Traded To The Lycan King by MG Wattsons

*Kyra*

Trees blur past me as I sprint past trees, my lycan relishing every second of freedom as she drives us further from the group. This is exactly the type of fresh air I need.

The kind that is full of clues and a hint of burning wood. Someone is out here and I intend to find them before the others realize I picked up a scent before they did. Not that I think it is Ezrah. In fact, I know it's not.

No matter how I would have explained it before, Hayes would have put his foot down and demanded we go as a group, but truth be told, I travel faster on my own. Not only that, but regardless of how things have turned out since being near Hayes, I can take care of myself. It's likely I need to prove it to myself again.

I glance up, the smell of smoke tickling my muzzled face as I slow for a moment, my fur prickling as I sense someone near. The trees provide me enough cover as I hide behind them, dropping my shirt from my claw and shifting back into my human form. As I tug it down over my head, I lean into the rough bark of the tree, searching until I see the massive frame sitting near a campfire.

In the light, I can see his forlorn face and dark hair as he throws bits of a broken stick into the flames, as if lost in a daydream. He looks lonely, his demeanor all too familiar. Who ever he is, he isn't some hunter in the woods like the dragons I have come across, and he sure as shit isn't all too concerned about being found.

My head tilts to the side as I move silently around in a wide berth, my eyes watching him as I come around to his backside. There is no one else with him, just a singular dragon shifter on his own in the woods. Which means he is either exiled or strong enough of a fighter he doesn't need to travel in pairs.

I move from my foliage cover, going closer as I watch him, waiting for him to notice my presence. He doesn't seem to notice as I break a stick, trying to garner his attention.

Whether it is smart or not, I move around him, standing facing him with the fire between us. After a moment he lifts his gaze to meet mine, a slow blinking before his chest rises in a deep breath.

"Can I help you?" He asks, his voice gruff though not as demanding as his words make him seem.

"Unlikely." I admit and he smirks, just a small twitch of his lip up ticking before he goes back to throwing his broken stick. "Are you alone?"

"That's the punishment." He mutters, a flicker of anger and then indifference over his face.

"You are a dragon..." I say, looking him over as I reach back and take a seat on the ground, inviting myself to his little party.

"I am," He says warily, pausing only slightly before going about his business.

you are alone?" I ask, reiterating what he said as I continue to scan the area. He

I meant when I said that is the punishment, yes." He tells me, his brows furrowing as if he is trying to get a read on me and my purpose without

of killing someone who isn't actively attacking me." I tell him

intention of fighting you or any others so you can be on your way, Lycan." he mutters,

have one question. Any chance you have seen a fae around here with

curious. Then he leans forward, his elbows on his knees and his demeanor more guarded as he watches

in surprise. "But I lost him as I was

asks and I nod. "Do you mind sharing in which direction

mind actually." I tell him, rubbing my hands together slightly to keep them warm. "We are kind of enemies at the moment, so it wouldn't be in

says. "In fact, I am willing to bet we probably want the same

the other races?" I ask and he looks down, picking up a bigger twig, a

perhaps not the same exact thing." He smirks, then shrugs. "I want the truth

he carries himself, his demeanor as he answers and asks questions.

I tease and he glares at me before silence falls over

little more determined for an answer and I shrug, not exactly sure what I am looking for, but knowing I need to be here right now. It feels as if, for some reason, we may be able to help each

not sure I believe you haven't seen the fae."

Ezrah were to cross my path, I promise you would not

would hide him?" I ask, wondering if I somehow misjudged this entire meeting, and

fiery grave, yes." He

he stands, his

takes two large steps around the fire toward me. "As much as I have enjoyed the company,

palms sweat and my heart race. "You could always

grits out, "It has taken much energy to not be rude, but I

out, "And I am tracking that Fae to end this war, well, in hopes of