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Chapter 26
Miguel
My panther prowled beneath my skin. Focusing on keeping Niko calm helped keep him at bay for now. If people didn’t get a move on soon, I might lose the short leash I kept on him. I never believed we would hurt our fellow pride mates, but that was before fate had bestowed our mates upon us. Now, we will gladly rip everyone around us limb from limb if it meant finding and keeping Amelia safe.
The breeze picked up quickly, bringing with it a sharp tang that signaled Alaska was returning. Dragons were a rare species of their own and a mystery as well. Some said they were created by the gods themselves, others said they are a mutated abomination, and the most fantastical one was that the Fae courts created them for protection, play, and pets. This worked until the dragons from each court met, deciding they wanted more than to be some pompous throne-sitting assholes puppet. They banded together and rebelled against the courts. The Fae banished them all to the earth realm. I didn’t know how much of any of that was true, but I could say I was fascinated by Alaska as well as Leo’s friend Wyatt.
The trees swayed in the wind created by Alaska’s large wings as she kept herself aloft. There wasn’t enough room for her to land where we stood. She let out a roar and circled the parking lot finding a space to her satisfaction.
She shimmered as her dragon gave way to the pink-tipped punk hair, badass human side. Clothes morphed to cover her body as she walked straight to Niko and me.
“Boys, I need to apologize for the harsh words I spoke earlier.” She tucked her hands in the pockets of her short leather jacket. “I didn’t stop to ask questions, simply accused and took off.” She leaned back against the jeep being used as our make-shift conference table. “Tell me about this man and his magic.”
For the third time, I recounted what happened in the span of five minutes or less. Fur rippled along my skin, showing my agitation and that of my cat.
“Alpha!”
I turned toward the voice, nose in the air, and growled. He smelled of Amelia. Leo ran past me before I could pounce. “What is it?”
“We found this at the edge of the trees.” He held up a chain, and Amelia’s scent carried to me again.
“Don’t touch it,” Alaska called. “We can use it to track her kidnapper.”
Niko shifted and lunged in front of Leo, head low, back legs coiled, and tail twitching. I knew if the kid moved wrong, he was going down. I saw it in his eyes as he glanced back at me that the tiger was in complete control. Our bond lit up with unrestrained anger, and I could almost taste his tiger’s need for blood.
“Niko, please, breathe through it. We need you to keep your tiger calm.” I tried to send a sense of calm through our bond.
“Slowly, lay it on his fur,” Alaska instructed. “Niko, walk over here so I can see it. I won’t touch it, I promise, and when I am done, you and Miguel can keep it safe for her.”
The kid lay the necklace on Niko’s back. Slowly, Niko walked past me, pausing so I could scent her again as well. The small piece of jewelry was one of Amelia’s stone necklaces that Kymber had given her after the rescue.
Alaska hovered her hand over Niko and the chain. It lit up with the same blue that had encapsulated Amelia.
“Fuck!” Alaska spat the words. “I know who has her. I know of only two in this world who have that magical signature. Myself and the one I was sent to find.”
For the first time since I’d met Alaska, I saw a crack in her armor as she rubbed her forehead, pinching the bridge of her nose.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“The short version is that years ago, more than I can count, the queen of the summer court sent me across the realms in search of her last son.” She took a breath. “My half-brother. We share the same father, but he was raised in the court as the bastard son of the fae Queen. It’s a long story to explain, but he ran away to the earth realm, and I was sent to track him down.”
“Why has it taken so long?” Leo asked, totally ignoring the fact she just admitted to being fae, a culture we thought had died out long ago.
“He’s just as good at hiding as I am.” Alaska rubbed her hands on her leather pants. “I’ve got him now, though. I can trace his magic, but we need to go now.”
“Kat, stay here with Niko and Miguel. We will keep you updated on our progress.” Leo kissed her before giving all his attention to Alaska and the rescue group.
“We should be helping,” I grumbled, sinking my hand into Niko’s fur. He hadn’t shifted back, and I didn’t think he would until Amelia returned.
“I know you want to be there when they find her, but, Miguel, look at it from their standpoint. Would you want the mate of someone you are searching for stumbling along? Your emotions will override all common sense, and you know it.”
Kymber joined us. “They will find her, and they will bring her home.”
DJ walked over and handed us a radio, a sat phone, and an earpiece. “To keep you with us at all times. I need you both to man the security office while we are gone. Let us know of any changes here, any threats that may approach.” He squatted down to be eye level with Niko. “I need Niko back. You are both more useful to this search in skin rather than fur. I promise you; we will get your mate back.”
DJ turned without another word and followed the team outside the compound walls. Niko’s tiger finally relinquished control, and he shifted back into his human form.
“I fucking hate this.” Niko ran his hands through his hair and stomped toward the glass doors. “Come on, let’s get set up.”
