“Promises, promises,” I manage, echoing my earlier words.
His eyes darken with warning, but there’s heat there, too. A promise of more to come.
I lean into him, resting my head against his chest. I can hear his heart still racing. “We should probably get back to the palace.”
“Probably.” But he doesn’t move, just holds me close for another minute or two.
Finally, he steps back and finds my discarded clothes. As he helps me dress, his touch is gentle, almost reverent—a stark contrast to moments ago.
When we’re ready to go, his hand finds mine. Our fingers lace together briefly before he shifts, and I climb onto his wolf, deliriously happy.
Kieranand I stumble out of the forest and up to his chambers. My skin is still flushed, my lips still swollen from his kisses, and I can still feel the ghost of his touch everywhere on my body. The festival was perfect. Everything was perfect.
“I need to shower.” I make a face at the sticky feeling between my thighs. “And so do you.”
Kieran has just closed the door behind him, and he gives me a smile—one that I’m beginning to recognize. “I’ll join you.”
I hold up my hand and press it against his chest, a breathy laugh on my lips. “I don’t think so. If we both get in that shower, you won’t let me bathe. I get to go first.”
He’s about to argue when a sharp knock interrupts him.
“Alpha Kieran,” a servant’s voice calls through the wood. “King Lucian requests your immediate presence in his study. Along with that of your mate. It’s urgent.”
Kieran’s expression cools immediately, all traces of desire vanishing. He looks at me, then back at the door. “We’ll be there shortly.”
I groan. “At this point, I wish he would just come and find us himself.”
“Go shower.” Kieran’s hand cups my face. “Take your time. Join us when you’re ready.”
I lean into his touch. “You sure?”
“Yes. I’ll fill you in when you get there.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, then releases me and heads out the door.
I watch him leave, a warm feeling still lingering in my chest. Then, I make my way to the bathroom to let the hot water wash away the sweat and other evidence of our encounter. I hum softly as I scrub my skin, taking my time, letting the steam relax muscles I didn’t realize were tense.
When I finally emerge, wrapped in a robe with my hair damp against my shoulders, I feel lighter than I have in years. I change quickly into clean clothes and make my way to Lucian’s study. However, the moment I open the door, that lightness dies.
Kieran stands rigid by the window, his shoulders tense, jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle jumping beneath his skin. Lucian sits behind his desk, his expression carved from stone. Leon stands near the fireplace, staring into the flames.
No one is speaking. The silence is suffocating.
“What’s happening?” I ask, alarmed and wary. Every instinct I possess is telling me that something is very, very wrong.
Kieran turns, and the look in his eyes makes my stomach drop. Pure dread mixed with what looks like fury barely held in check.
“Daciana…” he starts, but then he stops.
“Just tell me.” I move further into the room, anxiety unfurling within me.
Lucian leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled. “I sent people to the Silver Stone Pack to retrieve your parents.”
My heart starts to pound. “And?”
Kieran takes over. “They’re missing. Your entire family. Your parents, all four of your brothers. The house was empty when the scouts arrived. Nobody knows where they are.”
The world tilts sideways. I grab the back of the nearest chair to steady myself.
“Missing?” My breath catches. My parents. Darius and Mikhail, only ten and twelve. Marcus and Stefan, in their early twenties. They can’t be just…gone. Panic claws up my throat.“They have to be there. They wouldn’t just—Where would they go? Did you check with the neighbors? Maybe they went to visit someone, or—”
