Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
My breath shuddered out, and I turned away before anyone could read too much in my expression. I wished my brother understood that fate wasn’t something you could lock behind a guarded door.
I moved toward the edge of the courtyard, my fingers brushing the stone wall as I whispered, “I’m not going to let anyone keep me from my mate.”
The truth settled inside me with startling clarity. A faint tremor ran along my spine, and the hairs along my arms lifted.
I needed to figure out what to do because I wasn’t sure how long I’d last being kept away from my fated mate.
4
BOOKER
The moment I stepped away from the window, my wolf slammed against my ribs hard enough to make my breath hitch. He wanted her back in sight. Close enough that nothing could stand between us. But all we had was the lingering echo of her presence fading down the hall.
I prowled a tight circuit around the room, hoping to burn off some of my wolf’s impatience. The space was more comfortable than I expected after seeing the Nightbriar compound from the outside. But I was still confined, even if my surroundings were civilized.
My wolf paced inside me in sync with my steps, a steady pressure under my skin. His fury wasn’t violent, just absolute. A primal rejection of being kept from our mate.
“Trust me, I’m not thrilled either,” I muttered.
I forced myself to breathe slowly. Losing my temper wouldn’t help anyone. Every kind of shifter had their own customs and rules. I didn’t have to like how the lynx alpha reacted to my presence, but I wasn’t going to disrespect him either. Not when he was only doing what he believed protected his sister. My mate.
Disrespect started wars, especially between shifter breeds that didn’t mingle often.
My wolf didn’t care about diplomacy. He was pissed about the empty space where Alara should be.
I reached for the small waterproof bag lying on the table. The alpha hadn’t taken it from me, which gave me hope since it showed he was protective, not cruel.
Besides the sweatpants and shirt I’d pulled out earlier, the only thing inside was my cell and a few hundred dollars. Enough to get by. Anything more would’ve been a pain to haul in wolf form.
My hand closed around the phone with a sense of relief. If I was stuck here, I wasn’t going to sit quietly and wait for someone else to solve my problem. Or decide my future.
I needed backup for whatever lay ahead. And I knew just who to call.
My alpha needed to know I’d found my mate and that I wasn’t leaving without her.
I thumbed the screen awake, my wolf still pacing, snarling softly inside me.
It was time to call in the cavalry.
Keane answered after a few rings. “Tell me you have a damn good excuse for not being back from your hunt. Thora’s already talking about roasting something extra just to make a point.”
Despite everything, a rough laugh escaped me. “Yeah. I have a reason.”
“That so?”
I glanced toward the window, my mind on the pretty shifter who was meant to be mine. “I found my mate.”
Keane let out a low whistle. “Well, hell. That’ll do it.”
“She’s a lynx shifter, from an insular chain farther into the mountains,” I explained.
“I haven’t encountered many lynxes.” He sounded thoughtful. “From what I’ve heard, they tend to be quiet, territorial, and proud.”
“Yeah, I got to experience that up close and personal.” I raked my fingers through my hair. “Her chain isn’t welcoming. They didn’t turn violent, but they quickly surrounded us, and their alpha demanded I leave. When I refused, he put me in one of their guest rooms under guard.”
Keane exhaled. “So you’re confined.”
“But not mistreated,” I clarified. “The room is surprisingly comfortable for someone they don’t trust. Probably because my mate is the alpha’s sister, which I’m guessing is also a big part of the reason he tried running me off.”
“Damn,” he murmured. “Sounds like you landed yourself in the middle of some pack politics. And with two different breeds involved, one misstep can set off a territorial battle.”
“I know.” I rubbed the back of my neck, my wolf pacing inside me. “Which is why I need your help.”
“Whatever you need.”
A knot loosened in my chest at how quickly he offered backup. “Thank you.”
“If her brother is a decent alpha, he’ll listen long enough for us to sort through this without bloodshed.”
“And if he’s not?” I asked.
Keane didn’t hesitate. “Then we make damn sure no one stands between you and your mate.”
“Good.” My wolf chuffed in agreement.
“Prepare yourself for whatever hoops the lynx alpha wants you to jump through.” His chuckle rumbled low. “Wouldn’t be fate if it didn’t give us some kind of challenge.”
Some of the weight pressing on my chest eased as we ended the call. One alpha down. Now I needed the other—one who’d known me since I could barely shift without falling on my ass.