IT TOUCHED ME

CHAPTER 67: IT TOUCHED ME
~Gabriel’s POV~

Kai and I had been walking for days. I couldn’t get that fucking witch out of my head. How did I fall into her trap so easily? I thought the mate bond was stronger than that. What happened to me? The moment I was out of her house the lustful thoughts were gone. It had to be a spell of some kind. I just don’t understand her motive behind it.
“I’m telling you man, just be honest with Harper. I know she will understand. I know it wasn’t you purposefully acting that way.” Kai was trying to make me feel better.
“Harper knows that I kissed someone Kai. Mika said Mia knew, so I know she has told Harper. Imagine what she is thinking and feeling right now. I am a piece of shit mate. I wouldn’t blame Harper if she left me and never looked back.” It had been three days since we left the witch’s shack. Kai and I were in a desert type area. I knew we were getting closer to the dragons because I could feel it. If I focus hard enough with Mika’s Lycan vision, I could see a mountain that peaked somewhere high up into the clouds. I have a feeling that is where we are going. Kai and I decide to stop for the night. The sun is going down, and we need to eat and get some sleep. I wish I could communicate with Harper somehow. I don’t even know what’s going on at the packhouse. My phone won't work here. It hasn’t worked since Kai, and I entered the swamp. I am guessing it has something to do with being in the mythical lands, though I can’t be positive. I also can’t mind link with anyone, we are too far away. Being away from Harper is killing me. What’s even worse is, I don’t even know if she will be waiting on me when I get home. Kai starts a fire and pulls out some of our canned food. I don’t care what it is, I just need it hot for a change. I lay back and look up toward the stars. I wonder what Harper is doing right now.
“Mika, how is she?” I asked him.
“All I know is her moods are changing from heartbreak to anger. Though I did detect something strange a moment ago.” Huh…
“Detect something strange? What was it?” I heard uncertainty in Mika’s voice.
“She seemed to feel terrified, then everything disappeared. I can’t contact Mia.” Oh, Goddess. Let her be okay. It is a helpless feeling, being this far away from her and unable to go to her if she needs me.
“Don’t worry, she is sleeping now. I know this much.” That makes me feel a little better. Kai and I eat and try to get some rest. I am positive that we will be meeting some dragons tomorrow.

We were up before daybreak walking toward the mountain that crested in the clouds. Around midday, I noticed another border like the one we passed through going to the witch’s hut. Kai and I didn’t stop this time, we just passed straight through it. This time, I was shocked. I was no longer standing in a desert. In front of me was lush green grass and rolling hills as far as the eye could see. There were trees full of green leaves, a beautiful river flowing to our left and all sorts of mythical animals and beings running about in the distance. Wow, this is amazing. Looking farther ahead I could see the mountain; it was no longer brown and dead looking. It was also lush and green with rocks poking out every so often. They complement the colors of the wildflowers and trees poking out in random places. The mountain still crested in the clouds. That has got to be where the dragons are. Kai and I started walking, unsure of what we were getting ourselves into.
“Hey Gabe, uh… do you think we can walk over to the river for a moment. I just want to go for a quick swim. I don’t really want to meet any ferocious dragons smelling like this.” I don’t know where my sense of humor came from, but I had to say it.
“Maybe stinking isn’t a bad idea…” I said. Kai looked at me confused.
“Huh... how so?” He asked me. Mika snickered in my head. He knew where I was going with this.
“Because if you smell like shit, maybe they won’t eat you.” Kai stared at me. He was wearing one of the most serious faces I have ever seen on him. Mika belted out a laugh in my head.
“AH HA HA HA, finally you are getting a naughty sense of humor like me Gabe. Being a Lycan is good for you!” Mika said to me. I rolled my eyes at him. I laughed at Kai and ran toward the river. He did have a point. I pulled my shirt over my head and dove into the water. It was so refreshing, and cold. I dove under and scrubbed my body free from sweat and dirt. I rose to the surface only to see Kai looking at me with a puckered mouth.
“What’s that look for Kai?” I asked him. I knew why he was looking at me that way.
“You ass, now you’re going to get eaten!” He said to me. I splashed water at him.
“Well, I would rather get eaten than smell like shit!” Kai grinned then jumped into the water. I was done so I climbed upon the bank. Kai was still enjoying the water. I bent down and started rinsing my shirt in the water.
“Oh shit, fuck, ass!” Kai screamed.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked him. He looked frozen in place. His eyes were big, and his face was pale.
“Something just touched my fucking leg.” Kai said through gritted teeth. I spat out a laugh. He screamed and rushed toward the bank.
“Son of a bitch did it again!” He yelled, pointing toward the water. I looked close trying to see what it could be. All of a sudden, a pebble flew out of the water and hit Kai in the side of the head. I was rolling on the ground at this point. I regained my breath and looked at Kai. He was still pointing in the water.
“Did you see that? Fucking thing chucked a rock at me.” Mika was laughing harder than me. “That’s right, you’ll hide under the water, but you won’t come out here to face me, will ya!” Kai said, looking toward the water. We both watched as a woman swam up from the depths of the water. She was wearing a bikini, something you would expect a mermaid to wear. Kai stepped back and looked at me. This only made me, and Mika laugh even harder. Kai mouthed silently
“What the fuck!” The woman continued to walk out of the water and over to Kai. He stood completely still, not knowing what to do. She walked up to him. Her long red hair was instantly dry, even though she had just exited the river. She traced her long fingernails over Kai’s chest. I watched as he paled, and his breathing became labored. Mika was pretending to eat popcorn in my head, obviously enjoying the show.
“Well, I am out here to face you. Do something!” She said, In a daring voice. Kai looked over to me for help and I just shrugged my shoulders. He grimaced at me, and I snickered at him.
“Uh… mam, I didn’t know.” He tried but couldn’t even begin to explain himself.
“Not so tough now, are you?” She said. He stayed silent. Her body instantly shifted into a huge frog, and it spat water in Kai’s face. He fell flat on his ass, as the frog jumped into the water and disappeared under the surface. I laughed out loud.
“THAT. IS. THE. FUNNIEST. THING….I….. HAVE…EVER SEEN!” I barely got the words out.

I opened my eyes just in time to see Kai carrying a huge boulder over to toss it into the river. He was cursing under his breath. I hadn’t even noticed the centaur who had walked up to watch the show.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He said. Kai looked back at him. The centaur just raised his palms up. “I mean if you want to go ahead, but you will regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Why is that?” Kai asked him.
“That is a Baldander, they are shapeshifters. Their normal bodies are that of an alien. The crazy thing is, they can shape their bodies into any object they desire. They love to trick and joke. They are hugely annoying. Imagine not knowing if who you’re talking to is real or not.” Kai laid the rock down softly. He looked into the water and said.
“Sorry Mr. uh… Mrs. uh… Baldander Sir, Mam… I won’t do it again.” He quickly ran over to me and pointed toward the river. “Wasn’t that your idea?” he said to me.
“Don’t even blame that one on me a** hat.” I said back to him. The centaur reached his hand out to me. I shook it.
“My name is Lizeon. I have lived here my entire life. Where are you two from?”
He asked us. He was tall with the lower body of a horse and his torso up was that of a man. He had tanned skin and long brown hair. He carried a bow and arrow on his back.
“I am Gabriel, and this is Kai, my beta.” Lizeon looked at me curiously.
“Ah… The Lycan King. We have all heard of you.” I grinned.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes, the world travels fast. In this land, nothing is hidden when it comes to mythical creatures. Not even those of you who live in the world of humans.” That’s interesting.
“We would like to speak with the dragons, how do we get to them?” I asked. He pointed toward the mountain.
“Head toward that mountain. There is an opening at the base of it. It is a cave that travels up the center of the mountain. You can make your way to the top through there. Just be safe, Dragons do not trust easily. They don’t take kindly to strangers visiting.” I nodded my head to him.
“That is all noted, thank you for your help and direction. We should be on our way now.” Kai turned toward the river and back to Lizeon.
“Uh… do you think you can watch as we leave, and not let that thing follow me?” Kai said. I pushed him toward the mountain. What am I going to do with my Gamma?