Hunted by the Dragon

Crown of Thorns and Sins Book 1 Hunted by the Dragon Meg Xuemei X Hunted by the Dragon © 2023 by Meg Xuemei X Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Ebook Cover art by Natasha Snow Paperback Cover art by Daqri of Covers by Combs Edited by Emily Nemchick Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Books by Meg Xuemei X MONSTERS AFTER DARK SERIES UNDERWORLD BRIDE TRIALS SERIES HALF-BLOOD ACADEMY SERIES DARK FAE KINGS SERIES THE WAR OF GODS SERIES OF SHADOWS AND FIRE SERIES SHIFTER’S WITCH SERIES Table of Contents Hunted by the Dragon CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10 CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 13 CHAPTER 14 CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 16 CHAPTER 17 CHAPTER 18 CHAPTER 19 Excerpt of Underworld Bride Trials Books by Meg Xuemei X About the Author HUNTED BY THE DRAGON I fall into the monster realm, and a wild band of hunters captures me, their gorgeous, ruthless leader making me his personal prisoner. Ryder doesn’t believe I’m a storm chaser but deems me the reincarnation of some femme fatale who seduced his entire team and murdered his BF. Unfortunately for me, I look just like her. While the demigod dragon hates me with a passion, he also burns for me. I shouldn’t crave the fireworks whenever we’re together—it always ends in disaster. Especially after I learn the dark truth—the vengeful gods cursed Ryder to hunt endlessly until he finds his fated mate and slays her. I have one goal—to escape the perilous realm and the heat that makes me want him every second. Should I fail, I vow to bring Ryder to his knees he ruins me. Sign up to Meg’s mailing list to hear about her new releases and get newsletter only bonus scene and a special gift. CHAPTER 1 “Wait,” I called, a sense of peril blaring a warning in my head, my shoulder blades tingling. Chills raced up my spine. I lashed out, grabbing Oliver’s wrist with sudden strength I hadn’t known I possessed and stopping its eager movements. His elegant hand was palming my pussy, rubbing it up and down. His two fingers had brushed my folds open and thrust in through my slit. They were probably two inches in already. My walls clamped down on them. I didn’t feel comfortable. In fact, I didn’t feel any pleasure. It was nothing like what the romance books described. It shouldn’t be like this, right? I loved Oliver, and I for sure wanted him. Yet all I felt was a light pain that rippled over my nerve endings. “You’re so tight, June!” Oliver said between pants. He wasn’t complaining. Thick lust coated his Celtic-blue eyes. I could tell that he wanted me more than anything in the heat of the moment, but he didn’t push further into me. There was a reason he’d earned my trust, mostly. “It’s okay, June. Just relax. I’ll take care of you. Now let’s get you loosened up a little.” He leaned over to brush a tender kiss over my lips before he continued to coax me in his cultured voice with an Oxford accent. “I’ve waited for seven months. I can’t wait any longer. It’s killing me, June.” I swallowed. No other man would do that for me and wait for me that long. Most guys would’ve moved on to other women already while cursing me for being a prude. I wasn’t exactly a prude; I wasn’t someone who vowed not to fuck before marriage. I’d just never felt like fucking anyone. Oliver had remained faithful to me, even though I’d guarded my virginity like a dragon hoarding her treasure. It wasn’t like there weren’t plenty of college girls throwing themselves at him. He had boyish good looks with honey-brown hair, a hot body toned by playing tennis daily, and a great family background. “I’ll be tender. I promise to make your first time enjoyable,” Oliver continued. We were in a deadlock: I had his wrist in my grip, and his fingers were still half inside me. “Trust me, baby.” “Oliver!” I said urgently while trying to calm my rapid heartbeat. My ears pricked, listening attentively to the distant noises no one else seemed to be able to pick up. “The storm’s coming right now, and we’re in its path!” “That’s what you’re worried about?” Oliver chuckled, tension leaving his shoulders. “Our Doppler radar says the twister will cross Houston at 0500 hours tomorrow. I can guarantee you that we’re in the safe zone. You just need to trust your boyfriend.” He arched an eyebrow to tease me. “I’m not as good as you are at tracking storms, but I’m damn good at what I’m doing.” I could sense storms, better than the radar. It was as if storms were in my blood, which was one of the reasons Professor Nicolas wanted me on the team, though Oliver had brought me in initially. With the scholarship and some extra pay, I no longer had to wait on tables. I’d also escaped sharing a crowded basement with five other students and even got myself a shared off-campus studio. Tonight at sunset, before the storm arrived tomorrow, I’d give my virginity to my boyfriend. We were