Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,74
I'd been so lost in thought it felt like we arrived back here in a matter of minutes instead of two hours.
When I reached the door, he pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips.
"I won't be long." He brushed his fingertips across my cheek.
I nodded my head. It felt like I was only going through the motions. There was something numb inside me.
"Hey." He took a deep breath and stared into my eyes. "What you learned doesn't change anything about you. You're still the same damn girl that had me fall for her the night she stood up to me at a college party. You're that same person if not stronger, and I regret listening to my dad and the other heirs."
My heart warmed to his words. "Then why did you hurt me?"
"I didn't know what else to do." He blew out his breath and closed his eyes. "They threatened me to stay away, and I'm sorry I didn't fight for us then. But I will now."
I needed to hear that. "We'll get through this together."
"Yes, we will." He kissed my lips and pulled away. "The longer I take to get there, the worse it'll be. I shouldn't be much longer than thirty minutes."
"Please, be careful, and I'll be here." I watched him hurry off to the building that housed the gym and restaurant. He must be meeting them on the top floor where they conduct their business when onsite.
When he disappeared into the building, a loud scream echoed from the woods. It sounded like Max.
Without hesitation, I headed toward the area Kai had taken us during the orientation tour only a month and a half ago. I raced deep into the woods and stumbled to a stop.
Max was chained to a tree, crying out in pain. Deep claw marks were gouged into his arms and his stomach, the gaping wounds pouring blood.
"Oh my God ..." I hurried over to him as my voice made his head struggle to glance up.
"Mia, no!" He cried the words, but it was too late.
Both Simon and Micah walked out from the thick trees to the left of us.
My heart dropped.
"We warned you." Simon shook his head and frowned. "We said if you messed with us, we'd take it out on your brother."
"What the hell? I didn't do anything to any of you." I couldn't believe what was happening.
"It's nothing personal." Micah's eyes were filled with sadness.
"How is this not personal?" My rage was building inside me. "You've got my brother tied to a fucking tree?"
"It's all your fault because you’re making Liam lose focus. We can't have that right now. Not with what's going on." Simon took a deep breath and stilled. "He claimed you?"
It sounded like a question, but we all knew that it wasn't one. Liam's scent was now a part of me.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this." Micah shook his head. "But it's too late."
"No, it means she has to die. That's the only way to save the council and ensure we reign." Simon's eyes glowed. "Evan's dad, Mr. Rafferty, he told us that."
He was already calling on his wolf.
"But Liam will kill us." Micah shook his head and bit his bottom lip.
"We've worked too hard for it all." Simon's voice turned into a rasp as fur sprouted all over his body and his clothes ripped apart. "He will have to understand when he realizes everything that’s at stake."
"Mia, run." Max yelled the words, but I wasn't going to be able to leave him.
Simon didn't waste any time as he charged right at me.
I forced my shift, and his teeth sunk into my shoulder as soon as I was in wolf form. I'd never been in a fight before, so I had to let my instincts take over. I rolled over on the side he was attached to, throwing all of my weight on him.
He released his hold, and I rolled over on top of him, jumping back to my feet. Liam, I … I need you. I was about to learn whether he truly meant all those words he’d said to me.
What's going on? Liam's voice was full of concern.
Micah and Simon. They have my brother, and Simon is attacking me. I had to stop talking to him and focus on Simon. I'm in the woods behind the school.
I'm on my way. His voice was stone cold.
His tone was emotionless. I was afraid I’d made a mistake, asking him for help, but damn it all. This test of