Traded To The Lycan King

"Mom!" Tiago groans, annoyed, as he pushes my hand away and rolls his eyes. I smile at him softly, shaking my head at him.

"You had ash on your shoulder." I tell him, and he frowns.

"Because I was practicing with Dylan again," he says in true teenage form.

"Okay, okay!" I put my hands up in fake defense, stepping away. "I will back off."

"Sorry," He mutters as he drags a hand down his perfect olive skin tone. "I'm just...do I have to go? Can't I stay here a few more years?"

My heart breaks as I bite my lip, trying to keep the tears from spilling from my eyes. It's been a solid week of sobbing since Teiran sent word that he wanted Tiago ready to come back and that he wanted Hayes and me to accompany as proxy of the Lycan kingdom. But we won't be going for a few more days, as Tieran wants time alone with his brother.

"You love visiting Teiran," I remind him. "And besides, it's not like you can't just fly back when you miss me and dad and want a hug."

"It's not you and dad I'd be coming back to visit," he teases and I scoff at him.

"Seriously? You'll come back to hang out with your cousins, but your dad and I are chopped liver?" "Please, it's not them he will be missing. It's this little princess." Hayes says, entering the room holding Claire, our redheaded, green eyed, four-year-old monster. Tiago's eyes light up and he brushes past me with a smirk as he rushes over and puts his arms out for her.

"There's my baby sister!" he grins, tossing her up as she giggles and holds onto him tight.

"Wow. I see your whole 'I have no favorites' was a straight up lie," Zeke frowns, leaning in the doorway. Tiago shakes his head and looks at his fifteen-year-old brother and then he walks over and ruffles his hair. "She is the princess," Tiago reminds Zeke, who rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah I know."

"Tiago, you have everything you need, right?" Hayes asks, admiring our three kids as they turn their attention to him.

"Yeah," He nods.

"When will you be back?" Zeke asks, looking away as he tries to hide the disappointment on his face. "As soon as I can get away to come visit." He responds. Then he drops a kiss on Claire's freckled cheek and sets her down.

"Can you stay longer?" Claire asks in her little high-pitched toddler voice, her eyes wide as tears stream down her face.

"Not this time, firefly," he says, squatting down and tugging at her little strands of hair. "But I promise to visit a lot, okay?"

"Can you bring me a present too?" She whispers, and I exhale.

tells her before he

this time, I really have to get a

walk you to the door." I offer, moving over to him as I hook my arm in the crook of his elbow. He looks down at me, his height now a good four inches higher than my own. "You

contract that is in place. No dragon enters their territory and they don't use their magic to harm or possess anyone. I've been told about it for over the last

doesn't know is just how scared I am for him. Tiago, a dragon and creature of chaos, somehow turned out to be the sweetest, most compassionate person I have ever met. What if something breaks

tear as I chuckle. "Ugh, I'm such a mess. My first baby is leaving me." He reaches out,

I promise I will

us longer..." I say hopefully, knowing full well

taking so long to grow up and hit the median age so he can take over the throne. Hayes has always been adamant it is because Tiago had Dylan and Harmony and he subconsciously wanted to grow

him that aren't bits of Giselle, the phoenix who mothered him. He has always had that need to be approved of, the constant want and need for validation and love. I feel getting that from us and kids his own age is what led to him wanting the normal life we could provide him. "Mom," He says, slowing down as he turns to face me. "I know I act hesitant, but I think I am ready to learn, and with Teiran finally settling down with Flora as a chosen mate, it's nice to give him that chance." I look up at him with pride, this young man

are such a blessing in our life. Thank you for choosing us." I say the words, a hoarse whisper as the tears well up again in my eyes. "Being your mom is

you loving me from the moment you saw me? That was braver than anything I could do." Then he

I nod and sob, wrapping my arms

whines. "I have to go and you are getting

like you will get cold," I tease

off, out the doors and away from me. I stand there until he is long out of sight and arms wrap around me from

do great things." He says with such sincerity

with that bond between Dylan, Harmony and him, I dare say we will be entering a long-standing era of peace

with the vampires?" He asks, and Merikh

years ago, Hayes. Vampires may be creepy, lurking in the dark and all that, but I dare say the fear they

time." Hayes

aren't the same thing. We have had quiet, not peace, not yet. That is what comes after the fear

lets out a bark of laughter and shakes his

at least in all these years,

you back where you were before, brother." Then he shakes his head his eyes growing dark before he clears his throat. "Uh, excuse me, it seems the Luna needs

then he turns and rushes off. Hayes looks worried, taking two steps forward before I grab his

love. I feel like it's a mate only

then yanks me to him. A look of concern over his face. "How are you holding up?" I shrug, "As well as I can. Our first

my cheek. "Tiago is just

we do now, then?" I ask, my chest aching as I think about not seeing my baby boy every day. No making him breakfast or watching him race around with his siblings. "I am going to miss him so much." "Then we miss him together, with Zeke and Claire, and we relish the times we get to spend with him moving forward.