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.

fine with us," Colette assures me. "If anything, he is safer with me

as he tries to keep me from jostling around too much. It takes effort to

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

on the table next to him. "The best we can do

I am well aware." I say, gritting my

drag, no matter how gentle, feels like a dagger digging down to the bone.

before lifting his eyes to

suggested that last time." I remind him, and he

extent of the damage is far

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 pushes my

bad?" Kyra asks, and I give her

I remind her. She knows this, but the worry on her face doesn't fade

The healer admits, his hands pressing on my

into the pillow as I try to

here?" 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

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

grins, shaking her head at

sure he doesn't move a muscle." She promises the healer. "And I will be sure to mark him, so

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

from the delightful thought of finally having Kyra to myself in every way. Bile rises in my throat, burning its way up into my mouth as the bitter flavor