The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 29

Ryan

It took months for me to fully recover from the experience. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. My body healed quickly enough thanks to my accelerated wolf healing, but my mind... That was a different story. I was plagued by nightmares of that dark, dank cell and the dragon lady's haunting words. I'd wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing, half expecting to replace myself covered in scales again. My dad stayed by my side through it all, offering comfort and reassurance when the terrors got to be too much.

As I slowly regained my strength, I tried to make sense of what happened to me. The dragon inside me was a wild, untamed thing. With no one to teach me how to control it, how to harness its power, it remained a mindless beast driven by instinct and rage.

I was terrified of losing control, of hurting someone I cared about. So, I locked that part of myself away, deep down where I hoped it would never see the light of day again. Two years ago, when we were attacked by rogues, the unthinkable happened...

I continued to pace, lost in the memories of my past when a sudden mind-link from Conner jolted me back to the present.

"Alpha, the prisoner who assaulted Lyra is begging to be released. He claims you promised him freedom."

A low growl rumbled in my chest as I stopped in my tracks. The mere mention of the man ignited a fire within me. I stormed out of my home and into the stillness of the night.

In no time I stood at the Cells.

Conner fell into step beside me as we entered. The air grew colder and damper with each step, but the heat of my anger kept me warm. I could hear the prisoner's desperate pleas echoing off the stone walls, grating on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

The man pressed himself up against the bars, his eyes wild. He was no longer arrogant, but desperate-thoroughly humbled by his circumstances. Just what I wanted to see.

"Please, Alpha Thornton," he begged, licking his lips like he searched for gold with every swipe. "You promised me freedom. Just let me go.... with a little coin of course."

I stepped closer to the cell, my eyes narrowing as I took in the pathetic sight before me. He hadn't made use of the sink or apparently the toilet. He reeked even worse than the first time I saw him. The man's clothes were tattered and filthy, his face gaunt and hollow. My nose wrinkled in disgust.

"You want freedom?" I asked, each word like a whip flinging from my mouth. "Then run. Run as fast as you can and don't look back. But know this - any money I give you will only weigh you down. It won't save you from what's coming. Nothing will."

I nodded to Conner, who unlocked the cell door with a heavy clang. The man stumbled out, his eyes darting between us as if expecting a trap. I could see the indecision warring on his face - the desire for freedom battling with the fear of what lay ahead.

For a moment, he hesitated, his grip tightening on his tattered jacket. Then, with a final glance over his shoulder, he took off running down the damp corridor. His footsteps echoed off the walls, growing fainter with each passing second. I watched him go, a savage satisfaction curling in my gut. I knew what awaited him out there in the wilderness - the same fate that befell all those who dared to cross me or harm those under my protection.

Conner shifted beside me, his eyes fixed on the retreating figure of the prisoner. "Should we go after him, Alpha?" he asked, his voice tight with anticipation.

I shook my head, a slow smile spreading across my face. "No. Let him run. Let him think he's escaped."

Having sent Conner home, I headed into the woods at a leisurely pace. When I was far enough from the pack compound, I let my body contort and grow. My skin hardened into scale while my fingers elongated into razor-sharp claws. A searing pain ripped through me as wings erupted from my back, unfurling like sails in the wind.

I took to the sky, my wings beating against the air with a powerful rhythm. Even at night, the moon behind the clouds, the world below me was in brilliant f color the trees mere specks against the earth. I scanned the forest, my eyes sharp and keen, until I spotted him - the guard, running through the woods like a frightened rabbit.

I dove, the wind whipping past my face as I hurtled towards the ground. My heart pounded in my chest, my muscles tensed with anticipation. The guard looked up, his eyes wide with terror as he saw me bearing down on him. He tried to run, but it was too late.

I slammed into him, my claws tearing through his flesh like paper. He screamed, a sound that was quickly silenced.

In the heat of battle, my mind slipped away. It was replaced by the mindless beat that consumed me, and it had a hunger that could only be sated by the hunt.

Man started to crawl on his knees. Voice hoarse with screams.

"Arrrrgggghhh. No. Please..."

Man's voice shook. He begged. No care. Heat in body. Skin grew hot.

Mouth open, flames poured out. Man's screams swallowed by fire.

He was nothing. Ash and smoke.

Movement by the trees. More for me to hunt? To kill?

A woman.... NO, MY WOMAN. Eyes wide. Mouth open. Fear... of me? No! I won't hurt.

Why she run? I want her. We need her. She hates me.

A cry in darkness. It came from... what is that under moon? Is it... Wolf!

Hunt wolf or be with my woman?

Hard decision. Must think.

Wolf on hill top. He challenged me. For... No. NOT MY WOMAN!