Page 50 of Draven

I sipped the soothing tea, the warmth seeping into my bones and helping to clear my head.

Lucinda and Darcy's conversation swirled around me, their voices a distant hum in my ears.

I caught snippets of their discussion, words like "inform" and "Bruce" standing out.

My mind snapped back into focus at the mention of Bruce's name.

"Wait, no, Bruce and the leopards don't need to know about Draven's personal problems," I blurted out, my words tumbling out before I could stop them.

I set the mug down, finally able to think straight.

Lucinda looked at me, her expression thoughtful. "

He has a point," she conceded, turning to Darcy. "You know how overprotective the Leopard King is of this town."

Darcy's gaze hardened, her stance unwavering.

"When you mentioned the Paynes, it is no longer a personal issue," she stated firmly.

I felt a surge of frustration rising within me.

"Wait," I interjected, trying to make sense of the situation. "Are you implying... you view Belladonna Payne as more of a threat than Draven...?"

"Tobias, remember when I mentioned to you before that a group of shifters culled most of the Payne family a century ago?" Lucinda asked, her tone somber.

I nodded, recalling our previous conversation.

"The dragon shifters led that charge," Lucinda continued, her expression grave.

I frowned, trying to make the connection.

"Wait... Draven mentioned his kind were hunted down in the past, that's why there are so few of them left. The Paynes hunted them?" I asked.

"Not only the Paynes, but also other black witch families," Lucinda confirmed, her voice tinged with sadness. "Imagine, a witch having complete control over a dragon shifter. Imagine the destruction they could cause."

The implications of her words sent a shiver down my spine.

The thought of Draven being manipulated and used as a weapon once again by someone like Belladonna filled me with a sense of dread and unease.

Never mind Lucinda and Darcy telling Bruce and the leopards. I realized there was something more urgent I needed to do

"Thank you for the tea," I continued, setting the cup down and rising to my feet.

I started for the door, my mind racing with thoughts of Draven's safety.

"Tobias, where exactly are you going?" Lucinda's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Draven might be in trouble. He headed out earlier today to help a fellow pack mate. Belladonna might be involved," I explained, my words rushed.

Draven hadn't fully disclosed the dangers of his mission, and now that I knew more about the enemy after him...

As I reached for the door handle, I heard a click, and I realized one of the witches had locked it using some kind of spell.

Scowling, I turned back to face them.

"Unlock the door, please. I need to go to Draven," I demanded.

Lucinda approached me tentatively.