Onyss was in dragon form as he patrolled the mountains of his home. Ever since hearing news of poachers getting closer to his territory, he had redoubled his efforts to ensure no one came near his lair. Especially since he had taken a mate he cherished above all else. He had become so protective that he often followed the policy of breathing fire first and asking questions later—provided there were survivors, which there rarely were.

It didn't help that his mate was pregnant and about to give birth to the new generation of red dragons. Though not of pure dragon blood, they were his children, and he would teach them everything he had learned. They would be protected and loved, never experiencing what he had endured as a drake, never taken by poachers to be sold as pets or mounts or worse. Onyss would ensure those horrors never touched his family.

As for his mate, he would be fiercely protective to the point of destruction. Should anything happen to them, Aslotia would burn.

"Onyss!" A voice boomed as another red dragon flew beside him—bigger, older. It was his older brother Xairrynth, Lord of Fire. "Go back to your lair, your mate is about to give birth. She needs you. I'll take over the patrol."

Onyss didn't hear the rest of his brother's words as he flew back to his lair. His mate was having their babies and he wasn't there. He had to hurry. The speed at which he flew defied the sound barrier, trees falling like sticks as he raced above the forest toward his mountain home—the highest peak in Aslotia, inaccessible to all who couldn't fly.

Upon entering his lair, he transformed into his humanoid form and rushed toward his mate, lying on their fur-covered bed, looking pained and panting hard.

"I am here now, my love!" Onyss shouted, instantly at their side, taking their hand. "We'll get through this together. Just breathe and hold on to me."