The Exiled Dragon
He Hunts

Odessa

The warm covers shifted. My body was wrapped up in a cocoon that was holding me tightly together. Groaning, I tried to wiggle free, only to replace my mate standing at the large windows at the edge of our room. He stood ridged. I felt his dragon growling, stirring inside him. His large shoulders pulled back, his scales rippling down his arms, only to be sucked back into his body.

"Creed?" I whispered, finally pulling the warmth of the covers away. I was in a nightgown. He must have dressed me, I don't even remember coming back from dancing. Creed's body stood by the window, being utterly still, his eyes scanning the courtyard. It looked to be morning, but looking up into the sky, there were no suns.

My arms wrapped around him, my head leaning on his back. "I have to go replace him, Odessa," Creed breathed heavily. He pulled me around, putting my face to his bare chest. "They aren't just on the territory anymore, they have been seen around the palace walls. I can't stay up here while others work to protect you."

The beat of my heart was slow and heavy, my fingers wanted to claw into his skin to not let him go. I wasn't weak; I wasn't. I had my own dragon, but even then I've only shifted twice and had no ability to fight with beings so powerful that even a dragon could be cursed.

"How can I help?" I sniffed, staring out the window. Several warriors flew around the palace walls, pointing at various areas for better coverage. We both knew there was nothing I could do.

"You stay here, within the palace walls, where you are safe." I shook my head. "What if..." Creed pulled me back, his eyes penetrating mine with deep longing.

"No," his stern voice I had only heard when he spoke to his tribe fell on me like bricks. "I cannot have you leave this palace. Stay away from windows and stay in this room." Creed walked over to the dresser, taking off his leather cuffs from the ceremony, tossing them away. He ripped the silk skirt off and threw it carelessly on the floor.

Creed's demeanor had changed drastically since our dance. I couldn't figure out why. My dragon was hurting, my body feeling less than adequate already since Creed was going out alone without me. I pulled my arms together to cover my chest, scratching at that miserable aching spot that likes to appear when I get upset. I hated feeling weak. All those people were trying to protect me and I stood there like nothing. A wasted piece of space, being the same helpless girl stuck in that damn tree.

I stood silent, listening to Creed stomp out of the bathroom. The shame I felt of thinking this was technically our wedding night and all I wanted was him to be myself and not go help. So many wonderful things that have happened the past few hours were now thrown out the window. Creed's mother was back alive, and he was so elated. I wish I hadn't fallen asleep because something must have changed his demeanor since then. Too much time to think, too much time for him to stew in his thoughts.

Was he angry that I fell asleep? My dragon cried, she literally cried. I didn't know animals could do that. She softly roared in my chest, clutching the only thing I could, the collar of my nightgown, trying to calm her. Sitting back on the bench by the window, Creed kneeled before me, clutching my knees.

"It's alright," his voice was much calmer. He kissed my knee, now grabbing my hand so I would no longer itch. "It's going to be okay." Standing, he pulled me to the bed, having me sit with him.

"I would die if anything happened to you." Creed nuzzled my neck. "Keeping you safe is for my own selfish reasons. I don't want you to ever have a fight. I will always see you as my fawn and me as your protector. Please, stay here. I am not angry with you. Let me protect you. It gives me joy. Protecting you gives me purpose." Creed's hand cupped my cheek, pecking my lips softly."

"I will make up for this night," he promised. "We were to make love all night long." I giggled, hearing him laugh as he spoke.

"But we will enjoy it much better if I know I have the Duke sitting in my dragon's belly." I scrunched up my nose. He gave a loud laugh, making my dragon calm. "You will be safe here. The palace is under a spell. No vampires can get in. I love you." Nodding, he kissed me one last time until he walked to the door.

I couldn't watch him walk out the door. My heart ached too much for that. Shutting the door quietly, I pulled up a large pillow to my chest, trying to breathe in whatever scent I could pull that was his into my lungs. My dragon cried further and further he walked away from us.

"We have to do something," I whispered to my beast. "Something to help everyone."

I didn't sleep the rest of the night, granted there were only a few hours left until daybreak. Rising from the bed, showering, and getting ready for the day, I put on one of the many dresses that Willa had requested Juliet to bring into the room. All of them were overly beautiful and expensive. Not one could be used as just a plain outfit.

Grabbing the one that looked the least formal, I opened the door to my room to replace three guards standing in front. "Morning, Alpha Odessa." The dragons stood tall. They looked vaguely familiar from yesterday's events. "Um, just Odessa, please."

"Of course, we are here to escort you to the dining room." They didn't bother to give me their names, and I didn't ask. The heaviness of the entire palace seemed to hang over me as I slowly walked with one in front and two behind me. I cracked each of my fingers as we entered the large dining room. Golden chairs sat next to the dark mahogany table, decorative tiers of cupcakes, flowers, coffees, and tea strung about each plate.

The silver forks displayed are decorated with gold spirals of leaves around each handle and the plates. Let's not talk about the plates. They were gorgeous, certainly of royalty fit for a King and Queen.

"Here, come sit." Willa pulled me to a chair. Amora sat on one side of me, her hand immediately went to my back, stroking it.

"They are fine. Our mates are all out there together." I blew wind through my nose, huffing at the thought of them staying out there while I sat in here. Willa eyed me carefully, loading my plate with eggs, bacon, and sausage.

"Eat the meat. Creed gave us strict orders to have you eat as much protein as you could. Your dragon will appreciate it. We even got some beef being brought in from some of the dragon tribes to fill you up, too." I hummed, poking at the eggs. Dragon stirred, she urged me to eat, and I immediately felt better.

"See, protein goes a long way. Your metabolism will accelerate too." Amora smiled, squeezing my forearm. After several minutes of silence, Willa placed her tea on the saucer, watching me.

"Odessa,” she whispered, watching my new dragon warriors speak amongst themselves. "I've got a sorceress that will help you wield your dragon's powers." I leaned my body closer to hers at the head of the table. My dragon was pushing for this, so of course, I'm going to trust her.

"We can do it in the library. You can order your guards to stand outside while she teaches you some things." Looking back over to the guards and back at Willa, I nodded, eager to do something with my time rather than sit on my rear end. The rest of breakfast was consumed by much lighter chatter. I spoke more about Ondi's swift return here to the normal world. Their eyes glowed with excitement and jealousy when we saw the goddess Hecate and Aphrodite. The in-between was now a hot topic of discussion. Wondering if there were more supernaturals still stuck in the in-between, but no one was certain. Our chatter was interrupted when Daine had finally decided to grace us with his presence.

He looked extremely rough, his braided hair was in disarray, the tunic he wore was hanging off his shoulders, showing his mark. His bright eyes were now grey, lifeless. We continued to pressure him on why he looked this way. Supernaturals do not get hungover as humans do. They always had a fast metabolism and ways to ward off simple sicknesses.

Continuing to brush us off, he had several cups of tea, slowly brightening his grey face. His face would smile down at his teacup but quickly turn into a scowl as if he remembered something sour. Continuing to watch him, I gently nudged him under the table with my foot. Maybe he wanted to just talk alone?

"What's wrong?" I mouthed to him. Shaking his head, I nudged him again. "Is it Tangle?" I mouthed again. His eyes watered, looking away. Standing up from the table between Amora and Willa, I went to sit with him. His head went onto my shoulder as I held onto him. He cried, my poor little Daine cried and wanted nothing more to comfort him.

"We will be in the library, Odessa," Willa whispered, pulling Amora to her side. "Stay with the guards," her eyes said it all. She was serious. Once they left, Daine pulled from my shoulder. Taking a napkin, I wiped away his tears. "What happened?" Daine sniffed, covering his face with his hands.

"Tangle, I saw him talking to one of his ex-flings." I sat back up straight, making sure I heard him right. "They just talked, but it was obvious that this guy was eye fucking him." He breathed heavily, taking a napkin to wipe his nose. "What else happened?" I pressed. Daine shook his head, looking back towards the table. "Daine!" I pushed his shoulder.

"The guy kissed him!" Putting my hand to my mouth, I shook Daine's shoulder for more.

"Tangle pushed him away, right?" Daine swallowed.

"He didn't get a chance because I punched the guy. I got so angry, I felt like there was an animal inside me, like a damn gorilla monkey thing. I wanted to rip off his dick, shove it in his mouth, and watch the dumb fucker choke on it. Then have Tangle fuck me right there in front of him to show the bloody bastard I was only his!" I snorted back a laugh. Daine was a lot of things. He had a loudmouth and no respect for other people's feelings or boundaries, but Tangle was definitely not a fighter.

"Then why are you crying? You socked the guy in the face! You should be proud you stood up for your mate who got taken advantage of!"

"That's what Tangle said. He said it was sexy as hell, but I punched someone! I have so many mixed emotions! I'm glad I did it, but I feel so bad! I'm horny but I'm not!" I scooted my chair away from Daine, not sure what was going to happen next. Was he going into some weird Elven heat or rut? They technically don't have an animal but they can be animalistic...

"A-and where is Tangle now?" I pray to the heavens he is close because he needs to come to calm down his mate before he goes psycho.

"I don't know! I ran and hid in a closet full of linens and had to listen to two wolves bang each other until dawn. I didn't know they liked to growl and bite so much. I've been scared to death, Odessa! The male kept calling the she-wolf his slut, and she begged him to choke her. Gods, I thought I was kinky but their language! The slapping!" My eyes widened, looking over at the guards. One left quickly, hoping to go replace Tangle because now I was frozen.

Tangle fell into the room, shortly after, his hair a mess, his dress clothes still intact from last night. "Daine," he grunted. He picked him up from the chair, putting his nose next to his ear. "I've looked everywhere. Why did you run? You protected me." "Me?" He cried. "You are the warrior!"

"But you saw it coming before I did. You knocked him out faster than my own reflexes. I'm so proud of you." Daine sighed, wrapping his arms around his neck.

"Really?"

"Yeah really, but why the hell do you smell like a wolf?" I stood up from my chair, my legs making a large screeching noise.

"I'm going to let you two discuss it. I've gotta go," I ran out the door, the guards quickly following.

The library wasn't far, just down the hall from the dining room. My spirits lifted as I came closer. This was how I was going to help. I was going to use the magic inside me that was steadily growing to fight off whatever else poses a threat to me as well as others. Orion knew something. He stares at me strangely, like reading a book and you are unsure what the words mean. Magic is the only thing that was significantly different about me compared to other dragons.

I know these vampires may be after me right now, but they pose a bigger threat to this world. Once they have me, who knows what else they could accomplish? The bags of memory powder they carried away was just the tip of the iceberg. How much dragon blood do they really have? Gripping my fists, I cracked the door, not letting the guards come in.

"Can you please stay here?" I asked.

"Alpha, we cannot. We have to watch you at all times." I squinted my eyes, wanting to throw a fit until realizing they said, 'alpha.' I grinned sweetly.

"As your Alpha, I'm telling you to stay outside this door."

"Alpha Creed did not see that one coming, I bet," the tallest one snickered. "Alright, you scream if you need us, Alpha. We cannot disobey your orders, but if you are in danger, we will break down the door." "Thanks," I meekly spoke, shutting the door with a click.

Turning, I found Amora and Willa sitting opposite each other with white candles lit on the table. A woman in a white robe, golden tassels around her waist, and wheat-colored hair flowing down her back. She smiled, beckoning me to come closer.

"So there is my beautiful pearl dragon."

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