Chapter 35

T he pull on his shoulders and hips hurt with every step. Wulfric's eyes fluttered open, each breath harder than the last. He was in a tunnel of some sort with his hands and feet tied to a long pole, two big men carrying his swinging body between them. The scent in the tunnel of roses was cloyingly sweet, and he looked around in panic.

The other Growlers were in the back of a cart with a large net on it, and a giant gargoyle singlehandedly dragged the cart through the tunnel.

"Where's Scarlet?" he grunted.

One of the men's steps faltered, but neither of them responded. Wulfric turned to the gargoyle.

"Damn it, don't leave her there. The eagles will come back. Go get her. The dragon—"

As he spoke, they'd broken through the tunnel and marched him up a wide driveway to the front door of a giant mansion. His voice broke at both the sight of the giant building and the door swinging open.

"She'll be fine," the gargoyle said softly but deeply. Wulfric opened his mouth to reply, but another giant of a man strode down the steps, equally as big as the gargoyle. The brass buttons on his green shirt gleamed and his brown pants were starched crisp in the weak winter sun. But his boots were scuffed and muddy, in contrast with the fine material of a noble.

Wulfric turned his attention to the newcomer, unable to see his head with the angle of the sun. "Do you have Scarlet? These jackasses left her back there. Send them to get her, for gods' sake—"

"We have Scarlet."

The man's deep voice echoed in Wulfric's soul and made him blink. But then his fear for his mate pushed him to struggle at his bonds. "Where is she? Is she hurt? Is she safe? Fuck, let me out."

"Not yet," the man said as he waved a hand. The men set his back onto the ground so his bonds no longer pulled. Even as he struggled, he could feel his wounds stitching themselves closed. The net over the cart moved as the others came awake.

"First, tell me what you're doing here, Growler."

Wulfric ground his teeth together. "I'm here to broker a treaty with the dragon, but if you don't let me out of this, it'll mean war."

The man laughed, and a puff of green smoke sank to the ground as he stepped out from the direct line of the sun. Wulfric took in his stubby horns, the green scales on the side of his head, the knot of brown hair at the top, all things he'd initially not noticed from the angle on the ground.

"Don't you think there's enough war going on in this godforsaken land?"

"You're the dragon, Scarlet's brother." Wulfric eyed the beast. They both had freckles all over, but this man's were more scaly than true soft freckles like his mate's.

The man bowed slightly. "Knoxious Clawson, king of the Feral Forest, at your service. Now, tell me the truth. What's a band of Growlers doing with my sister?"

"I'm telling you, I'm here with Scarlet. I would never harm her," Wulfric growled, struggling anew at his bonds. "Ask the druid woman. She knows. Let me go. Where is she? Scarlet!"

He roared the last word and took a deep breath to yell again. But the dragon was faster, swiftly cutting his ropes and grabbing him by the throat. Pressed into the dirt, Wulfric stilled, his hands on the dragon's arm.

He could fight, but this was Scarlet's brother. She wouldn't be pleased if he was harmed.

"Shut up, you'll wake my mate," the man growled.

"Then tell me where my mate is, and let me see that she's safe," Wulfric's claws lengthened on the dragon's arm.

Their eyes met, and Wulfric's burned as he held the stare. Finally, the dragon frowned and backed away, dropping his hands and rubbing one on the back of his neck.

"Hells, explain yourself. What do you mean mate?" the dragon asked, the gargoyle standing behind him with arms crossed.

Wulfric stood slowly, naked and proud with claws held at the ready at his side. "I mean what I said. Scarlet is my fated mate. She's in the castle. I can feel her, but I can't tell if she's injured from our fight with the eagles."

He paused as the dragon stared at him, green smoke sinking from his nose.

Wulfric's chest was tight, and finally he said softly, "Please."

The dragon king blinked and took a deep breath before waving the two men away. "That'll be all. Thank you."

"Wait," Wulfric said as they started to walk away. "She shifted to fight the eagles. That means her cape, her daggers—they're still out there. Can you fetch them?" At his words, the gargoyle walked around them toward the cart.

One of the men who had held him captive straightened and murmured, "We're not fetching shit for the likes of you."

The gargoyle waved to the cart. "For fuck's sake, her cloak and daggers are in the cart with the other Growlers."

The dragon clapped a hand on Wulfric's injured shoulder, making him wince, and met the two men's gazes. "That was very thoughtful of you, Growler. It would mean a lot to the Huntress to have her cloak and weapons safely back beside her."

"The Huntress," the other one whispered in awe.

Knox let go of Wulfric's shoulder and dismissed the two men. "That'll be all. Thank you for your assistance. Oh, and just so we're clear, the Growlers will be treated as our guests as long as they behave accordingly. We don't speak to guests in such a disrespectful ways, understood?"

The two men shuffled on their feet, eyes cast down as they nodded. "Aye, your highness." Finally, they left and Wulfric could breathe a little easier.

"Did you mean it?" he asked as they walked away.

Knox's dark gaze met his, the intensity of it sending a shiver down Wulfric's spine. "Until Scarlet says otherwise, you and your men are under our protection."

Wulfric gripped Knox's offered hand tightly, relieved by the dragon's show of trust. Knox matched his strength before releasing their handshake before they could start a pissing contest on grip strength. As they approached the cart where the trapped Growlers were tied up, one of them snapped his jaw aggressively at the gargoyle guard.

Wulfric quickly intervened. "Enough! You heard what our host said—we are guests here."

The Growler whined, "Then why are we tied up like prisoners?"

Knox smirked slightly before replying, "Well, if you'd wait a moment, Ashur will remove the net."

He wanted to trust the dragon and believe that they would be treated fairly, but deep down he knew there was more to this situation than meets the eye. He silently vowed to tread carefully in this unfamiliar territory.

Ashur removed the net while the dragon said, "If you'll all follow me inside, we'll tend to your injuries and provide food and clothing. Then I'll take you to Scarlet."

"No, Scarlet first. I—"

The dragon stopped on the first step to the entrance and turned to stare down at him. "You can still be prisoners, if you like. That I'm letting a pack of Growlers into my home where my wife and hatchling are in residence speaks for my optimism. Don't push me."

Wulfric searched his face and realization dawned. "Scarlet is near your mate, and you will protect your mate."

"And my sister, if need be. Though she's rarely needed my protection, if ever," he said wryly.

Wulfric grinned. "Yes, that sounds like Scarlet."

The front door opened to reveal a spectral man with a heavy frown, his clothes fine but outdated. "Who is this?"

"Leopol, this Growler claims to be Scarlet's mate."

"Wulfric, head alpha of the Growlers," Wulfric bowed. He fucking bowed to a ghost. Some of his human memories must be stronger than others, because he didn't even hesitate.

The ghost's frown eased though as amusement sparkled in his eyes. "Indeed. Well, come inside. Would you like to wash in the—"

"Kitchens," the dragon said. "They're not allowed upstairs. Not until I sort out what in the hells is going on."

Leopol snorted. "Fair enough. Since I'm sure Knox won't let you out of his sight, he can take you to the servant's bathing chamber while I fetch clothes that might fit."

"We have packs with clothes. And Scarlet's horse, Rain! There's an ice monster on the litter. I do not recommend touching it," Wulfric said as they turned down a hallway. The spectral man's brow raised, and he floated to the front door.

"Indeed? I shall investigate."

They walked through the castle to the kitchens, Wulfric's head turning swiftly to take it all in. If this was what Scarlet was used to, he'd never be accepted. Why would she choose to give up all this finery to live in tents in the forest?

But her Grandma's cottage… now that was something they could live in easily. An excellent compromise. It would just take convincing the Growler tribe to change their nomadic way of life, but he didn't think that'd be a problem for many. They always grumble so much when they have to pack up with the changing season.

Knox led them into a small room off the kitchens, a servant woman with feathers for hair following them. The dragon sat in a chair in the corner while the woman poured a bucket of water into a sunken stone pool. When she left, Wulfric stepped down into it, hissing at the lukewarm water.

"Don't worry. They're heating more water as we speak."

The other Growlers followed him, one grumbling, "This is where the dragon boils us alive and eats our bones and all."

Another elbowed him, making him fall into water. The others snorted, trying to cut off their laughs, but the dragon just let his head back and roared. Wulfric stilled at the sound, then realized it was a laugh and relaxed. The others sank into the water. It was plenty big for the five of them, but just barely.

"I'm not going to eat you, alive or dead, bones or anything else. Thanks, but no thanks. Are you here to eat any of us?"

The dragon tilted his head and waited, hands at ease in his lap. His posture on the chair was deceptively relaxed. Wulfric didn't buy it for a moment.

"Of course not. We're here to negotiate a peace treaty like I told that gargoyle out front," Wulfric retorted.

The dragon smiled and nodded as more servants came in with more warm water. "Well, let's discuss then. No time like the present. I suggest you start at the beginning. Who are you? Why are you here? What makes you think Scarlet is your mate? And what's this about a treaty?"

Wulfric glared and splashed water on his legs and arms before grabbing a cake of soap on the ledge. "I don't think she is. I know she is. We completed the mate bond on the night of the full moon."

Knox's eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, another servant brought a bucket of steaming water and poured it over Wulfric's head, making him hiss.

A snort of laughter from the corner made him glare through the dripping water. "You look like a drowned rat," said the dragon.

"I feel like one," he grumbled, scrubbing furiously. Memories of baths similar to this one made him frown. Had he and his wife lived in the tavern or above the shop?

He hadn't had a chance to ask other turned Growlers if all their memories had returned or if some parts were still hazy. Another bucket of water poured over him, and he closed his eyes as the heat began to soak into his sore muscles. The healing process was almost complete, thank the gods.

"Grandma said to expect a visitor, but I wasn't expecting a Growler," the dragon said as Leopol led a servant in with their packs and another with stacks of clothes.

Leopol waved to the neatly folded pile as it was set on a chair. "You may wear your own clothes, of course, but I brought these just in case. They should fit, but let me know if they're not comfortable."

"Are they his?" Wulfric nodded to the dragon, who smirked.

"Doubtful," said Knox.

"No," Leopol said. "They belong to Knox's second in command. The gargoyle from outside? They're his, from before he was cursed. They're clean, if dusty."

"Six months ago when Scarlet was cursed? He was cursed too?"

Knox crossed his arms and ankles and leaned back in the seat. "Hundreds of people were cursed, but she was the only one who got a double portion. But that's a story for after you explain yourself."

Wulfric stood and toweled off, not turning his back on the dragon or the ghost. "When you came to get the druid at the cottage, I was there."

Wulfric nodded as he tugged on the pants that were laid out for him. They were a little loose, but that was preferable to too tight.

The dragon ran a hand over the back of his neck. "I see we have much to talk about. Your men can eat in the kitchens when they're done here. Would you join me in my office?"