In a single instant, his Instinct roared to life, making his blood pump so fast in his body that it felt like it had nowhere else to go. In the back of his stunned, suspended mind, he wondered if he would bleed out, for surely, that was theonlyplace his blood could go. Out. Away from his body, expelled just as he felt his soul attach to this small, beguiling, frightened creature in front of him.
His mate.
His fated mate.
Hisluxiva.
She was staring straight at him in the darkness, though even he recognized that she could not see him. At least not physically.
Shedidsense him, however. That much he was certain of. She felt the pull, felt her mate near, though she did not know what that meant or why. Not yet, at least.
Cruxan struggled to pull in air. He felt something in his hand and then remembered his dagger. He remembered Jaxor’an, remembered his mission.
He needed to get her to safety. Both of them. That was his first priority. He would deal with the reality of his awakened Instinct at another time. There was no other option.
With that realization in mind, though it was the most difficult thing he’d ever had to do, he ripped his gaze away from his golden-haired female and refocused it on his enemy. The Luxirian who had turned his back on his people, on his own brother, who had endangered these females,Cruxan’sfemale, by stealing them away into the wild lands of Luxiria.
He felt the rage build within, a much more familiar emotion to him. A welcome friend.
He embraced it, let it feed him.
Without another moment’s hesitation, Cruxan entered the clearing.
Flipping the hilt of his dagger in the palm of his hand, restless energy flowing through him, his gaze focused on the traitor.
“It has been a long while, Jaxor’an.”
Chapter Five
Jaxor’an didn’t even flinch when Cruxan addressed him, as if he’d been waiting forsomethingto happen.
And it was true that Jaxor’an seemed to be waiting…but for what? Or for who?
Unease slid down Cruxan’s spine and it took everything in him not to turn around and look at hisluxiva. He felt the sudden, overwhelming newness of his Instinct’s presence, felt it prowl in his chest like a feral beast, uneasy, restless.
Needful.
His breathing was low, but he scented his mate everywhere around him. Across his skin, through his hair, deep in the sizzling of his belly. He felt her gaze, heard the uneven beat of her heart in her chest.
He blinked, keeping his gaze steady on Jaxor’an. His fist clenched around the dagger, but he needed to keep his composure. One wrong move on his part and it could endanger the females. There was no telling what Jaxor’an had planned.
The male looked different and yet the same as he’d been the last time Cruxan had seen him. Over ten rotations ago now. He’d been young, just out of military training.
Jaxor’an had always been the more rebellious of the two brothers. Whereas Vaxa’an was serious and determined, Jaxor’an lived to push boundaries.
Even now, Cruxan could see that same male within the Luxirian crouched over the lantern before him. But there was something changed about him. A cold detachment, a seriousness that reminded him more of Vaxa’an’s nature. And he wantedthatpart of Jaxor’an no where near his mate.
“You were always a good tracker, Cruxan,” Jaxor’an said in Luxirian, his voice low, husky. Unused. Cruxan’s gaze narrowed. “I had hoped my brother would send another or that perhaps you’d be inOtala.”
Thankfully, Cruxan had returned from his outpost just that morning at Vaxa’an’s request.
“I will be taking them back now,” Cruxan said slowly, measured. “I will be taking you into custody to await trial before the elders for taking them and endangering them. Perhaps your brother can sway their thoughts. Pray to the Fates he will, after how you betrayed him.”
Jaxor’an didn’t even flinch at his harsh barb.
“You will not take them,” Jaxor’an said easily.
Cruxan would have laughed had the situation called for it. “If you believe I am leaving here without them, you have truly descended into theMevirax’smadness.”
