I frown as the underling that I’m with on this mission hits the woman harder than necessary. If she is the mate of the dragon alpha then our employer really doesn’t want her harmed. He will pay for that later but he just doesn’t know it. The woman in my arms starts to squirm. I tighten my grip on her as I warn her to keep still. I drag her through the water as the underling keeps the water bridge under our feet steady.

He places the woman that we aren’t taking with us on the edge of the rocks halfheartedly. I can even hear him grunt as he lifts...