Traded To The Lycan King

"Tiago," Kyra whispers, closing the gap between him and her before she crouches down to his height. He giggles, a joy in his eyes that I have often seen reserved for Christmas mornings.

"Hot." He smiles so widely his cheeks dimple and she gently places her hand on his arm.

"Yeah buddy," she agrees, the flames now circling the two of them as sweat dots her brow. "But it's too hot for mama. It hurts mama, and Hayes and everyone else here."

His little brows furrow, and I have no idea if he understands what she is saying. How much can someone who skips years in a day really comprehend? Then he tilts his head to the side, his eyes meeting mine, then he frowns.

The flames drift toward me as if floating on an invisible boat across the ocean waves. As they get closer, the heat grows and I lift my arm to block my face, the sting of my burns on my arm growing more painful by the second. I hiss and wince and suddenly the flames disappear and Tiago drops to the ground on his butt, sadness in his eyes.

"Dada, hurt?" He says as his little lips pull together and quiver.

My heart breaks in two, my chest aching as I try to understand this awakening in me that wants to cry at hearing that title from his mouth.

"I'm okay, Tiago," I saw, my voice hoarse as I swallow the emotions swimming through me. Kyra looks at me with a tiny, knowing smile on her lips as she feels what I am feeling through our one sided bond. I can see her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"He just needs to see a healer," Colette says softly, moving over to Tiago and grinning at him. "You know, I bet my kids would love to see you again, and maybe play some fun games."

He lights up, a typical kid forgetting the thing that was just on their mind when the mention of playing comes up. I can't help but chuckle at his excitement as he jumps up and nods his head.

"Mama will come find you after I take dada to see the healer." Kyra tells him as he grips Colette's hand. Steam rises between their skin and they both look at it in shock before Colette giggles and he does, too.

"Kyra, you should go with him." I say and she gives me a look, one telling me that she will not be doing what I say at all.

assures me. "If anything, he is safer with me around than

starts trudging me along each step like a dagger to my leg as he tries to keep me from jostling around

my muscles aching as my head rests back on the soft pillow. Spark rush through my body from my hand racing up toward my shoulder before spreading out through my chest and to every nerve ending in my body. I turn to look at Kyra as she sits next to me, looking at the healer who frowns as he picks up my

we can do is ease the pain.

am well aware." I say, gritting my

exhales deeply, shaking his head as he painfully drags his fingers over my blistered and burned skin. Every drag, no matter how gentle, feels like a dagger digging down to the bone. But I find solace in Kyra's gentle stroking of her thumb over my good hand, her touch easing the pain as best

I would suggest amputation." He mutters before lifting his eyes to meet mine. My lips press together tightly, unimpressed

time." I remind

the damage is far worse than the last time, Hayes. I fear you will lose at least two fingers, if not three.

can look at my leg now?" I ask him. "That is

my lower arm and hand in some type of leaves and then elastic band. When he makes his way down to my leg and

and I give her hand

She knows this, but the worry on

not be a quick heal, Hayes." The healer admits, his hands pressing on my sensitive skin as I groan in

grind out, forcing my head back into the pillow as I try to breathe

The healer points to a lump in my thigh, pressing down as I grunt out. "Is a snapped femur, Hayes. I will need to set it and you will not be able to move for a

one born a beta at that. It will heal much faster than that." I say with confidence.

her head at my

promises the healer. "And I will be sure to mark

nods, and I look over at Kyra, watching as she nibbles her bottom lip shyly. I can sense the way she wants to make the full bonde happen. Simply marking each other isn't enough. We will need to mate, eventually, to have the bond int Swing. And the sooner I heal, the

delightful thought of finally having Kyra to myself in every way. Bile rises in my throat, burning its way up into my