34. Chapter Thirty-Seven

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 na?ve 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.

A naked man.

I felt a blush rush me.

It'd only ever seen Dorran naked before.

He seemed to notice my unease and brushed his thumb against my flesh. "Stay calm, Little Mouse."

As we neared, more wolves made their way to the front yard, all of their eyes on us. There were females almost snarling at me, but I didn't have the guts to look at them. I kept my eyes glued to my shoes.

"Dorran," a husky male voice said. "Is that you?"

Dorran stopped, keeping me close to his side. I felt his unease at the situation. When I looked up, I realized why.

Several of the wolves were staring at me.

"Yes," Dorran said sharply. "It's nice to see you Alpha Chandler."

He stepped off the porch from amongst the wolves. His body was large, like a linebacker, full of muscle and coiled veins. His face was handsome. His square jaw was covered in scruffy auburn hair cut short to his scalp.

Alpha Chandler stopped several feet away, his gaze shifted toward mine and a smile curled up his mouth. Dorran jerked me behind him, his wing blocking my view from the pack of testosterone-filled men.

"I suggest you call off your pack, Chandler. I can practically smell them drooling over her."

I didn't dare a look. I felt it.

Chandler chuckled, and he must have gestured them away because I felt Dorran relax. "You can't blame them, Dorran. You've brought a beauty to us, and I'm wondering if you're trading—,"

Dorran's wings spread to full span. "She's mine," he said calmly but his voice was full of promise. "I didn't bring her to trade. I came to collect my favor."

Dorran's wings retracted after several minutes of silence.

Chandler's dark gaze shifted toward mine. "What is she?" he asked, ignoring Dorran's demand.

"That's part of the reason I'm here," he said. "This is Amara, she's my mate."

Chandler slid his tongue greedily across his teeth. "Why would you bring her here if not to trade?"

"I need your help. She is a siren."

Chandler stiffened, his shoulder tensed, and his arms folded over his chest. "You're sure?"

"Positive," Dorran said. "We have a siren clan from The South Kingdom coming to get her. She's a hybrid and was punished to death before she was born. Her mother got away, and they were able to keep Amara hidden until now. Now she has powers, and they are coming after her. I need your help to fight them."

Chandler furrowed his heavy brow. "You're The Dragon Prince of The North Kingdom and you need help from me? Why won't your father grant you access to his army?"

Dorran put his hand on my shoulder and guided me to his side.

Chandler stared at me for a long time, and I didn't understand why.

"My father is afraid of the sirens. My mother doesn't like that Amara isn't a dragon, and I have my brother trying to gain the army's trust. I can't bank on that. I trust that you will come through. I saved your life, and now, I need you to help save Amara's."

Chandler never looked away from me, his mouth opened in a look that resembled admiration. Tilting my head, I watched lust grow on his face. Why was he doing that in front of Dorran?

I blinked, sliding my tongue against my lower lip, I noticed his irises begin to widen. "Please," I whispered, unable to stop myself.

Chandler's chest heaved, and his brows pulled down between his dark eyes. "You're beautiful," he said, reaching out to touch me, but Dorran slapped his hand away.

He seemed to stumble back and out of his trance. "What do we need to do?"

"We need your entire pack to prepare. There are cabins at the base of the mountain where I'm currently staying. If you can bring your pack there, we'll train together and prepare for the sirens."

Chandler nodded. "I need to inform my beta."

He turned his attention toward the woods but didn't move. I tugged on Dorran's hand and gestured toward Chandler. "They have a mind link where they communicate with one another." He pointed toward the woods and another male came running out.

I adjusted my gaze toward my feet again to keep myself from looking at his nakedness.

"Chandler," the male said. "What's going on?"

"Roan, this is Dorran and Amara."

Bravely, I glanced up at his blue eyes which looked sheepishly at me.

"We are going to gather the warriors in the pack and go with them to The North Kingdom. They are being attacked by sirens—,

"What the hell?" Roan barked. "She's a siren. I'm mated," he hissed. "I feel a pull toward her. Get her away from me."

Dorran slid me behind him and kept me covered from Roan's heated stare. "She is a siren," Dorran said. "She's my mate and wasn't raised with the sirens. She's a hybrid. We need help—,"

"Chandler," Roan said. "We can't do this. My grandfather told me stories about sirens. They're demons—,"

Dorran hissed something under his breath.

"Calm down, Roan," Chandler said. "I owe Dorran. He saved my life in his kingdom. We're going to help them."

Roan became quiet, and I braved a glance around Dorran. He glared at me, his teeth barred and his lip snarled in frustration. "This is a mistake," he hissed.

"Well, it's my mistake," Chandler snapped. "I'm the alpha. Go get the warriors, now."

Roan left, and I felt Dorran relax.

"He's never like this," Chandler said. "He's scared," he mumbled, "we'll be ready in thirty minutes. Feel free to make yourself at home. Though," he said, glancing over his shoulder. "I don't think the shewolves are happy Amara is here. Maybe staying outside would be best."

Dorran turned to look down at me with hope in his eyes. "What do they think?" I asked. "That I'm going to jump on all of their men or something?"

"They're already protective," he said, lowering his voice. "And you just convinced their alpha to join us with a simple glance, Little Mouse. You're more powerful than you realize. You need to understand all of your power. Not the trance, but the abilities you have hidden. They are going to save us when the time comes."

Hundreds of wolves began to crowd the pack house within minutes. Having numbers would help us against the sirens, but I could feel the guilt settling in my stomach.

I prayed the sirens didn't tear us apart.

I prayed these wolves were able to come back to their home.

Dorran rubbed his thumb against my wrist and brought my hand to his mouth. "Everything is going to be okay," he whispered. "Werewolves are strong, and if I can get Zerk to find a way to block the siren's mind control, we'll be set to tear them apart."

He glanced at Chandler as he approached with his pack.

"There is one thing I have to tell you before we start."

"What's that?" Chandler asked.

"Evian, their ruler, he's mine."