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Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons novel Chapter 97

“No,” I gasp, my heart in my throat as I stare dumbfounded at the black space that consumed my mom and the healer. I whimper and carefully move my way out the door and onto the thin pathway, closing the gateway to the hell behind me.

There are two ways down to them, over the ledge like they went or hoping following this path allows me to find an easier way. It’s the raging fire the booms to my left, far in the distance but close enough that I know exactly who they are aiming for.

There is no time for safety and precautions. If I hope to get us all out of here, it’s going to have to be a controlled descent. I look over the dark edge, my hands shaking as I exhale deeply and drop to my knees before kicking my legs out to my side and hanging them over the edge.

I give myself a moment, reaching out to feel for Merikh, needing the assurance he is okay and I feel him. It’s a glimmer, but it is reassuring to know he is so close. My legs and arms twitch with fearful anticipation as I shake them out and inhale deeply, before placing my palms on the cool stone path and sliding myself down the side.

The rocks cut into my side, the nicks and slices burning as I hiss and try to slow my near vertical descent by using my hand, attempting to grab onto whatever I can. I gain speed, my heart pumping and my lungs burning as I pant and panic simultaneously. The air grows warmer, staler as it ceases to move and the light from the world above me wanes.

I close my eyes, trying to calm myself as the panic creeps up my throat and my body feels numb. I can feel my wolf stirring, pacing as she begs to be let out and in my state of fear, I let her. She takes over, my body rearranges and a new calm settles over me, my wolf's senses winning as my paws shove off the mountainside and I leap out, landing on solid ground.

My nose moves to the ground as I sniff, catching the scent of my mother and chasing it a few feet away. I nudge her with my nose, a whine coming from my chest as I lay down next to her, trying to wake her up. There is a sudden striking sound and I whip my head around to see a small light and the healer’s face illuminates.

“Ah, there you are,” He says, sounding relieved. “I was worried you had fallen further from us and were severely injured.”

I whimper, resting my snout on my mother’s arm as she lays looking unconscious, and he moves over toward us, groaning as he steps over her legs.

“She will be fine,” He says, grunting as he drops, placing the small light to the side. I look at it curiously, confused by what exactly it is as I lean forward and sniff at it.

“Ah, little dragon trick. Anything can be burned,” He chuckles and reaches out over my mother, pushing something under her nose that makes her startle awake.

“Colette,” she says, worried until she looks right at me and her eyes fill with tears and she covers her mouth. “Are you hurt?”

I shake my head no and she touches my snout, sucking in her tears as she nods happily.

“We need to get moving,” he says, looking up and then around, his lips pressed tightly together like he is worried.

“What’s wrong?” My mom asks, and he stands, helping her up gently.

“Finding a way up won’t be easy or fast,” He frowns. “It may be best to send you on ahead.”

I growl at the thought rising and moving to my mother’s side, nuzzling in under her loose, hanging hand. She sighs heavily and shakes her head before she crouches next to me, wrapping her arms around my soft, furred neck.

“He is right. What is most important is you–” she says, but I interrupt her with an agitated yip, and bare my teeth at her. She frowns and shakes her head. “My sweet little Cole. I have missed so much time being your mom and I know I don’t deserve this, but I am begging you to go. You could come back with help, or wait for us somewhere else.”

She says it like it’s a possibility that they will make it out of here, an old hobbling half working dragon healer and a werewolf alpha female who was tortured for ten years. Even I know it’s a pipe dream, but then again, I have also learned that even the most off the wall dreams can come true.

Hell, look at me, from orphaned maid to full-blown Luna, queen of our kind and finding out both parents are still alive. If that isn’t a fairytale come true, I don’t know what is.

I stare at her and look over at the healer, torn between the options. But they are right, time is not a luxury we have right now.

Merikh will only last so long against a horde of dragons, Alpha of death or not dragons don’t go down easy. And there is not a single doubt in my mind Merikh would fight to his last breath to ensure my freedom. It comes down to risking Merikh or risking my mom and my heart is in agony over my choice.

I drop my head, taking three steps back before I turn and take off. With a newfound determination, I sprint through the rocks, then I try to leap up the steep hill I slide down before. I make it a few feet before slipping, my paws gliding out from under me as I grunt and hit the rock, sliding down on my side.

Shit. I need a way up, but with no light, it’s nearly impossible to see where the hell I might be able to move up. Until I see a glinting in the darkness, a spot catching the faintest hint of light, and I gallop toward it, stopping to sniff and find it has no real scent.

My tongue flicks out warily, and I realize its water. Not enough to make a puddle, but enough to make the rocks wet. My eyes slid shut and I pray I can use my siren’s ability to guide myself out, only to find the attempt futile.

When I open my eyes, my vision is clearer, almost like I can sense the water as it moves up the rocks, like finding the source of a waterfall. I trace the drops, listening as it drips over smaller rocks and ledges and trust my instincts to get me where I am going. I take a leap of faith, jumping up only to freeze as the rock creaks and smaller stones tumble beneath me.

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