Free Dragons at Midnight by Selena Illyria

you mean by that?” She had an idea but wasn’t sure she wanted to hear it.
    “Well, beautiful, if he’s serious and this mating heat is for real and not just a flash of things to come in later life, he may have claimed you as his mate. But you have a say, so don’t worry.” The last few words were said in a rush but she didn’t miss the central point. Tor had started the claim as his mate. She belonged to him.
    A shiver raced down her spine. It wasn’t a chill of apprehension but a sense of something starting. She couldn’t ignore that her tiger had wanted to claim Tor during sex. Louisa wasn’t sure if she should say anything, but wondered if perhaps her tiger’s attempt to claim Tor had triggered his mating heat. She bit her lip, mulling over how to tell them that maybe she’d started it all. This was all new to her.
    Louisa licked her lips and ventured to tell them. “I think I may have started all of this. My tiger wanted to claim Tor, so—”
    Fletch waved away her words. “No, that wouldn’t have started it. That may have added to his mating heat but this would have started on its own if the conditions were right. Dragons are different than felines or any other shifter. We’re not under the moon’s sway, and we can shift at will. Our maturation period is also longer. Mating heat normally can take place when we turn fifty or even a hundred years old. Your mating need wouldn’t have added to his unless you’re part dragon.”
    She shook her head. “Nope, pure tiger shifter.”
    “Then you didn’t cause this. Don’t worry.” Fletch walked over to her and gave her a reassuring hug. “He’ll be fine. I promise.”
    She didn’t feel relieved in the least. “Let me go talk to him, okay?” Before they could protest, she left the room and headed to the male employees’ changing room. Pushing open the door, she was hit by the scent of male musk, fire, ash, and sunshine with an undercurrent of dark spices and night air. She swallowed hard as the urge to change shimmered through her. Arousal spiked in her blood as body heat increased. Her honey dripped on her thighs as her cunt clenched in anticipation. Her stomach muscles contracted as she struggled to take in enough air to fill her lungs.
    “Louisa?” Tor’s voice was low and husky, and a full growl lurked in his tone. Another shiver quaked through her. Licking her lips, she called on the strength of her tiger and entered the space.
    Tor rose from his chair. She sucked in a breath as the bright, florescent lights shone on his wide shoulders. Everything about him seemed large and muscular. His dark brown nipples were already tightened into small peaks, his narrow waist showing off a well-defined abdomen. Neatly trimmed golden curls surrounded the base of his cock. The shaft was long and thick, thicker than she remembered. The wide crown was a purplish red, a drop of pre-cum at the tip. His heavy balls hung low. He was a statue come to life, a temptation made flesh.
    All the men had something unique and appealing about them, but Tor was the one who captivated her the most. From his quiet confidence to the strength that emanated from his being, he was power personified. Gold and black shimmered on his skin, and she remembered when he’d partially shifted and his scales had come to the forefront. She wondered if his skin would be soft or rough.
    Unable to resist, she went to him, her fingers tingling to touch. She ran her fingertips up one arm and across his chest, watching goose bumps rise and his muscles tighten and relax.
    “You’re so beautiful.” Her tone was filled with awe. Now that she saw him fully, and only him, she could truly see his masculine attractiveness.
    “So are you,” he murmured back. Tor threaded his fingers through her hair and wrapped one arm around her waist. She tilted her head up at him and took in the harsh beauty of his face. From his sculpted cheekbones to his hooded, dark eyes and lush lips, he was appealing on