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Sloane snorted in contempt. “Looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Sloane muttered.
“Cousin,” Tegan reprimanded him softly.
“Sorry, Salem, that was uncalled for.” Sloane didn’t raise his head though.
“It’s understandable, you are angry.” Salem shook his head. “She did this to get back for what I had done to her mother?”
“I think it started before Tegan arrived,” Michael said, hoping his father would not blame himself. “I don’t know.”
“Why is this significant?” Tegan asked curiously. “I am sorry for the hurt to my cousin, but really, the two are not a good match.” She shrugged when they all looked at her in various stages of disbelief. “I am only saying what everyone else is thinking,” Tegan defended herself. “But I do not understand how this is relevant to right now?”
“Because she may be safe, Tegan,” Michael explained. “She may have gone back to her boyfriend.”
“Oh.” Tegan nodded. “Well, then that’s good. Yes?”
“Or she may be with the Drakhyn and a compromised grandmother,” Bryce reminded the room.
“Any other ideas, Michael?” Salem asked as he looked at his son. “Is this what you wanted to tell me in the hall?”
“Yeah.” Michael didn’t look at his father as he nodded.
“What else is it?” Sloane asked. “I know you, what else is it?”
“She thought she was pregnant, but she told me she wasn’t.” Michael sighed. “But the more I think about it, the more I am worried that she may be and just…couldn’t tell me.”
The room was quiet, completely still. Everyone looked at Sloane and then away again, scared he would raise his head and see their sympathy.
“If she is pregnant,” Tegan began softly. “That is a good thing.” Every pair of eyes in the room turned to her, even Sloane’s. “Drakhyn want fertile females, newly pregnant or females who have just given birth. Everyone knows this. Zahra could carry a daughter. They may not hurt her or the babe until they know the sex of the child.” She looked at the room uncomfortably. “They keep the daughters,” she reminded them in a small voice.
“I think I may be sick,” Sloane said as he slumped onto a chair.
“Either way,” Tegan continued, trying to ignore her anguish for her cousin, “she may be safe for the time being, either with her male friend or with her grandmother.”
“I may kill her myself,” Salem said under his breath.
The door to the office opened, and everyone looked up to see Marcus enter with Tove in tow. A torn sweater was in his hands. “She has been taken,” Marcus confirmed solemnly. “I need Elites, preferably Lycan,” he said to Commander Bryce before looking at Salem. “I can get her back, Salem.”
Commander Bryce acknowledged the request and left the room to gather the team.
“I need her back,” Salem said as his eyes rose in despair to Marcus. “She may be pregnant.”
Tove immediately looked to Sloane in confusion. “I did not think you were that…friendly?”
“We aren’t,” Sloane growled as he rose to his feet. “I am coming with you. Tegan?”
“Of course.”
“I said Lycan,” Marcus reminded them gently.
“No time for prejudices, Lycan,” Sloane snapped, ignoring Marcus’s shocked look. “My cousin and I are just as good as the Elites.”
“Sloane,” Marcus began.
“NO!” Sloane roared in the office. “I have hadenough! I am going, and my cousin is coming with me. I have known Zahra my whole life. I will not leave her in the hands of Drakhyn, no matter what she may or may not be.”
“Cousin,” Tegan placed her hand on Sloane’s arm gently. “We need to get ready. Let’s go.”
“I am coming too,” Michael started.
