Page 7 of Shifting the Flame
"Power?" Asher frowned. "Joni and I were just college kids having fun together. She didn't seem to want anything from me back then. I mean, my eventual Alpha status piqued her interest but she didn’t seem to care about power."
"And now, you're Alpha," Gerri pointed out. "A position that does have certain...advantages for whoever becomes your mate."
The realization dawned on him, bringing a flash of irritation. "So, she's interested in my power now and not me?"
"Perhaps a bit of both," Gerri shrugged. "Now, about this festival—and the solution I was about to offer before we were interrupted," she said, the summer sun catching the gold buttons on her lime-green pantsuit as she gestured toward the half-assembled booths scattered across the town square.
Asher followed her gaze, cataloging the disaster before him. Stage platforms with missing boards, banner poles with no banners, and food booths lacking even basic setup. His dragon rumbled with discontent at the chaos.
"I'm listening," he said, crossing his arms over his chest, the rolled-up sleeves of his white button-down revealing his muscular forearms. "Though if you're suggesting another attempt at matchmaking?—"
"You need help," Gerri cut him off with the bluntness only she could get away with. "Not just any help. Professional help."
Asher's eyebrow arched. "A therapist for my procrastination issues?"
"A planner for your festival issues." Gerri's blue eyes twinkled. "I've brought someone. She's waiting at the gazebo, ready to transform this—" she waved at the disarray, "—into the celebration your ancestors deserve."
His dragon perked up inexplicably at the mention of "she." Asher tamped down the reaction.
"And why would this mystery woman want to help our town?"
"Because she's the best at what she does." Gerri turned fully toward him, all four-foot-eleven of her becoming suddenly commanding. "And perhaps because you might treat her to dinner later to discuss... details."
Asher exhaled heavily. "Look Gerri, I'm drowning here. The festival's in two days, my quarterly budget proposal is past due, and there are two territory disputes to mediate as soon as possible."
"Which is precisely why you need her."
"I'm a great Alpha, you know," he growled, a hint of frustration escaping. "My people respect me and my strength. I'd burn down mountains for this town." He gestured at the scattered booths. "But this... this requires a different skill set I'm not accustomed to."
Gerri's hand came to rest on his forearm, surprisingly warm. "A leader must serve his people in times of peace as well as war, Asher Ectorius. Community isn't built only through protectionand strength—it's forged in celebration and matters of the heart too."
The truth of her words settled into his bones. His dragon acknowledged it with reluctant agreement.
"You're not wrong," he admitted, his shoulders dropping slightly. "Fine. Let's meet your party planner."
They crossed the town square toward the white gazebo at its far edge, morning sunlight filtering through the ornate woodwork. Asher's steps slowed as a woman's profile came into view. Something primal stirred within him before he could even make out her features.
Then she turned, and Asher's world immediately changed.
She stood tall despite her petite frame, her tailored charcoal dress hugging curves that made his mouth go dry. Her long brown hair gleamed in the sunlight, framing a face of such striking beauty that his dragon surged forward with such force he nearly stumbled. She was looking down at a notebook, her elegant fingers toying with the pen in her hand.
Every sense sharpened impossibly. He could hear her heartbeat from across the distance. And smell her scent—lavender, sunshine, and something uniquely her that called to him like a siren song. His blood heated, turning from simmer to boil in the span of a single heartbeat.
Mine, his dragon roared, the single word drowning out all rational thought.
Gerri's knowing smile barely registered. "Asher Ectorius, that is Danica Ulrich, the miracle worker who'll save your festival." She paused, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "And yes, before you ask—she's exactly who you think she is."
"My mate," he whispered, the words escaping unbidden.
Gerri nodded. "I didn't just bring you a party planner. Though she is exceptional at that." Her eyes flashed gold momentarily. "Two birds, one stone—your festival crisis solved,and your fated mate delivered. You can thank me with a generous donation to the children's hospital when you're satisfied with the outcome."
Asher barely heard her, his attention riveted to the woman whose eyes now lifted to meet his. Her warm brown eyes widened slightly as she took him in. Whatever she saw made her breath catch—he heard it, that tiny hitch that sent a thrill racing through him.
"A hundred percent success rate," he muttered, acknowledging Gerri's reputation even as doubt flickered through him. Could it be this simple?
But his dragon knew. His every instinct confirmed it. This woman—this human woman with a notebook, and curves that made his pulse quicken—was his. The one his soul had waited for all this time.
"She doesn't know," Gerri murmured. "About being your mate, I mean. She thinks she's here for the festival and to possibly meet a "special someone." Tread carefully, dragon."
