Sebastian's Secret

Sebastian’s Secret The Dragon Guardians series Book One By Felicity Brandon Copyright © 2023 by Felicity Brandon This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information: [email protected] This book is entirely a work of fiction. The author does not condone, nor endorse any of the acts in this book. First edition May 2023 Cover design by Wicked Smart Designs. Editing by Lori White. Download your FREE Felicity book here. https://felicitybrandonauthor.com/ Sign up for my newsletter and receive a FREE sexy read here! https://felicitybrandonwrites.com/newsletter/ Sebastian’s Secret (Book One) From USA Today Bestselling Author, Felicity Brandon, comes a dragon shifter romance series enveloped in her signature dark romance. Four dragon brothers with a mission. One dangerous secret they’re sworn to protect. My father’s legacy haunts me. Bound to find a mate from birth, I resist romance at all costs. Until she crashes into my life. With her sharp tongue and dazzling eyes, Rebecca Monroe is one woman I can’t say no to. But then I discover who she really is— The sister of our greatest rival. The one woman I shouldn’t crave. How can I trust her with the Vaughn family secret? But how can I bear to let her go? I’m doomed to fail whichever path I choose, But one thing is certain. The redhead with the come-to-bed eyes is mine. Whatever anyone says. Sebastian’s Secret is book one in The Dragon Guardians series. Prologue Sebastian Stretching his wings, the mighty dragon glided through the expanse of blue sky, soaring over the snow-covered mountain tops. Fireside—the peak they called home—was in view as he lifted his head to the sun. What am I going to do? The question echoed around his mind as he drifted to a plateau in the snow, burying his claws into the white terrain. The foothills were breathtaking, but the weight of Sebastian’s burden made it difficult to exult in the natural wonder. He had to make a decision, and he was rapidly running out of time. ‘Sebastian!’ His name resonated through the air, although that wasn’t really true. In reality, Sebastian heard the word in his mind, the communication telepathic as was possible between all dragons. Glancing up at the beast landing beside him, Sebastian recognized the owner of the gravelly tone. ‘Draco.’ The auburn creature settled a few feet away from him, turning as he touched down. ‘Did you tail me?’ Sebastian couldn’t believe the nerve of his younger brother. He’d headed out to the peaks for solitude, not to be plagued by his sibling. ‘Of course.’ Draco’s grin revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth. ‘What else are brothers for?’ “Fabulous,” Sebastian muttered aloud as the noise of a new set of muscular wings drew his attention into the atmosphere again. Looking up, he saw the azure dragon circling above them. ‘Cole?’ Naturally, both of his younger siblings had seen fit to follow. Well, of course they have. Cole landed with lithe grace, his attention shifting between both of his brothers. ‘What are you both doing here?’ Sebastian couldn’t hide his irritation. “You need to talk,” Cole replied, stating his case out loud as he strode over to Sebastian. “That much is obvious.” ‘I need time to think,’ Sebastian snapped, although he regretted his sharp tone. Draco had a reputation for mischief, but Cole was a good friend as well as his brother. Maybe both had only come to offer counsel? ‘What is there to think about?’ Draco shook his huge head, his crimson eyes glaring. ‘Are you still brooding about Dad’s offer?’ Offer? That wasn’t how Sebastian would have described the rigid deal. “Yes.” ‘For goodness sake.’ Cole’s reply was a sigh, lost on the whipping breeze. “I wouldn’t call it brooding,’ Sebastian argued. More like sulking or actively denying its existence. It depressed him that as the second eldest of four sons, he hadn’t handled their father’s proposal more elegantly, but he couldn’t wrap his head around what their dad demanded. “Why?” Draco blurted the word, glancing away and sending a stream of flames cascading from his throat. ‘What is the issue?’ ‘I don’t like being blackmailed.’ Sebastian’s claws dug deeper into the snow, confirming his hurt. That was how it seemed, as though his own father was coercing him. ‘Blackmailed?’ Draco’s gaze was wild as he turned back to his brothers. ‘What an overstatement!” ‘Look.’ Cole’s tone was calm and surprisingly mature considering he was the youngest. ‘You don’t have to sign the contract, Sebastian. Dad just wants to make sure that his money is secure. That’s all.’ Money. Sebastian bared his teeth at the concept, staring over the edge of the ledge as though taking on the deathly drop would help him. Damn his money. It was a curse that their father, Michael, had hindered them with and his blasted legacy meant it would be one that outlived him. ‘He doesn’t want to give up the money,’ Draco sneered. ‘That’s what his problem is.’ “That’s. Not. It!” Sebastian punctuated each word into the air with a fiery snarl, but Draco only laughed, the sound bouncing off the nearby mountains. Fury furled inside Sebastian at his brother’s contempt, the worst of it was knowing that Draco might even be right. Why should Sebastian give up what was rightfully his—and a quarter of Michael Vaughn’s wealth was his—but equally, why should his father get to dictate that he wed from beyond the grave? The quandary was infuriating and had hounded Sebastian for weeks, but the time was coming where he would be forced to resolve it once and for all. ‘I don’t want to be forced to marry.’ It wasn’t