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He was so grey and pale, his lips busted, both eyes were swollen shut, and his arms were covered in thick, black blood. I dropped to my knees, but Kenji pulled me back onto my feet, away from my friend.
"We need to hurry," the alpha said, scanning all around us before leaning down to pick up Lex. He hesitated, his hands hovering just over Lex's middle.
A pained shriek echoed through the camp, followed by a cascade of murmurs and gasps that moved like ripples in a pond. I could only assume the news of the King's death was moving quickly.
This was our moment to make our escape. I leaned down next to the alpha and whispered in a rush of words, "We need to go now."
As if coming out of a trance, Kenji grabbed Lex's arms and flung him over his shoulder. Lex let out a soft grunt as he hit the alpha's hard body. I released a thankful breath. He was still alive.
Risking a glance behind us, I caught sight of Joon. The bonfire illuminated his impressive profile as he spoke to Byriel's sister. The she-alpha spoke with large, excited movements of her hands. She barked out orders all around her. Joon turned his head to me, and our eyes met. I nodded at him, then Blue grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.
I stumbled as we hurried into the shadows of the trees, away from the tents and fires. Turning to look over my shoulder, I was desperate for one more glimpse of my mate, but he was gone.
A slip of pain lanced my chest, and I sucked in a pained breath, refusing to cry.
* * *
Bitter,prickling fear raced through my mating bond, and I jerked awake.
Feeling disoriented, I swayed a bit as I sat up, rubbing my temples. The backs of my eyes ached, and my scalp felt too tight. I checked all around me. My movements made the pine needles that covered the dirt pinch into my skin. Blue was still asleep on one side of me, and Lex was unconscious on the other.
Lex's face was so bruised and swollen. It was hard to tell if he had lost his ability to project or if he was just that injured from the beating he had endured. Pulling the sleeve of my black robes over my hand, I wiped the black blood off Lex's chin and lips, but it was too thick and sticky, not budging.
The sun peeked over the mountains, and the scent of a fresh kill made me move away from the silent pair. Crawling out from under the low-hanging branches, I found Kenji scanning the area with two dead rabbits at his feet.
"Omega," he greeted me without turning around.
"Kenji." I rubbed the back of my neck. I was so stiff.
"You can call me Alpha or Alpha Kenji." His tone was polite as he scolded me, but I still had to suppress the urge to roll my eyes.
For the better half of the year, the only alphas I had spent time with were Joon and Byriel. I never addressed Byriel formally, and Joon never corrected me, letting me call him whatever I wanted.
It was clear I had forgotten how to behave in a civilized society.
"Alpha Kenji," I smiled, trying to sound respectful. He nodded at my words, then motioned to the food at our feet, indicating I should eat. I ignored the rabbits. "Can I ask what the plan is?"
"I'm taking you and your friends to Madra," he said as he scented the air.
"The village?" Blue asked as he stepped toward us. His green robes were fussed, and his dark hair was a mess—the purple streak hanging awkwardly in his eyes.
"What's in Madra?" I asked the alpha, already knowing I wouldn't like his answer.
"Your family?" Kenji raised a brow. "Your mate said you had family there. Is that not right?"
Of course Joon would order someone to take me back home. I snarled at the ground, searching him out through our bond. Then I jerked as I remembered what woke me.
Joon was in pain.
I couldn't feel it now, but I was sure it wasn't a dream. Wherever my mate was, he was hurt, and the stern alpha in front of me would have to fucking kill me before I'd abandon him and go back to Madra.
"We need to go to Ossory," I said forcefully. Kenji's eyes flashed red at my tone, but I didn't give a shit.
"You need to do as you're told, omega." He crossed his arms over his thick chest.
Remembering the letter in my pocket, I lowered my voice, "I have something I have to deliver. Jonelle said it was urgent. We have to go to the palace."
"What do you have?" he asked, tilting his head to the side and looking me over as if he might see a fib written on my skin.
