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All the color drains from Father’s face and I stare in shock at Mal’s harsh words. Father nods and then grabs Mother’s hand, leading her back to the house.
Dozens of questions swirl through my mind as Malak and I follow behind them, but try as I might, I cannot speak around the lump of nerves in my throat. One of the servants brings us clothing to change into.
When we reach my room, Malak shuts the door behind us. Numbly, I move to the dressing partition to change. “Tell me,” I force the words past my lips. “What has my father done?” Fully dressed in servant’s clothing, I step back out into the room and face him. “What do you know about him that I do not?”
Mal shakes his head. “I was not certain that I was right until I accused your father of not telling the truth. I saw him with this man, in the estate gardens this morning.”
My heart slams in my throat. “What did they say?”
“Enough that I know now that your father knew of his plans. He did not agree with them, but he did nothing to stop them either.”
I place my hand over my heart. Father knew an assassin was targeting the royal family. Mal is brother to the Crown Prince, and next in line for the throne if his brother were dead. “You would have been murdered too.” The words leave my lips unfiltered as shock and anger war deep within. “Father would have—” My breath hitches, unable to continue.
“The assassin is dead and my family still lives.” Malak takes both my hands in his. “All that matters now is getting you to safety.”
Worry fills me, but I force it back down as I struggle to formulate a plan. “I—I’m sure we can get you some papers when we reach Avalor. You can live under a different name until—”
“I’m not going.”
My heart stutters and stops. “What?”
CHAPTER7
MALAK
“No.” Luna stares up at me in disbelief. “You have to come with us. You cannot stay here, Mal.”
“I have to.”
“You killed three of your father’s guards,” I protest. “He will—”
“Do not worry about me, Luna.” I cup her cheek. “You have to get to Avalor.”
“You cannot stay here,” she protests. “If he finds out you helped us escape, he’ll—”
“He won’t find out,” I state firmly. “But if I leave with you, he will know. My father will send hunters to find me, and that will put you and your entire family in danger, Luna.” I shake my head. “And I won’t let that happen.”
“Mal, please,” she pleads. “You cannot stay here. It’s too dangerous.”
“How will we make it across the border?” I hear Luna’s mother ask her father down the hallway. “Surely, they will be looking for us.”
I turn back to Luna. “You probably only have half a day before word reaches the border.” My gaze drifts to her neck. “I need to give you my mark. If you are stopped at the border, show it to them. They will know you are a Wolf-Shifter’s mate, and they will let you and your family through.”
To my surprise, she tilts her head to the side, baring her neck for me. A growl rumbles in my chest at her complete trust and acceptance, my inner wolf clawing his way to the surface desperate to claim our mate.
“I give you my most solemn vow.” I cup her chin and force her gaze to mine, staring deep into her lovely brown eyes. “You are mine, and I am yours. I will take no other as my mate.”
“You are mine,” she whispers in reply. “And I am yours. I will take no other as my mate.”
Threading my fingers through her long auburn hair, I grip the silken strands, pulling them back, and then tilt her head to the side. My gaze locks on to the artery pulsing along the elegant curve of her neck.
She gasps as I clamp down with my fangs, clinging tightly to me as I apply just enough pressure to break through her delicate flesh.
Mine.My inner wolf growls as I leave my mark on her petal-soft skin. Everything inside me wants to hold her tight and never let her go. To claim her completely: mind, body, heart, and soul. But as much as I long to claim her in all ways, I cannot.
Not yet. She must get to Avalor, where she will be safe.
Blood pools at the bite mark, but I lave my tongue across the skin to stop the bleeding and start the healing process. It will be scarred over before they reach the border.
