Page 10 of A Warrior's Fate

“Great,” Isla said, hoping she hadn’t weaseled into the poor graces of her future commander before spinning on her heels and descending into the crowd.

In the middle of the room, she paused and tried to pull on her keener senses. They were much better when she shifted, but her going full wolf in the middle of a dance floor would likely be concerning. So instead, she closed her eyes and sought out that tether again.

Come on, where the hell are you?

She couldn’t feel him at all. Of course, when she wanted to.

Isla opened her eyes and weaved her way through the bodies, trying to keep her pace and heartbeat even. This room was full of the most powerful wolves on the continent—influential leaders, fearsome warriors, steadfast guards—if she presented any remote threat, the whole room would erupt in chaos and there would be no hesitation to neutralize her.

But her steady steps transformed into a run as she turned to head down the hallway she’d walked just hours before, her dress billowing behind her. She threw herself against the heavy door to the terrace, the glass rattling and creaking as it flew open, her heels clicking against the patio as she crossed outside. She was keen on the shadows, but the darkness was barren.

“Where are you?” she whispered into the wind through gritted teeth, taking a few more steps along the stones before coming to a stop.

She felt him now.

Isla rushed to the furthest side of the banister and found Kai down below in the gardens, pacing. He’d taken off his coat and left it thrown on one of the stairs. Now he was only in his fitted tunic, sleeves rolled up high to reveal the muscles of his arms, the black ink of tattoos snaking along one of them. She could see him tense, shadows dancing with the moonlight on his amber skin as he ran a hand agitatedly over his hair. Some of the pieces now curled towards his forehead.

She gulped, gathering her gall before calling out to him, “Alpha Kai.”

It was the first time she’d said his name. It felt strange coming from her mouth.

Kai didn’t answer. Didn’t even flinch or look in her direction. Either he’d known she was there from the beginning, gone deaf, or was so lost in his mind that he’d missed it. She moved from her spot and took to the stairs, going down them so quickly that she nearly fell over.

When her feet hit the grass, he glanced at her and then away again. Up at the sky, then forward. There had been a mix of emotions in his eyes—anger and some type of bitterness laced with that coolness that he’d had when they’d first met.

Isla stayed silent, taking him in before she dug herself into a hole. The thought of turning around and forgetting her mission crept into her mind, but she pushed it away. She couldn’t hold back. Not anymore.

“What are you doing out here?” A simple start. Easier than just jumping in and blurting, I think you’re my mate.

She choked on her inhale when Kai stopped and turned to her fully. He was so…focused, his eyes drinking in every drop of her. Like he was stripping her down where she stood.

Isla struggled to temper the spark that his stare ignited, threatening to raise wildfire again.

Before she’d reached the point of impatience to repeat her question, Kai went back to his pacing. His fists clenched at his sides. “If I was in that ballroom for one more second, I was going to lose my mind, kill that general and every man who has so much as looked at you tonight.”

Isla felt that throbbing deep at her core again. It was something about the unbridled emotions that fueled a power within him serving as a beacon to her. That forged and reinforced the tether to her soul meant to bring her closer.

Mine.

Maybe.

She was caught between being inexplicably aroused, terrified, and overwhelmed.

Isla hesitated before asking, “So…you feel it, too?”

Kai laughed but it didn’t sound happy, more one of disbelief and aggravation. “It’s burning me alive.”

Isla took that as her confirmation, and it nearly took the wind out of her. He’d experienced the fire, the hunger, the draw. It was mutual. They were…

“So, this is it?” Isla’s voice had gone high in surprise, her composure dwindling. “Us. We’re…mates? You and me.”

It was as if everything made sense, but absolutely nothing at the same time.

Just yesterday, she and the other members of her pack had made the long journey from Io to Callisto. Through the hours of driving—there were too many of them to attempt to fly, and they were too important to risk a tragedy with the newly developed transportation—her mind had danced with visions of the Hunt, the celebrations after her victory, receiving the crescent lumerosi tattoo and her blessing from the Goddess, and her future journeys through the continent with her fellow warriors. She had it all figured out. But now, this man, this alpha who had come into her life out of nowhere, could easily destroy all of it.

With one bite, one mark, one laid claim, her mind would be lost and for the rest of time, including tomorrow, she’d be fighting for two lives. Have her own in someone else’s hands. A complete stranger.

She had to hold back her own laugh at the absurdity of it all. What were the goddesses thinking?

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