Taming Her Beastly Mate
Chapter 68

Micah shifted Ryker on his back as he carried him out of the cave. Brian was going to carry him back but told him he had him. He didn’t voice anything, but something still wasn’t sitting right about the whole situation. Why keep him sedated? Was it really to keep him quiet? Whose idea was it to sedate him? It didn’t make much sense to him. He stepped into the clearing and watched as everyone gathered around. Aken was going to teleport them back to Elysium so they could strategize about the dark army heading towards Elysium.

“Put me down.”

The muffled sound came from Micah’s back as everyone stopped to look at him. Micah turned his head to the side. “Are you sure? Can you stand?” The guy was completely out of it a minute ago and now he is wanting down?

Ryker snorted. “Yes.” His voice was a bit groggy but he was quickly coming to.

Micah slid Ryker to the ground who stood rubbing his head. “Da.mn those drugs.”

“Ryker.” Brian walked up to Ryker and grabbed the back of his head. He leaned his forehead against his and closed his eyes. “I was worried about you.” The two men stay like that not speaking. It was a moment where silence was much more powerful than words. Brian lifted his head up and looked at him. “You look like shi.t man.” He chuckled as a crooked smile curled on Ryker’s lips. He patted the back of his head and then straightened up.

“I feel like it. They have been keeping me drugged up this whole time. Ever since I refused to renounce my mate. Like how I could ever leave Raine. I need her.” Ryker smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. “But I understand their concern. But drugging me like that…” He looked over at Brian. I have my memories back now. Everything. But there is a problem. Let’s walk farther away so I can talk.

Brian stared at him and nodded his head. There was a reason he was mind linking him now. And there was a reason he never told the Thunder he had fully regained his memories.

“We were going to head back to Elysium.” Brian watched as Ryker shook his head.

Not yet.

Brian turned and looked at the others. “Let’s walk for a bit first.” His eyes met with Alexis’ and Micah’s who he knew would immediately understand.

When Ryker felt like they were far enough away he stopped. “Alright, this here is okay.” He looked up at the others and glanced behind him.

“First, what happened? Why did they allow me to leave?” Ryker asked trying to put all the details together. There is no way they were willing to just let him leave. Especially if his hunch was right.

“They didn’t have a choice. Either they let you go, or we were going to take you by force. I told Wendy you swore to serve me upon your flame. They knew they couldn’t do anything about that. They claim the Thunder is loyal to the royal family… if that is the case, they wouldn’t oppose me. And of course, even if they did… what could they do about it?” Brian shrugged and chuckled.

“Wendy would not have liked it.” Ryker glanced back again with a perplexed look on his face. But there was someone else there who he was certain didn’t like it.

“Is Wendy the leader there?” Micah asked.

“She is much older than she looks. She is actually a few hundred years old. When the old leader was killed, he passed the torch of the Thunders to her. She is very strict and takes the organization very seriously.” Ryker paused. “But something has slipped under her nose.” He looked up at the others. “Let me tell you about the night I lost my memories.”

“I had infiltrated a group of dragons that were supposedly leading an uprising against the king. I was part of their group for several months and what I found out was shocking. They were working with demons. In fact, some of them were even part demons. I discovered they were working on a plan. The demons were planning to make a puppet army in the future using nembrant glass. But not just any army. They were summoning fierce creatures and were beginning to create a pool of power to attract them. They weren’t from this world. This was as much as I discovered. I went to relay the information to another member of the Thunder. Right after that I was attacked by a half-demon half-dragon. I defeated him but ended up losing my memory after being severely wounded myself.” Ryker squeezed his hands into a ball. “I think the Thunder member was actually a double agent for the demons. He should have told the Thunders everything. They would have found me then. Instead, I was left for dead.”

“I think this is why I was drugged. I think this other member was trying to figure out what to do if I got my memories back.” Ryker sighed and Micah snorted.

“I knew it! I knew that whole situation seemed shady.” Micah turned and looked back. “Let’s go break some bones.”

Chapter 68

Micah shifted Ryker on his back as he carried him out of the cave. Brian was going to carry him back but told him he had him. He didn’t voice anything, but something still wasn’t sitting right about the whole situation. Why keep him sedated? Was it really to keep him quiet? Whose idea was it to sedate him? It didn’t make much sense to him. He stepped into the clearing and watched as everyone gathered around. Aken was going to teleport them back to Elysium so they could strategize about the dark army heading towards Elysium.

“Wait. I have to check to see if this pool of power still exists. I need to check on it. If it has grown… I need to speak with Wendy. I will need to let her know that Mason is a traitor and it might not just be him— This is bad.” Ryker needed to replace the pool of power again and make certain it still exists. If it does it will prove Mason is a traitor.

“We go down. The ravine will split into three paths. The path on the far right will lead to an open area that leads to a swamp. It is in this area they were making this pool.” Ryker moved to the edge and putting one foot in front of him slid to the bottom. Brian held onto Bella as they both followed suit. Jasper went to do the same to Terra, but she scoffed at him. With a smirk, she jumped down into the valley nimbly landing on her feet.

“Dam.n I love her.” Jasper grinned as he and Micah jumped down as well.

The group gathered at the bottom of the ravine. The opening on the far right was surrounded on all sides by steep, high walls. It became narrow and they had to follow the path single file. They could hear the faint sound of water from up ahead. The wind blowing through the ravine amplified the sound making it louder. They could smell the swamp as they got closer. But that wasn’t the only thing. A strong potent smell of brimstone wafted in the air as it became heavy with a suffocating aura.

Coming up alongside the swamp they all froze! The air was thick, and a dark energy swirled in the center of the swamp. The water was black and stagnant. The foul stench of the pool wafted in the air from the sinister power it was fed.

Ryker’s lips parted in shock. “It’s…” He shook his head in shock. “It was only the size of a puddle before.”

“What are they summoning with this much dark energy?” Micah’s eyes traveled over the corrupted water as his jaw tensed in anger. What type of army were they trying to bring here? Was it already too late to stop it?

Ryker shook his head. “Damn.” He whispered out in a breath. He gazed over the dark energy and his hands curled up next to his sides. This was the last thing he warned Mason about before he lost his memories. “I know now for certain there is at least one traitor in the Thunders. I have to go and talk to Wendy. But we need to keep an eye on this location. We need to see who is still feeding this pool.” Ryker looked up.

“I’ll stay. Brian and Bella can fly Jasper and Terra back to Elysium. You can fly to the Thunders. I’ll wait here. Levi needs to see this.” Micah looked up as Brian frowned.

“We can’t leave you here alone.” Brian listened as Micah chuckled quietly.

“I’ll be fine. I’m a guardian. You guys should go before someone shows up. We need to replace a way to shut this pool down. Levi and Aken are the best ones to handle this now.” Micah watched as the angry energy swirled in a menacing circle. It was a beacon to bring something to it. Whatever it was calling, he didn’t want it to come but it might already be too late for that. This could mean nothing good.

“I’ll show Levi how to get here.” Brian reached his hand out and grabbed onto Micah’s. “Don’t fight. Just hide yourself.”

“Don’t get all choked up on me. I’m not a damsel in distress here.” Micah teased with a quiet laugh. He could see Brian’s concerned eyes looking at him and he smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay out of sight.”

“It’s almost nighttime. We have very little daylight left. I’ll try to hurry Micah.” Brian stared at Micah’s green eyes and pursed his lips together. “Please be safe…” He turned and looked at Ryker. “I’ll meet you at the Thunders after I bring Levi here.” Ryker nodded his head and the group started to go back the way they came. Brian glanced back once more and looked at Micah’s smiling face.

“You are really ‘dragon’ this out now.” Micah teased with a white toothy grin.

Brian chuckled and nodded his head. “I’ll see you soon.” He then turned and left. Leaving Micah alone in the swamp.

Micah smiled and shook his head. He watched them until they disappeared. He then looked around the area and saw a spot that was thick with brush. He moved into the heavy dense area where he could sit and hide but still see clearly. He had been in this position for only an hour when he felt the shadows creeping in. The sounds of screeches and strange clicks drew closer. Then there was something else. A few strong suffocating auras began to approach.

But it wasn’t just them. A woman with dull lifeless skin walked towards the pool. Her skin sagged slightly from her body as her all-white soulless eyes peered into the darkness. She turned her head slightly to the side as her lips curled up in a sinister smile.

“Well well well… what do we have here.”