The Call of The Dragon

by B. A. Stretke

  "You advocated for the dismissal of concern over the life or death of a stranger. I agree not one of your finer moments, but I'm sure there were circumstances surrounding your stance on this issue." Alrick was always one to keep it real. Donell nodded.

  "Yes, sir," Donell answered.

  …

  Will had Max help him into the bathroom so he could bath after they’d finished the delicious lunch that had been delivered. Will felt the need to rid himself of the wolves in every sense. He wanted, if only symbolically, to wash them away. Thank God for the dragons. He would not have lasted much longer, and Max would have been left to the mercy of wolves who had no mercy.

  He went hard with the shower brush because he needed to scrub their degenerate filth from his body and mind. They’d stopped physically abusing him over a year ago when he began to fail. They wanted his light and didn’t want to kill him too soon. Now he was free and he was safe and he could feel his light growing stronger.

  Fate had given him his eternal mate and he wanted to be worthy of the beautiful dragon, Donell Keith. He'd felt the dragon's excitement and his desire, but there was also a shadow of sadness that he tried to hide. Will tried not to read too much into it until he had the opportunity to know the man better.

  Donell was kind and honest and if there exist any problems, then they would work them out. Mates trump everything, all paranormals agree on that point. His mate was so handsome, and he couldn't wait for him to return and hold him tight once again. The heady sensations of Donell's scent and touch were exhilarating.

  "Do you need some help in there?" Max asked anxiously. "Don't overexert yourself. I don't want Donell blaming me if you get sick again."

  "I'm fine Max and I will be out in a few minutes." He'd shared with Max that Donell was his eternal mate and although he appeared happy for him, there also existed a shadow on his words. Will would get to the bottom of it, but for now, he wanted to get clean and fresh. It had been too long since he'd been able to care for himself like this.

  After a quick, satisfying shower, he dressed in the clothes Max had given him. Max had located some clothing so that he wouldn’t have to put back on the things he wore when he left the Pack. He stared at himself in the mirror and he hardly recognized himself. This was the first time he saw his reflection in a very long time.

  He noticed his hair had dulled as had his face and eyes. He was a very poorly lite version of himself. He must have looked awful when his mate first saw him. No wonder he seemed a bit undecided. No, he quickly chastised himself, that kiss was not undecided, that kiss was searing and possessive and he wanted more, he craved more.

  Will took a deep breath and quickly pulled his hair back. He made sure his ears were covered, not sure who would be in the house and who would see him. His strength was back and increasing with every hour, but he resisted using the glamour on himself.

  The Fae could cloak and look like an average human or even disappear. They could hide their features that indicate Fae birth, but he needed to get stronger and he felt safe in being himself around these people. Dragons were fine decent and incredibly fair beings; he and Max could not be in a more protected location than the Dragon's lodge.

  He exited the bathroom and stood before Max for inspection. “Do I look healthy?” He asked in all seriousness.

  "You look like a million bucks, Will." Max's eye began to tear up and he grabbed Will around the waist and just held on. "You're alive, and I'm alive. We have our lives back." He chanted as Will held him.

  It was hard not to be overcome with emotions considering where they’d been and where they were now. “You have an eternal mate, I have a home. The Dragon Chieftain said I was welcome to stay.”

  "Thanks for the clothes." Will tried to change the subject, because they were both having trouble keeping the tears at bay.

  "Cameron, Bryn's mate, gave them to me. He's about your size." Max stepped back and gave him a once over. "You look good in these tan pants and that white shirt. It's not as nice as what we used to have, but it's good."

  "This is a new life for us, as you said, and we will have a lot of things to consider and to adjust to as we go forward. But for now, let's enjoy the day because we are alive and we are free." Max hugged him again.

  “Let’s go downstairs and maybe you and I can go for a walk. I’d love to feel the wind on my face and smell the flowers as a free man.” Max started for the door and Will followed.

  “How did the doctor know how to treat my light sickness? It’s specific to our kind.” Will was curious about the man who brought him back.

  Max turned at the door with a mischievous smile. "He's a half-breed. He's part vampire and part Sidhe." That stopped Will in his tracks and he just stood there shocked by the information.

  “Sidhe, the warrior Court?” Will questioned for clarity and Max nodded. “That was fortunate.” Max readily agreed with his assessment.

  They’d just made it to the second landing on the staircase when Will recognized his mate’s voice. He stopped to listen because nothing was more wonderful than the sound of Donell’s voice. He regretted it immediately when the words he heard were anything but endearing. Luckily Max’s hearing wasn’t as astute as Will’s. His dragon mate had advocated for his death. The words were devastating and Will felt their pain right to the center of his soul.

  “What’s wrong?” Max noticed Will stop.

  “I’m feeling suddenly weak.” It wasn’t true but Will did not want to see his mate. He turned on the stairs and began ascending. “I’m going back to the room.”

  “Okay, but I’ll get you something more to drink and I’ll bring it up.” Max was trying to help.

  "Okay," Will answered absently and hurried back to the room and shut the door. He sat down on the edge of the bed just as Max came into the room concerned and a little upset. He set a pitcher with water on the side table and rushed over and took a seat next to Will but did not touch him.

  “Tell me what is happening here.” He demanded.

  “I heard Donell talking to someone.” Will paused and gathered his words. His emotions were riding high. “He said he sided with the wolves. He didn’t want to save me.” His heart hurt worse than any pain the wolves had inflicted. “That’s why he told me that Angus and Ewan saved me. He wasn’t there, he refused to be part of the rescue and he wanted to make sure I knew it.” He fell silent and turned to look at Max who’d made no comment yet.

  “I wish I could tell you that you are mistaken, but I can’t.” Max hung his head. “Donell believed that the wolves were within their rights to capture us. In his favor, he didn’t believe that you were being hurt as badly as you were. He assumed I was exaggerating because he wouldn’t accept that his friends in the Pack could possibly do the things I described.” Max put his arm around Will.

  “Calum ordered Angus to free you. Angus asked Donell to go with him and Donell refused. He told Angus that he would not stand against the wolves over this. That’s why Ewan was with Angus. Angus paid for your release in gold and brought you back here.” Max took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his short hair.

  "The wolf pack are his friends?" Will words came out low and painfilled. This was not what he'd expected at all. He knew there was a problem, he felt it in Donell's embrace, but he did not see this coming. Donell wanted him to die. Was he upset that he'd survived?

  "Some of them are his friends. I don't know which ones." Max's words were hard to hear, but he forced himself to listen.

  “When did he realize that I was his mate?”

  "I don't know." Max's eyes grew wide with the insinuation. "He would not have left you if he'd known you were his mate, Will. He wouldn't; he couldn't. Dragons are honorable he wouldn’t have left you to die.” Max’s insistence grew louder as he too began to question the truth of it all.

  “Neither of us know him or his friends.” Will straightened and glanced around the room. “His presence helped me. His dragon gave me energy. I don’t know if he is awa
re of that. I believe at this point he is unsure of what he wants. His dragon is pure nature so he would be drawn to me, but Donell has other interest and other values.”

  “What are you saying?” Max asked.

  “My Mentor told me that Fae are allowed more latitude with mates than other paranormals. Unless we are claimed, we can disassociate with our eternal mates and go on to live our lives without the pain and anguish that others experience. I’ve met him, but I don’t need to stay here, I don’t need him.” Will began to form a plan as he spoke.

  "I will go with you," Max spoke up. "Wherever you go, I'll go with you."

  Will patted Max’s hand. “You will stay here. You are safe here and the dragons will protect you better than I can. I’m leaving because Donell, in his heart, does not want me. I must leave because this is his home.” He leaned in for a hug.

  "I understand, but I hate it." Max conceded. "Dr. Tate is still here, why don't you ask him for help?"

  “I cannot ask a Sidhe for assistance.” Will was taken aback at the suggestion. “They are warrior class and I don’t need a warrior. I can take care of myself.”

  "Okay, okay, just asking. He's a nice guy and I know he would help, that's all." Max had his hands in the air and backtracking his suggestion. "What will you do? Where will you go?"

  “I’ll figure it out.” Will said with little enthusiasm.

  "Wait until tomorrow, let yourself get stronger and what difference will a day make?" Max implored. "Make a plan and I'll help you disappear. I don't know if you're doing the right thing, but I can't condemn you for wanting to leave."

  “Thank you.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Donell returned to his mate as soon as he could. Following his meeting with Calum and the others, he went with Bryn and Cameron into town to pick out some nice clothes for Will. He’d asked Angus to keep an eye on Will in case he needed anything.

  He knew that Max had borrowed some things from Cameron but Will was his mate and he wanted to be the one who provided. It bothered him to have his mate wearing borrowed clothing. Will should have the best and Donell wanted to give him the best. He was very proud of his purchases and hurried upstairs to present them to his lovely mate.

  He was hoping that Will might be well enough to try them on, maybe give Donell a show and maybe they could take things to the next level. Donell was eager to put his mark on the stunning Fae and make it clear to everyone who the man belonged to. It was worrying him that Will was not wearing his mark or his scent. He knew it was ridiculous, but still, it bothered him that somehow Will could be taken away from him.

  With his mark in place and the claiming compete Donell could relax a little and they could get to know each other better. He smiled at the possibility of claiming his mate this night. He hoped Will was as eager as he was. He seemed into it earlier and even whined when Donell ended the kiss. He had no intention of ending anything this time. The first time, Will had just awakened and was still sort of out of it, but this time he should be fully up and aware, so Donell was not going to hold back.

  He did not knock this time, simply opened the door and walked in. Will was seated on the edge of the bed and he wore what Donell assumed to be the borrowed clothes. He should have gotten him something sooner. The clothes were definitely bothering him, he should be wearing Donell’s clothes.

  He set the bags on the floor by Will’s feet and took a seat next to him on the edge of the bed. “I bought you some things so you would have clothes of your own.” He said and pulled out the jeans and shirts and the leather jacket like his. There were also socks and other incidentals.

  “Thank you.” Will looked at the things but didn’t act as if he wanted to try them on. “This was very generous of you.”

  “You’re my mate. I will always take care of you.” He leaned over and kissed him lightly but pulled back with a look of concern. “Are you well?”

  “I did too much, I think. I’m very tired.” Will looked worn out.

  “Here, let me help you.” Donell removed Will’s shoes and lifted him from the edge of the bed and placed him in the center on his back. “Sleep, you need to rest and restore your strength. I’ll stay with you.”

  “You don’t have to stay. I know you’re busy and I’ll just be sleeping.” Will rolled to his side giving Donell his back. Donell covered him with the light blanket and took a seat back on the wooden chair at the side of the bed.

  "I'll stay." Donell made himself comfortable and watched his mate as he slowly drifted off to sleep. Will was unhappy and Donell wished he knew why. He didn't know the guy well enough to know his ups and downs, so he didn't have a clue what was going on. He stared at Will's back for about an hour and then decided he was going to join him.

  Donell laid out on the bed and took Will into his arms spooning him into his body and holding him close. The act calmed his dragon who was becoming uneasy with their mate’s silence and distance. Will stiffened slightly and then sunk into the embrace.

  “I want to claim you Will as soon as possible.” He said the words softly against the most precious pointed ears and then placed a kiss there. It was a few moments before Will responded.

  “I’m not ready.” Three words that drove a dagger through Donell’s heart. He tried to suppress the hurt because he knew his mate was still healing, but damn that was brutal.

  “Okay, I understand.” He said, but really, he didn’t understand. Will had been raring to go that morning and now he was pulling away and acting weird. Then it hit him and he jumped from the bed.

  “I’m going to get Dr. Tate.” He said and ran from the room. Maybe Will was having a relapse. He couldn’t bear it if something happened to his mate. Dr. Tate needed to see him immediately.

  As soon as Donell left the room, Will stood up and headed for the door. This was enough, fuck it, he couldn't play this game. He needed to leave and leave now. He glanced at the bags of clothes but didn't feel right about taking anything, so he didn't.

  As soon as he was settled, he would return Cameron's things. He cloaked himself so no one would see him and he left by the front door. Donell would be able to see him, mates were always immune to any glamour, but luckily, he didn't run into Donell or the Sidhe.

  …

  Thank God Calum asked the doctor to stay. Donell raced through the backyard in a panic in search of the man. He found him with Angus by the cluster of large pines at the back of their property. "Dr. Tate!" He yelled.

  “What is it?” Dr. Tate gave him his full attention.

  “Will is acting strange and he seems so weak. Please come with me.” Donell had him by the upper arm and was hurrying him along back to the house. Donell was on the verge of just picking him up and running. He was so scared that Will was relapsing. This was all too fucking unfair. Just give him a single break and let Will be okay.

  They burst into the bedroom and no one was there. Donell looked around the room confused and a little angry. "Will." He called, but the room was empty. Dr. Tate stepped back out of the way as Donell tore the room apart. "Where the hell is he?"

  Max appeared at the door and Donell zeroed in on him instantly. “Where is Will?” He demanded. “He’s not well. He shouldn’t be out of bed.”

  "He's gone, he left," Max said and took a step into the room even though the tension was at a fever pitch. "I thought he was going to wait until tomorrow, but he must have decided it was time."

  “What the fucking hell are you talking about?” Donell stepped back and attempted to compose himself when he noticed Dr. Tate take a step that position him in front of Max. He was blocking the little Fae from Donell.

  "Why would he leave? He's my mate, why would he leave me?" Donell and his dragon were both losing their grip, but thankfully Calum came into the room. He walked right up to Donell and laid his hand on Donell's chest.

  "Calm yourself." He stated and just that fast Donell's dragon was backing away completely, compliant to the dominant in the room.

  "Will left me," Done
ll said never imagining how much Will's abandonment would devastate him. This was soul-wrenching and Donell would not accept it. "I have to find him."

  Calum turned to Max. “Explain.” Dr. Tate stepped to the side but stayed close to Max. Max explained what Will had heard and how it had affected him. Donell listened and his heart wanted to stop. He wouldn’t survive without his mate.

  All this stupid bullshit the past couple of days lead to him losing the most important person in his life. He should have just been upfront and honest, completely honest with his actions and his regrets and his vision for their future. But no, he danced around with his stupid self-pity and now the man was gone.

  “Do you know where he was going?” Calum asked.

  "No sir, I asked, but he didn't tell me. We don't know anyone around here and there aren't any Seelie Courts in the area, so I don't know." Max looked nervous and scared.

  "We'll look for him. He can't have gotten too far." Calum turned to Donell. "Come with me." He ordered. "Angus, you and Forbes head into town by the main road. Donell and I will go in the direction of the University." They were about to leave when Dr. Tate spoke up.

  “He’s probably cloaked his appearance. He can look completely different than what you will expect. It’s how the Seelie stay hidden. Donell will be able to see his true form and so can I.”

  Calum shot Dr. Tate a look, but no one stopped to question the doctor as to why he could see through the Seelie Fae glamour. Calum quickly reassigned Angus to go with Dr. Tate. “If we don’t find him, we’ll meet at The Federal downtown, and we’ll work another route from there.”

  “What about me, sir.” Max felt helpless and a little responsible.

  “You stay here in case he returns. If he does, call me, you have my number.” He patted Max on the shoulder before heading out.

  …

  It wasn't long before Will decided he should have had a plan before storming out of the Lodge. His heart ached for his mate even though the guy was a colossal jerk. Why did his mate side with the wolves, damn it, why? He wanted the answer. He looked around and noticed he was near a grassy park. He was tired and his glamour was a little shaky. He needed to sit down for a while and rest.