Her Overlooked Dragon Mate: Crescent Lake Shifters, #4

By Arizona Tape

Dragon shifter and helpless romantic Danni is constantly on the lookout for her fated mate, bravely and foolishly putting her heart on the line, much to the frustration of her best friend Isabella who prefers strings of flirtations and dates that never go anywhere.

 

The two women couldn't be more different in their approach to love and it isn't until Isabella meets someone with real potential that Danni starts to look at her best friend differently and wonder if she's overlooked something during all their years of friendship.
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Her Overlooked Dragon Mate is a fated mates paranormal romance featuring a romantic dragon shifter and her fated mate. It includes a standalone f/f best friends to lovers romance and a dash of steamy goodness. It is part of the Crescent Lake Shifters series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vampari Press
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215642948

Arizona Tape

Arizona Tape lives her dream life hanging out with her dog and writing stories all day.Her favourite books to write are urban fantasy and paranormal romances with queer leads, stories that she wished were around when she was younger.When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching shows that make her cry, or trying her hand at her new hobby of the week.She currently lives in the United Kingdom with her girlfriend and her adorable dog who is the star of her newsletter. Sign up here for adorable pictures, free books, and news about her books: www.arizonatape.com/subscribeFollow The AuthorFacebook Page: http://facebook.com/arizonatapeauthorReader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/arizonatapeBookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/arizona-tapeTwitter: http://twitter.com/arizonatapeInstagram: http://instagram.com/arizonatapeTikTok: http://tiktok.com/@arizonatapeHer books are available on all retailers and can be requested from most public libraries.

Book preview

One

Danni

---

There were important nights and important nights. To any shifter living near Crescent Lake, the approaching crescent moon was undeniably one of them and it was no different for Danni. She'd been looking forward to the mating ceremony all month and with good reason.

Danni held up the new black bra she bought just for the occasion but to her dismay, the details that had been so beautifully lit in the store were practically invisible in the dusk of the bedroom. Perhaps in the morning light, it would look better but that felt like a big risk to take. If she was lucky, she’d get to show off her beautiful bra. If she wasn’t, she’d have the most basic and ordinary of bras that she paid a hefty price tag for too.

With a frustrated groan, she tossed the new bra aside and dove into her closet, pulling out all her semi-decent underwear in the hopes to find one that would do. She knew she was overthinking this but she was determined to make the next day picture perfect like it came straight out of a movie. That meant rose petals on the bed, candles on the nightstand, and jaw-dropping underwear.

Rummaging through the pile of bras, her frustration built. None of it was adequate, which was why she’d bought a new one in the first place. If only she hadn’t been deceived by the bright lights.

Defeated, Danni picked up her phone and dialled the one person she knew could help her.

The video call connected within minutes and part of her best friend appeared on the screen. Isabella waved at her with a wooden spoon. Hey, I'm in the middle of cooking. What's up?

Danni settled on her bed, holding her phone up. What are you cooking?

A loud clatter sounded and Isabella's pretty face briefly popped in the video. Mac and cheese but I think I'm out of cheese.

So you're just boiling pasta?

Yeah, looks like it. I'll figure something out once the pasta is cooked. The video shook as Isabella picked up her phone and transported it from the counter to the island where she took a seat. She rested her face in her hands and smiled. So why are you calling?

Dani glared at the pile of delicates at the foot of her bed. I need your opinion. I'm packing for the mating ceremony tomorrow and my new bra just doesn’t look right. I need you to help me decide which one to bring.

Isabella tied some of her long hair up in a ponytail. Danni, I don't think Nicole is going to care what bra you're wearing if you find out you're mates.

Maybe not, but I care! I can't wear a stupid mundane bra for the most important night of my life. She held up the new black bra in front of her. What do you think? Does this bra feel like you're celebrating having found the love of your life?

I... don't know?

Danni pulled a lilac garment from her pile and dangled it in front of the camera. Or this? It has lace. Lace is sexy but does it say: 'marry me?'.

Her best friend groaned. You're not going to propose right after you find out you're mated, right?

Of course, I am. If she's my mate, I want to spend the rest of my life with her.

Yeah, but you don’t have to rush, Isabella pointed out.

I won’t, that’s why I’m waiting until I know if she’s my mate or not. I have a good feeling about this. Danni flopped back in her pillows and set her phone on her nightstand, tilting it so she remained on screen. You think I'm getting ahead of myself.

Maybe... I get that you want to take your girlfriend to the lake to find out if you're mates, that's sensible.

So what's the frown for? Danni asked, pointing at the front camera of her phone.

How can you have faith that it's going to end well? The last people you've taken weren't your mates so why do you think it'll be different this time?

The concern was crystal clear in Isabella's voice and Danni couldn't even blame her. None of her previous attempts of finding her mate had gone well and it was her best friend who had to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart whenever she returned alone. But still, Danni didn't want to let her past disappointments ruin the excitement of going to the lake with someone new.

It only has to be right once, she replied softly, trying to ignore the sting of loneliness in her chest. It was a feeling she was all too familiar with nowadays and it didn't help that everyone around her was finding their mate. The only person that wasn't making her feel like she was behind was her best friend who had no interest in love or relationships.

Danni cleared her throat and pulled another bra from the pile, a pink one with dots. What about this one? Does this bra feel like a bra you’d wear on an important night?

I don't understand why you're fixating on this, Isabella replied with a sigh. Do you measure every important event in bras? What kind were you wearing for our high school graduation?

A light blue one with stripes to match the school colours, Danni replied without missing a beat.

Her best friend let out a light chuckle. Wow, you're even weirder than I thought you were and we've known each other for ages. Out of curiosity, what bra did you wear for my birthday?

"I don't know, I only measure important events," Danni joked, although she knew exactly what she'd worn that day but only because the strap had snapped on her way home.

Isabella gasped dramatically and pointed her spoon at the camera. You tramp.

I'll put on something special when you turn twenty-seven, how's that sound?

Like you're trying to remind me I'm almost twenty-seven, Isabella said with a sour expression. Her head snapped backwards and she jumped up from her seat, letting out a shriek. My pasta!

Danni snickered as she watched the disaster unfold on her screen. The loud sizzle of the water hitting the stove was overruled by the sound of Isabella's cursing like a sailor and Danni shouted instructions but they were falling on deaf man's ears.

Isabella returned to her phone once she dealt with her pasta and sat back down with a sigh. I hate this stove.

I don't think that was the stove's fault.

It is, that bloody thing goes hot and cold faster than a relationship.

How would you know? You don't do relationships, Danni quipped while trying to muffle a snort. She didn't mean to laugh when her friend was clearly having a mare but there was just something endearing about watching Isabella struggle with cooking. It renewed her faith in the cosmic laws of the universe and balance. Isabella got to be smart, charming, and had a wicked sense of humour but she had severe commitment issues and was a disaster in the kitchen. It was only fair that she had some flaws.

Isabella gave her a withering glare. You better show me more bras or I'm hanging up on you.

Nooo, stay! I need your guidance. Danni dangled a whole host of bras in front of her camera. Look, pretty bras! You love bras!

No, I like what's in them. Look, Danni, don't overthink it. Your girlfriend will be too busy taking it off to note the colour and the motif.

It's not for her, it's for me. Wearing something nice makes me feel confident, Danni admitted, turning on her side again so her arm didn't seize up from holding her phone out.

Isabella let out a long pained sigh and rubbed her face. Purple lace looks good on you.

The compliment made Danni's heart swell and she beamed. Okay, I'll pack that one then. Thank you, you've spared me a night of headaches and I need my beauty sleep. I'll let you go so you can deal with your macaroni without cheese. Don't burn your house down!

Isabella snickered, a warm sound. If I do, you better use that bra as a mouth mask and come save me.

I will, you know I will. Thanks again, Bells. Talk tomorrow?

Sure, sounds good. Her best friend leaned in closer, the playfulness disappearing from her face. If it doesn't go well, please don't do anything stupid again, okay? Promise me you'll reach out.

Memories of a dark night welled up in Danni and she nodded. Promise. Goodnight. Love you!

She tapped the red button to end the call and the screen blackened, leaving Danni to stare at her reflection. She put the phone away and stared up at her ceiling, trying to work out the turmoil in her gut. Even though she'd spoken with confidence, there was a small part of her that was convinced she would return unmated again but she couldn't work out if it was real doubt or nervous jitters. Unfortunately, there was only one way to find out.

Two

Isabella

---

Lazurite was calm for a Friday night but not unexpectedly so, it was a crescent moon tonight so a good portion of the usual clientele was down at Crescent Lake, participating in the endless search for their fated mate.

Isabella had no such desires. She found the whole thing convoluted and over the top, a spectacle and for what? Romance? Love? She felt nauseated just thinking about all the lovesick people running into the lake just to get their heart broken the morning after.

That was something she was supposed to want? No, thank you.

She accepted the cold glass of whisky set in front of her on the bar and took a good sniff, savouring the complex aroma of the liquor. It wasn't a surprise that an upscale club like Lazurite actually carried good whisky but Isabella was well aware that once she found a beautiful woman to seduce, she would no longer care about the delightful complexities.

With her drink in hand, she turned on her barstool to take in her options for the night. It was early, early enough that only a handful of people were already dancing but Isabella dismissed them instantly. She wasn't looking for some college girl who was wasted before ten. Her gaze travelled over the rows of high tables near the wall where the colourful lights were allowing her brief glimpses of the beauties. There were only a handful of singletons and Isabella latched onto a woman with dark hair and glasses who looked like she was in the mood for something uncomplicated.

Then again, on a night like this, most people were. It was why Crescent Moon night was the perfect evening to go out and pull. All the sappy romantics were at the sacred lake, leaving Isabella with her choice of carefree, unromantic, cynical singles.

She managed to make eye contact with her target and to her delight, the woman held her gaze. That was practically an invitation. Isabella took another sip of her drink and slid off her stool, ready to start the chase. Confidence revved through her body as she crossed the dance floor to what she hoped would be her latest conquest.

The woman didn't seem in the slightest surprised when Isabella set herself down at her table. Instead, she just smiled mysteriously from behind her drink.

Isabella held out her hand. Isabella Payne, dragonkin.

The other woman accepted it without hesitation, holding on for longer than necessary for a friendly introduction. Nice to meet you, Isabelle Payne. I'm Lori.

You're not going to tell me what you are? Isabella asked, already amused. There was a chance that her new acquaintance had no idea about the secrets of Crescent Valley but she didn't really care. She could tell someone everything there was