Traded To The Lycan King

"Are you sure you know where you are going?" I ask Hayes for the one millionth time over the last three days.

His muscles are tense, every step making them flex as if he is in pain. He has taken minimal breaks, stopping only to allow me to stretch my legs. The baby has slept, not a single peep, no food, no wet or poopy britches.

"Yes, Kyra." He says, not a hint of anger or annoyance as I look up at his exhausted face.

"I can walk now, Hayes. You don't have to carry me anymore. It's been three whole days."

He scans the area in front of us, saying nothing as his jaw clenches and he tightens his arms on me. I turn my head, looking for what he seems to see: a quick movement in the dense leaves and a shift in the wind. I try to allow myself to smell the air, but all I can scent is Hayes and the somehow almost comatose dragon baby in my arms.

"Someone is here." I murmur, low enough only for him to hear. He skirts his eyes to me, a curious glance before he stops, and lowers me down gently.

"I can sense them, but I can't see them." He mutters, keeping both hands on my waist as he tugs me close to him like he is fearful someone might try to take me from him.

"To your left, it's too dense in here for a breeze yet, the trees sway and the leaves move." I tip my chin in the direction and he gently pulls me behind him, one hand reaching around his back and resting on me.

"Come on out." Hayes demands, his tone a threat and far from a request.

A dark figure takes a few steps toward us, pausing just as I recognize his frame. I press my hand to Hayes' back, leaning in gently.

"It's Teiran." I tell him, but his muscles don't relax, his protective demeanor unchanged, which surprises me. "Hayes."

"You guys covered decent ground." Teiran says, stepping closer to us, a curious glint in his eyes as he tilts his head, looking at Hates. "Though you both look like shit."

"How long did it take for you to find us?" Hayes asks.

and Colette, trying to make sense of

out from behind Hayes' shoulder, still shielding the baby

tried to kill himself for failing to protect the child." Teiran scoffs. "Clearly, he doesn't realize how resilient a dragon egg is, tougher than rocks." Hayes looks over at me, a message in his eyes as he flicks them down to where the baby is. Something happened to hatch

snorts, his hands moving to his hips as he shakes his

break, not on its own or

second. His chest heaves in disbelief before he breaks into a dry chuckle. "I don't fucking believe this shit." he shakes his head and then drags his large hand over

I tell him, my brows furrowing in

closer. His eyes glow a fiery red, a warning that his dragon wants to emerge. I take a step backward, Hayes flying in between us, a warning in his body

rush out, pulling it from the

as if he is fighting with himself. Then

him and he lifts it to his nose, dragging it along his face. An unearthly rumble emits from his chest as he shakes his head and opens

I lift the little bundle and hand him over to his older brother. Teiran's

the same, like a fuse lit and traveling toward the bomb. Hayes grabs my hand, pulling me back as I fight

isn't mine. That isn't

held him for days, cuddled him, and cared for him since the moment he came

little fragile thing

tries to kill the

pushing him off as I keep my eyes on the little flaming lights dancing over their bodies. But Hayes is determined as he bends down and lifts me over his

He grunts, breaking into

any heat!" I roar, reaching for them as

past us. I try

see." I murmur, shaking my

they are dragons. They live and breathe fire." He grabs my face in both of his hands, forcing me to look in his eyes. "They