Page 73 of Dark Dragon’s Mate

And he flew faster than he ever had before.

Trish, still in wolf form, was streaking across the plains toward the atherias mine. The red dragons had a communicator. She could use it to call Emon.

Because if Grange was setting her up, trying to get rid of her, then he was the one who’d been behind all the strange happenings in the castle.

He was the one who’d broken into Ragnor’s office, and set up the theft from Emon’s hoard so that the research team would be blamed.

Which meant he was either in league with Gen-X, or he wanted Ragnor’s research for himself, to use or sell.

And that meant everyone in the castle was in danger. Gen-X was capable of anything—and they’d love to get their hands on a white wolf. Tristan. Brave, loyal Tristan. And Brock. She couldn’t let anything happen to them.

Then go back and kill, Layla growled.

Not yet. We need the Darkwing Dragon.

As if in answer, Trish heard a faint voice in her mind, calling out.

Trish? Layla? Can you hear me? Trish!

Emon! He sounded desperate, almost pleading. They stopped, ears pricked, scanning the sky. We’re here!

Trish tried to project a picture of her surroundings, including the mountains, so he’d know where she was.

Layla tipped her head back and let out a howl.

Within a few minutes, she saw a black dot in the sky, moving fast. She kept howling. We’re here!

The dragon grew larger, flying directly toward her like she was a homing beacon. He swooped in and backwinged to slow himself down, then Changed before his feet even hit the ground.

He was covered in grit and dust, and he’d never looked so beautiful.

“Layla!” he said breathlessly, running over to her. “What are you doing out here? Are you okay?”

We are fine.

“What’s going on at the castle?”

Layla went silent. Trish tried to Change, but Layla wouldn’t let her.

Emon went on, “Tristan contacted me and said that someone imprisoned him and Brock and Mayah and Mina in Mayah’s room. They don’t know what happened to Grange or Noah. We’re thinking that Gen-X must have somehow found a way in. I need to know what’s going on. And who’s behind it.”

Lion-man, Layla said, growling. Trish could feel the darkness building inside her.

“Grange?” Emon asked, sounding unable to believe it.

Layla growled louder. Said we did bad things. We didn’t. Must kill him.

Trish pressed against her, trying to Change, but Layla held her ground.

“Fuck,” Emon said. “I need to talk to Trish.”

Layla backed up. NO. We need to fight. I fight. She does not.

“First I need to talk to her.” He was putting out his alpha juice, and Layla pushed back. Trish could feel her bracing herself to defy Emon’s authority.

But instead of insisting, Emon dropped the alpha posture and stepped forward, hands out. “Please.”

His eyes met Layla’s.