Page 58 of The Worst Mate Ever

His words did little to ease my skepticism.

“Don’t lie to me.” I glared at the vampire, not believing him for a single second.

“I would never. You have my word as a proud and dutiful alpha. No harm will come to you.”

I scoffed at his words. “You aren’t an alpha. Vampire Alpha titles are nothing more than a crock of shit. You have no alpha honor.”

“Now that is where you are wrong, Little Wolf. I’m very much an alpha, and I am very proud of my honor.” He looked up at the trees as we passed, his lips moving as he seemed to count them before leaping up into the air and bounding from branch to branch. “You will feel drowsy soon. Don’t be alarmed. It’s only a spell to prevent wandering humans from discovering us. You aren’t in any real danger.”

I could feel the truth of what he said as a yawn built into my throat and threatened to come out. My eyes drew heavy, and I could feel my body going limp the farther Thorne ran.

I fought against the spell. I did everything in my power to stay awake and not allow the darkness to swallow me. But it was useless.

That darkness came for me. My body lost the fight and my mind drifted into a sea of darkness. I could no longer even feel the movement of the vampire as he ran and leaped from tree to tree.

“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll protect us. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens until Daddy finds us.”

An image of the little red-haired girl with the sky-blue eyes came to my mind once more. Light freckles speckled across her nose as she smiled at me, as a warm glow of magic extended from her and started to wrap around me. She closed her eyes and reached out her hand grabbing mine.

“Aurora, don’t. I’ll keep us safe. It’s my job to protect you, Sunshine.” I called out to her.

“But Mommy, I can protect you. You don’t have to worry. We’ll be okay. I saw it happen. I know what to do.”

I couldn’t understand what she meant. I could hardly understand how I was talking to my unborn child in my head, seeing her as a six- or seven-year-old child in my mind, although she was only a small bean in my womb at this time.

Yet she persisted, enveloping us in a warm, magical glow. I felt the spell’s embrace and, inexplicably, recognized its nature.

My unborn daughter had cast a protective spell around us. Now, our only recourse was to await Brady’s rescue.

“I’m sorry, Brady. Please, forgive me,” I whispered into the void, a plea for absolution and a testament to the strength found in the most unlikely of guardians.

Chapter Twenty-four

Brady

A vision slaps me with such force that I’m nearly jolted out of my seat. As I huff and weave on the ground, clutching my chest in fear, the entire council rises to their feet to check on me.

“Brady!” Mom called out as she grabbed my face and looked into my eyes that I was certain were far off, still stuck in the vision I had seen. “What’s wrong? What do you see?”

“Madie,” I managed to gasp before shoving myself out of my mother’s arms and running from the room.

I had to get to her. I had to make it before it was too late. I ripped my shirt from my back as I ran from the Coven House, my shoes and pants quickly following as I tossed each article aside in my haste to shift and run.

Why? Why wasn’t she safe inside the packhouse like I had believed she would be? I couldn’t understand how Thorne and Tristan managed to reach her and effortlessly snatch her away from me. How did they manage to grab her in the forest behind the packhouse without anyone noticing?

Red fur began to burst along my skin as I allowed my wolf to take over. I fell to my hands and knees, feeling a sharp pain as my fingers elongated into clawed paws. As I shifted my weight, my legs contorted, reshaping themselves into a more animalistic form. Finally, I was able to move again.

The coven house was on the other side of the city, but I knew my path well enough to get me to the forest that ran along the pack territory. I knew I had to get to my mate before it was too late. Before they took her to gods knows where and did unspeakable things to her. For what, the sake of a revenge that she has nothing to do with.

I let out a piercing howl as I raced through the landscape, feeling the wind bite at my fur with every stride, propelling me forward at an unprecedented speed.

The world passed by in a haze. As I ran, my mind consumed by a singular goal, the buildings blurred into an indistinguishable mass. I looked up at the sky, watching the placement of the sun, comparing it to the placement in my vision before letting out a deep growl.

Time was running out, and the seconds seemed to slip away like sand through my fingers.

I desperately tried to reach her, but the Fates had cruelly deprived me of the precious time. I could feel it. The vampire and rogue were already closing in on my frightened mate. Her heart pounding in her chest as she ran with the hopes of finding safety in the packhouse just beyond the trees. I was going to be too late.

Undeterred, I pressed on with determination. I couldn’t admit defeat. Not yet. Not ever. Not when it comes to Madie.

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