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.

of course I will." He tells her before he stands and

since I'm not flying this time, I really have

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

the witches and the magical 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 twelve years, since I was old enough

and creature of chaos, somehow turned out to be the sweetest, most compassionate person I have ever met. What if something breaks him? What if he

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

I promise I will be around more

Teiran to let you stay with us longer..." I say hopefully, knowing full well that is not

give over the throne when Tiago was twelve. He has often said he can't understand why Tiago is taking so long to grow up and hit the median age so he

"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 before me so filled with conviction and goodness. I reach out

up again in my eyes. "Being your mom

for me, but you loving me from the moment you saw me? That was braver than anything I could do." Then he reaches out and dries my tears with the sleeve of his coat. "Thank you for

my mouth as I nod and sob, wrapping

have to go and you are getting my

not like you will get cold," I tease

he walks off, out the doors and away from me. I stand there until he is long out of sight and arms wrap around me from behind. Hayes' chin rests on my

He says with

toward us with his hands in his pocket. "And with that bond between Dylan, Harmony and him, I dare say we will be entering a long-standing era of peace at long last." Hayes chuckles and lifts

vampires?" He asks, and Merikh

but I dare say the fear they have of us

damn time." Hayes

same thing. We have had quiet, not peace, not yet. That is what comes after the fear subsides and the pain of the past becomes a distant ache." Hayes

out a bark of laughter and

in

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

that requires you, my love. I feel like it's

look of concern over his face. "How are

He says, stroking my cheek. "Tiago is just living his

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