The variety of people I interview never ceases to amaze me. Recently I was in Arizona on a business trip. My producer called and asked me to interview a friend of her mother’s. She assured me there would be a story. I was expecting an older woman, that’s not what walked through my door.
“Hi I’m Alexis Greene, you can call me Lexa. Sarah asked me to come in for an interview.” Lexa said politely as she stepped into my room. She was about my height with caramel skin, deep brown curly hair, and large brown eyes. She wore leggings and a blouse that fell off one shoulder. Underneath was a large dragon tattoo. Lexa straightened her top, but part of the head remained visible.
I offered her a seat in the only other chair in my small hotel room as I got situated. “So, Lexa can you tell me a little about yourself?”
“Well like I said, I’m Lexa Greene. I’m a werewolf and my mate is Hunter Silver a dragon and the Enforcer for the Southern Territory. We haven’t been mated very long. Of course I haven’t been out of the witches cage very long either.” Lexa told me like all of it was common knowledge.
It took me a moment to process what she said. Werewolves, dragons, and witches all in one sentence was enough to make your head explode. I didn’t know if I should believe her or laugh. Although, whether true or not, my last interview with Hayden North who claimed to be a dragon was one of my most popular. I took a deep breath and started the interview.
“It certainly sounds like you’ve had an amazing life. I see why Sarah asked you to come by.” I smiled at her, “Would you say Hunter is the love of your life then?”
“Hunter is my life now. You can’t imagine what it means to have a mate until you do. Even as a wolf I didn’t truly understand. He was made for me and the sex… well” She smirked, “everyone should be so lucky.”
“What quality do you like most in a man?” I asked her. It was always interesting to hear what people found attractive in their loved ones.
Lexa didn’t pause yet the answer she gave surprised me. “Honesty, and integrity.” Lexa must have sensed my surprise because she went on. “Hunter is handsome, strong and very capable. But I can get that anywhere and I can take care of myself. It was his personal code that got me. When he gives his word he stands by it. If he can’t it nearly kills him. After being hurt before that’s pretty important.”
“If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?” I asked her.
Lexa looked troubled. There was a tear in her eye when she answered. “It’s not fair to him. We aren’t equals. I’m not as strong as he is and in the territory he constantly has to protect me. If I could I would be stronger for him.” Lexa swiped at the tear as she looked away pulling herself together.
“What is your greatest regret?” I asked her hoping I wouldn’t make her sad again.
Lexa actually growled which made me jump “I regret not killing the witch that held me captive personally. He kept me there far too long.”
Her eyes were an eerie golden color and a million miles away. I had to change subjects before things got out of hand. “On a lighter note; what is your biggest extravagance?” I asked quickly.
Lexa’s eyes warmed then darkened once more. My doubts about her being fully human were starting to fade. She smiled again, “My double chocolate caramel cake. I love to make it. Hunter and I could eat the whole thing in one sitting if we don’t watch it. He says I’ll make him fat, but really a fat dragon?” Lexa shook her head giggling slightly at the thought.
“Is there a word or phrase that you use too much?” I asked trying to get things moving again.
“Yes, oh... yes, yes,” Lexa moaned then she laughed some more.
I sighed trying not to think about what she was insinuating. “Alright Lexa, last question. Is there one skill or hobby you’d like to learn?”
“I would love to learn how to sing. My wolf can do it so beautifully, but I sound like crap. Hunter swears I sound like a cat in heat. It really could come in handy in the future.” Lexa looked perfectly innocent. I wondered if she was being serious or somehow referring to her previous answer.
“Well thank you Lexa that’s all I need.” She stood as I did and shook my hand. “By the way how do you know Sarah?”
“Her mother’s friend Rachel and I went to culinary school together. I heard she opened her own restaurant and is doing quite well.” I stared at her openly now. I met Rachel a time or two she was in her early fifties. She went to culinary school over 20 years ago. Lexa still looked like she just graduated.
There was a knock on the door distracting me. “That would be Hunter, was there anything else?” Lexa asked.
“No sorry, thanks again.” I walked her to the door and opened it. Waiting patiently outside was what looked like a male model. Hunter was over six feet tall with blonde hair and moss green eyes. I understood Lexa’s amusement about a fat dragon now. Every inch of Hunter’s exposed flesh was covered in muscle. He didn’t pay attention to me though. All he saw was Lexa. He wrapped his arm around her and said a polite hello and goodbye to me before they left. I closed the door wondering where I could meet a dragon. Then I caught myself. When did I start believing in dragons or werewolves?
Title: Hunted: Dragons of the South (Book 1)
Author: Rebecca Tran
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: R Tran Books
Book Blurb:
Hunter Silver was sent to Arizona to clean up the Southern Territory as their new Enforcer. After nearly a year on the job, things are finally falling into place. Life was ideal. That is until a starved female werewolf wanders into his life. Hunter’s dragon says mine before it ever meets Lexa. This has trouble written all over it. Can Hunter save the territory and Lexa or will he be forced to choose?
After waking up in a cage, Lexa Greene runs as far as she can before nearly collapsing from exhaustion. With her memory gone Lexa has no choice but to trust a handsome stranger. Lexa’s wolf wants Hunter before her human half ever realizes what she is. But Lexa can’t start anything until she’s pieced her life back together, or can she? Will Lexa risk it all for a chance at love or will she run again?
Excerpt:
Lexa watched Hunter across the table. She couldn’t take her eyes off him actually. Surely she’d met handsome men before. Why was the attraction to Hunter so strong? She wanted to hold his hand. Feel his skin on hers. Have his hands all over her. Taste his lips. Lexa felt the heat build between her thighs and tried to think about something else.
Lexa asked Hunter about the territories hoping to distract herself. He explained that there were four territories: north, south, east and west. Asher stayed in the east, his brother Chase the North, Mac was here in South and Jacob lead the west. Asher oversaw all the territories though, none of them would challenge him. Then there was Zachary Lee. He led the Asian dragons in the states. He only recently formed an alliance with Asher. Much to his chagrin, his daughter mated one of the northern dragons. Zachary’s daughter and her mate were responsible for killing the witch holding her.
Lexa still wanted to know why she was being held. What purpose it served. Hunter wouldn’t tell her though. He said he didn’t want to spoil the evening. Lexa didn’t either. She let the subject drop. It was the same reason she wasn’t asking about the wolves. Lexa knew she was supposed to be one of them, yet she knew nothing about them. All she felt was fear and anger when she thought about it. A low growl formed in her throat. She caught herself and looked up at Hunter. He only asked if something was bothering her. Lexa waved it off.
Hunter reached across the table and took Lexa’s hand. It was supposed to be comforting. Instead, his touch was electric. Lexa was thinking about things she shouldn’t again and pulled her hand back with a smile for him.
After dinner, it was still early. Hunter suggested a movie and Lexa was relieved. She wasn’t sure if she trusted herself to spend time with him alone at his house. Public places were a much safer option. Hunter drove them to an older theatre just outside town. She was a little overdressed but who cared. Women watched Hunter. It annoyed her. Couldn’t they see he was on a date? The growl was starting again, and Lexa swallowed it down. ‘He is ours.’ Lexa looked around for the source of the voice. She heard someone laugh.
“Something wrong?” Hunter asked her.
“Did you hear that?” Lexa whispered up to him. Hunter said he didn’t.
‘Only you can hear me, Lexa.’
Lexa jumped. Hunter pulled her close worried. “Why?”
‘I am your wolf, and Hunter is ours.’
“Shit,” Hunter looked down at her worried. “I thought maybe, just maybe you were wrong about me. But, no. I have some voice claiming she’s my wolf talking to me.” Lexa explained. Hunter chuckled. She smacked his chest. “It’s not funny.”
“At least she talks. Chase’s dragon is wicked smart, yet he refuses to speak. Well, he did until he took a human mate.” Hunter told her.
He paid for the tickets and walked Lexa to the concession line. “You talk about them like they are people,” Lexa remarked.
“They aren’t animals even though we call them our beasts. They are intelligent creatures. Each has their own personality and desires. They think, dream, love and feel sorrow. You’ll understand once you get to know your wolf.” Hunter assured her as they found their seats.
Lexa thought she wanted to see the movie. She paid attention for the first half. Then Hunter took her hand in his, and his thumb drew circles absently on her skin. It sent tingles up her arm. She cuddled in close resting her head on his shoulder. Hunter wrapped an arm around her. She could smell him. The delicious scent made the desire worse.
Hunter must have had the same problem. He bent down and kissed Lexa. She offered her tongue. Hunter’s lips parted for her as his arms pulled her closer. Lexa’s hands roved over the taut muscles under his cotton button up. She loved the feeling of him. He was strong, solid, and covered in muscle everywhere she touched. At that moment Hunter was letting her touch a lot of him.
****
Hunter loved kissing Lexa. It was unlike any other woman. She knew exactly how to tease his tongue with hers. When to tug on his lips. Where to put her hands. How he didn’t know, and he really didn’t care. If he didn’t stop soon though a whole theatre of people was going to get a show that wasn’t meant for public audiences.
Hunter pulled away, and Lexa pulled him back. Her hand pulled his hair just hard enough to prove she meant business. Hunter smiled against her lips. He was so turned on right now it was uncomfortable. She was worth it though. Hunter would let Lexa tease him any day. Her hand ran up his inner thigh. Hunter had to stop her now. He pulled away and resisted when she tried to start again.
Lexa was breathing heavy, and he smelled her desire clear as day even with the butter on the popcorn permeating his nose. She probably smelled his desire too, and it was urging her on. He leaned over and whispered in her ear asking if she wanted to go or stay. Even in the dim light, Hunter saw her cheeks flare red. Lexa said stay her wolf said go. Until they were on the same page, nothing was going to happen.
Hunter took her hand again and watched the movie. She let their hands rest in her lap for most of the movie. Occasionally, though she would move it to his and snuggle in close for a bit. Then she’d snatch a kiss and retreat to her side of the armrest. Hunter didn’t mind. He’d wait for Lexa as long as he needed to.
Breaking News:
To celebrate the release of Hunted: Dragons of the South will be half off ($1.99) from 3/22/18 through Monday 3/26/18. Which means you can get all 5 books for less than the original box set!
Buy Links:
Universal Link.: https://www.books2read.com/u/b6r7gJ
Amazon Universal Link: http://mybook.to/DOS1
Author Biography:
Rebecca Tran is a hybrid author and blogger with three award-winning novels. She started writing when she was sixteen as self-prescribed therapy after her father passed away and hasn’t stopped since. Rebecca is also a pharmacist, wife, and mother to two rambunctious girls and a Boston Terrier. If she ever has free time she likes combing resale shops to add to her teapot collection or quilting. Currently, she lives in her home state of Missouri.
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email: rtranbooks.com@outlook.com
Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/r-tran.html