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Aside from Jaxon and Torsten at my sides, an entire vampire army is waiting behind me, eager to find our missing princess. The fact that one of our own has taken her, possibly harmed her is too much for any of us to bear. Guilt racks through me for the times I isolated myself from the soldiers behind me, not taking my job as second-in-command seriously. But if nothing else, this treacherous time has shown me that each and every one of the vampires in this castle are my family – and we will bring our rightful heir back home safety.
She will take the throne and lead us all with the compassion and strength I’ve been honored to have been shown by her personally. At this point, I don’t even care if she wants a life with me. Knowing she is safe is enough and I will forever love her from afar.
The royal guards on either side of the giant entrance step forward and lift the heavy plank across the center, pushing the doors open to show the pale orange afterglow of the sunset. A shadow swirling in the sky swoops vertically, shifting mid-air to land on heavy boots. Sawyer stands, jet black hair sweeping low over the taut veins around his eyes.
“I have a lead,” he states loudly, although his gaze is on mine. “But you’re not going to like it.”
“Do I look like I give a shit either way? Where is she?” I clench my fists.
“She’s on shifter territory, that’s as much of a read as I can get. Kofu, the alpha’s protégé, has agreed to meet with you. He’ll be at the exile hut in an hour.” Whipping his trench coat in a flourish, Sawyer shifts back into raven form and takes to the sky. I don’t waste another second, leading the mass of bodies through the town on swift feet. Pouring out of the raised iron gate, we descend on the woodlands before us before splitting up into pre-arranged groups.
“Do you trust him?” Torsten asks no one in particular. He, Jaxon, and I stay together, a small quadrant at our backs.
“The protégé or the raven?” I grunt, pumping my arms harder.
“Both.” The bird speeds ahead, strong flaps of his enhanced wings putting us on his constant shadow. I swear on the moon, if he’s leading us astray, I’ll pluck and roast him for the sheer satisfaction of it.
“Seems foolish for Carrick to hide Aspen in rival territory,” Jaxon interjects, taking a small lead. I catch up to his side.
“Maybe that was the point. To throw us off.”
“Or maybe it’s a fucking lie.” Jaxon’s frown is engraved deeply, no more words being spoken. We’ve already discussed everything that needs to be said. No one has slept, instead using the daylight hours to talk strategy and stare at maps. We even passed around Aspen’s clothes from her backpack, allowing every solider to memorize her scent – during which I had to leave the room. I couldn’t bear that every male in the castle was intimately learning her fragrance. Such a privilege belongs to those Aspen deems fit, and up to yesterday, I thought that was the three of us.
“Torin, take over command,” I order. Signaling to those behind, they venture to the west, set on searching the mountain ranges. Every rock will be overturned, every crevice checked, as planned. Upon reaching the base of the first mountain, each Vamp will disperse in different directions. There are many hidden grottos within range, and searching them thoroughly is a top priority. Trusting the soldiers to act on our behalf, the three of us veer left and fly at top speed toward shifter territory, my heart sinking more with every step.
The raven turns back his head, releasing a squawk. I give him the middle finger. It’s none of Sawyer’s concern how I chose the handle this mission, and since Jaxon has taken to talking as little as possible, I’ve had to step up. Something about this meeting doesn’t feel right and if the shifters try to stall us, I’d rather my troops were still looking everywhere else.
Within thirty minutes, having pushed ourselves to absolute top speed, we’re standing outside the exile hut. A shadow is pacing within, his silhouette bouncing from wall to wall by the candlelight. He seems agitated, clawing his hands into his hair and pulling at his t-shirt irritably. The longer we’re forced to wait on his small patch of land, the more he makes guttural sounds and attacks the walls or breaks furniture on occasion. Using my enhanced hearing, I listened closely but his was the only heartbeat present inside. Definitely psychotic, but not our kidnapper.
Another approaches from our right, stepping free of the tree line surrounding the small structure. Kofu, I presume. A couple inches shorter, built like a ton of bricks and covered in ink. Wearing dark jeans and a leather jacket which fits snuggly, his wide chest is bare underneath. Halting a few steps from us with a mocking smile, I steel myself to this spot. It goes against my nature to be this close to a wolf and not try to kill him. At that moment, Sawyer swoops down and shifts, landing between the standoff taking place.
“You told me you have news of Aspen’s location,” he leads strongly, not a hint of our collective desperation present. Kofu nods slowly. “And what do you want for her safe return?” This takes the wolf by surprise. Pulling his hands free of his jacket pockets, Kofu releases the fists held there. He was expecting a fight. Perhaps that all he wanted.
Taking a step towards Sawyer, I watch the wolf carefully, his head tilting to speak into the raven’s ear. “Take her far away, and don’t ever let her come back.” His words are low grunts which take us all by surprise. I cock my head at his strange request.
“Does the alpha know you’re aiding us?” I ask. I take the flash of warning in Kofu’s brown eyes as a solid no. Even curiouser, but there’s only time for him to humor me once more. “Who is that?” I ask him, jerking my chin in the direction of the exile hut. Kofu wears a scowl, the deep V between his eyebrows suggesting it’s a permanent fixture of his sullen face. His dark hair flicks forward into his dead eyes, which sit above unnaturally sharp cheekbones.
“Oh, that? That’s none of your fucking business.” He sneers. “Come on then, do you want your precious half-breed back or not?” Turning and casually walking away, without the slightest hint of urgency in his steps.
Growling, I follow and intentionally ram my shoulder into his. His animalistic snarl penetrates the forest.
“Enough,” Jaxon snaps at me. I argue that this fucker is wasting time, but Jaxon won’t hear it. Gold flecks glint in his blue eyes, his teeth exposed with ragged breaths. He’s struggling to control himself, so I step down and back in line with him and Torst.
“Can we get a fucking move on? I can sense she needs help,” Sawyer storms ahead, rubbing at the back of his neck. He’s beyond agitated, and as much as I should sympathize, I just hate him all the more for throwing his moon bond in my face. I grind my teeth. I’ll be seriously pissed if this is all some time-wasting joke to hold me back from finding my love. Damn, I love her. Kofu breathes out a laugh, which just angers me more.
“She’ll be fine,” he responds calmly, tapping his sternum beneath his jacket with two fingers. I raise my brows, but he doesn’t elaborate.
“You know that how?” I stride to Kofu’s side, gesturing to the place on his chest he touched. His mouth slants into a sideways smirk. Talking to this little shit was already infuriating, before he opens his jacket lapel to reveal a wolf’s head on his right pec. One half of its face is black, a honey brown staring out from the shading. The other side is purely white, a deep blue eye which can’t be any other than Aspen. My heart sinks.
“Oh, you didn’t know? Aspen was supposed to be my betrothed before the truth of her heritage was revealed.” I stop dead in my tracks. Tensions are already running high, but the thought of Aspen wedding this asshole just about pushes me over the edge. No. There’s no way Aspen’s wolf would be drawn to this cocky fucker with his dead eyes and shitty overgrown hair.
“You’re nowhere near good enough for her,” I spit onto the ground, my fangs lengthening. Kofu’s cocky smile slips as he turns back, the scowl returning in full force.
“And you are?! You only had her for a few weeks and you fucking lost her!”
Yeah, okay, I’m not worthy of her either. I don’t think anyone truly is. Whomever Aspen chooses will be the luckiest being in the world after I’ve rescued her.
“And what did you do to aid the hellish life she was leading?” I shout. Kofu squares up to me and I shove at his chest.
