Chapter 77 Danger

Chapter 77 Danger
Cain POV
The moment the fire shot toward the castle, my instincts took over. I didn’t waste even a second.
“Raymond!” I barked. My voice echoed through the stone walls.
He ran to my side immediately. “Yes, my king?”
“Go,” I commanded sharply. “Find Ava. Protect her. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
Raymond didn’t question me. He bowed once and sprinted away, disappearing down the corridor.
My chest burned with rage. My wolf pushed inside me, restless, furious, ready to destroy anything that threatened what was mine.
I turned back to the balcony just in time to see another rogue dragon approaching. Two of them. Both spewing fire like they had already decided they wanted death.
My vision tinted red. Every thought faded except one, eliminate the threat.
With a growl that shook my whole body, I jumped from the balcony.
My wings burst out first, then my bones shifted, stretching. Scales ripped through my skin. My claws replaced my hands. In seconds, I was in my full dragon form, roaring so loudly the clouds trembled.
The rogues roared back and flew straight at me.
They never stood a chance.
I flew upward fast and crashed into the first rogue with all my strength. I grabbed its neck with my claws, squeezed hard, and threw it down toward the lower castle. It hit the floating rocks with a loud crack.
The second one shot fire at me from behind, but I turned immediately and swiped my tail, slamming it across the head. The rogue staggered in the air, confused and weakened.
My anger grew worse. I attacked again, this time biting down on its shoulder. It screamed, flames bursting from its mouth, but I didn’t let go until it stopped struggling.
Both rogues dropped, falling helplessly to the ground.
By the time they landed, they shifted back into their human forms, two battered men, injured and barely conscious. My guards rushed in from every direction, surrounding them quickly with weapons drawn.
One guard bowed to me. “My king, we will secure them.”
I shifted back into my human form, my chest still rising with fast breaths. My hands trembled, not from fear, but from the need to finish what I had started.
“Take them to the dungeon,” I growled. “If they try to escape, break every bone in their body.”
“Yes, my king!”
The guards dragged the rogues away. As they passed me, one of the men dared to look at me. I stepped toward him slowly, lowering my voice in a cold whisper.
“I will make your life miserable,” I said. “Pray that your tongue stays in your mouth long enough for me to question you.”
His whole body shook in fear.
I turned and walked away, heading back to find Ava.
Raymond had done as I ordered. I found him standing near the inner courtyard door, guarding Ava with his entire body. Ava was pressed against the wall, her eyes wide as she saw the smoke rising from the sky above us.
The moment she saw me, she ran straight into my arms.
“Cain!” she cried, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist. Her body trembled violently. “I was scared—are you hurt? Are you okay?”
I held her close, pressing a hand to the back of her head. “I’m fine,” I whispered. “I’m here.”
She clung to me even harder, burying her face in my chest like she didn’t want to let go.
“I told you to stay inside,” I murmured, brushing her hair aside.
“I know, but… everything happened so fast,” she whispered shakily. “I saw the fire in the sky. I thought something had happened to you.”
I kissed her forehead softly. “Nothing will happen to me. Not while you’re waiting for me.”
After a moment, she calmed a little. I pulled away enough to look into her eyes.
“I need you to stay with Raymond again,” I said. “Don’t leave his side.”
She nodded nervously. “Okay.”
I turned to Raymond. “Keep her safe. Not even a leaf should fall near her without your permission.”
Raymond bowed. “You have my word.”
Ava touched my arm. “Where are you going?”
“To the dungeon,” I answered. “Those men owe me answers.”
I left quickly before she could argue.
The dungeon was cold, dark, and heavy with silence. The rogues were tied to stone posts, bleeding and exhausted. One glared at me with resentment. The other shook in fear.
I stepped forward slowly, my eyes burning with anger. “Who sent you?”
They stared at me but stayed quiet.
I walked to the nearest one and lowered my voice. “You attacked my kingdom. You tried to burn my castle. You risked my female life.” My claws slid out smoothly from my fingers. “If you think I’ll let you die quickly, you’re dreaming.”
No reaction.
I lifted one of my claws and pressed it lightly to the man’s throat. “Speak,” I warned. “Or start praying.”
Still, he stayed silent.
My patience snapped.
I pushed the claw harder, just enough to draw blood. “Last chance.”
He choked in fear. “Alright! Alright, I’ll talk! Stop!”
I pulled my hand back slightly. “Then talk.”
“It—it was one of the elders,” he whispered quickly. “He’s the one who told us to attack. He said it was time to weaken your rule.”
My entire body tightened. An elder? Someone inside my council? Someone with authority?
My anger rose even higher, filling every part of me like fire.
“Which elder?” I demanded.
The man hesitated, but one look at my claws made him continue.
“Elder Tarox,” he whispered.
I froze.
That old snake.
My claws retracted slowly, but my rage stayed sharp. I turned without another word and stormed out of the dungeon.
Ava and Raymond were waiting exactly where I left them. Ava rushed to me again.
“Cain…?”
“We’re leaving,” I said immediately. “We need to go back to the pack. I have matters to handle.”
Ava looked worried. “Is everything okay?”
“No,” I said honestly. “But I’ll deal with it.”
I turned to Raymond. “I’m coming back here soon. Stay alert. Guard the castle. I’ll return after I take Ava down.”
“Yes, my king,” Raymond replied.
I lifted Ava gently into my arms and summoned my wings again. She held onto me as I rose into the air, flying down from the floating castle back toward the pack lands.
The wind brushed against us, and the world blurred beneath my wings. Ava rested her forehead against my chest.
When we landed in front of the pack house, I set her down carefully.
“Ava,” I said softly. “Stay here. Be careful. I’ll be back soon.”
She nodded, but her eyes were filled with worry.
“Please…” she whispered. “Please be safe, Cain.”
I touched her cheek with my thumb. “I will.”
Then I turned and walked away, ready to face whatever waited for me.