Traded To The Lycan King

"No," I gasp, my heart in my throat as I stare dumbfounded at the black space that consumed my mom and the healer. I whimper and carefully move my way out the door and onto the thin pathway, closing the gateway to the hell behind me.

There are two ways down to them, over the ledge like they went or hoping following this path allows me to find an easier way. It's the raging fire the booms to my left, far in the distance but close enough that I know exactly who they are aiming for.

There is no time for safety and precautions. If I hope to get us all out of here, it's going to have to be a controlled descent. I look over the dark edge, my hands shaking as I exhale deeply and drop to my knees before kicking my legs out to my side and hanging them over the edge.

I give myself a moment, reaching out to feel for Merikh, needing the assurance he is okay and I feel him. It's a glimmer, but it is reassuring to know he is so close. My legs and arms twitch with fearful anticipation as I shake them out and inhale deeply, before placing my palms on the cool stone path and sliding myself down the side.

The rocks cut into my side, the nicks and slices burning as I hiss and try to slow my near vertical descent by using my hand, attempting to grab onto whatever I can. I gain speed, my heart pumping and my lungs burning as I pant and panic simultaneously. The air grows warmer, staler as it ceases to move and the light from the world above me wanes.

I close my eyes, trying to calm myself as the panic creeps up my throat and my body feels numb. I can feel my wolf stirring, pacing as she begs to be let out and in my state of fear, I let her. She takes over, my body rearranges and a new calm settles over me, my wolf's senses winning as my paws shove off the mountainside and I leap out, landing on solid ground.

My nose moves to the ground as I sniff, catching the scent of my mother and chasing it a few feet away. I nudge her with my nose, a whine coming from my chest as I lay down next to her, trying to wake her up. There is a sudden striking sound and I whip my head around to see a small light and the healer's face illuminates.

"Ah, there you are," He says, sounding relieved. "I was worried you had fallen further from us and were severely injured."

I whimper, resting my snout on my mother's arm as she lays looking unconscious, and he moves over toward us, groaning as he steps over her legs.

"She will be fine," He says, grunting as he drops, placing the small light to the side. I look at it curiously, confused by what exactly it is as I lean forward and sniff at it.

"Ah, little dragon trick. Anything can be burned," He chuckles and reaches out over my mother, pushing something under her nose that makes her startle awake.

"Colette," she says, worried until she looks right at me and her eyes fill with tears and she covers her mouth. "Are you hurt?"

I shake my head no and she touches my snout, sucking in her tears as she nods happily.

"We need to get moving," he says, looking up and then around, his lips pressed tightly together like he is worried.

mom asks, and he stands, helping her

fast," He frowns.

mother's side, nuzzling in under her loose, hanging hand. She sighs heavily and shakes her

is most important is you-" she says, but I interrupt her with an agitated yip, and bare my teeth at her. She frowns and shakes her head. "My sweet little Cole. I

was tortured for ten years. Even I know it's a pipe dream, but then again, I have also learned that even the most off the wall dreams

our kind and finding out both parents are still alive. If that isn't a fairytale

options. But they are right, time

in my mind Merikh would fight to his last breath to ensure my

back before I turn and take off. With a newfound determination, I sprint through the rocks, then I try to leap up the steep hill I slide down before. I make it a few feet before slipping, my paws gliding out from under me as I grunt and hit the rock,

with no light, it's nearly impossible to see where the hell I might be able to move up. Until I see

a puddle, but enough to make the rocks wet. My eyes slid shut and I pray

I can sense the water as it moves up the rocks, like finding the source of a waterfall. I trace the drops, listening as it drips over smaller rocks and ledges and trust my instincts to get me where I am going. I take a leap of faith, jumping up only to freeze as

the left, my hind liege slipping as I whine, my underbelly slamming into the slate like rock that cuts into my stomach. Warmth drips down my belly and I struggle to get my

water seems

an inconsistent drip to a small trickle down over the ledge as I grow closer to the light, the sun is just a few more steps

I cover my face and ears to stop the pain

my body before it comes fast enough it behind to overshoot my body, dropping into. the cannon like a faucet has been turned on high in a tub. I panic, looking for a way

soft scream of shock and yelling echoes over the sound of the water and my ear ticks back, trying to listen better before I bound off the ledge, into the flowing water letting it take hold of my body as it

with the waves and current as I rush back the way I just came. Everything tingles, my paws, my

always felt safe, like home, but nothing has felt as wonderful as this. To be in my wolfs form, in the water, it feels like I am being embraced in a warm welcoming hug and I don't ever want to leave it. "Hold on to me, Calvin," I hear my mom

strong. You need

got you into this mess.

every kick, I feel the water wrap around me, making way for

as I move toward them with ease. My mom's eyes light up when she sees me fear turning to confusion as she tilts her head and the healer lets go He doesn't move,