Page 74 of Draven

Panic surged through me. No, I thought, furious. My dragon rose inside me, demanding to be unleashed.

But before I could reach for my beast, the pain intensified. Darkness closed in around me and I blacked out.

I found myself lying on the dirt path leading to Tobias' trailer. Groaning, I pushed myself up, the pain in my head still throbbing.

I touched my chest, tugging at my shirt to peer at the rune there, but it appeared as it did that morning, almost faded.

What just happened?

"Tobias," I thought, anger simmering to the surface as I struggled to get to my feet.

What I felt earlier was an echo of my mate's pain. My mind raced with questions while my inner dragon seethed.

Someone had gotten to Tobias while he was in town.

How much time had passed? I looked up, cursed, and saw the sun was setting.

Tobias ought to be home by now, but instead, the distance between us was growing.

I could hardly sense his presence anymore, and that realization nearly sent me into full panic mode.

My dragon roared inside me, almost bursting out of my skin. I was on the verge of transformation, teetering on the edge of losing control.

If I gave in to my beast, the rest of my sanity would follow. I clenched my fists, struggling to hold back the change.

The memory of the night I met Tobias flashed through my mind—the moments we spent together, the way he never gave up on me once.

I couldn’t lose myself, not now and not ever.

My rage subsided, allowing me to think clearly. I needed to be level-headed about this, or else I'd truly lose my mate, my treasure.

I took a deep breath, focusing on the bond we shared, and steadied myself. I had to find him, and I had to do it with a clear mind.

When reaching out to Tobias through our mate bond didn't work, I knew he must have been too far away by now.

I tried calling Tobias first, but there was no answer. I told myself not to breathe in and out. After leaving a text message, I called Lucinda next.

"When I left him after our lunch, everything seemed fine. Are you telling me Tobias has gone missing?" she demanded.

I had no time for explanations. "I'll let you know if I find something," I told her, and called Zane next.

"Draven, stay there. I'll come to you," Zane said after hearing what transpired.

"No, I can't afford to wait. It's Tobias' life at stake, Zane," I insisted.

"Draven, dammit--" Zane began, but I cut him off.

I took a deep breath, realizing that could have been the last conversation I ever had with my lead alpha. What a pity.

I was just beginning to know Doyle and Zane, and was even considering moving to Sky Stead—if Tobias agreed with that plan—and starting a new life there.

That future seemed all but gone now.

I could still feel my beast beneath my skin, hungry for blood, but I had it under control for once because we both agreed that saving Tobias was our number one priority.

My phone vibrated in my hand again. I expected the call to be from either Zane or Lucinda, but seeing Tobias' name flashing across the screen, my heart leapt into my throat.

"Tobias?" I immediately said. "Where are you?"

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