Cold washed over Rourke."And the destination is?"
Geri shrugged.
"You should be able to feel where they're heading, Rourke."Due touched his arm again."The mate bond.I know Connor is in that direction."She pointed toward the dining hall."I feel it.You should be able to feel where Ezra is."
Rourke took a deep breath and closed his eyes.Where was Ezra?His wolf whined and clawed in his mind, wanting to run toward the witches' settlement.
"The clan."His voice sounded far away, and his wolf almost broke through his human shell.The need to run, to hunt, to catch Ezra before he got too far away had claws forming on his hands.
"Feared so."Geri sounded grim.
"Why would he go there?"Rourke looked around at the people closest to him.
"It's where Jiprix is taking him."Farkas' teeth were too large for his mouth.
"It'll be bad if they get there."Geri looked pale.
"Let's go."Ulric joined the group.
Rourke narrowed his eyes."It might be a trap."
"I'm sure it is.They'll sense us.They have wards around their land."Ulric looked grim."But doing nothing isn't an option."
Maybe they were overreacting.Maybe Ezra would come back.Rourke didn't think he wanted to go back to the clan.The last few days, he'd been happy here.He had friends, he'd been laughing, had been panting and groaning in Rourke's arms, had been baking and smiling.Not to mention Harold was here.He didn't think he'd willingly leave Harold behind.
"Running in half-crazed without a plan might get us killed."
"Or not.If we act now, they might not have time to assemble the forces.All we want is Ezra, right?We run in, grab him, and run back."
Geri nodded at Ulric's words."Yes, let's go.We need to go now before it's too late."
Rourke didn't like this."This mission is voluntary."He looked around and realized the entire corridor was full of people.Normally, he only had these kinds of discussions with his council.He turned so he was facing everyone."It might get messy.We have no real plan.It will be dangerous."
A murmur rose, and Rourke nodded."Ulric, you stay behind in case something happens to me."
"Fuck no.We're going.Now."Ulric stepped around him and walked out into the night.Rourke should haul him back, should put him in his place, show everyone who was watching them you didn't disobey your alpha's order, but...
"Let's go!"Every single person in the corridor followed him outside.
* * * *
Chapter 21
This was bad.Ezra was pretty sure he'd made the wrong decision.Jiprix was more or less hanging over the steering wheel, driving slower than Ezra believed was normal.
"We should turn around."
"No."
There was a clawing in Ezra's chest he couldn't make sense of.It was like when he'd sensed Rourke while waiting in Farkas' cabin, only ten times worse.Almost painful.He rubbed his sternum, needing it to stop.
"Jiprix, you need to rest, and I need to get back."
Jiprix glanced at him."Why?"
"What do you mean?It's my home.My...eh...mate is there."
Jiprix didn't move any muscles in his face, and yet Ezra had the feeling he was sneering.No one had sneered at him in ages.The wolves didn't sneer.He was sure they could, but they'd treated him kindly.The first few days had been hard, but not nearly as bad as Ezra had believed they'd be.
