Page 26

After taking two strides across the sticky floor, I jabbed at the alpha werewolf’s chest, which felt a whole lot like poking a brick wall—so firm. Looking all the way up, I eventually met his glare. Our showdown probably looked comical to anyone watching. Galbraith was twice my size in both directions, but when his gaze stuck to mine, a flicker of realization softened his gaze, then his snarl faded too. He must have seen something of the real me in my eyes.

The pack leader took a step back.

Duke flung open the bar door. “Kid thinks he can threaten⁠—”

That’s it. I was done. No more Mr. Nice Adam.

“Threaten you?” I barked a laugh and stepped back too, so the whole bar and its customers could get a good look at little ol’ me. “Don’t worry. Should anyone stand between me and mine, there won’t be threats.” Power fizzled through my veins, and when I next spoke, my voice brought with it a growl born from the depths of my dragon soul. “There’ll be nothing left but ash.”

Galbraith clicked his fingers. “Outside, all of you. Find the vampire.”

The entire bar sprang into motion and bounded for the door, suddenly so eager to help.

Galbraith smiled, but there was no hiding its nervous tick. “Nothing vanishes in these woods. We’ll find him.”

“You’d better.”

Galbraith’s own predatory gaze flashed a warning, but he kept his smile. “I think I like you, Adam.”

He wouldn’t, if we didn’t find Victor.

Making my way outside into the misty lot, I spotted the pack members heading into the woods. A few minutes later, the howls started up, muffled by mist.

Victor would be fine.

He had to be.

As haughty as he was and prone to getting himself kidnapped, he’d always survived.

I paced, torn between going after them and waiting here for him to return like he’d said he would. What I really wanted to do was shift out of my skin and burn the entire forest down. He’d said he’d be here, but he wasn’t. What if he’d never intended to run with me? What if he’d just wanted me out of the way while he distracted the beast?

Damn, I hadn’t told them about the beast.

Too bad. If their beta hadn’t riled me up with all that macho posturing, I’d have remembered to warn them.

Jenny stepped out of her reception office and headed toward me. “What’s happening?”

“Victor is missing.”

“My bestie? Bro. What the fuck?”

“We were attacked. He was with me. He said to run, and I . . . I did, and now he’s missing and if we don’t find him, I don’t . . . I don’t know what I’ll do.” Yes I did. I knew exactly what I’d do. I’d burn every single tree in the forest if I had to. And then I’d start on the people.

“Hey.” Jenny smiled softly, trying to snag my vacant gaze. “He’s a vampire, right? They got mad skills. He’ll slay.”

I sort of understood her meaning without Zee to translate. She was trying to be kind, but kindness wouldn’t find him.

“Over here!”

Two figures stumbled from the misty treeline, one slumped heavily against the other.

“Victor!” I bolted toward them. He was hurt. Blood. So much blood. He hadn’t healed. Why hadn’t he healed? I vaulted a fence, dashed over some grass, and only slowed when he reached for my hand.

Our fingers locked. I brought his hand to my chest.

“I’m alright.” He grimaced.

He didn’t look alright. He looked in pain. His face was cut up, his shirt bloody, his hair knotted with leaves. I took him from the pack member, scooping him against my side. He’d never felt so frail. Victor was never weak. He was never broken. He was my rock, my safe place, one of only two reasons I was still alive.