Page 7 of Bound By My Alpha Mate

My uncaring response prompted Aislin to bristle. “We tried! But even merging our two packs, we’re way outnumbered by Dalesbloom and the Inkscales.” Anger colored her voice.

Everett placed a hand on Aislin’s shoulder, giving her unspoken reassurance.

“So, where is my mother now?”

“We don’t know,” said Sebastian. “Dalesbloom have vacated their territory, and we haven’t been able to track them.”

My eyebrows rose in disbelief. “How can you not be able to track them? They stunk up the northeastern part of their border. Just go there and follow the smell.”

Everett shook his head. “You don’t understand. Entering Dalesbloom territory is a death sentence for us.”

“Then send Mythguard.”

“We tried,” replied Sebastian. “Either we’re attacked or we can’t find them. The trap you were caught in—we were hoping to catch somebody from Dalesbloom or one of the dragons.”

“I find it hard to believe you can’t track them down. They’re here. They chased me last night,” I said, my anger rising. My hybrid beast raged at last night’s memory. I’d been attacked, yet these people were insisting that they couldn’t figure out where the hell their enemies were coming from? “So, you don’t even know where they’re keeping my mom?”

“Miss Vale, we’re trying our best,” Sebastian said.

“We don’t have much longer before the next full moon. If she’s still with them, they’re going to rip that horn out of her head and use it in a Lycan ritual!”

“We’re very aware of that,” growled Everett.

“And yet, you’re just milling around, expecting them to walk into your little traps, instead of searching for the monsters that took my mother,” I accused, standing up. “Unlike you, I’m not afraid to do what needs to be done. Thanks for coming to meet me, but I feel like I’m just wasting time by being here.”

“Wait. You can’t leave,” said Aislin. “You should stay where we can protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection.”

“We disagree,” said Sebastian.

Everett folded his arms. “You’re endangering everyone here by going off alone. If you get caught, too, we’ll have twice as many Lycans running around after the full moon.”

“I’ll be dead, so it won’t matter to me,” I said. That was selfish of me, sure, but it was the truth. All I cared about was rescuing my mother, and whatever happened to these people if I failed wasn’t my problem. Having finished my salad and glass of water, I turned my back on everyone and went for the door.

Everyone moved with me.

“We’re serious, Kiara,” warned Sebastian.

Aislin jogged up behind me. “Look, it’s really important that you come with us to Grandbay!”

The moment I felt her reaching for my arm, I whirled around and slapped her hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

The redhead pulled back and grimaced. “We care about you and Muriel both! Just give us a chance.”

“No. Maybe if you had an actual plan, but you don’t.” I turned away, reaching to open the door. The moment the sunlight hit me, the Mythguard humans all turned to face me. I charged onward.

Sebastian shoved Aislin out of the way to follow me out the door. “Kiara, I’m sorry, but we can’t let you leave,” said the tall man.

Still walking, I glared over my shoulder at him, but as I saw him coming for me, I started to run.

“Stop her!” Sebastian shouted to the others.

Alarmed by the sudden command, the humans scrambled between pointing their rifles and lunging at me. Only a couple made the decision to physically intercept me, leaping forth to grab at my arms. Their daring made my rage flare up. When I felt a hand wrap around my wrist, I yanked it away and scowled at the person. Then, somebody grabbed my other hand, the one holding the knife; I pulled but couldn’t free myself. I faced that human and swung my free fist at his face, but he ducked and dodged the blow. Somebody else suddenly appeared and grabbed my other arm.

“Kiara! Just listen to us!” Everett said behind me.

“Shit. Don’t fuckin’ manhandle her,” Aislin snapped at the Mythguard humans.

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