Bryce approached the Motel hesitantly. He'd never met a dragon before and he had no idea what to expect. He raised his hand and knocked on the Motel room door. Almost immediately it burst open and a tall, well built scruffy haired Asian teenager stood in the doorway. His expression of hope dropped to one of despair briefly before he fixed an indifferent look on his face.

'Who are you?' He asked

'Jake Long?' Bryce asked

'Yeah?' Jake replied, his voice suspicious

'My name is Bryce, have you heard of me?' He asked

Jake's eyes widened 'Yes I have! Is Selena with you? Did she found the Werewolves? What's happened to her?' He asked frantically

Bryce found that he thought his worry for Selena was touching. It immediately took away his reservations.

'She found us and she was shot with two vials of Wolfsbane' Bryce said

'What? Is she alright?' Jake asked

'Two doses is risky enough but she showed a strong immunity to it. I wasn't present when this happened, I would've stopped it if I had been. But It seems that while she has an immunity to the effects, she has an allergy to one of the ingrediants' Bryce hesitated 'She's been very ill'

Jake frowned 'Why was she shot in the first place?'

'It is a new policy our pack leader has put into place. It's simply so no one knows exactly where we hide and only Werewolves can find it anyway. Shai was also dosed but he recovered quickly' Bryce explained

Jake walked back into the room and sat heavily on a bed. Bryce wasn't really sure what to do so he came inside and shut the door. He went into his pocket and pulled out the necklace.

'Selena, told me to give you this' He said

Jake held his hand out and Bryce lowered it into his palm. He looked at it sadly.

'They won't let her go, will they?' Jake asked

'We know her situation and they'll protect her' Bryce answered cryptically 'Shai says you should return to New York. When they question you, they'll likely want to view your memories. That could hold the key to getting Selena's freedom'

Jake frowned, he felt sick at the thought of leaving Selena in a vulnerable state. He looked at Bryce who looked at him sympathetically.

'What does Selena mean to you, Dragon?' Bryce asked

Jake rolled his eyes 'My name Is Jake Long, use it please'

Bryce raised one eyebrow 'Okay, Jake. What does Selena mean to you?'

Jake frowned deeper. What did Selena mean to him? She was a very good friend, she was honest too and he appreciated that. She comforted him by just being nearby. Her smile brightened his own spirits and her laugh was almost infectious to him. He felt gutted all the times he'd seen her holding tears in or trying to hide tears from him. Selena was a very special person to him.

'She's like no one I've ever met. There was one girl, a couple of years ago who I thought was it for me, and I did love her but Selena...hits me deeper. I can't describe it, all I know is that she's right. I can't possibly explain how horrible it feels that our races are so conflicted, I don't care what she is. Heck, I love what she is-'

'Love?' Bryce asked

Jake hardly hesitated 'Yeah, love. I love her and I'll do anything for her, anything she'd ask for, I'd do my best to give it to her. I know she wouldn't ask for anything though, I'd have to guess' Jake said with a small smile

Bryce looked at him carefully, letting his words sink in. He sighed and approached Jake and put his hand on the teen's shoulder. Jake looked up at him.

'I'll do everything I can to make sure Selena is comfortable until you can be together again' Bryce said

Jake nodded and looked down at the ground and tried to hand the necklace back but Bryce was dipping into his pocket again. He pulled out the ring Jake had seen Selena wear and hardly ever take off. He dropped it into Jake's palm. Jake studied the jewellery sadly before sighing and trying to hand it back.

'Keep the necklace. I'm sure Selena would want you to have something with you of hers to comfort you with' Bryce said, only taking the ring back.

Jake nodded and got up, picking the hair slide Selena had left behind. He gave it to Bryce who looked at it curiously.

'Tell her you found me and I got the message. Tell her to look after herself and be careful. Tell her I'll miss her but that we will most definitely meet each other again. Sooner rather than later' Jake said solemnly

Bryce nodded and turned to leave, just before he shut the door behind himself he looked back at Jake.

'She spent the first day like she was in a coma but the second day she came in and out of consciousness. I don't think she remembers anything but I was there. She called out for you plenty of times and said that she loved you'

Jake's face crumpled as Bryce shut the door and left.

XxXxX

I had been awake for awhile now, simply laid and staring at the ceiling of the cell. I could still feel the effects of the Wolfsbane though, I had tried to stand up earlier but had found that I'd felt very unsteady on my legs and my vision was slightly blurred. Turns out that we might recover from injuries fast but recovering from other things seemed to be slow. Shai was also still feeling the effects of the drug too but he hardly complained. He was worried about me I suppose.

I'd been laying daydreaming when the clang of the cell door opening caught both of our attentions and Bryce came in. I stood up unsteadily and Shai also got up, standing close beside me. Another man followed him in and I blinked. He was tall, had a thin figure, dark blonde hair and green eyes. It was like seeing double. I walked to him and studied him.

'Who are you?' I asked

He was looking at me, with pride and adoration 'My name is Wheylyn. I knew your mother'

I couldn't speak; it was slowly sinking in who this man was. There was no denying it.

'Are you my father?' I asked

He smiled widely, it looked like he couldn't possibly smile any wider and he nodded. I wasn't sure what to do. Shai nudged me with his nose and Wheylyn pulled me into a tight embrace. I wasn't sure what to do but the way he was holding onto me made me feel sort of complete. It was an embrace only a father could give and I hugged back, feeling my body swell up with so many different emotions I couldn't possibly describe it.

Wheylyn leaned back, keeping one hand on my shoulder and brushing a lock of hair from my face affectionately and tucking it behind my ear.

'You look like your mother' He said

I shook my head 'No, I look like you'

He smiled proudly and hugged me again but I pulled away to look at Shai. His wolf face looked happy, his mouth open in a sort of grin.

'You knew he was here?' I asked

'Of course I did' Shai replied

'And you didn't tell me?'

Shai looked at me coyly 'I couldn't ruin the surprise. Besides, I wanted to see your instant reaction. If you'd known he was coming here you might've muddled it through your head and not greeted him properly'

'Do not question the ways of your brother, he is a conundrum' Wheylyn smiled

We were taken out of the cell and I was given a bath and a change of clothes. They were a little different than I was expecting, the brown dull leather skinny trousers, and white shirt were not quite what I was expecting. I was given my bag back and I combed my hair before pinning it back into my regular ponytail. I was led out by a chatty and friendly woman who I learned was called Elenor. She had long dark curly hair and pointed features like a pixie.

She took me to what looked like a dining room. Three places had been set up and I noticed right next to the table two bowls. Wheylyn and Bryce were already there and Shai was sat in front of the bowl on the floor. The smell of food suddenly hit me. It was only then I realised I'd gone nearly three days without eating.

'We have things we must talk about but I understand you must be starving. You've been through quite an ordeal these past few days' Wheylyn said, indicating to the seat next to him.

I sat down and food was served up. Some cooked chicken on the bone, salads and fruit were brought out. Water was poured into a cup and I began to feel slightly uncomfortable at being served like this. Was my father of some importance.

'You look confused Selena' Bryce commented

'Well yes. I'm not ungrateful but why were we served like this?' I asked

Wheylyn leaned forwards 'Lycanthromorphics have a hierarchy when we live in groups like this, a certain social structure. As wolves were pack animals and werewolves are derived from that certain pack instincts come out when we are thrown together in large numbers'

'Since your father set this sanctuary up he's what you might call, the head honcho. The leader if you will'

My mouth dropped open and Wheylyn looked slightly embarrassed. Shai looked up at me.

'Not what you expected?'

'Don't take this wrong but no!' I replied

Bryce roared with laughter suddenly and I couldn't help but grin along with him. I tucked into the food, keeping mindful of my manners; I didn't want to just dig in like an animal. We talked and caught up with everything. Bryce had found himself a mate as he called her and that it was the woman who'd led me here; Elenor. My father explained that after my mother had left England he'd followed a few years later and managed to built a friendship with a warlock who was the one who helped him set up the sanctuary.

'We are becoming pressed for space now though. Every full moon, more come to us, seeking help. It's becoming clear that we're going to need to set up another place for shelter' Wheylyn explained

'Will the warlock not help you?' I asked

'Bayard? Sadly not, not long after I'd got things running properly he turned on me and tried to take control. I had no choice but to banish him but he promised revenge on me. He is the same warlock who has put a bounty out on you' Wheylyn revealed

'How does he know about me?' I asked

'I'm not sure exactly. He must have wanted to capture you to try and lure me out' Wheylyn told me

'So he wasn't actually interested in me?' I asked 'Well that's a relief'

'It is now that you are in safe hands' Wheylyn smiled

'But what about Emily? Will he go after her?' I asked, concerned

'He may do out of desperation. I will send two untagged members to keep an eye-'

'That won't be neccessary' I cut him off

Wheylyn blinked in surprise 'Why not?'

I looked at Bryce who leaned forwards in his seat 'I have told your father about the American Dragon. How he protected you and brought you here'

'I cannot say I approve of your bond with him but I am grateful' Wheylyn said

I frowned 'There is nothing wrong with Jake. Whatever the Council have done wrong to our kind Jake has proved to me that he doesn't share the same beliefs'

'That may be so Selena, but he may have no choice but to obey orders he's given. The Dragon Council have the power to remove dragons of their powers. They could strip Jake of his simply for defying them in your favour' Wheylyn said

I felt a tremor of fear 'What did Jake say to you? Did you find him?'

Bryce leaned further across the table and held one of my hands 'I found him, I told him of the situation, not about your father though. I gave him your necklace and he returned this'

Bryce pulled out my hairslide and handed it to me. I turned it in my hand before looking back up at him.

'He told me to tell you to look after yourself, to be careful and that he'll miss you but he promised that you will meet again. He's heading back to New York' Bryce told me

'But the council will intercept him and question him! What if they strip his powers? I couldn't bare it if-'

'Jake made his choice' Wheylyn said, cutting across me

'Jake protected me with his life!' I snarled in reply 'I owe him big time'

Bryce and Wheylyn looked at me carefully as thoughts ran through my head.

'I must hand myself over and-'

'And do what?' Shai suddenly cut in

I looked at him in shock but he carried on.

'They won't grant you freedom yet and it won't help Jake. They could still punish him for his actions and then do whatever they like with you! Then you'll both suffer' Shai said carefully

I felt like I was hyperventilating and Shai reared up and put on of his paws over mine.

'You are no good to him if you are captured. We have to hope they will listen to his Grandfather. He is a well respected dragon, with his own feats and achievements behind him' Shai said

Bryce nodded 'He is well known to us, he has in the past protected Lycanthropics and allowed them to go free. He is a honourable man. Maybe the only reason he saw fit to report you was because you were so close to Jake'

'He did it to protect him. I understand he meant to real harm to me' I replied

'It was a rash move and unlike him but I think you might be right' Wheylyn replied

'Jake, Lao Shi and the rest of their family will do what it takes to get me home. I know they will' I said with conviction 'At the moment I'm more concerned for Emily's safety, she has a young son'

'Emily has a child?' Wheylyn asked

'Yes' I replied 'Nicholas, he's two years old'

'I knew Emily as a small child. She was such a lovely young girl' Wheylyn replied with affection

I cocked my head 'How did you meet her?'

'I'm surprised you don't remember. I came to visit often when you were both little but your mother and I told Emily I was a family friend and she was too young to see a connection between us. Things only ended between your mother and I when our relationship was discovered and she fled to keep you safe' Wheylyn told me sadly

It struck me then that maybe he didn't know that my mother was dead. It was feasible because he hadn't known about Emily having Nicky. I wondered how I should tell him, he clearly still cared very deeply for her.

'Are you alright Selena?' Bryce asked

'No, Bryce could you maybe give me a moment alone with my father?' I asked shakily

Bryce gave me a confused look but he got up and left. Shai looked at me sadly, maybe having realised or even already knew what I had to do.

'Is something wrong?' Wheylyn asked

'Yes! I'm so upset that I have to tell you this but-' I broke off, trying to steady my voice 'My mother died two years ago'

Wheylyn's face went white and had a blank expression for a moment before he looked devastated.

'How?' He asked

'She developed a brain tumor. It progressed quickly, within six months after diagnosis she was gone' I explained, my eyes were wet but I refused to cry.

It looked like Wheylyn needed the support more than I did at this moment. He sat breathing heavily, looking down at his lap for a bit before I got up and stood next to him, my hand on his shoulder.

'I'm sorry I had to tell you' I said softly

'No I'm sorry, I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you' Wheylyn said

I didn't reply and he looked up at me 'Was she in pain?'

I shook my head 'No, she went into a coma in the last week. She knew nothing'

'At least there's that' Wheylyn replied

XxXxX

Jake Long was headed into Riverside Airport to get a plane home. There was no point in hiding now so as long as he got home quickly to join in the appeal with his Grandpa and Fu Dog he didn't mind.

He had just enough money to get a plane ticket to New Jersey's Newark airport. He'd called his Grandpa and put him up to speed and arranged for Lao Shi to pick him up. He'd bought the ticket and was sat in the lounge waiting.

He watched out of the corner of his eye as a large man dressed all in black sat down next to him. Jake shifted uncomfortably but didn't say anything. The man leaned closer and Jake looked up at him, opening his mouth to tell him to back off but he cut him off.

'Not so fast American Dragon' His voice was low and husky

Jake's eyes went wide 'Who the hell are you?'

'Do not react to what I'm about to tell you. I'm an associate of the bounty hunter assigned to catch Selena Tyler. But I've heard of your appeal to get her freedom and that clearly won't happen if she's granted amnesty and then captured' The man said

Jake was literally forcing himself to keep calm and not freak out in the middle of the airport.

'I want to help you' The man said

'And why would you want to go behind the bounty hunter's back?' Jake asked angrily

'Because I'm sympathetic to her plight. He's chosen to pounce at a vulnerable time for her. I've always been Lycanthropic sympathetic and for once I want to do the right thing'

Jake looked at him, he seemed honest enough 'Alright, what do you want me to do?'

'Come with me, I can give you pictures, names and locations on getting them both caught' The man replied

Jake looked up at the clock, he still had half an hour to his flight and he hadn't passed through security yet.

'Alright, lead the way' He said

The man nodded and got up, Jake picked up his bag and followed him. He led him out of the airport, the guy got into a van and Jake walked around to the passenger side. He got in and shut the door behind him.

'Right, so you can give me names and-wha?'

He looked around to see a large gun barrel pointing right in his face. He flinched when he heard it go off but then realised what had happened. A Sphynx-hair net had burst out of the end and completely covered him.

Already, he could feel it's power draining him of his own. He groaned tiredly before the man gathered it in a bunch and pushed him into the back of the van.

'The names, Rorick Fey. I'm the bounty hunter assigned to catch Selena Tyler. Seeing as you've cut off me using her sister or nephew to bait her out, I'm using you'

He turned back to facing forwards and started the van up. Jake looked up tiredly, helpless to do anything.

'Make yourself comfortable dragon, we've got a slight journey ahead of us'

XxXxX

Ooo a twist you say? I hope it was, that's what I was going for anyway. Please review, I know it's cheeky to ask seeing as it's been so long since I updated but yeah, please do!