Running in Fear: Dragon's Den

Packs were gathering, small ones moving to the larger ones for protection. Remi, Dane, and Mark worked nonstop to organize the packs around the world for the gathering darkness settling around them. All the while, Remi and his mates were determined to keep their mate Jaycee’s life as normal as possible during her third trimester of pregnancy. Her nightmare past is a distant memory.
With their pack finally settling down, the men in Jaycee’s life wait for the leaders of other species to contact them, each playing an important part in the upcoming fight of good against evil.
Remi had met Dominic Hazelfield once before. His power was equal to his own, and he had earned his respect. Knowing Dominic and his mates were on his way to them, Remi only hoped their journey would be a quiet one—but knowing the enemy, he doubted it.





In the other Realm

Goddess Empusa waved her hand at the water and stared down at Dominic Hazelfield. Of all of her children he was the strongest and the most loyal, but his world was about to turn into a battlefield.
Empusa glanced over at Gaia, who tapped her fingers on the table, drinking a glass of wine. “Are you sure the balance on Earth is so off? Wouldn’t my father know about this?”
Gaia sighed and glanced up at her. “I was hoping I was wrong, but I’ve seen the numbers. Even your father isn’t aware of the numbers. If we lose the balance on Earth, the planet won’t survive. I need help, I’m also asking a few others to step up to help us. All of us have put too much work into Earth to abandon it now.”
Empusa nodded. “You are right. I would hate to start over somewhere else. Dominic, Archer, Granger, and Blair will be the first warriors to help you in this. He and his mates will be informed and prepared for what is to come.”
Remi LeBlathe glanced around at his surroundings. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep with his mate Jaycee on top of him.
“Your body is still there, Remi. I’ve called you here to prepare you. Soon you will have a group of very powerful visitors. I believe you’ve heard of Dominic Hazelfield?” Gaia, Mother Nature, stepped out of the shadows in front of him.
He bowed his head. “Yes I have. I’ve even met him once, Vampire King in the Louisiana area and servant to Goddess Empusa.”
“Good. Empusa will be sending him and his mates to you. The both of you will be coordinating together against the evil that has sprung up on Earth. I must warn you, Remi, the humans will know about your kind soon, so prepare yourselves. If we are to save the human race, they must also be brought into this war. Many will choose sides and your way of life will change as that of the human world.” She turned and glided a few feet away before she stopped.
“Choose well those you trust, Remi, because all is not what it seems. I can only tell you that Dominic and his mates are among the few you can bring close to yours. You have one week before Dominic arrives. Enjoy your mates till then.”

Dominic snorted and waited for Goddess Empusa to arrive. Only she could enter his dreams.
“Are you impatient, my dragon warrior?” She laughed, flying down at his head in her dragon form.
“No, Goddess, I just know that when you call, it’s something of importance, and it’s been a while.” He lowered his large dragon head to her.
“You are right. It has been brought to my attention that a war like none other will happen on Earth. Humans will learn of the paranormal world, and good and evil of all kinds will fight. Next week you are to leave and meet with Remi LeBlathe at his home. Both of you will coordinate together. Many will come to the both of you since you are the most powerful.”
A small flame escaped his snout. “I haven’t seen Remi in a while. It’s too bad we have to come together for such a event, but I will do as you will.”
“You will not be going alone, Dominic. Your mates will come to you soon. Be ready because many will see the five of you as a threat as you travel north. Especially your female mate. They will try and take her from you many times before you reach your goal. Call your army, Dominic, and trust only those who are close to you. That is all the warning I can grant you.”




Chapter One
As she took a sip of her cappuccino, Suzanne stared up at the large castle-like structure surrounded by a twelve-foot brick wall. Guards stood at the entrance of the Dragon’s Den, only allowing into its doors those who had special invitations. She sighed and waited for Tonya and her mate, Anthony Vergo. Tonya had begged Tony to get permission to bring her to the Dragon’s Den for their monthly Mardi Gras party.
Her best friend, Tonya Whitehead, had told her about this place after meeting her mate. Of course, it helped that Tonya was a werewolf too. Only a few special humans were allowed to know about the other species and she was now one of them. She smiled, remembering the first time Suzanne had met her. Tonya had been surrounded by five human men six years ago, bound and determined to rape her friend, but Suzanne wouldn’t have any of it. She had stormed into the alley, cutting down three of men and sending the rest of them running. It helped that Suzanne was trained in Shaolin Kempo, her one monetary investment. All her life she had skimped and saved, buying nothing frivolous, knowing from past experience that anything could happen to throw a person into poverty.
“Hey, there. Are you ready?” Tonya slid into the booth in front of her. She wore a black leather coat that covered her outfit for tonight.
“Yep.” Suzanne opened the front of her coat, showing her the top of the outfit. “But I think Anthony got me a size too small on purpose, just so he could see my breasts.” She narrowed her gaze on the large alpha as he sat down, handing Tonya her coffee.
He laughed. “As you remember, I’ve already seen your breasts, and the top is supposed to be tight.”
Laughing with him Suzanne, she shook her head. “Well, it would have helped if Tonya told me you were going to be there last week. How was I to know you were sleeping over? We always walk around nude.”
Tonya smacked Anthony on the arm. “You don’t need to be imagining my best friend’s body, and I can’t help that I forgot to let you know. Hell, what woman could remember anything with him at her side?” She drew her gaze down his body.
“Okay, none of that now. Later.” Suzanne glanced up at Anthony. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to go? I know they don’t allow humans in there unless there are special circumstances. I just don’t want to get anyone in trouble.” She glanced down at her hands.
Large warm hands settled over hers on the table. “It’s going to be fine. Alex, Dominic’s right hand man, gave the all-clear. You’ll be my responsibility. I promise you I will find you the perfect man.” He placed his index finger under her chin and lifted her head so he could look into her eyes. “Just don’t kill anyone, okay?”
Suzanne laughed. “I’ve never killed anyone, Anthony, just protected those who needed it. Someone needs to protect the children on the street.” The last part was a whisper, but both of them heard her.
Her best friend reached over and put her hand on her arm. “Is that why you take those classes? To protect the children?”
She nodded. “No child should be made to do things just because they are trying to survive.” Suzanne knew her words were filled with anger, but she couldn’t help it. From the age of thirteen, she had lived on the street and been raped, drugged, beaten up, and starved.
“You lived on the streets, didn’t you?” Tonya asked, glancing up at Anthony, then back at her.
“We shouldn’t get into it here, but yes, I’ve lived on the streets since I was thirteen. We’d better get going. I don’t want to be late and have everyone stare at me when we walk in.” Suzanne stood up to close the subject, waiting for Anthony to lead the way. She would go with them in their car and leave her car here since the owner of the Dragon’s Den also owned the café.
Anthony stood next to her, his long black hair tickling her shoulder, and stared down at her as Tonya slipped under his arm on his other side. “You saved my mate twice. For this alone you will always be family, and under my protection. If you ever need anything, Suzanne, ask.”
She smiled and nodded, not trusting her words. Tears started to form in her eyes and a lump in her throat. Anthony led them to his car and helped them get in. Suzanne stared out the window. Her vision clouded over as a single tear slipped down her face.
“You’re a pretty little thing. We’ll make plenty of marks on your little ass. Many men want plump young things to do wicked things to.” Lance yanked her head back and slapped her across the face. “Get her changed and put her in room six. I know just the customer to break her in.”
“Suzanne, you ready? Honey, what is it?” Tonya kneeled down in front of her, snapping her out of her nightmare.
“I’m fine. Let’s go.” She patted Tonya’s arm as Anthony stared down at her and wrapped his arm around her.
“Are you sure? We can do this another weekend.”
“Will you two stop? I’m fine. Now, find me the man of my dreams.” She took a deep breath and held onto her friends as they made their way into the club. For some reason she had to be here tonight. She knew her life was going to change, but was it for the better?