Page 93 of The Exiled Dragon

“You seek revenge?” My Dragon’s emotions rattled through my chest. The familial bond was growing between us. I could feel his anger and sadness, the deepest emotions one should not have to feel for another person. Again, my Dragon let out its strong purr, the same comfort that it gives my fawn when she is upset. A whimper left the beak of my father, his claws letting me go and now barely hanging on to the cliffs.

My taloned wings grabbed hold just before he let himself fall down the side of the highest mountain before we met the Toboki tribe. Nicholas and Amora sat perched on a nearby cliff, watching. Amora’s Dragon pranced, wanting to fly to me, but Nicholas understood what must be done.

I needed to speak with him, not fight. My own emotions rolled down into his body, his bird’s head leaping up to mine. The spark of realization had his eyes filter back to black as he clawed his way to the cliff where we could perch.

My Dragon hung back, waiting for my father to gain his senses. For a Griffon, he was a beautiful creature; however, he was gaunt, his ribs showing and his feathers misplaced or no longer growing back. A large scar ran down his face, the same scar I had before Odessa. Clicking his beak several times, smoke plumed around him until he was in his full human form.

It was true. I looked just like my father. His thick black hair was braided down to his lower back, his long beard decorated with beads, braids, and silver cuffs. His body was dirty, and the cloak he wore only to cover his nakedness was covered in blood.

Feeling no more threat, my Dragon willingly shifted for me. My human body now stood before my father, the last blood I have in this world. “Creed?” His ragged voice shook. “Y-ye didn’t?” Shaking my head, not understanding his statement, he came forward, putting both hands on my shoulders.

“Ya didn’ kill ya mother?” I growled at the statement he gave.

“I would never do such a thing,” I snapped, showing my fangs. He wept. He pulled me into his embrace, patting me on the back.

“I don’t dinnae what ‘appen’, my blud, my hatchling.” Gripping my father's back tightly, he heaved a heavy breath. “I awoke like ah ‘ad stayed in a dream. She called for meh ‘ery night, I do not dinnae who she be? Then, I saw ‘er, plain as the light. She called meh, called for me to wake up and find ‘ya.” His grip grew tighter when I tried to pull back. My Dragon purred heavily into him, his Griffon cooing the same.

“I found ‘er tribe. Th’ lad said she wis dead. That ye kill’d ‘er.” My fists tightened, my grip becoming unbearably tight. My father’s tears dripped down my now bloodied back. “I didn’t believe ‘em. Ondi said, ‘yar waitin’ fer me, but da bastard, he threw ‘is dust.” Growling, he pushed me away, not letting go of my shoulders.

“But then I felt ‘ya. I felt ya here.” He patted his chest. “Ya Dragon is part Griffon, da feathers, yar talons on yar wings. Yar my hatchlin’.” His hands were placed on both of my cheeks. “My hatchling.” His forehead met mine.

“But I need tae know. Who killed ‘yar mother, my mate?!” My fangs lengthened, and his feathers plumed down his back, half shifting.

“Adam, the boy Alpha.” Our beasts spoke with each other, growling, mourning for the time lost. He had lost my childhood and his mate while he was under the deep spell, keeping him away for all these years.

Father’s feathers retracted, his face softening, his hands falling from my shoulders. He swayed until I pulled him to my side so he could lean on me. Nicholas and Amora flew down quickly, shifting and helping me get us all to a shelter.

The fight between Adam and the Elders was put on hold. My father, who lay on a makeshift nest, grumbled as he slept. Amora had caught several deer. Nicholas and I dressed the meat, so we were ready to eat. We had little time. The sun had now passed mid-day, and the wolves would expect us.

“What do you want us to do, Alpha?” My head whipped to Nicholas like a snake had bitten me. “It’s true, you are the next Alpha.” Shaking my head, I threw the knife into the slab of meat.

“I will not be Alpha,” I grumbled.

Amora’s hand touched mine. “You are next in line,” she murmured. “You and Odessa.”

“I. Will. Not. Be. Alpha.” I growled for the first time at Amora. The pained look had me regretting my words, but I was to be no Alpha.

“Too many hurtful memories.” I cut the meat, dipping it back in its blood, trying to feed my father. He took it gladly in his sleep, chewing and swallowing it almost whole. “I wish for a peaceful life with Odessa. I do not want to be a leader of a tribe that shunned me, hated and belittled me, even if it was under some black magic.” My father finished half the deer meat, his face already getting more color.

“I just want to live peacefully, away from it all. Odessa seems to want the same.” I smiled at that, just her and I on the outskirts of the tribe. Only coming in for our fledglings to attend lessons or maybe barter. Living within the tribe, being one with the tribe, was no longer an option.

My father groaned. He sat up with his eyes blinking widely. “Son?” I walked towards him, sitting next to the nest. “You passed out. We brought you here. We have to kill Adam and get back.” Standing, Apollo pulled on my hand.

“You ‘ave to tell me how the magic broke before, how I ‘membered.” I sighed, sitting back down.

“I found my mate.” I chuckled. “Once we bonded, it broke the spell that was tied to me, which was part of you because we are blood.” Father’s dirty face widened.

“Yer mate,” he sighed. “I’ve missed much.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m glad ya have bonded.” His smile faded. “Wish I was with yer mother.”

“She wishes for it too. She told me about you, to come to find you. Worried that you would kill the tribe.” Father scoffed.

“She knew me so well,” he sighed. “After only a moon cycle of knowing ‘er.” He put his hands on his lap. He looked defeated.

“You stalked her, though.” I laughed. Father’s face turned red.

“She knew I watched her bathe? She told ya that?” I let out a loud laugh. Nicholas and Amora watch the interaction, only smiling at both of us.

“Yes, she did. She loves you, loves you still. She is waiting for you.” Father hummed, rubbing his face.

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