Page 105 of Rescued By The Dragon

I stood up straight. “I know. I’m hoping Amara’s charm will melt that chill around his heart.

“Let’s hope so,” Zerk said.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Amara

Dorran seemed to think I could win over a pack of werewolves. I’d only ever read about them because they weren’t part of our kingdom.

They were ruthless, strong, and most of the time easy on the eyes.

It was a part of their allure, much like a dragon and a siren.

I drank Zerk’s drink and washed it down with a glass of water. I was glad to have the day without Evian’s persistent urge to sneak into my mind.

But after the night before, I was scared of what Dorran needed of me. I couldn’t command an entire army to do as I asked. I wouldn’t. I didn’t think it was right to force them. Call me naïve or whatever you want.

Dorran stopped in front of me. “Are you ready, Little Mouse?”

“No.”

Dorran smiled. “I’ll be there with you the entire time. I would never let anything happen to you.”

I slid from the table, straightening the edge of my dress, I slid my palms down the silky fabric. “There are going to be many of them. What if it doesn’t work? What if they won’t come?”

Dorran slid his palm over my head in a caring way. “Then it doesn’t, Sweet Girl. It’s worth a shot either way. Come on. We need to get back before nightfall.”

Dorran led me outside to the top of the mountain, the sun was rising and the air was foggy with morning dew.

He turned toward me. “The West Kingdom isn’t as far as The South. We’ll be there in half of the time. Come aboard,” he said with a smile.

I grabbed his deltoids and jumped my way into his arms. He readjusted me and leaned down to kiss my forehead. “Hold on tight.”

He leaped from the mountain’s edge and nosedived over the side. I buried my head into his shoulder, relaxing in the knowledge of knowing he wouldn’t drop me.

Keeping my eyes closed most of the flight, I was shocked when he landed, and in the distance was a swampy bayou. Dorran helped me down and made sure I had my footing before letting go. “This is The West Kingdom,” he said, looking around. “There are bayous and swamps. Life is simpler here than in our kingdom, but they have a city full of farmlands and hard workers.”

Dorran started toward a trail in the forest. “Do the dragons and humans accept the werewolves?”

“They have a treaty like the sirens do with The South Kingdom. They stay mostly to themselves. Werewolves travel and live in packs, but they don’t necessarily do well with different people.”

I winced. “So, tell me again why we’re going here, and how exactly this alpha owes you?”

"He was up against a few dragons in our kingdom, for trespassing onto our land, and I stopped them out of pity. He was trying his best to fight them, and it wasn’t a fair fight by any means. It was a strategic move, truly. I thought I may need a werewolf one day, and turns out, I did.”

“I take it he doesn’t know we’re coming?” I asked.

“No, but he will soon enough. Wolves are patrolling their pack lands, and they report to him as soon as they—,”

One lone howl erupted in the distance as if on cue.

Dorran inclined his head to the right. “Spot us. He knows we’re here.” He reached down and offered me his hand. “Stay close.”

I felt like Little Red Riding Hood walking through the forest, amongst the shady trees and overhanging branches. Nothing was inviting about it, which I assumed was their point.

They didn’t like visitors, and I might as well have been a salesman knocking on their door.

When the trees began to clear, I noticed a giant plantation-type house, with several people standing outside. I watched in amazement as a wolf raced toward the cabin and shifted into a human man.

---