend comes running out to try and stop the guy. The van stops at the roadside and the second guy runs to the van and is talking to the driver. The second guy glancing over at me, and my face is contorting into part dragon and my eyes are glowing. I open my mouth to shoot out a stream of fire and the second guy jumps into the van and goes speeding down the highway.

Just as I laugh to myself, Autumn comes out of the store with a bag of snacks and a large fountain drink. Oh boy, that is a stomachache waiting to happen. I hear her heart. I close my eyes and lean again the side of the building. I think to myself...Okay she is on her way back. Let her tell her story, when she wants. Do not push. You might scare her.

I run and jump into flight up in the sky and I can hear the music that is playing off of her phone.

***

You know the bed feels warmer

Sleeping here alone (sleeping here alone)

You know I dream in color

And do the things I want (I do the things I want)

You think you got the best of me

Think you've had the last laugh

Bet you think that everything good is gone

Think you left me broken down

Think that I'll come running back

Baby, you don't know me, 'cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger

Just me, myself and I

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new

They told you I was moving on over you

You didn't think that I'd come back

I'd come back swinging

You tried to break me but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger

Just me, myself and I

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started

Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted

Thanks to you I'm finally thinkin' 'bout me

You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning

In the end

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger (stronger)

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger

Just me, myself and I

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone (what doesn't kill you)

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger

Just me, myself and I (what doesn't kill you)

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger (stronger)

Stand a little taller (taller)

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone (what doesn't kill you)

When I'm alone

***

I notice that Autumn pulls over to the side of the road, along the highway. There are no cars for miles. She gets out and runs into a nearby field and screams at the top of her lungs. I feel her rage in her scream. She takes a deep breath and yells 'fuck you, Rick. You will get yours!'

My sweet girl is running back to her car. Her heartbeat is calming down. I smile to myself. She just needed a minute to get him out of her head. I follow her all the way to the dorms. I go back to my home. I live in a cave in a nearby preserve. I converted it years ago into somewhat of a studio apartment. I use the natural creek as a shower. It is actually calming. No one ever comes up here.

Well, I thought no one did. I am standing inside the shadows of my cave watching Autumn walk up this steep trail. She has no idea about this area. No one does. Well, time to talk to my sweet girl. Here goes.

"What are you doing here?" we both said at the same time. We both pause and then we both started laughing. We talked about her trip. I cannot believe what an idiot the future-alpha was. But then again, who am I to judge. I decided to open up and tell Autumn everything. I hope she does not run.

As the words are coming out, I started thinking maybe I should wait. She is probably still having feelings for the other guy. But I have missed her so much. My dragon was upset that I let her go to begin with. My dragon, Balerian, want to claim her the day I laid eyes on her.

She is the air I breath. She is the blue sky above. My love for her is deeper than the ocean. I am sounding corny, but it is true. I look into her eyes and see her soul. She is kind, generous, intelligent, beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. I dream of making love to her.

As she is talking about leaving her pack and rejected the alpha, she mentioned cutting ties with the pack. Then she pauses. I am standing in front of her and confess everything. My sweet girl sounded broken. She is not broken. She just needs love and care to bloom again.

Autumn pauses and throws her arms around my waist. She is trembling. I can feel her heart beating so fast. I grab her and hold on as if my life depended on her. I just hold her tightly to my body and kiss the top of her head. I let her release everything she has to let go of.

"No one will ever hurt you again, my sweet girl." I whispered in her ear. She must have been extremely exhausted. She fell asleep in my arms. I picked her up and carrier her to my home. I laid her down on the bed and decided I would make her dinner.

I flew back into the rear entrance of the cave and noticed Autumn was awake looking around.

"Hello, my sweet girl." I said softly. "I had to go and get some veggies from the garden. I am making you grilled chicken and veggies." Autumn sat up on the bed and pulled her creamy legs over the side. She stood up and walked over to me.

"Really? Is it grilled or smoked...ha-ha? Just kidding. Can I help?" Autumn giggled. Oh my, her giggle was music to my ears.

"You're cute. Come here." I said as I set the veggies down on the counter.

"How did you do all of this in here?" She asked as she waved her hands around in a circle.

"I'll show how, just as soon as you eat something." I kiss her temple. I noticed her body shivered and her face blushed.