Cruel Bully Dragon: Enemies to Lovers Shifter Romance (Candara Dragon Ops Book 2) by Alexa Griffin

Author:Alexa Griffin [Griffin, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17 - Julie

I decide it’s my turn to share. I need him to understand why he makes me so nervous. The only way we can move past this awkward holding pattern is if we actually start to communicate.

“Growing up,” I start, my voice a little shaky, “I was always the youngest, the only girl in a big family of boys. I spent so much time being teased, feeling invisible. I learned early on that it was easier to blend into the background than to fight for attention. I threw myself into history and books as an escape. I fell in love with escaping to other times, other places.”

He listens intently, his hand resting gently on mine, tracing little circles with his thumb against my hand.

“That must’ve been tough.”

“It was,” I admit, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “I used to think that if I just stayed quiet enough, still enough, no one would notice me. But with you… It’s different. You make me feel like the only person in the room, and it’s scary sometimes. I’m not used to being seen like that.”

Kaius nods, his expression soft. This close, I can see the speckles of blues and gold in his hazel eyes. They’re absolutely gorgeous and have the same mottled pattern his scales do when he’s in his shifted form.

“You should be seen. You’re absolutely stunning, both your mind and your body.”

His words wash over me, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m truly understood. I don’t think he really is the snarky bully persona I had thought he was at first. There’s so much more going on behind those eyes than I could have guessed.

Before I can respond, the cabin door bursts open, and Merl and Rufus stumble in, their laughter echoing through the small space, Roscoe trailing behind them.

“We’re back!” Rufus announces, his voice booming.

I shoot a panicked glance at Kaius and scramble off his lap before turning back to Rufus and my uncle with a glare. Uncle Merl is definitely drunk based on his swaying.

“You should go,” I snap before rounding on Rufus with my hands on my hips.

“Kaius, Julsieeees!” Uncle Merl slurs, his eyes unfocused, “Help me to my room, would ya?”

“Come on, old man, let’s get you to bed,” Kaius says as he gives me a look that says he’s staying put and moves to support Merl’s weight.

“Rufus, how much did you let him drink?” I demand from the large ginger oaf as they pass me, smacking him on the shoulder.

“Was just a smallish amount of whiskey, Jules, I swear,” Rufus mutters, dodging another smack.

“Rufus,” I growl as I follow them up the stairs, “He’s still on a fucking elephant’s dose of painkillers. He can’t have whiskey, you asshat. One beer. I agreed to one beer.”

“Jules, it’s not my fault, you see. The whiskey fell into our cups, I swear. Damndest thing.”

“I’m going to kill him, Kaius, I swear to God. I’m going to skin this fucking ginger in a minute.

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