Page 45 of Protecting His Treasure

“I didn’t know…” Elder Silas said. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have pushed for you to take this test. I never would’ve made you relive that.”

“It’s okay,” Kaede whispered.

“It’s not okay. Forgive me. Now we know why your dragon is reacting this way to the curse of the first full moon. You and your dragon hold a grudge against witches.”

“That may be true. But I don’t hold a grudge against Sinclair.”

“You don’t think you do. But deep down in your heart, there’s a part of you, it’s probably small, but there’s a part of you that wishes your mate wasn’t a witch.”

“I love Sinclair.”

“We do not doubt your love for your mate.”

“She’s my treasure.”

“That she is.”

“I love that she has powers. I’m glad that she’ll be able to protect herself when I’m not around.”

“We understand. But there’s still a part of you that hates the witch that cursed you and forced you to take the lives of your parents, and that part of you also hates the fact that your mate is a witch.”

“Even if what you say is true, how do I make it go away.”

“You must first forgive the witch who cursed you.”

“I cannot.”

“Then your dragon may indeed end up killing your mate on the night of the full moon.”

“There has to be another way.”

“There is none. That hatred you have inside you, it will increase the closer and closer you get to the nigh of the full moon. And even if you resist hurting her up until then, on the night of the full moon, your dragon will take over your skin form and it will remember what a witch forced it to do. And it will yearn to avenge the death of your parents.”

“Fuck.” Kaede lowered his head.

“You have to forgive the witch before it’s too late.”

“I…”

“It’s the only way.”

I don’t want to hurt our Treasure. But, I don’t know how to forgive Hanami. I cannot do it.

“Then there’s only one thing we can do.”

Kaede pushed himself to his feet. His bod ached all over. Once he was standing, he bowed to the Elders. “Thank you for your help. I know what I must do.”

“I am sorry this is happening to you, Kaede,” Elder Silas told him.

“We will continue searching for a way to help,” Elder Thompson said.

“I will see if I can find a spell that can weaken your dragon on the night of the full moon,” Elder Rank told him.

“I will seek council with my pack and see if they can help me come up with something,” Elder Henry told him.

Kaede thanked them again then turned and left.

“Kaede,” Silas called out. “You should dress first.”