Page 109 of Tangled Hearts

“I don’t think she did, but I can tell you to get to her, you're going to have to go through a lot of men,” Lucien said, looking behind us.

“Katarina would like for you to come back with us. She said she owed you and wanted to thank you again.” Aeon, the one with multicolored eyes, looked at us. “We have to leave now because if we don’t, you will be caught.”

I was wary of them, but when I looked behind us, I got that same feeling again. Oria looked at me and then behind me.

“Let’s go,” she said.

“Ok,” I said, grabbing her hand.

“Are you ok shifting?” Aeon asked me. “I’ve seen you can shift into anything.”

“Yes, I can shift,” I said, seeing them take off their clothes.

“The Belladonna estate is not far from here. It’s faster and easier to get to if we run,” Lucien said. “Are you ok with running or would you like one of us?—”

I growled. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Just offering,” he smirked, before taking off his sweats.

Oria’s eyes looked up as they packed clothes in a bag. I gave Oria my clothes as she turned around to put them in her bag. The men shifted as I took a moment to determine what I wanted to shift into since I would be carrying Oria. I decided on a tiger.

The shift was quick. My paws massaged the dirt and the thought of running had me excited and worried. I still had energy from our breakfast, but not sleeping was going to hit me hard. I knelt down low to allow Oria to climb on me. Once she was settled, we start running.

Did Addie betray us, or do you think someone is using her? Oria asked.

Her emotions were chaotic, but the underlying emotion was sadness.

I don’t think she would, but I can’t say for sure.

I just want this to be over. I’m tired, Max. She said leaning down on me.

We will figure this out. If it's the last thing we do, we will be together again. I said.

Oria didn’t say anything for the rest of the run. We arrived at an enormous home along with a small quaint village not too far down the road. A woman and another wolf were standing in front. The wolves stopped immediately, shifting, as I let Oria down.

Her legs wobbled a little, our bond was exhausted since neither of us had rested well the past day. I shifted back to a man when Oria stumbled, and Aeon caught her.

“Sorry, I think everything is catching up to me,” her voice slurred.

My body was sluggish, but my possessiveness burned bright. “I got her,” I all but snarled at him, walking to her.

“Hey, are you ok?” A dark-haired woman with violet eyes walked up to Oria.

Oria cried as she reached for the woman. “They’re gone. Help me, please.”

“Oh, honey.” The dark-haired woman wrapped her arms around Oria. “Let’s get you guys showered and fed, maybe some sleep? If you’re feeling up to it, we can discuss some ideas ok?”

“No sleep, we don’t have much time,” she hiccupped.

My heart felt heavy with our decision to split up.

“No one is useful when they are tired,” she said. “Come on.”

She looked over at me. “Hello, my name is Max.”

“Were you the cheetah who jumped out of the car?” She raised an eyebrow.

I tilted my head until it clicked. “That was me,” I said. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”

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