The Dragon's Mate

By Ashley West

No one is quite sure who launched the app at first, but it is wildly successful.  Human women are as fascinated with alien warriors as warriors are with human women.  A system is set up so that they can match and meet, either on Earth or on neutral planets by mutual agreement.  Aside from a few minor incidents (dates going poorly, some xenophobia, a couple of people/ aliens going missing), it's a hit.

Anise, a young woman fresh out of college, gets signed up for the app by her meddling friends, and finds herself on a date with Silas, a dragon shifter warrior, who is unlike anyone she's ever met before. He's kind and thoughtful and considerate, and definitely the sort of person she could fall for. Too bad he's being hunted, and Anise is caught in the crossfire. Now Silas must protect himself and the woman he loves while hiding from his hunters. A seemingly impossible task….

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monster Media LLC
• Release date: Dec 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386685326

Book preview

The Dragon’s Mate

Matched with a Warrior

Ashley West

Want to receive a FREE copy of this full-length Alien Paranormal Romance by bestseller author Ashley West?

Simply click the cover below

Prologue: A New Craze

No one could have predicted the success of GalaxyMeet in a million light years. Ten years ago, people were still debating whether the moon landing was faked in their shadowy corners of the internet, and whether there was life on other planets. More rational people, who looked up at the sky and understood that there had to be more out there than just humans, orbiting on their little blue ball in space, figured that one day humanity would discover—or be discovered by—an alien life form. It only seemed logical that over time a relationship would be forged. Either friends or foes both seemed likely.

What no one expected was for alien life to explode onto the planet, opening up opportunities that no one would have dreamed of.

Overnight, aliens became the new craze, and everyone wanted to learn about them. Talk shows were clamoring for alien guests, brands wanted to use them as models and spokespeople, and tech companies were eager to get their hands on some of the more advanced technology to help improve their own.

It was impossible to surf the internet, read a magazine, or turn on the television without reading or hearing about the new visitors to Earth.

And when they left, the craze didn't die down. It was discovered that there were hundreds more species out there, who were just as fascinated by humans as humans were with them. Somewhere along the way, someone decided to capitalize on that fascination and grow it to something much more meaningful.

No one knew the anonymous creator and not many cared. The app appeared quietly in app stores and a website showed up online. The first few people to download the app were delighted to discover that it was a dating app, claiming to match human women with alien warriors from across the universe.

It seemed like a novelty at first, but the frequently asked questions section nipped that in the bud.

[Question 1: Can I actually date an alien?

Answer: Ladies, have you always wanted to expand your dating pool? Do the men you meet at bars, at work, maybe at the gym seem… well tame? Do you thrive on the unexpected and long to add some excitement to your life? Then GalaxyMeet is for you! All you beautiful, intelligent, strong women out there who long for passion and romance with your dream male, look no further. Setup your GalaxyMeet profile today! The universe is full of strong, handsome and brave warriors looking for the woman of their dreams!

Question 2: Will they come to me or vice versa?

Answer: This is 100% between you and your warrior of choice! Perhaps he dreams of seeing the sights of Earth and eating dim sum on a Saturday night. But, then, perhaps you dream of walking on the glimmering salt plains of Salmoa Prior as the twin suns set. Either way, the brains behind GalaxyMeet have you covered, and will make sure that your first date is never hampered by something so trivial as distance.

Understandably, there was more than a little skepticism, but soon there were reports of women going into space and rumors of people seeing alien species with different colored skin or horns or even feathers on one memorable occasion, coming down to Earth and eating at the local burger place.

GalaxyMeet exploded with popularity after that, changing the dating game and the course of human history in one fell swoop.

Chapter One: Tradition

"Anise! Anise! Aniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiise!"

Anise Cooper sighed and rested her forehead on the cool marble of the kitchen island. It wasn’t going to do her any good to keep pretending that she couldn’t hear her friends calling to her from the street. Eventually one of the neighbors was going to complain. In this neighborhood, one of them was always complaining about something. Three drunk girls incoherently screaming out a car window was definitely worth complaining about. Anise herself was grumbling to herself already.

It was a Friday night tradition among her friends. Her friends had a rule, one that they’d established freshman year of college: Friday nights were sacred. No work was allowed on Friday nights. No laundry, no dishes, no phone calls to your grandma. On Friday nights you had to get tarted up and go out with the girls or face….

Well this.

Having your name shouted out from the street until you got a headache.

And, of course, it was always Anise that this happened to.

Junior year she’d gotten mono and missed four weeks of classes and an exam. Her make up test was on a Saturday morning and her friends had still harassed her about going out, even though she told them that she needed to study.

Now that they had all graduated, excuses like she just wanted a quiet night in with a movie and a glass of wine just wasn’t going to cut it.

The sound of pounding on the front door jerked her out of her thoughts, and she went over to open it, hoping it would cut down on the noise.

Genevieve was standing there, looking gorgeous as always. She was a tall, dark skinned woman with legs that went on forever. She was wearing a tight yellow dress that looked amazing on her, and her curly hair cascaded down her back.

Hi, Gen, Anise said, glad that they’d sent Genevieve to her door since she was probably the designated driver and hadn’t been drinking yet.

Anise Cooper, you know the rule, Gen said, hand on her hip. I don’t know why we have to do this every week.

Maybe because I don’t always want to go out and get drunk with you guys? Anise offered, sounding tired to her own ears.

You never want to at first, but then you end up having a good time. You know I’m right.

She was right. As much as Anise protested, usually once she had a couple of drinks in her, she stopped complaining and started dancing and having fun. The problem was that she felt bad about doing things that were only fun once she’d started drinking.

That, and sometimes she really did just want a quiet night in, no matter how strange that seemed to her friends.

Of course, arguing with them would take more time and effort than it would to just give in and put something cute on and let Gen fuss over her hair and makeup. So, Anise just sighed and decided to just let it happen.

Gen grinned at her a second later, clearly smelling her victory.

An hour later, the four of them were pulling up to Heels, their club of choice for the night.

It was part night club, part classy bar, and Anise was already mourning how much she was going to have to spend on drinks in order to have a good time.

What she needed was fewer hot friends.

Genevieve was probably the most model-esque of the four of them, but the others were just as gorgeous in their own ways.

Vivian was the shortest of the four of them, but she had a cherubic face with freckles and bright blue eyes that made it impossible not to find her adorable. Her wicked sense of humor just added to her charm. Her red hair streaming down her back in a heavy curtain and her low-cut blue dress that made the most of her curves just meant that she was going to be fending off men trying to buy her drinks all night.

Casey had been a jock in college, running track and playing lacrosse. Now she had a job at a law firm. She was a fan of the power suit and sensible heels by day, and skin-tight jeans and a halter top that showed off her muscular her shoulders by night. Her blonde hair was twisted up into a knot, and her dangly earrings drew attention to the long, graceful lines of her neck. Men and women would be lining up for her attention that night, just like every other.

And then there was Anise. Despite her rather unusual name, she was pretty plain, she thought. At five foot ten, she was just an inch or two shorter than Gen. When she wore heels, she towered over most men. Like an awkward water bird than a sexy siren she felt. Her hair was long and brown, and it had to be coaxed and teased into anything resembling a curl. Her eyes were nice, a light spring green, and when she wore makeup, they almost seemed to glow.

Her looks weren't really the problem, all things considered. She just didn't have the charm or the sex appeal or the energy that her friends had. Anise was more likely to sit at the bar and stare off into space than make eyes at potential dates.

She didn't know how to flirt, and she'd been told by a reliable source that her 'come hither' look just made it seem like she needed a bathroom break, badly.

So that was awesome.

Viv made a beeline for the bar, with Casey not far behind, so Anise followed them, ready to order her usual. The music had been loud when they walked in, but it was softer nearer to the bar, presumably so the man behind it could hear what they were ordering.

Viv hopped right up onto a bar stool and grinned at the bartender, immediately making him pay attention to her. Maybe there was something about being short that made her want to command attention, but she was very good at it.

He stepped away from the people he'd been heading towards and came over to Viv and the two of them instead, a smile on his face.

And what can I get you, beautiful? he asked, looking at her face first and then letting his eyes drop down to the ample bit of her exposed cleavage. He was cute at least, with a boyish face and dark hair and eyes.

Anise tried not to feel self-conscious about her own chest, as he stared at Viv’s.

A round of vodka cranberries for my friends? Vivian said, leaning just a bit closer and giving the bartender a better look. There's four of us.

Four vodka cranberries, he repeated. Coming right up. You want to start a tab for the night?

Mm, sounds perfect. You can put it under Vivian.

Beautiful name, he said. One of my favorites.

Really? Well, what's your name?

Alan, the bartender replied. Kinda boring.

Vivian smiled at him. Not that boring. And I bet you're very good with your hands.

Casey cleared her throat from Viv's side. I'd like my drink before I die of old age, she said. Flirt after he's done his job.

A guy further down the bar muttered a quiet 'hear, hear' that Anise heard, and she tucked a smile into her hand, but not before the guy in question had seen it.

He winked at her and she smiled back, hoping that wasn't too awkward.

Their drinks came quickly after that, and they hung around the bar for a bit, sipping and looking out at the dance floor.

Heels was mostly dance floor, though there were leather couches and loveseats tucked into corners and against the walls. It was a brightly lit place, playing upbeat music, and despite how out of place she felt, the alcohol and the atmosphere were helping to lift her spirits.

Where did Gen go? Casey asked, craning her neck to see into the throng of people who were dancing in the middle.

Anise caught a flash of yellow and followed it, and wasn't even surprised to find Gen surrounded by guys who all only had eyes for her. She pointed her friend out. Dibs on her drink, she said, picking it up from the bar and downing it.

Anise came to party, Vivian teased. Alright, ladies. Usual Friday night rules apply. Have fun, be safe. If you need help, text SOS. We all leave together unless you tell someone else who you're going home with and their address. Promise?

Promise, Anise and Casey echoed.

Vivian patted both of them on the hands and then melted into the crowd, off to be adored.

Anise sighed and leaned against the bar, contemplating ordering another drink.

Casey eyed her, one eyebrow arched. Anise, it's too early to be this maudlin, she said.

I'm not maudlin, Anise replied, making a face. I'm...tired. I worked something like forty-five hours this week on commissions.

The whole point of Friday nights is to unwind from the week, Anise. Let loose. Have fun.

Anise snorted. You say that like it's easy. This is work, you know.

Casey laughed at that. Okay, fair. We all can't be as effortlessly good at this as Viv and Gen are. But you know what? I don't come here with the intention of hooking up or leaving with someone or being adored. I come out on Fridays to have a good time and blow off some steam just for my own sake. And if someone happens to catch my eye, then cool. But it’s not a bust if that doesn’t happen. I just like to come out with my friends.

Anise swallowed the urge to point out that they hardly ever saw Vivian or Gen once the first drinks were ordered because that wasn't helpful, even if it was true.

Viv and Gen were motivated more by the desire to find 'the one' or at least 'the one right now' than they were by hanging out with their friends, and that was fine. People could have different priorities. It definitely didn't make Anise feel abandoned. She had her own priorities herself. She was more focused on finding a job and moving out of her parents' vacation house.

Sometimes, she secretly wished that she could make friends who were more interested in things like that than getting dolled up on Fridays.

You're right, she said, giving Casey a small smile. I'll have another drink and then I'll start having fun. I promise.

She turned to the bartender, who was, conveniently, standing right in front of her.

Hi, he said, smiling. What can I get you?

Long Island Iced Tea?

Oof, he said.

Oof what?

Nothing.

Anise gave him a look. Didn't sound like nothing.

We're not supposed to comment on the drink orders, Alan said.

Too late for that, since you already did the 'oof', Anise pointed out. You might as well share with the class.

He grinned at her. It's just that that's the 'I need as much alcohol as possible now please' drink of choice.

Well. He wasn't wrong. Anise shrugged a shoulder. They're tasty.

They are at that. Not having a good night...?

He left space there for her to fill in her name, and since she'd already gotten his from Viv's flirting, she figured what the heck. Anise, she said. And it's too early to tell.

Anise. That's a really pretty name.

Somehow, that sounded sincerer than when he'd been complimenting Viv's name.

Thanks, Anise said.

One Long Island, coming up.

Put it on my tab.

Anise turned her head to see the man from before standing next to her now.

Now that he was closer, she could see that he was taller than she was by a good few inches, blond and blue eyed with a square jaw and glasses.

He leaned against the bar casually, like he was perfectly content to be where he was, and then looked down to smile at Anise crookedly.

He was cute, she'd give him that.

That's okay, she said. You don't have to do that.

I want to, though, he said. Maybe it'll brighten up your night.

Anise fought the urge to scowl. I'm not having a bad night.

But are you having a good one? he retorted.

I've been here for like twenty minutes. It's too early to tell.

Then consider this as me trying to tip the scales in favor of a good time. I don't have an ulterior motive, I swear. He held his hands up in a gesture of peace.

Alan the bartender looked amused. Anise? he asked.

Fine, put it on his tab, then.

The man next to her grinned. Thank you. You're doing me a kindness, truly.

Pleasure's all mine, then, Anise replied.

Would you like to dance?

You're going to have to let me chug this drink before you start putting the moves on me. Especially considering I don't know who you are.

He grinned at her, and Anise noticed that it made his eyes crinkle at the corner in a way that she liked. It made him seem more real.

Alan slid the drink to her and then walked off down the bar to take more orders, leaving the two of them relatively alone.

How rude of me, the man said. I'm Sam.

What's that short for? Anise asked, picking up her drink and sipping it. Alan made a good Long Island.

Samantha, Sam said, still grinning. My parents really wanted a daughter.

Uh huh, Anise said, but she was smiling despite herself. You poor thing. The bullying must have been terrible.

It was, actually. It's short for Samson, and I'm an accountant.

Anise looked him over, taking in the breadth of his shoulders and the lines of his arms. Yeah, you're basically a twig. Couldn't lift a thing, I bet.

That was a later addition, honestly, Sam said. I was your typical scrawny nerd in school.

Anise didn't know what it was about Sam, but he was easy to talk to. He was funny and perceptive, and once she'd finished her drink, she took him up on the offer to dance.

The dance floor was packed with bodies, and she'd fully expected him to be all over her once they got out there, but he kept as much distance as he could, letting her come in closer.

Once she