Page 2 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Seth stroked Aric’s jaw. “Our mate is coming. He doesn’t know about us yet, but once he does?” He smiled, and the sight eased the terror bubbling up through Aric. “We will be the center of his world.” Then the smile faded, replaced by an expression Aric recognized instantly.

Grim determination.

“Aric, listen to me. We’re getting out of here.”

He said nothing. He’d heard the words before.

“Aric, we don’t have much time. You’ve heard the rumors going around, haven’t you? They’re going to take us to a new camp.”

“Then let’s hope it’s better than this one.”

Seth frowned. “You don’t understand. I… I don’t think they’re going to take all of us.”

Panic flooded through him in an icy wave. “You mean they might?”

Seth stopped his words with a kiss. “You’ve already helped me try to reach him. Well… I’m going to need you to help him findme. Because they’re not about to leave me here.”

Aric’s throat seized, and for a moment he struggled to breathe.

“They’re going to split us up. Either you’ll be taken someplace different or I will. Right now I can’t see which way it will go.”

“What about Jake?”

Seth bit his lip. “I think they’ll keep us together, at least until they work out how they can use us.” He stroked Aric’s cheek. “Listen, baby. You and me, we have a connection. And there isnothingthat can break that, you hear?”

Except if they kill you. Or me.

No way would Aric say those words aloud.

“And that connection is what will help bring our mate to me. To us.” Seth locked gazes with him. “So you have to makemea promise too.”

“Anything.” Aric gulped.

“You have to stay alive, even if you need to kill to do that.” Seth gripped his chin. “Canyou do that?”

Aric swallowed. “It doesn’t seem as if I have a choice, does it?”

“You have to live. Our mate will come here—that much Icansee—and when he does, you have to tell him about me. About us. Because then the two of you can rescue me.”

“So you already know you’ll need rescuing?” Aric fixed him with a hard stare. “There’s stuff you haven’t told me, isn’t there?”

Seth kissed his forehead. “Only because I don’t want you to worry.”

Aric wanted to be angry—to protest that he could cope—but he couldn’t, not when Seth held him so close, sharing his warmth.

“Want to try again before we get some sleep?”

Aric nodded. He closed his eyes and opened his mind. He could already sense Seth there, waiting for him. He had no clue how Seth was able to project his thoughts, but then again, he had a feeling most of Seth’s psychic abilities lay untapped.

Together they sent out their distress call for a man neither of them had ever seen but believed would come for them—if he only knew they existed.

Save us.

Save us.

Save us.

Chapter One

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