Page 30 of Exiled Mate

The whole plan takes almost a month to come to fruition.

First, we have to loop Ember in. That in itself is kind of an ordeal, because she’s not exactly the world’s most trusting person. After almost getting into a fight with Chet, though, Ember is on board with the plan.

The hardest part is the month that Rylan and I spend apart. The second hardest part is lying to my mom.

She, as usual, thinks that nothing is wrong. She knows that Rylan broke my heart a second time, and if she suspects anything else, she doesn’t say it.

As the date nears, Rylan leaves a burner phone for me in the little Airstream trailer where I last saw him. We both know the risks. He confirms that Chet’s been at the Denver fight ring, betting against Rylan every chance he gets.

Ember’s part in this is just beginning.

Rylan isn’t there to fight. He’s there to hype her up. Spread the word of a female fighter that can’t be beaten. Until the bait is too good for Chet to pass up.

On the third week, I get a text from Rylan. It contains four words.

I love you. Go.

It’s time.

I sprint down to the alpha’s house, dodging other wolves as I go. I knock on the door, slamming my fist against it.

Do I feel bad tricking the alpha? No.

He wanted proof. So proof, he shall have.

When Iris answers the door, I’m distraught. “I need Thorne,” I say.

Iris nods, and Thorne walks to the door. “Terra,” he rumbles. “What?—”

“It’s Ember!” I gasp.

As one of our only shifter healthcare professionals, Ember is a pretty big deal in the Oakwood pack. It’s something we relied on to make this whole thing work.

Thorne goes still. “What about her.”

“She’s been kidnapped, Thorne! They called me! They’re putting her in that ring tonight!”

“Which one?”

“Denver,” I gasp.

It’s a four-hour drive. We’ll make it just in time for the title fight, where the Black Widow is set to take down an old champion…

The War Wolf.

Thorne nods. “Show me the way,” he grunts. He grabs his phone and barks some orders to Evander, then follows me.

Step one: accomplished.

In Denver, I follow the directions that have been ‘texted’ to my phone. In reality, I have them memorized, but no one has to know that. It doesn’t matter. Not really.

Because once we get to the abandoned warehouse, it’s clear as day that something is up.

There’s a crowd. Not just a small crowd… there is a freaking huge crowd waiting to get in. I gulp.

I didn’t expect this.

Thorne, however, pushes right by everyone. “One of my pack members is up there tonight,” he growls at the bouncer.

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