Page 7 of Beyond the Darkness

Connie smirked at Hudson.

Not seeing a way out of this, Hudson did what any good ruler would do… and threw his best friend under the bus. “Kage is to blame.”

“Oh really?” Kit asked mockingly, even as he grinned.

“This I have to hear,” Connie added. “Maybe I should’ve recorded this conversation and sent it to Kage, since apparently he’s to blame.”

Hudson’s dragon snorted in his head.

Fortunately, he was spared from having to come up with an answer when he saw Nelson and Mitchell’s SUV approaching. The playful atmosphere immediately dissipated as everyone held their breath, waiting for them to arrive.

When the two stepped out, Hudson’s heart sank. The grim expressions on their faces spoke volumes. A feeling of dread washed over him. “Dammit.”

Mitchell slightly bowed his head to Hudson. “I’m sorry, but we lost him. That’s the bad news. The good news is we’re almost a hundred percent certain it was Don. It was the same make and model as Don’s truck.”

“He says almost a hundred percent because we never got to see the front where the damage is supposed to be located,” Nelson added, also bowing his head.

“How did you lose him?” Hudson asked, a growl in his voice.

Nelson and Mitchell immediately snapped to attention, and a slightly acidic tendril of fear wafted from them, intensifying the tense atmosphere.

Kit glanced at Hudson and wordlessly moved to stand by his side, gently taking his hand.

Hudson looked down at their entwined fingers, then looked up. Concern showed on Kit’s face. Taking a deep breath, Hudson steadied himself. “I am not annoyed you lost him. I am annoyed he had the audacity to follow my mate.”

Nelson and Mitchell let out a collective sigh of relief, and the pungent scent of fear receded. Hudson’s stomach churned with guilt, even though he knew his dragons were not afraid of him. That wasn’t what their reaction had been about.

They were not afraidofhim—they were afraidforhim. And Kit. And Connie. Every dragon there was well aware of how devastating the loss of a mate could be. Not to mention that out of all of them, Kit was the most susceptible.

“He went down a one-way street, which was packed, and there were a lot of people out and about,” Mitchell said. “It was complete chaos, with people screaming and trying to get out of the way.”

Hudson swore softly. “Was anybody injured?”

“Fortunately, no,” Nelson said. “But it was a big enough mess we managed to lose him.”

“And we still don’t know where he is?” Hudson asked, making sure he kept his voice level. His dragons did not deserve to be subjected to Hudson’s concern over Kit. “He hasn’t been home?”

“The last update we got from Torres was that no, Don has not returned to the house he rents,” Nelson added. “We also do not know where Lennox is, either.”

“Thank you both. I appreciate your help this afternoon,” Hudson said. “And I apologize if my brief lack of control made you think you were in danger from me.”

“You would never hurt us,” Nelson said.

“No matter how mad you got,” Mitchell added. “It’s all good, Hudson.”

“Thank you,” Hudson said.

Nelson and Mitchell both bowed their heads again to Hudson, then took their leave.

Connie ran his hand up and down Hudson’s back. “Why don’t we eat in our quarters? We’ve had a scare, and I’m sure it would help all three of us to spend some time alone.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Kit said.

Hudson didn’t argue because Connie was correct. All he wanted to do was barricade himself and his mates in their room and bare his teeth at anybody who came near.

“Hudson?” Connie asked.

Turning his head, Hudson pressed a kiss to Connie’s cheek. “You’re perfect, and that’s a perfect idea. Thank you, sweetheart.”

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