Page 11 of Doyle

I flew back to where Michael was. Seeing the truck made me relax. I landed, changing forms.

It was energy-draining, changing forms so many times in a single day. New dragon shifters like Draven could only do it once a day, but for me, the effort was worth it.

After putting on the pants I discarded earlier, I looked into the truck. I panicked momentarily, seeing it was empty.

Then that wonderful scent wrapped around me again, followed by laughter.

I followed the sound and found Michael sitting around a fire among Mayhem and his guys.

It looked like Mayhem or one of his bears had given Michael new clothes, because instead of the rags he was previously wearing,Michael was now dressed in an oversized hoodie and jogging pants.

Calm down, I reminded myself, and walked to where they were.

"...and I pounded this warlock to the dust," a bear shifter was bragging to Michael, who was listening to him intently.

Jealousy filled me to the brim. Mayhem saw me, then nudged the bear shifter, who spotted me and gulped.

I returned my attention to Michael, who leapt to his feet when he saw me.

I blinked when he immediately wrapped his skinny arms around me. He felt so warm, I thought, enclosing my arms around him.

"Doyle, I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered.

I held him tighter, savoring the closeness.

"I'm glad you're safe too," I whispered back, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and joy.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at me. His blue eyes were bright with unshed tears.

"I thought... I thought I might never see you again," he admitted, his voice breaking. “That you’d forget me and fly away with the other dragons.”

I brushed a strand of hair from his face, my fingers lingering on his cheek.

"I promised you, didn't I?" I asked him.

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "You did."

Mayhem and the others gave us a respectful distance, but I could feel their curious eyes on us. I didn't care. In this moment, all that mattered was Michael.

"Let's get you somewhere safer," I said, my voice firm but gentle.

Michael nodded again, his hand slipping into mine. I felt a surge of protectiveness as we walked back to the truck. Mayhem called out to me, and I turned.

“The keys to the truck,” he explained.

“Thanks, Mayhem,” I told him, grateful for the ride.

I didn’t think I could change forms again.

“Tell Zane that Venom would contact him soon,” Mayhem said.

“Will do,” I replied.

The journey back to Sky Stead was uneventful. Michael had fallen asleep during the ride, his head resting against the window, and the adrenaline of battle had faded, leaving me tired.

After driving for hours, we reached the outskirts of a small town. I noticed the neon sign of a roadside diner.

I glanced over at Michael, who was still sound asleep, his breathing even and peaceful. I hated to wake him, but we both needed to eat, especially Michael who was all skin and bones.

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