Traded To The Lycan King

I exhale deeply, trying to calm my nerves as I wait for Teiran to come back. He was due back hours ago and yet; I remain locked in here the same as before. The only thing I can think of is there was a hiccup in getting my mom, or he got caught by Jennifer doing something and she turned him in. I can't bring myself to reach out to Merikh and let him know yet.

He would launch his own version of a rescue. Well, more like he would continue his rescue, which is already sabotaged. I pull my hands through my hair, slipping it into a high bun to keep my neck from itching. Teiran needs to hurry his ass up, otherwise shit is going to go sideways so fast.

The door handle niggles and then swings partially open before drops. I wait cautiously for Terlan to push into the room, inching closer as listen for anything out of sorts, but all I hear the sound of retreating footsteps and then nothing. My shaky hand waches out for the door, pulling it open with an ee creaking before I slip my head out.

There is not a soul in the corridor, not even the sound of anyone in the distance, and I know that this is my chance. Teiran had to have sent someone, or it’s a trap. Either way, I have to take the risk and hope for the best. My mother is relying on me, as are my mate and those with him.

“Shit” I mutter, wiping my sweating palms on my jeans before tiptoe out of the room.

My heart is pounding in my chest, making my lungs ache, but force the pain and emotions aside, I can do this, I just have to figure out how I can do it. This place is a dam maze and a fortress. The only way I can think to get back to my mom is to follow the stilling heat and dry air.

The only issue is how I make it all the way down there before getting seen or caught.

My back is pressed to the cool stones. As I peek around a corner when I see no one, I scurry across and speed my way down deeper. Then I feel it, the water calling to me.

The pounding of it on the mountain rock and the way the water in the air fuels my strength. I need a way down and a way out. One where I won’t be seen or followed. I need to jump.

I sprint down the hall, drawing closer to the water that hammers down like a beat on a drum, begging for me to come to it. It is like my soul knows where I need to be, what I need to do, and it listens.

“Stop!” I hear someone calling out, but I don’t take the time to discover who, or rather what, is calling for me as I throw myself forward and the water dances over me with a thunderous power.

The world beneath me falls away into the white rustling of water and rocks as I trust the water to guide me. It seems like I fall for forever, my heart in my throat and my muscles tensed in fear of what I may actually find at the bottom. I hit something hard; the wind knocking from my lungs with a grunt and suddenly my body burns under me and I’m ripped from the water on the back of a massive beast.

Fear rips through me as I gasp and try to force myself to stand in search of a way off. The dragon growls deep in its chest, making the whole of its back shake as if an earthquake were shaking the earth. I stumble onto my knees, holding on tight as it turns and dives straight for the earth.

through to me, no doubt feeling ny erratic emotions in spades. I keep him from breaking in knowing that right now I have nothing to say to him, no news that will keep him safe at the moment. So instead I go with the gut instinct to cling

I gape at the way the earth consumes us, steam and waves of heat rolling toward us until its wings extend, catching the air with a whistling speed as we slow. It ducks down, sliding into the very area Terian had led me out of once before, explaining it was for a dragon’s entrance.

and wincing before I stand. The beast looks at me before shaking its head and

did you jump off of the fucking cliff into the waterfall?” He

scoff at him,

ran away.” He grits out in anger, stepping closer to me. him, and

eyes grow wide as I stare at

hours late,” I remind him. “I assumed shit went sideways, and I was improvising”

put those on,” He murmurs, his eyes scanning everywhere as he hands them to me and I

ask

dungeon to get your mother out.” He grits out through his teeth. “I get that

cuffs from him, hissing as it burns my skin,

him the slightly loose cuffs, and he nods.

for me. Let’s go.”

to the first door and knock, waiting for someone to answer. They seem shocked to see him roughed up,

few guards pass us, bowing their heads to him in respect

so late?” I ask him, looking over

stoic eyes meet mine and then he looks forward, like

guard, who stops and watches us suspiciously.

relieved. “It’s time for them to

call through the mindlink, waiting for his response.

me you are ready and safe–He says, sounding

am safe, for now. It’s