My Hunted Mate

Corinna

When I reopen my eyes, my breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight in front of me. Where Atticus once stood is now a 50 foot tall, amber dragon with piercing red slitted eyes, golden scales all along its back and down the outside of its tail.

The dragon's charcoal black talons scrap at the ground, as a deep deafening roar erupts from it, echoing through the woods. The creature lets out another roar, but this time flames accompany the sound, I continue to hold up the energy surrounding my body, gasping in fear as the flames come in contact with it, I watch as they bounce off the bubble in terror.

When the flames finally come to a stop, the trees that were already knocked to the ground and burned to a crisp from Atticus shifting, are now just piles of ash on the blackened forest floor.

Atticus begins to spread his wings, the large gust of wind that follows as he gets ready to take flight, is so powerful it knocks me onto my bottom and causes me to lower my defence.

With squinted eyes, I watch as he pushes off the ground, flying straight over me and into the sky. It only takes moments for the large dragon to disappear into the clouds, leaving me to pick myself up and wander back to the house alone.

When I return, Kai is standing at the front door with Dyna in his arms, a worried expression covers his face until his eyes meet mine. He instantly walks over to me, wrapping his free arm around my middle.

" Are you okay? What happened? " He asks softly.

"1 told Atticus about Helena and he ended up shifting. * I inform him, glancing down at Dyna who is staring up at us silently as we talk.

" Yeah, I heard. We'll go inside and wait for him to return. " He mumbles, leading me back into the house.

When were inside, I wander into the bedroom pushing open the closet to find clothes belonging to Atticus. With a pair of blue denim jeans and a plain black t-shirt in hand, I make my way out to the front, folding them neatly at the door for when he comes back.

Hours pass, the sun sets in the sky and with still no sign of Atticus, I decide to get Dyna changed and ready for bed. By now the small child had repeatedly called for her father, bursting into tears each time he doesn't appear.

It takes over an hour for her to finally settle and fall asleep in my arms rather than her crib, as gently as possible, I lift myself from my place on the sofa and creep toward her bedroom, when I make it inside I lay her in her bed, moving her toy dragon next to her and pulling the blanket over her small body.

" Thank you. " A whisper coming from the doorway startles me, I turn to find Atticus dressed in the clothes we left out with his gaze focused on his sleeping toddler.

Eventually his gaze moves to me, he silently gestures for me to follow him before he turns and leaves the room. When we're back in the living room, I take a seat next to Kai on the sofa, Atticus sits across from us on the armchair.

" Where are they? The people who murdered her? * He questions, he is still on edge but seemingly calmer than earlier, as calm as he can be given the circumstances.

"I'm not sure, they could be back on pack territory but they've also been seen wandering near the perimeter of our home, they could even be at another pack closer by. " I tell him, folding my hands together on my lap.

"Who exactly are these people? What's their fascination with you? * He asks, leaning further into his chair as his deep red eyes study me carefully.

Kai leans over, placing a hand on my thigh in an attempt to comfort me. " My uncle is Alpha Cain, He has been hell bent on making me suffer in any way he possibly can until he can kill me." I mumble. "Why? " Atticus continues to question me, understandably so. His mate died because of my uncle's petty desire to kill me.

" He has a deep hatred of me because I am a hybrid, I'm unaware of any other reasons, if he has any more. He continues to hunt me, even after years. " I sigh, shaking my head. I've never been able to understand the way my family have acted toward me, I don't think I'll ever understand it.

"1 really don't see why he can't let you be, doesn't he have a pack to run? " Kai grunts.

" From what I know, he leaves his Beta and Gamma in charge most of the time, he may as well not be alpha at all. The pack is in ruins because he won't move on with his life. " I grumble, thinking back to some of the rumours I'd heard throughout my years of being hunted.

" The moment you are aware of their whereabouts, I want you to let me know. " Atticus announces, a deep yearning for revenge flashes through his eyes.

"I promise you, you'll be the first to know. " I nod.

"1 will be searching for them regardless, but with Dyna it proves difficult. As much as I wanted to search day and night until I found Helena, I couldn't do that and also be a father to my child. * He says, clenching his jaw. " How do I help her through this, when she's too young to understand why her mother isn't going to return to her? "

My head falls as his words. " I'm not sure how to go about the last bit, but I do know we can help you with Dyna while you're on your searches. " I tell him, running a hand through my hair.

" Myself and Corinna can help look after the little one while you're away. " Kai adds, squeezing my thigh.

" That would be helpful, but you have your own family to think about. * Atticus dismisses, nodding toward my bump that only continues to grow as they days pass.

" My sister is wonderful with children, I doubt she'd have any problem with helping out when we cannot. You'd meet her first of course. We'll do what we can for you. " My mate assured.