Claimed By A Dragon Prince

Lily would not stand for them making deals with her life as if she had no say in it. The men sat down in the sitting area while Lily stayed glued to the spot refusing to move. Dimitri could feel through the mate bond that seeing these men rocked her to the core. Concentrating on her mind he reached for Lily seeing the thoughts bombarding and overwhelming her.

*Don’t worry, whatever you decide I will stand with you.* Lily heard Dimitri’s voice in her head glad that he was next to her. Moving to sit down on the sofa Dimitri sitting next to her holding her hand in support.

"Now then I would like to discuss the bride’s dowry...." The Dragon KIng began to say but was interrupted by Lily. "My sorry, Your Majesty, but as far as the Wolf Clan is concerned I wish no connection to them. If you wish to make a marriage alliance with them you should hear what I have to say." This brought the Dragon King up short while the Wolf King looked ready to kill her.

"What is the meaning of this, Lily? We housed you, gave you an education, and work experience. How can you speak of us in this way?!" The Wolf King argued not believing she would act up this way. "I know it wasn’t always the best time, but please be reasonable." Max tried to reason with her hoping she would let her anger go.

Lily’s hands were shaking, but she controlled her face so they couldn’t see how outraged she was at them. The Dragon King however was intrigued by this curious at what she might say. "And what is it you think I need to know about this Clan?"

"Your Majesty, I did a lot of work for this family. Making sure contracts were signed and organizing meets for the Wolf King. I handled communications between certain Clans and merchants that should have been handled by the Wolf King. The only time he did the work himself was....."

"That is enough young lady! I will not hear anymore of this beguine drivel! After everything that was done to try and find your parents. This is the ungrateful way you treat us?!" The Wolf King stood the strike her only to be stopped by Prince Dimitri. "You will not touch my mate, Your Highness. My mate only gives you the courtesy of being here because you are a Clan leader, not her guardian."

The Wolf King looked offended after these words that he looked to Lily who was not backing down from her statements. The Wolf King looked to his son hoping he could reason with this woman. "This alliance could benefit both our Clans. You know the minerals and gems we have to collaborate with. Why would this be a bad thing?"

Lily knew how much they had as well which would make this a bad investment if she let this go on any longer. "Because those mines will run dry in two years. I am the one who had the report done to see if the latest mines were a viable investment option. They weren’t and when I told the Wolf King this he said and I quote, "You have no experience with this sort of thing. How could you possibly know it will dry up?""

The Wolf King looked a bit sheepish as she spoke catching him in a lie that he had already told the Dragon King. "That’s a lie! No study was done!" Max sat back just watching his father bury them more. "And you have been gone for 6 years how could you possibly know the mines will run dry?" Max was sweating bullets by this point knowing he messed up.

"Because while she attended the Dragon Academy I asked for her help having the mines evaluated for viability. She was the one who handled all the mining contracts for the royal family before she left."

The Dragon King smirked knowing this already having done his research first before this meeting. He never planned to make a deal with this family just testing his new daughter in law to see how she handled a personal crisis. "Well then I guess I already have to golden ticket it seems. I am sorry we couldn’t come to a more agreeable contract, but the Lady has made her voice heard."

The Wolf King looked pissed as hell storming out of the office while Max stayed behind apologizing for his father’s actions. "I am sorry he acted this way. Lily before we leave I would like to speak with you alone, if possible." Dimitri looked to Lily who nodded as the made there way into the hall.

"My office is one floor up come and find me once your done, okay?" Lily nodded kissing him before he walked to the stairs. Turning back to Max, Lily waited to hear what he had to say. "Look I am sorry for all the hardship you endure back home. I know I didn’t stand up for you enough when I should have. I was too focused on my duties an less on the people around me."

Lily knew he was sincere, but the damage had been done and she was not helping them wins points with the Dragon King. "I accept your apology, but after the way Alisa destroyed my life’s work I would sooner see your Clan fall then lift a finger to help you. None of you helped me and what’s worse your family laughed about like some great joke. Don’t ever expect me to forgive them for all the torment they put me through because they had ever chance to stop."

Having enough of this prince she wanted hers as tears threaten to fall. Turning to leave Max grabs her arm pulling her around and plant a kiss on her lips. She was so chocked by the actions that she immediately pushed him away back away towards the stairs. "Where the hell did that come from?!"

Max picked himself up a dejected look on his face at her rejection. "I thought..... Nevermind. I’ll be going. I hope you have a happier life." He turned and walked away his shoulders slumped as he left her sight. Nina rushed up to her mistress concerned for her well being. "My lady are you alright? What was he thinking? Your mated! The mark is clear as day!"

"If i had to guess he was trying one last time to save me, but I don’t need saving anymore. Come I need my mate right now." Lily felt disgusted by what he did knowing that at one time she considered him that way. She was glad to know that it was just desperation and not real love.

Love. She was starting to understand that word thinking of her prince. *I am coming to you.* She whispered in her mind to him. *I am here waiting for you.* She smiled hurrying up the stairs to her prince.