Chapter 5

{Ari's POV}

I sat alone in my small dark room, thinking about what was said.

• more, there were more.

Of course, I'm not dumb; I knew my family and others in the pride grabbed and took other people; I didn’t know who or for what. However, I never thought my family would hurt them, other than taking them and locking them up, more than likely to be sold. For reasons I can’t explain, I always felt I was the only one in my family who was abused. Yes, locking people up and selling them was abusive and traumatizing, but I just thought I was the only one touched that way; maybe I just wanted to think that way. I could handle them hurting me, but taking anyone else to feel how I did made me sick. I started to wonder how old they were, who they were, can they survive it, and most importantly, how can I save them. With that thought, my mind was made up before I left; I wanted to get proof if just telling my story was not enough. I sighed and lay back on the lumpy cot. As my eyes closed, I heard Gemma speak.

“Sweet child, you cannot drink the water; the potion is it. You will have to hold out, but keep the mind link open. This means I cannot let you sleep," she replied. I sighed. This would be difficult to do when I wasn’t getting sleep, but I knew everything Gemma said had meaning behind it. All I could do was nod. “Okay, I will do this; I might need your help staying awake, “I replied, knowing staying up on my own would be near impossible, considering my eyes felt so heavy already. Gemma purred. “Of course,” she replied. “Three days, and it will be out of our system. When it is, we will disappear when we are far away; you may sleep, and I will protect us all."

{Von's POV}

I had finally decided who to call for help. We need magic and strong magic to deal with these annoying snow leopard abilities. I have a friend in a nearby clan that could help. I grabbed my phone and dialed the number. On the other end was the small voice you only deem threatening once you see it in action.

“Hi, little dragon, I need help; I need magic. I believe the Falling Snow Pride is attacking my land. As you know, they can mask their scent and presence and turn themselves invisible. “I said; I hated asking for help, and knew she would poke fun at fact I had to. The snow Leopard ability was annoying and sneaky, an underhanded tactic, but it was their pride ability and what made them such magnificent warriors all those decades ago.

“Awe, I thought the mighty and powerful Von was above asking for help,” the girl on the other end said with a giggle. She was a small girl, only 5'2. She had long fiery red hair that flowed down her back, her lips were pouty, her skin was milky white, and everyone in her clan seemed to have porcelain doll-like skin. And emerald green eyes rimmed in red. She was very girly, always in dresses and heels with makeup done up; though she looked it, she was the furthest thing from a snob. She just liked to look pretty. Von knew she found him attractive and would lie if he said he didn’t feel the same.

However, both knew how mating worked and they were not meant to be together. Plus, most of the time, your mate had to be the same species; it was rare to find someone who was not of the same species. Finding your mate of another species didn’t happen often, and most of the time, you were left childless. However, what could a bit of flirting do to hurt? Plus, her playful giggle was tantalizing.

“Amree, I’m trying to be serious here, “ I shot back at her; I was in no mood to be teased about my current situation. Even so, a smirk appeared on my lips. I knew Amree would love to play this game with me and blow off steam. In my pride, however, that is very looked down on but God was it difficult when hormones literally tore your body apart? What made it even more difficult was that in the Dragon community, it wasn't looked down on. Dragons had an extremely high sex drive, and doing anything with anyone before your mate wasn’t shunned ; cheating on an a mate was punishable by death.

However, the thought of Amree's small toned body pressed against me, my hands tugging on her hair, hearing the sounds from her mouth as my grip held her close.

-Fuck, fuck no, Von, stop it-

I was yanked out of my head and back to reality; Amree spoke again. Okay, now, and I’m well aware those damn kittens can be an issue,” she said. “You know our magic rivals the Great Mages. I am sure we can help you,” she added.

I felt a low growl in my throat when she mentioned annoying kittens. I knew she wasn’t talking about my pride, but I still took offense. "Hey now, little dragon, not all of us are annoying kittens," I said. My voice was huskier and lustful from my previous thoughts. I hadn’t intended it to sound like I did when I said it. She was right about their magic and the reason for my call. “Okay, we’ll need a meeting and talk. Can you come to me, little dragon?" I asked, knowing she would. Amree never missed a chance to see me.

There was a pause on the other end as if Amree thought when he heard what she said; he understood. "That's a long flight, but for you maybe. “There was a pause before she spoke again.

“After all, what do I get out of it?" she finally said

-of course, she wants to play this game-

Her voice was soft and sensual, matching mine just a few months ago. I gulped lightly.

• Fucking hormones -

I smirked again. “We can discuss that when you arrive. After we have a plan,” I said, and with a slight chuckle, I flipped the phone closed before she could reply. I knew my last words to my little dragon would replay in her head until she saw me. That thought amused me. I better find Garren and tell him of the upcoming development and that his favorite person was coming to visit

-oh, isn’t Garren going to love this-

{Ari's POV}

It had been three days since they left, I think. My head dropped against the wall; I didn’t dare lay down, knowing I would fall asleep. Even still, it was almost impossible to stay in this room with no stimulation and keep my heavy eyes lids open. All I thought was that the mind link would break, and my family would know something was up. Good Lord, it took so much energy to keep it open. However, it wasn't much worse than being forced by the potion. Other than the fact that I was so tired and the lack of sleep affecting me.

Gemma perked up. It was wiped out. She could no longer feel the poison's effects. “Sweet child, eat its time,” she said. Gemma's voice seemed faint. My body and mind were weaker than average, but a small smile played on my lips at the thought of leaving this hell hole. I crawled from the cot to the food plate. By this time, the bread was stale and stiff. The cheese had little mold flecks. Every time I moved, my body screamed in agony. Dehydration made moving hurt like hell. My muscles felt like torches burning them every time I moved my body. I ignored the disgusting look of the food. And started to eat. I ate so fast that I didn’t taste anything. I glanced at the pitcher. When not drinking the water became too difficult, I kicked it over, so it wasn't even an option. I needed water.

I forced myself to my feet. “Okay, Gemma, let’s go,” I mumbled softly and started up the stairs. I stopped and listened. She didn’t hear anything. They didn’t even bother with a guard this time; it was probably because I was beaten so severely by the last one Mason killed him. Mason broke his toy; unluckily, he wanted love without his leopard. He turned to his little sister to get it.