“And he’s a lion,” Shade murmurs.
“Did the man you sent track Ezra?” Bane asks.
“Yes, to the edge of the property. The scent disappeared. There was a car waiting. I should have video within minutes,” he says, and I hear the keys of a computer.
“I need to find him.” I turn sharply and move to the bed, grabbing my mask. “Once I’m outside, I’m hoping the mark can guide me.” I leave my bedroom and shut the door.
“Ezra marked you?” Shade asks.
“Last night. I can’t tell my emotions from his right now.”
“Good,” he says, sighing. “That will help. I can only do so much with cameras.”
I move through the house. “I don’t care who comes, but I’m leaving. Heath, I need you to drive me. Juliana can come with us. The rest of you will have to follow. I can’t have everyone’s scent close.” I open the door.
“We’ll follow,” Issy says, nodding at her mom.
“Lead the way,” Hunter says.
I wait for them to step into the hall and lock the door.
“I’ll send you locations as I get them,” Shade says.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’ll find him. The connection you two have is powerful.”
“I know. It is.” I swallow hard. “I won’t allow him to be taken from me.”
“Answer if I call.”
“Yeah.” I hang up.
“Let’s take the stairs,” Heath says, and I nod.
It will be faster, so I lead the way. My body moves without thinking. All that’s running through my mind is my mate. He wanted to keep me safe. I know how he operates, and he didn’t want me to have to deal with Charlie. He treats me like something precious, yet he values my strength. Now, I will prove that I will protect him. An asshole won’t take away my happiness. I’m done with taking shit slow. Ezra is mine. Hebelongs to me, and I’ll rip the lion apart for thinking he can kill him.
We burst through the front doors, and I follow Heath to his car. I sit in the passenger seat and roll down the window. Closing my eyes, I take deep breaths and concentrate on Ezra.
“He’s awake,” I say, feeling his confusion. “My head still hurts, and I sense his pain. His anger.” I look at Heath. “Drive. I’ll guide you.”
I lean my head back, close my eyes again, and allow my senses to locate my mate. All that matters is his safe return. I don’t care what I have to do or who I have to kill.
“Where am I going?” Heath asks, slowing the car.
“Left,” I say.
My body vibrates with energy. Yes, my mate is pissed. I smile. I was worried when he was asleep. Now that he’s aware, I may be the cleanup crew instead of the one rescuing him.
Still, I won’t stop searching.
I want to wear the mask my mate bought me.
Chapter Twenty
Ezra
Another lion is fucking with my life. He wants to take me away from my mate, and I can’t allow it. My head has stopped bleeding, but the smell is heavy in the air. I woke up chained to the ceiling. My captor isn’t in the room. I shift my eyes to penetrate the dark. The room is small and smells of mold. The ceiling is lined with bars, hooks hanging on many of them. There is a sink to the left. It looks like a hunting lodge where they brought their kills.
