The Call of The Dragon

by B. A. Stretke

  …

  Donell hung out on the back deck with a beer while rethinking his words from earlier. He didn't have anything against the Fae or his friend; it's just he didn't see that they had any legitimate right to get involved. The Fae had trespassed. They broke Pack law and they were captured. As far as draining them for their power, Donell was skeptical, because no one with an ounce of honor would do such a thing.

  “Hey, why are you out here sulking?” Bryn sat down in a chair beside him.

  "I am not sulking. I'm just enjoying the evening." Donell answered with a shrug. "So, where's Cameron? I can't believe you let him go somewhere without you." Donell wanted to change the subject, not entirely comfortable with how he acted with the Fae and not wanting to discuss it further.

  "He's inside talking to Kyle on the phone. They're discussing computer related stuff and I really have nothing to add to that conversation, so I thought I'd come out here and bother you." Bryn slapped Donell on the shoulder. "So, what has your panties in a twist?" Bryn laughed. "I always wanted to use that phrase, but it isn't easy when you live with a Clan of dragons." He continued to laugh.

  “Oh, go ahead, yuck it up.” Donell punched Bryn in the shoulder. “I’ll twist your panties for you.”

  "Sorry man, Cameron is the only one with permission to twist my panties," Bryn responded and laughed at the disgusted look on Donell's face. "But really, what has you all worked up over the wolves?"

  Donell rolled his eyes hard before answering. Damn, couldn't he side with the wolves without getting the third degree? “I know some of the wolves and they are not bad people. Regardless of the circumstances, the Fae were trespassing and the wolves had every right to detain them.” Donell wasn’t feeling as adamant about his position on the subject as he had been earlier.

  “So, you and the wolves know each other well.” Bryn implied plenty with his words, inflections and expressions.

  "They are not bad people," Donell repeated with a steady glare, which answered all of Bryn's questions.

  “The Fae deserves to die?” Bryn threw the question out there unexpectedly. Bryn patted Donell on the shoulder when he did not immediately answer. “I understand, you have friends over there and you feel a loyalty of sorts to them that doesn’t extend to the trespassers. You believe them to be good people with justification for their actions.” Donell didn’t answer, just nodded his head.

  "I don't want this guy to suffer, but we all live by laws and we should respect the laws of others just as we expect them to respect our laws." Donell's argument was failing. As much as he wanted to believe in the integrity of the wolves, the thought that Max's assertions could be true kept getting in the way.

  “We’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one.” Bryn smiled. “I want the guy rescued and you want the laws respected and we’ll leave it there, okay.”

  “Okay.” Donell and Bryn shook hands and then sat quietly and finished their beers.

  …

  Will woke to the gurney he was on being rolled out of his cold, dark room. It was still night and it had only been a few hours since he was last bled. Perhaps it was longer, his mind was not clear, and he could feel his light snuffing out in his mind. He would not survive another bleeding. Soon his soul would detach and he would finally be free. He didn’t fight it and let his mind drift.

  …

  Donell entered the kitchen late the next morning and was surprised to see Angus sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. “I thought you’d be gone a lot longer. Negotiations must have gone quick and easy.” He commented as he poured himself some coffee.

  “Yeah, they sold him to me, rather cheaply really. I guess he was on his last leg and they saw more value in the gold than in a dying Fae.” Angus’ words were tight and clipped. He was the most laid back of the group, very little could get a rise out of him. Donell found his mood unsettling.

  “Where is he?” Donell asked.

  "Upstairs with Forbes. Forbes doesn't have much understanding of the Fae physiology, but he's trying. Calum called Master Chamberlin for assistance and he's sending his doctor over. Apparently, the guy has had experience with treating Fae.” Angus shook his head and glanced away.

  "What's wrong?" Donell needed to know. It wasn't just an idle inquiry. His stomach began to knot as the truth of the situation gradually became clear to him.

  "It was just . . . bad. So wrong." Angus swung his gaze back to Donell. "It's one thing to be killed. It is quite another to be slowly eaten alive." Angus slapped the table top and then took a slow sip from his mug. His emotions were high, and Donell was feeling the depth of Angus' feelings.

  “This guy, Will, is average height, probably five-eight or five-nine, but he can’t weigh more than ninety pounds at best. He is nothing but skin and bones. The Alpha and his inner circle were bleeding him dry.”

  Donell felt his dragon tensing and squirming at the information and the vision it prompted. "That's not right; no one should suffer like that." He stated firmly.

  Angus nodded his head in agreement. “Max is lucky that the Alpha used him as restitution for the crimes of Jason Pearson, who happens to be the Alpha’s omega lover.” Angus again shook his head as if trying to understand. “When this one died, nothing would have stopped them from doing the same sickening thing to Max.”

  Donell’s previous assumptions about the pack began to shatter. It was hard to believe that anyone could treat another, so horribly. The dragons had killed their fair share of enemies but never did they mistreat someone for entertainment or self-satisfaction and they never deliberately harmed the weak. “Do you think the Fae will survive?”

  "They rolled him out to me on a gurney. I don't think he's been able to walk for a long time. When I picked him up, he didn't stir, he was completely unconscious. I carried him to the SUV and held him throughout the ride back and he never moved."

  “Could you sense his aura?” Donell was feeling terrible for having stood against his rescue and not wanting to interfere with the laws of the wolves. It was their law and he thought they needed to respect Pack laws, but if this was part of their laws, the Pack needed to be re-educated.

  Angus nodded. “Yes, but it was faint and dark.”

  “You did your best. You got him out of there and I’m sorry that I didn’t go with you.” Donell patted Angus on the shoulder and then left the kitchen. He needed to find Calum.

  Donell found Calum in his office and knocked lightly before being called inside. Calum watched him but did not comment. He motioned for Donell to take a seat and waited.

  “I’m sorry for how I acted last evening. I was of a mindset that put every arbitrary law of the paranormal world above plain decency and our moral duty.” Donell did not make eye contact with his chieftain. He sat with his gaze cast downward and waited.

  Calum straightened in his chair and observed Donell for a moment before responding. “Your apology is accepted.” He said and leaned forward over his desk. “You’re a good man Donell. I understand that you have friends in the Pack and at the time, it was difficult for you to stand against them.”

  “I see now, after speaking with Angus, the extent of what was happening at the Pack.” Donell was embarrassed by his lack of awareness and discernment. He’d assumed they were good and decent people, but good and decent people don't eat their captives. The thought made him cringe.

  “Have you seen him?” Calum asked, changing the subject slightly.

  “No, I can’t imagine that Max would want me anywhere near the poor man.” Donell felt unsure about seeing Will. The sight of the man had to be heartbreaking.

  "Go and meet him," Calum stated. "You need to do this."

  “Yes, sir.”

  Donell went up the stairs slowly as he pulled together his nerve and tried to bury his guilt. The Fae was placed in a large room on the second floor down the hall from Forbes’ room and across the hall from Max.

  Donell prayed that either Forbes or the Vampire doctor or a combination of the t
wo would heal the Fae. He didn’t want to have to deal with the fresh hell Will’s death would bring to his sense of inadequacy and shame.

  He knocked softly and after a few moments, the door opened and Forbes was standing there looking stressed but determined. Forbes never gave up until all hope was gone and Donell loved him for that.

  “May I see him?” Donell asked and he could see the confusion before it was replaced with understanding. Forbes stepped back and let him enter before closing the door behind him.

  "Sure, he's still unconscious. I'm waiting for the doctor from the coven. He should be here soon." Donell nodded and glanced briefly over towards the bed in the center of the room. He noticed all the white linens and the outline of a tragically slender body beneath the white linens.

  Donell felt his breath catch and he tensed his features as he took several steps towards the bed. Forbes came up to stand next to him. This was even harder than he thought it would be. For some strange reason, he felt as if he'd betrayed the man somehow. It was rather crushing sensation the engulfed him.

  "It's okay. You won't disturb him. He hasn't moved since Angus brought him in and laid him down. There's a heartbeat and shallow breathing but no movement." Forbes urged him forward.

  Donell did not comment but walked closer and sat on the straight back chair near the side of the bed. He breathed in the strong stench of medication and felt the oppression of the heavy silence. He gradually let his eyes raise until he was finally looking directly at the man lying in bed and in that moment, he could not look away.

  "I'm going to get something to eat, will you stay with him until I get back," Forbes asked over his shoulder as he walked towards the door.

  "Yes, of course. Go ahead; I'll stay with him." Donell continued to train his eyes on Will. The man was near death and yet Donell could not recall seeing a more beautiful being. His dragon started to stir and pushed forward in his mind it trying to get a better look at the unconscious man. It was something Donell hadn't expected and pushed his dragon back. This was not the place or the time to have his dragon make an appearance. The Fae had been through enough. He didn't need to be frightened by a curious dragon in his bedroom.

  He listened as Forbes left and closed the door behind him and then he was left alone with Will. The Fae was so slender and so ethereal in his presence. The white blond hair was swept to the side and hung well below his shoulders. Will's face was sunken and gaunt, but shown as a light in the darkness. He looked regal, like a sleeping prince. A beautiful sleeping prince.

  The idea that this gorgeous, vulnerable man was held and abused by the wolf pack burned a hole through him. For the past few years, the pack had been devouring this man's life and his soul.

  Donell felt his dragon become insistent and without thinking about it, Donell reached out and took Will's small, soft hand in his. The reaction to the touch of Will's hand was immediate and shot through Donell like a lightning bolt piercing his heart and blowing his mind apart.

  He pulled the small hand closer and pressed it to his face. He drank in the faint scent that was buried beneath the heavy medication. The realization was instantaneous and the remorse that had been haunting him became crippling with the knowledge that Will, the Fae that was held and tortured by the Pack, was his mate.

  He held the near lifeless hand and tried to breathe. His heart was broken. The Pack destroyed his love, his destiny, and his future. Rage like nothing he’d ever felt before flashed and burned and his mind was set on destroying those that sought to destroy his mate.

  Donell turned his head and pressed his lips to the back of Will’ hand. His dragon rippled across his mind, furious and on edge. His dragon was urging for Donell to claim Will and destroy those that harmed him.

  Donell fought to ignore his dragon and set his concentration on coming to grips with this fantastic, yet devastating awareness. So many feelings rushed through him as he thought about everything that might have happened and everything that did happen. He was so close to having everything he ever wanted and yet he might lose it. Will looked so sick and so weak. What if he didn’t recover? What if Donell never got the opportunity to tell him how sorry he was or to know him as his mate?

  The air in the room was thick with regret. His mind was having difficulty even processing that the Fae who lay dying in the bed, who was brutalized by the Fort Collins Wolf Pack, and who he pushed to be left and forgotten was, in fact, his mate. This was his forever mate; the man Fate had predestined for him. His mind was racing and his dragon was raging, not a good combination.

  He rubbed Will's hand against his cheek and stared at the prone figure, barely breathing, barely living. He sat like that for nearly an hour, just watching and memorizing everything about this still and silent man. He had to do something or he would explode.

  “You can leave now.” Max walked abruptly into the room and straight over to the bed where he took a seat next to Will and gently cupped the side of his face. “I’ll take care of him now.”

  Donell heard the veiled contempt in Max’s words and tone and knew he deserved all of it. Without taking his eyes off Will, he stood and gently placed the delicate hand back on the bed. His fingers lingered, not wanting to break contact. He feared for the life of his mate but there was nothing he could do and that was the worse feeling in all of creation.

  After a few minutes of silence, he turned and headed for the door. He opened the door and then looked back over his shoulder at Max and Will and he realized that both were ravaged beings, reduced to mere shadows. “I’m sorry.” He stated with truth and empathy before quickly leaving the room.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Will felt the warmth leave. For the first time in forever, he felt a lightness and hope in his being that was distant and unfamiliar. He wanted it to stay, but the sensations drifted and disappeared before he could hold on to them. Perhaps it was all part of the death process, the passing from one plane to another. He turned away from the fleeting warmth and floated back towards the darkness. His time would end soon.

  …

  Donell kept walking down the stairs, across the living room, through the kitchen, and out the back door. His focus was on nothing excepting getting as far away as possible. The man, the Fae in the bedroom, upstairs was his Fated mate.

  He was the man Donell had journeyed across the ocean, traveled the Americas for over one hundred years in order to find. But Donell couldn’t be bothered to save the man’s life. Angus saved his life and was ready to fight for him. Angus held him and gave him comfort in his despair and his suffering. Angus was his champion, not him because he had refused.

  As soon as he hit the tree cover, Donell shifted into his dragon and made for the sky. He skimmed the top of the trees and headed for the mountains. The freedom of flight gave him some release and he allowed his dragon to take control for a little while. He landed in a desolate area high up hidden in the trees. His dragon wanted to level the Pack compound and get revenge for their mate. Donell shifted back to regain control before his dragon completely took over and the Fort Collins Wolf Pack, and possibly Fort Collins itself, was no more.

  Donell walked a few steps and then fell to his knees and rolled on his back on the thick mat of green grass. Staring up at the sky, he tried to clear his mind. His thoughts were chaotic, ricocheting from one consideration to another as he fought to make sense of the past twenty-four hours. If Will died, he would kill the Pack Alpha, his inner circle, and everyone who had a hand in Will's pain would die. That much he knew for a fact.

  Donell lay there for hours afraid to return to the lodge, afraid that he would be told that Will had died while he was gone. "Will." He said and felt the rightness of the name on his lips. Max had said the name yesterday and if he'd been listening, he might have recognized the sound as belonging to him.

  He had not been listening to anyone, not even Bryn, when he tried to talk sense to him. Donell had been in a mood, he was tired and irritable and thought the Pack was justified until he talked with An
gus and he saw Will and realized what they’d been doing to him.

  He struggled to figure it out and make it okay in his mind. At the time, when the talk of Fort Collins came up regarding the Fae, it hit a nerve and Donell felt the need to defend the pack. It was all so fucked up in his brain. Donell now realized that in his desire to defend the pack, he’d inadvertently advocated for the death of his own mate. He was feeling fucked up beyond imagination.

  Donell knew that his dragon was pining for their mate and he could feel the worry consuming him. His mate was sick and he should be there with him. His shame and his guilt did not diminish the fact that his mate needed him.

  Donell stood and shifted to his dragon who immediately headed home to be near their mate. Will needed his strength and his support. Donell refused to consider any other outcome apart from complete recovery for his Fae mate.

  When he entered the kitchen from the back deck, Calum was there.

  “Are you okay?” Calum asked obviously picking up on Donell’s previous distress.

  "No, but I'm getting there," Donell admitted.

  "The doctor Augustin sent has completed his assessment and treatment. The Fae will heal." Those were the words Donell needed to hear. He released the breath he was holding and let the relief wash over him. "It will take a few days of continued care, but he will be up and around by the week's end, maybe sooner." Calum was also clearly relieved by the news.

  "That's great news," Donell answered and just barely held back the grateful tears pushing at the corners of his eyes.

  "You should go up and see him," Calum stated. "Forbes and Max have been taking care of him for hours. Go up and give them a break." Calum finished.

  "Yes, I'll do that. I'll sit with him." Donell headed out of the kitchen before Calum could change his mind. He wanted to see Will; he wanted a chance to apologize and to spend some time with his mate. His dragon was about to tear him apart if they didn't go to their injured mate immediately.