*Readers beware! Spicy chapter yonder!*

E R I K

I hopped about the bedroom struggling to put my damn jeans on. Morgan wasn't rational when it came to her adoptive family. Poppy was turning into a monster, and Morgan was in denial of reality. I picked up my phone and called Ranni.

"Come to the pub and bring your blade," I said when Ranni picked up.

"I don't think stabbing will be enough to kill a zombie," Ranni replied.

"Then bring an axe to cut off her fucking head," I snapped.

"Have you discussed this with Morgan?" Ranni queried.

I hesitated, then sighed, "No."

There was silence on the other end of the phone. I turned on my heel to face the window and spotted dozens of Polaroid pictures stuck to Morgan's wall. Each photo contained a picture of Morgan with India, Poppy, or Charlie.

My heart sank in my chest.

"Shit," I breathed, dragging my fingers through my hair. "She'd never forgive me."

"I'm certain she would burn our spirits to ash before we could touch a hair on Poppy's head," Ranni said.

I looked back at the photos and saw a picture of Morgan and Poppy beaming at the camera as they ate a tub of ice cream.

"What are we going do?" I asked.

A few seconds passed, and Ranni replied, "We must separate Morgan from her family."

"I can't exactly hog-tie her and throw her over my shoulder," I replied.

"I'm not suggesting that we kidnap her," Ranni sighed. "I'm suggesting that we tell the village that they are harbouring a fox. No one, not even her family, will want her once they know her real identity."

"I don't know. That seems kind of low," I replied uneasily.

"It will break her heart. But she'll be forced to rely on you, her mate," Ranni countered.

"This isn't plan, Ranni. It's a betrayal. The wisps gave me a mate to protect. I can't take away her family," I replied.

"Fine. I'll grab an axe, and we'll chop off the head of your beloved mate's sister. I imagine if Morgan doesn't kill us, she will never speak to you again," Ranni said.

My hand floated to the spot over my chest where the wisp had joined my heart to hers. I rubbed at the spot, feeling a painful ache of sorrow growing in my heart.

"I can't betray my mate," I replied. "Besides, your plan would never work. The villagers never believed us when I declared myself King, so why would they believe us about Morgan being the fox?"

"You're right; I don't think the villagers would believe us. But, they might believe one of their own. If I recall correctly, Eli's mother was never a great fan of Morgan. I don't think persuading her of Morgan's true identity would be difficult," Ranni explained.

Glenn had told me about Eli's mother. She and her husband owned half the village, including the pub Morgan's family rented.

This plan was diabolical. It would destroy Morgan. But, if it saved the village or even the world, it was the lesser evil.

I dropped down onto the bed and thought about what to do. Yes, I was a dragon in love with a fox. But I was also a King. It was my responsibility to make the tough decisions for myself and my entire people.

I ran my hand down my face.

"Okay, do what you must," I said.

"Will do," Ranni replied, then hung up the phone.

My eyes drifted over to the photos on the wall, and I felt sick to my stomach. What the hell did I just agree to?

The bedroom door opened, and Morgan walked in. Her expression was pensive, and for a second, I feared that she had overheard my conversation with Ranni.

"Are you well, my beloved flame?" I asked.

Tears twinkled in her eyes, and she shook her head. I opened my arms, and she dived into them like a ship seeking a safe harbour in the middle of a storm.

I wrapped my arms around her and rested my chin on top of her glorious man of flaming red hair.

"I will always be here for you, my mate. We will weather this storm and the storms that will inevitably follow," I replied.

"Why does life have to be so cruel," She cried, shedding tears onto my naked chest.

"I do not know why, my heart. But we will endure this suffering together," I said.

She tilted her head up and smiled sadly back at me. Her expression was filled with sorrow, but I couldn't understand why. Had she finally realised that there was nothing we could do to help Poppy?

My heart lightened momentarily, and I waited for her to tell me that she understood what must be done to keep ourselves and the village safe.

But that never happened. Instead, she glided the warm palm of her hand over the contour of my chest. My muscles stiffened under her gentle touch, and a million wicked thoughts flooded my mind.

"Tell me what you need from me, my sweet mate," I said.

She responded by dragging her tongue across my nipple.

I released a curse under my breath. She giggled at my response, then scraped her teeth over my skin.

"I want you," she whispered, moving her fingers down my chest, over my abs, and underneath my waistband.

I held my breath, anticipating her hand to move lower, but she stopped.

"Do you want to do this?" She asked.

I blinked at her, unsure of what she was precisely asking me. She sensed my confusion and a teasing smile crossed her face.

"I'm asking if you want to have sex," she said bluntly.

"Oh," I replied, suddenly feeling stupid.

"We can stop if you want to; I don't want you to feel pressured. I know this is your first time," she said, blushing.

I raised my hand and traced the outline of her jaw with my fingers. She was so achingly beautiful.

"I want you," I replied huskily. "I'll take everything that you have to offer. I don't think there will ever come a time when I'm not craving to be inside you."

"Then come claim your mate," she said with a devilish look.

I groaned and kissed her sweet mouth, unable to contain my desire any longer. Her lips were soft like flower petals and tasted of sweet berries and honey. She moved her mouth against mine, playfully nipping my lower lip.

Blood roared into my cock. I reached down and undid my jeans to free the painful erection. Morgan stared down greedily at the bulge, then grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

She straddled my hips and smiled down at me, rocking her pussy against my aching cock. I bite back a moan.

Morgan's breath shudders as she presses her body against my hard cock. The pleasure is overwhelming, and I worry that I might accidentally come too soon.

Morgan is blissfully unaware of my need as she continues to grind against my cock. She throws her head back, sending her beautiful red hair tumbling around her shoulders. Her pussy is hot and wet. I ache to be inside her.

"My mate, please," I panted. "This is too much. I do not have the same stamina as you yet."

It was shameful to admit it, but I thought it was better, to be honest than disappoint her by spilling my seed early.

She stops rocking and looks down at me with a half-apologetic smile.

"Sorry, I forgot this is your first time," She said, grabbing my cock in her hand and squeezing it tightly. Electricity jolted down my legs, causing my hips to buck upwards.

"You're really hard," She murmured. "I thought you might need some more time to 'warm-up'."

"It's the mating bond. I crave your sweet body constantly," I growled.

"Poor baby," she replied, taking my cock and positioning the head of it over her core.

I braced myself and fist my hands into the bedsheets. Morgan pushes herself down on me, and my cock glides into her hot, warm pussy.

The feeling is describable as the muscles of her channel clench and milk my cock. My hands grab onto her hips, and I stare up in awe as my mate starts to ride me.

I've never felt pleasure like this before. I'm overwhelmed with the sensation. I can't believe I have spent most of my life never knowing this type of pleasure existed. My hips move in time with Morgan's, thrusting in and out of her in a steady rhythm. She leans forward and lowers her mouth onto mine.

She kisses me so tenderly that I nearly miss the tears starting to glitter in her eyes.

"Morgan?" I whispered, brushing the hair out of her eyes.

Her eyes close shut, and she sits back on, taking every inch of my cock into her. I throw my head back against the pillow as she works her hips frantically against mine.

I want to stop and find out why she is crying. But the movement of her hips, combined with my desperate need to claim her, overrides rational thinking.

The tension builds between us, and I feel myself losing control. Our hips buck wildly together as orgasm tears through both of us.

Morgan collapses onto my chest, and I wrap my arms around her as jet after jet of hot seed shoots up inside her.

Black spots dance in front of me, and it takes me a few minutes to return to earth.

After the haze of the orgasm clears, I gaze down at my mate.

"Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?" I asked.

Morgan shook her head.

"You didn't do anything wrong. You were amazing. That was amazing," she replied.

"Then why are you crying," I pressed.

"I don't want this to end," she replied tearfully.

Did I come too soon? Was my stamina not up to her expectations? Why was she crying?

I smoothed my hands over her back, holding her close.

"I will do better next time," I murmur into her hair.

"It wasn't you. I have to get up early tomorrow. There is an early delivery," she sighs. "I wish we could stay in bed together all day."

"We will when we return home to my castle," I replied.

She laughs and rubs her cheek against my chest. I like this. My mate, warm and naked by my side. Perhaps this coupling will result in our first child. The thought of her being pregnant with my child fills me with joy and terror. I will need to keep a close eye on her. I can't let the villagers harm her.

"All will be well, my mate. Tomorrow will be a better day," I tell her.

"I hope so," she replied uneasily.