Chapter 2: A Panther’s Secret

Chapter 2: A Panther's Secret

Silvia's POV

Silvia moved uneasily as the enormous black panther stood between her and the trail. The way it stared at her, golden eyes burning with awareness, made her shiver. The connection she felt with it was unnatural, an odd warmth burning deep inside of her.

Her body ached from the battle, but she no longer felt the searing pain she'd expected from her wounds. Indeed…

She lifted her hand, slowly rotating it. Her arm, opened up just hours ago, was now unmarred. No scar, no pain—just the recollection of the assault.

"Stupid hell." she panted, flexing her fingers.

The panther snarled in response, creeping closer. Silvia stepped back instinctively, her heart pounding. "Back off, big guy."

The monster puffed, clearly unimpressed, then collapsed in front of her like some sort of gigantic housecat. Its tail whipped behind it, its ears flapping in laughter.

Silvia's gaze narrowed. "Fine, what's your game?"

The panther simply cocked its head, regarding her with unblinking eyes.

Irritation boiled in her chest. "Wonderful, be mysterious. I don't have time for this—I have to get back to the city."

The moment she tried to walk around him, the panther stood up, cutting her off.

Silvia sighed. "Oh, come on!"

The panther growled softly, almost in mockery.

"Fine," Silvia muttered, crossing her arms. "You're being too smart for a typical monster. Can you not speak or anything?"

The beast just blinked at her, totally still. And then, in a moment, it did something that sent shivers down her spine.

It sneered.

She gasped. "No way…"

Before she had even time to realize what was happening, the air around the panther started moving. Thick mist curled around its body, curling and twisting like living things. Silvia stepped back, her eyes wide as the massive creature got smaller and changed shape.

In the blink of an eye, the panther was gone.

A man stood in its place.

Tall and muscular, and unbearably handsome, he exuded an air of careless confidence. Black hair cascaded down his broad shoulders in a careless ponytail that brushed against them. **Golden eyes—the same ones as the panther's—**locked onto hers with a fury that made her stomach flip.

Silvia took a rapid breath, her mind reeling. "You—"

The man took a step forward, his smirk deepening. "Took you long enough to catch on."

Her jaw was tightly clenched. "You were the panther?"

"Brilliant deduction." His tone was smooth, rich—almost teasing.

Silvia's fists were curled into fists. "Who the hell are you?"

He placed a hand to his chest with feigned innocence. "I'm hurt, really. I saved your life, fixed up your wounds, and now you're staring at me like you think I'm the bad guy."

Silvia's eyes furrowed into a scowl. "Reply to the question."

He huffed, craning his neck slightly. "Dragon Bromson. Son of Brom. However, you may simply call me Dragon."

She blinked. "Dragon? You're named after a dragon?"

He chuckled. "You'd think that, wouldn't you?"

Silvia took another step back. There was something about the way he stood there that set warning bells ringing in her mind. He was too easy, too comfortable, like he had a secret that she didn't. And some component of that infuriating smugness dared her to slap it right off his face.

Her gaze fell upon his partially bare chest—because, naturally, he was bare to the waist—before jerking quickly back up to his face. "Okay, Dragon. Why'd you do that?"

His smirk faltered, and something unreadable flitted across his eyes for the first time. "Because you're mine."

Silvia's stomach rolled. "Excuse me?"

Dragon stepped closer, his eyes sparkling at hers like a predator calibrating its prey. "When I cured you, something happened. Something that can't be reversed."

Silvia's heart pounded. "What do you mean?"

His expression darkened. "We're bonded."

Silvia's heart hiccuped. "What?"

"Your magic latched onto mine during the healing process," he explained. "It's rare, but among my kind, it means one thing." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You're my mate."

Silvia took a shaky step back. "Nope. No. Absolutely not."

Dragon arched an eyebrow. "I don't make the rules, sweetheart."

Her head spun. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.

She whirled away, pinching her fingers to her temples. "This is insane."

Dragon laughed behind her. "I prefer 'destiny,' but all right, let's use insane."

Silvia whirled around, poking her finger at him. "We are NOT bonded. I don't care what your weirdo monster biology requires."

His grin returned. "I like that fire in you. This is going to be fun."

Silvia groaned, running her hand down her face. "I need a drink."

Dragon's golden eyes glinted with humor. "I can think of better things to do to loosen up."

She glared at him, her face burning. "Oh my gods, you're impossible."

Dragon laughed, the deep sound vibrating through her. "You have no idea."

Silvia let out a deep, frustrated breath. "Fine. If we're 'bonded,' then you're stuck with me. But don't expect me to roll over and take this lying down."

His smile increased, something almost ravenous shining in his eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Silvia crossed her arms. "Good. Now put some damn clothes on."

Dragon smiled. "Admit it—you don't mind the view."

She threw a nearby rock at him.

He dodged easily, laughing. "Oh, Silvia, this is going to be fun."

Silvia scowled. She was going to kill him.

If she didn't fall for him first.