Traded To The Lycan King

Trees blur past me as I sprint past trees, my lycan relishing every second of freedom as she drives us further from the group. This is exactly the type of fresh air I need.

The kind that is full of clues and a hint of burning wood. Someone is out here and I intend to find them before the others realize I picked up a scent before they did. Not that I think it is Ezrah. In fact, I know it's not.

No matter how I would have explained it before, Hayes would have put his foot down and demanded we go as a group, but truth be told, I travel faster on my own. Not only that, but regardless of how things have turned out since being near Hayes, I can take care of myself. It's likely I need to prove it to myself again.

I glance up, the smell of smoke tickling my muzzled face as I slow for a moment, my fur prickling as I sense someone near. The trees provide me enough cover as I hide behind them, dropping my shirt from my claw and shifting back into my human form. As I tug it down over my head, I lean into the rough bark of the tree, searching until I see the massive frame sitting near a campfire.

In the light, I can see his forlorn face and dark hair as he throws bits of a broken stick into the flames, as if lost in a daydream. He looks lonely, his demeanor all too familiar. Who ever he is, he isn't some hunter in the woods like the dragons I have come across, and he sure as shit isn't all too concerned about being found.

My head tilts to the side as I move silently around in a wide berth, my eyes watching him as I come around to his backside. There is no one else with him, just a singular dragon shifter on his own in the woods. Which means he is either exiled or strong enough of a fighter he doesn't need to travel in pairs.

I move from my foliage cover, going closer as I watch him, waiting for him to notice my presence. He doesn't seem to notice as I break a stick, trying to garner his attention.

Whether it is smart or not, I move around him, standing facing him with the fire between us. After a moment he lifts his gaze to meet mine, a slow blinking before his chest rises in a deep breath.

"Can I help you?" He asks, his voice gruff though not as demanding as his words make him seem.

"Unlikely." I admit and he smirks, just a small twitch of his lip up ticking before he goes back to throwing his broken stick. "Are you alone?"

"That's the punishment." He mutters, a flicker of anger and then indifference over his face.

him over as I reach back and take a seat on the ground, inviting myself to

warily, pausing only slightly

the area. He finally stops, a sigh breaking from his lips as he raises his eyes and blinks at

furrowing as if he is trying to get a read on me and my purpose without asking the question. "What is

killing someone who isn't actively attacking me." I

you or any others so you can be on your way, Lycan." he mutters, looking

around here with an egg?" I ask him, ignoring

grow more curious. Then he leans forward, his elbows on his knees and his demeanor more guarded as he watches me with interest. "Have you?" He asks, an

enough, I have." I tell him, watching as his eyebrows raise in surprise. "But I lost him as I was swept

and I nod. "Do you mind

moment, so it wouldn't be in my best interest to share that with you. I am sure you understand." A low chuckle rumbles from his chest, and he shakes

to bet we probably want the same thing,

of the entire dragon race for their betrayal and crimes committed against the other races?" I ask and he looks down, picking up a bigger

not the same exact thing." He smirks, then shrugs. "I want the truth to be known

that?" I ask, crossing my legs under me. As I settle in to have a longer chat, curious to know his story. He is powerful. I can feel it in the way he carries himself, his demeanor as he answers and asks questions.

you ask me." I tease and he glares at me before silence falls over us, only the crackling of

finally asks again, a little more determined for an answer and I shrug, not exactly sure what I am looking for, but knowing I need to be here

believe you