Royal Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 1) by Charlene Hartnady Read Free Book Online Page B

blond hair and huge blue eyes.
    “The reason you are here is to take part in the hunt.”
    “Hunt.” Lisa rolled her eyes and shook her head. “That’s barbaric. I would never hurt anything. I refuse to hunt. I won’t and you can’t make me.”
    “I feel sorry for the male that gets you.” Scarlet shook her head.
    A feeling of dread unfurled in Julie’s stomach.
    “You are not going to hunt anything, stupid female,” Scarlet spat. “All of the males from all four kingdoms are assembling as we speak. You will be given a head start and can choose to remain in a group or to go it on your own. They will hunt you , on foot…”
    “What?” Jo asked, her face was pale. “That can’t be right.”
    “From the frying pan into the fire.” Candy swallowed hard.
    “You are here for our males.” Scarlet smiled. “Such small frail beings.” She cocked her head, looking at each of them like they were bacteria under a microscope or bugs in a nest. “I think it’s lunacy. You’ll be torn to pieces.”
    This elicited another whimper from Pauline. Jo moaned. Candy grit her teeth but Julie could see her lip tremble despite her trying to be brave. She couldn’t blame them.
    “Stop it!” Julie tried to keep her voice even. “You’re scaring them.”
    “Good,” Scarlet snarled. “They should be scared. Our males will hunt you and fight for you. The successors will get to keep you. To rut with you.”
    There were cries of outrage and disbelief.
    “No, but why would…?” Jo stammered. “This can’t be happening.” Tears coursed down her cheeks.
    Scarlet smiled. “You are to be mated and impregnated.”
    “No!” Candy shouted. “I refuse to—”
    “Quiet.” Scarlet pointed at Candy, who paled. “Your fate is sealed. There is no point in arguing. It’s done.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe my king has brought you here. Small, frail humans. I doubt you will survive the mating let alone the pregnancy. It’s crazy they would attempt this.”
    “Stop it.” Julie’s voice quivered this time. “We have rights. It’s not—”
    “I told you,” Scarlet spat. “You are on dragon territory. I would suggest that you run, that you fight and that you pray. Our males are big and strong, if they try and rut you, you will be torn apart.”
    Ash stepped forward. “You are scaring them. What you are saying is not entirely true. There are—”
    “Are our males not big? Much bigger than human males?” She put emphasis on the word much .
    Ash was silent for a time. “Yes, but—”
    “But nothing.” Scarlet cut the other woman off. “It is time for the hunt to begin.”
    “No!” Jo shrieked. The woman was completely terrified. Julie couldn’t blame her. It was how she felt inside. Julie had learned long ago that it didn’t help to panic or to scream and beg. She would bide her time and find a way out, hopefully for all of them.
    “Don’t come near me.” Candy tried to act brave. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
    Lisa folded her arms. “My lawyer will—”
    Scarlet slapped Lisa a second time, this time on the other cheek. “I will hurt you, all of you. I hate humans. You can choose which you would prefer. I will kill you quickly, I’d snap your neck like a thin twig. Or you can face our males who will hurt you a whole hell of a lot before you finally—”
    “Scarlet.” The other dragon shifter looked really uncomfortable. “You need to stop toying with the humans. She won’t kill you. Our males are really big and strong but—”
    “But nothing,” Scarlet interrupted. “You don’t have a choice. I would recommend that you head for the waterfall. Find the river and follow it. The males will have a hard time picking up your scent. It is your only hope for escape. Be very quiet. Our hearing is extremely good. Cover yourselves with mud to try and mask your scent. We see well at night. You never know… if you are quick, quiet and careful, you might just get away. I hate